04/26/24
February 18, 2002
ESPN gets dramatic.: "With the recent NBA acquisition, ESPN has the schedule it has always sought -- a blend of pro sporting events that carries it from fall through summer. And the network will continue to pursue major sports rights -- Wimbledon is its next conquest, according to sources. But by turning to original movies, Shapiro hopes to add new viewers while keeping the sports fan engaged year-round. The network's first original movie, A Season on The Brink, premieres March 10, and Shapiro hopes to follow it with similar sports-themed dramas in short order. The next movie project in development deals with the terrorist attack on the Israeli Olympic team during the 1972 Munich Olympics. Shapiro is also considering developing an original series or two." (via Mediabistro)
Hmmm. Would I rather see a few original ESPN movies, or more coverage of billiards, bowling, and morning aerobics? That's a tough one. It is difficult to show sports 24/7 all year around. As it is, they fill a lot of their slots with sports news and talk. (Of course, if they would show us more strongest man and lumberjack action, I'd opt for no movies.)
posted by jacknose at 12:37 PM on February 18, 2002
That's only because they have a very narrow definition of sports. I'd love to see a more international ESPN- Eurosports (Britain's ESPN) covers things like the Paris-Dakar rally, competitive ballroom dancing, and a slew of winter sports. And that doesn't even touch soccer, rugby, lacrosse... bottom line is that ESPN could find a lot of other sports programming to fill hours with if they were a bit more adventurous in their coverage. And I think they'd get a lot of attention- if they can generate coverage and attention for sports they effectively invented, like the X Games, they can certainly generate coverage for 'real' extreme sports like Paris-Dakar. Then again, maybe they just need ESPN World, like CNN/SI World Sport but 24-7. I'd pay extra for that, that's for sure.
posted by tieguy at 01:15 PM on February 18, 2002
tieguy, I'm with you on ESPN World. I have Fox Sports World as a part of the Dish Network (I just heard some ape on WFAN dissing the Dish, I love the Dish) and it has changed my life. The first thing I ever watched was Chilean Football, and the first minute of the game, the fullback grabs a forward by the shirt, just slings him around and sends him flying headfirst into the turf, great stuff. It's strange because on a very sporadic basis you will see some international soccer and rugby on ESPN2, but you'd never know when or why. I'm going to wait for Season on the Brink before I decide but at this moment let's just say I'm pessimistic about potential ESPN series: Everybody Loves Keyshawn? a tense medical drama-- DL or maybe the suddenly-hapless Buccaneers struggling to regain respect let's call it Nobody In Charge (Willie Aames in a fake goatee could do a credible Malcolm Glazer)
posted by pastepotpete at 02:07 PM on February 18, 2002
Paris-Dakar rally ...highlights of said recently were shown on Speedvision (now Speed Channel). I could see the possiblities of ESPN doing more speicalized programming, although I would question if anybody would actualy watch 'em.
posted by PeteyStock at 05:59 PM on February 18, 2002
Tie-guy is right. As much as I'm convinced that the United States (USA! USA! USA!) is the center of the universe, I can still appreciate sports from other countries. I'd love to see European soccer, rugby, lacrosse, and whatever else the world has to offer us. Except ballroom dancing. And cricket. I'd rather see ballrom dancing than cricket.
posted by Samsonov14 at 07:40 PM on February 18, 2002
I'd rather see more international sports, like Australian Rules Football, than see ESPN movies. And if they've got room for movies, why don't they consolidate some of their networks?
posted by kirkaracha at 08:02 PM on February 18, 2002
As pastepotpete mentioned, Fox Sports World is a great alternative for people wanting to see sports from other countries. I was absolutely in heaven when they devoted one whole night to table tennis.
posted by gyc at 08:43 PM on February 18, 2002
Ugh. Raise your hand if you don't want to see ESPN become MTV. That's what I thought. :/