Media & Sport

Sport & The Media “ Of the millions of dollars that circulate in the media sport industry, only a small proportion is ever used to nurture grassroots sport………Elite sport is now, more than ever, the playground of corporate capitalism.” (Whannel 2002) “ If teams and ticket prices are chasing people out of the arena and onto their couches, it doesn’t matter as long as those people are watching sports on television. Television is where corporate America makes its money” (Carter 2002)

Forms of media

Polysemic Media professional’s give THEIR interpretation of an event and this often differs from your own or other peoples views. Sports events covered by the media are said to be: POLYSEMIC (Wide range of opinions)

Mediation Facts are not always reported but often a individuals view of the facts are reported. This is called MEDIATION. How many times have you picked up a match report in a paper of a game you attended and found that the reporter saw the same the game completely differently?

Newspapers Three categories: Popular Tabloids Tabloids Broadsheets

Television Sport on TV has grown rapidly in the past 20 years. People who own broadcasting companies have gained more and more power in sport. ITV digital – Nationwide leagues Proposed Friday night 6 Nations games

SKY In reality the growth of sport coverage has occurred as a result of SKY.

Sky has four channels dedicated to sport, plus a rolling news network and a pay per view channel. Recently we have seen Manchester United (MUTV) and Chelsea launch their own channels on Sky. You have experienced the type and range of sports that Sky covers remember the bass fishing? Sky Sports is a very powerful channel and has raised the profile of a huge number of sports

TV Sport Coverage July-August 1998 Minutes of coverage SPORTBBC1BBC2ITVC4EURO SPORT SKYCH5% TOTAL COVERA GE FOOTBALL GENERAL GOLF MOTORSP ORT CRICKET TENNIS MOTORCY LCING RACING BOXING RUGBY LEAGUE

Mediated Coverage Sport is presented in ‘mediated’ form, presenters etc make decisions about how the sport is presented to us. This is done to make sport more attractive to the ‘floating’ viewer. This means TV changes sport to maximise viewer numbers.

How does TV change sport? 1) Camera positions – more cameras, helmet cam, wicket cam, track cam, birdseye cam. These all contribute to a more enjoyable viewing experience. We are closer to the action – emotions, expressions.

How does TV change sport? 2) Commentary to interpret polysemic images. A new breed of commentators explains the action and interprets events.

How does TV change sport? 3) The development of expert commentary using former and current players to add their views as people who have been in that position. These pundits have become celebrities in their own right.

How does TV change sport? 4) By employing a narrative technique the action is developed as a story to make it: more understandable for the casual viewer more dramatic for the confirmed viewer.

Effects of TV coverage on sport ££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££ Increased sums of money are generated through broadcast rights and sponsorship deals. The higher profile the event the more sponsors it attracts. Clubs / Teams etc can then spend this money on players, facility’s etc

Effects of TV coverage on sport Changes to the rules to make the game more attractive and exciting. Rugby- bonus points / yellow card One day Cricket - free hit after no ball Football- Golden goal in extra time Creation of 20/20 cricket Introduction of time outs – ‘word from our sponsors’.

Effects of TV coverage on sport Changes in the presentation of the sport Changes to kick off times – evening, Sundays. WRU looking into playing 6 Nations matches on Fridays. Changes to playing kit to make the sport look more attractive- coloured ball

Other forms of media coverage Radio – In depth analysis – BBC Radio Five Live, Talksport etc This is a good example of mediation as there are no pictures we are completely dependant on the observations and interpretations of the commentators. Back to Square 1

Other forms of media coverage Books – This is an increasingly popular form of media. Many sports stars are releasing books about their careers which offer unique insights which were previously unknown. Lance Armstrong, Roy Keane, David Beckham, Gavin Henson, Michael Jordan.

Other forms of media coverage Films / Videos Rocky Hoop Dreams Remember The Titans Living with the Lions

Other forms of media coverage Internet Masses of info Websites dedicated to individual sports, news, results, forums etc. Problem is that lots of info is unedited and can often reflect the views of a minority.

AO3 For AO3 you will look at the relationship between a: Well established sport Developing Sport Sport in Society Issues & Controversies by Jay Coakley is an excellent resource for this AO. It is based on American sports and culture but is an excellent resource for making comparisons between the UK and US.