well actually wrote:
Hobby Yogging wrote:
This thread essentially is people complaining about the coverage, but not offering any actual improvements. You don't want any cut aways during races, that's fine. Then how do you suggest making the first 8 laps of a 5k entertaining? The last mile is where that race gets interesting to watch.
You don't want ESPN to do short focuses on the defending champions either? Considering most fans don't know who won what in most events, it certainly seems understandable to talk about them.
ESPN has awful commentary, that's no surprise. But it terms of production, it could be substantially worse. I find their camera shots to be similar to NBC.
Lastly, while many people on here think the coverage needs to be tailored to the most diehard fans desire, ESPN has to make it appealing to the novice fans too. Just enjoy that the coverage is on TV and not put behind FloTrack's paywall, which also comes with lousy production.
Actually, most complaints here are about the camera angle. But since you mentioned it...
You can interview the defending champion in split screen format. Have the race continue to be shown, but in the top corner you can have the interview being shown.
The % of novice fans watching this meet is pretty damn low. On a friday and saturday night, the only people watching the NCAA championships are big fans of the sport. Especially last night when the NBA finals had a game too.
ESPN tailors their coverage to the 10% of novice fans while screwing over the 90% of diehard fans that are tuned in. Those fans want to see the entire 5k. There is a video feed that will show entire field events, yet there is no way to watch the entire distance races. They should be more concerned with the 90% than the 10% - it's simple math and simple economics.
As I pointed out, ESPN's camera angles are very similar to that of other companies.
To your other point, I think you'll find that the % of novice fans is a lot higher. I'd bet a much bigger percentage didn't know much about 90% of the competitors in the races. Hell, even the diehards don't know a large portion of those competitors. College track simply isn't covered much, it wasn't covered a ton on here either. So they tailor their production of the races based on that.