ESPN's FS coverage this season - why less than last year?

[Jasper]

Last year ESPN started showing 2 hours for SP's and then 3 hours the next day for LP's in the GP events, but it looks like again they will just have 3 total hours of LP's and nothing more like in the past. Why have they cut down amount of coverage?

 

[R.D.]

I assume they showed more last year because it was the OLY season.

 

[Jasper]

Probably, but I was hoping the networks would try to build on the momentum from last season, especially with new American kid Meissner for marketers to replace Kwan with in commercials, etc. Oh well, at least we have figureskatingvideos online to download the SP's.

 

[R.D.]

My guess is that the interest for FS simply isn't there in non-Olympic years so the events would get lower ratings than they would when there IS interest. So in their point of view I doubt it's worth it.

 

[attyfan]

Red Dog, I think you are right. It also didn't help that the ratings for the Torino Olys were at record lows, so any interest in the skaters from Olys didn't transfer to Worlds.

 

[R.D.]

it also didn't help that Worlds was on cable (since the Olympics broadcast was available to everyone in the US).

 

[La Rhumba]

I know it might be unsatisfactory for you, but it sounds amazing to me. We don't get any broadcasting of the GPs at all in many European countries. I think the ISU should address the dwindling coverage of Skating outside of Euros Olympics and Worlds. It is not a Sport that has a *season* to most TV networks, like Football, it just attracts attention during the biggest events - even on Eurosport.

 

[R.D.]

You're right. We should still consider ourselves lucky but I think it will only be another three or so years and we might have even less coverage than you guys do.

 

[ladybug]

If coverage continues to dwindle, so will the fans. It is kind of hard to be a fan of a sport that gets little or no newspaper coverage, nothing ever mentioned on television except for the Olympics and COI and SOI keep cutting their schedules.

It is like Regionals and Sectionals. Most of the time even the fans don't know who won what. If it weren't for the skating forums, we would be totally in the dark. However, it is well covered on television sports that Jones High School football team won Friday nights game over their rival Smith High School.

Ladybug

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

One way to keep figure skating on TV is to buy the sponsors' products. Who's ever sponsoring Poker is getting a lot of coverage.

Joe

 

[R.D.]

that's another good point. Of course we all want more coverage of skating but we also have to be realistic and look at it from the TV networks' point of view.

But yes, it's all about sponsors and revenue. If they make the money they'll keep the sponsorship which helps keep the program on the air.

 

[boomer]

ESPN and ESPN2 show each part of the the World Series of Poker about 10 times, but can't find a spot to show the GP SP's.
That doesn't make sense to me.
However, I suspect the poker games are just big infomercials to recruit new players.

 

[La Rhumba]

Isn't it a pity that the Figure Skating Channel folded?

I paid, and was willing to pay again, to view coverage online. It's strange that many skating magazines change ownership or go out of business, I wonder why? Are we tight fisted with our cash? No, I don't think so. I pay up for a lot of products skating related, so it does make you question why? :scratch:

 

[Mathman]

However, I suspect the poker games are just big infomercials to recruit new players.

Wow, that's an angle I never thought of before. The big casinos and online gambling sites stand to make a bundle, that's for sure.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Jhar55]

I just happen to work for the Casino that has the poker on TV...Never watch

 

[Jasper]

Okay guys, everyone go out and buy Orida's easy fries! They microwave crispy - the first fries to do so!

lol, I just want my figure skating, is that so much to ask for?

 

[Johar]

Public interest in skating has dwindled the past four years, which is reflected in the TV ratings. The networks have to go where the money is, even if it mean celebrity baton twirling and not skating.