On October 14 2011 19:33 CHOMPMannER wrote:
no thanks I watch real sports on espn.

Internet is for e-sports.

Maybe show some big tournaments on G4

You are exactly the kind of person that is hurting e sports. We are trying to get it recognized as an actually sport and then people like you come along and say... video games aren't sports, they don't involve competition and training

elSupremo

United States6 Posts

October 17 2011 04:37 GMT

#882

I highly doubt it. I've been playing Paintball for years and their scene is going through similar struggles to get mainstream media attention. We've gotten some events televised, including national and college events, but that's rare if that. Even then the argument that ESPN would play more of the conventional sports hold more true to paintball, not necessarily Starcraft.

MonkSEA

Australia1227 Posts

October 17 2011 04:40 GMT

#883

On October 17 2011 13:37 elSupremo wrote:
I highly doubt it. I've been playing Paintball for years and their scene is going through similar struggles to get mainstream media attention. We've gotten some events televised, including national and college events, but that's rare if that. Even then the argument that ESPN would play more of the conventional sports hold more true to paintball, not necessarily Starcraft.

While I know Paintball has a competitive side, most people view it as for fun. Sound similar?

They're on the same boat imo.

Goshdarnit

United States540 Posts

October 17 2011 04:41 GMT

#884

Meh, I love tournament starcraft and I love me some football (both kinds). But I think it could work with limited success in the form of tournament matches... yet I am not sure how you could convey the tension between two players without watching at least 3 series in a row or something.

TheSwamp

United States1497 Posts

October 17 2011 04:48 GMT

#885

Why would I watch a shittier version of MLG? I think it's awesome for the growth of SC2, but there's no way it could compare to watching the streams, especially after the amazing display MLG put on in Orlando.

TheSwamp

United States1497 Posts

October 17 2011 04:51 GMT

#886

On October 17 2011 10:22 hobosrus wrote:

Show nested quote +

Starcaft players don't have an off season either. They train with same intensity all year long.

Flamingo777

United States1190 Posts

October 17 2011 04:52 GMT

#887

The closest thing we have to a true gaming television network is G4TTV, and that is a reality-ridden, advertisement/sponsor-centered pathetic excuse for a gaming network (Good for casual gamers I guess.) This would be a good way to show progaming in a good light, so it's a yes from me!

NEgroidZerg

United States244 Posts

October 17 2011 04:57 GMT

#888

ESPN could use something better at night than world series of poker reruns.

Thurokiir

United States779 Posts

October 17 2011 05:06 GMT

#889

On October 17 2011 13:57 NEgroidZerg wrote:
ESPN could use something better at night than world series of poker reruns.

Thereeee we go haha, A+

Treadmill

Canada2833 Posts

October 17 2011 05:18 GMT

#890

Sadly I had to vote no. Because I don't watch TV. SC2 on ESPN would be a good thing though (probably).

BluePanther

United States2776 Posts

October 17 2011 07:09 GMT

#891

I think it could find a good niche for late night ESPN2 tv. With the right commentators, they could be just as entertaining as poker was for a casual viewer. I remember they used to have MLG events on ESPN on saturday mornings a while back.

jmbthirteen

United States10734 Posts

October 17 2011 07:40 GMT

#892

For people who think sc2 doesn't get enough viewers for tv:

NBA TV has been averaging 11k, yes just 11k viewers recently. FuelTV has been averaging 7k viewers. Obviously NBA TV's will go up when the lock out ends, but Fuel TV is a whole network that averages less than 10k viewers. MLG was consistently above 100k this weekend, the viewers are there. Primetime viewers? No. Viewers to displace the major sports? No. But there is a lot of time to be filled for ESPN. SC2 can fill that well imo.

MonkSEA

Australia1227 Posts

October 17 2011 07:47 GMT

#893

On October 17 2011 16:40 jmbthirteen wrote:
For people who think sc2 doesn't get enough viewers for tv:

NBA TV has been averaging 11k, yes just 11k viewers recently. FuelTV has been averaging 7k viewers. Obviously NBA TV's will go up when the lock out ends, but Fuel TV is a whole network that averages less than 10k viewers. MLG was consistently above 100k this weekend, the viewers are there. Primetime viewers? No. Viewers to displace the major sports? No. But there is a lot of time to be filled for ESPN. SC2 can fill that well imo.

You're forgetting that MLG was broadcasted over the internet. A lot of people from many different countries were able to tune into it. ESPN is on a television set, so there is going to be a lot less people tuning in just because it's not on a global scale.

With that being said, I'm interested in the MLG country viewer ship %.

jmbthirteen

United States10734 Posts

October 17 2011 07:51 GMT

#894

On October 17 2011 16:47 MonkSEA wrote:

Show nested quote +

for either raleigh or anaheim it was 45% US/55% World. So yes the numbers would dip, but i think its safe to say at least 50k would be able to tune in on ESPN 2. Not to mention random curious ESPN watchers (a lot of people just have ESPN on all the time, myself included).

DoomsVille

Canada4885 Posts

October 17 2011 07:51 GMT

#895

ESPN air time is much more valuable than Fuel TV. I'd be much more interested to know the ratings of ESPNs worst programs (and the times they are on) then other stations. The question isn't whether SC2 belongs on TV... it's whether ESPN should pick it up.

And bare in mind, that 100k viewership is worldwide. There are a ton of europeans watching as well. ESPN2 is an american station. Hell I don't get ESPN in Canada... let alone ESPN2 (which is where starcraft would go).

EDIT: Also, I should add, SC2 probably does get enough viewers. The viewer numbers were at least compelling enough for Sundance to get in touch with ESPN execs. I'm sure everyone on both ends will study it thoroughly and know exactly whether the numbers are there. What they want to know is whether the starcraft community would all flock to see it on TV. I know a ton of people (myself included) would rather just watch it on my computer (hell thats how I watch the NBA now... thank god for league pass).

BluePanther

United States2776 Posts

October 18 2011 21:46 GMT

#896

The most difficult part is time constraints in broadcasting a live SC2 tournament. It's a weekend event, not a 3 hour event. Odds are it will be tape delay similar to the WSOP, which will give a huge hit to the viewer numbers since most interested parties will watch it live.

Reptilia

Chile913 Posts

October 19 2011 20:35 GMT

#897

i don't know what could go terribly wrong to not try it.
GO FOR IT !

inb4 massive success

darklight54321

United States361 Posts

October 19 2011 21:18 GMT

#898

Personally i think there should be Tournament Specials at first. basically, 3 hours for say IPL, NASL, or MLG in which the finals and an overview of the semifinals and background of players. This would be minimal commitment on their part and would give them an idea of how popular a starcraft segment would be.

Steveling

Greece10806 Posts

October 19 2011 21:24 GMT

#899

I made an acc on Twitter just for this.

Meeks

United States132 Posts

October 19 2011 21:29 GMT

#900

The only way it would succeed at first, is if ESPN were to broadcast all SC2 content on ESPN 3 (their online streaming service) in addition to their standard TV broadcasts.