MiamiAce
08 Jun 2006, 05:37 PM
Unfortunately, the problem with showing 2 major sporting events taking place at the same time is that one of them (at the discretion of the network) will systematically be given less promotion.
ESPN/ABC is showing both the NBA Finals and the FIFA World Cup. For the last few days, ESPN has dedicated most of its airtime to promoting and discussing the NBA Finals. Today, June 8th, day of Game 1 of the NBA Finals, ESPN1 has a "countdown clock" on its bottomline ticker for the duration of the whole day until tipoff. This is something brand new they've done for an NBA match. Now I'm not against it at all, but considering that the biggest sporting event on the planet (literally) is about to start tomorrow, you'd logically think more (at the very least) discussion would be given or a "countdown clock" of its own, but apparently not. Basically, I'm at a loss of words to see that ESPN has not generated much discussion about the latest new of the World Cup on their various sports shows (aside from the "racism in the World Cup" rhetoric we heard, which that in itself was irrelevant because that was local club problems).
I already know that ESPN has had a few short commercials promoting the World Cup, I already know ESPN is going to show all the games live (though mostly on ESPN2 during the day), I already know that basketball is more traditional than soccer in this country... so you can spare me those arguements. But the first two things are expected. It's time to go beyond what is expected. Generating daily discussion, the anticipation, in a word - "the hype", is what's needed. Yea, you know, something like what ESPN and ABC have been doing all this week for the NBA Finals. And no, not the same ol' tired discussion that goes anything like "Will Americans support the World Cup team/Can this World Cup be a success/Can soccer get over the hump here". I'm tired of all the baby steps already, it's time for a serious walk on the moon.
I really hope next time around, FIFA pays more attention to other variables when rewarding the World Cup TV rights to American networks other than the money factor. It's the same nonsense every time the World Cup comes around. The Spanish-language network in the U.S that will be showing the World Cup, Univision/Telefutura, is a prime example of what possessing the World Cup TV rights is suppose to look like - hyping the World Cup around the clock with every show segment and every TV host.
ESPN/ABC is showing both the NBA Finals and the FIFA World Cup. For the last few days, ESPN has dedicated most of its airtime to promoting and discussing the NBA Finals. Today, June 8th, day of Game 1 of the NBA Finals, ESPN1 has a "countdown clock" on its bottomline ticker for the duration of the whole day until tipoff. This is something brand new they've done for an NBA match. Now I'm not against it at all, but considering that the biggest sporting event on the planet (literally) is about to start tomorrow, you'd logically think more (at the very least) discussion would be given or a "countdown clock" of its own, but apparently not. Basically, I'm at a loss of words to see that ESPN has not generated much discussion about the latest new of the World Cup on their various sports shows (aside from the "racism in the World Cup" rhetoric we heard, which that in itself was irrelevant because that was local club problems).
I already know that ESPN has had a few short commercials promoting the World Cup, I already know ESPN is going to show all the games live (though mostly on ESPN2 during the day), I already know that basketball is more traditional than soccer in this country... so you can spare me those arguements. But the first two things are expected. It's time to go beyond what is expected. Generating daily discussion, the anticipation, in a word - "the hype", is what's needed. Yea, you know, something like what ESPN and ABC have been doing all this week for the NBA Finals. And no, not the same ol' tired discussion that goes anything like "Will Americans support the World Cup team/Can this World Cup be a success/Can soccer get over the hump here". I'm tired of all the baby steps already, it's time for a serious walk on the moon.
I really hope next time around, FIFA pays more attention to other variables when rewarding the World Cup TV rights to American networks other than the money factor. It's the same nonsense every time the World Cup comes around. The Spanish-language network in the U.S that will be showing the World Cup, Univision/Telefutura, is a prime example of what possessing the World Cup TV rights is suppose to look like - hyping the World Cup around the clock with every show segment and every TV host.