How many people were able to watch the Hockey at the Commenwealth Games?
Out of those people how many are not hockey players?
Out of those few that are left, how many could follow the game?
Lets face it, hockey is not a very good television event, and this is coming from a hockey player. So why aren't the authorities doing anything about this? Possibly because doing anything to make it better on TV might ruin the game for the players who are playing at all levels.
I only managed to watch a couple of games for a few reasons. One being the fact I work normal office hours and it's not repeated very regularly. Another being that its just not treated well by main stream broadcasters.
Out of the games I did see, the 2 Mens quarter finals and the most of the first half of the England vs India game on the BBC iPlayer, (only because this was shown on the main BBC coverage for about 20 minutes) the games were good to watch. OK I still think you have to understand hockey to get the most enjoyment out of it, but at least you could follow what was happening, you could admire the skill and most importantly for me, and I believe someone who doesn't play the sport, was that you could see the ball.
So why were these games better? I'm no expert, but the only difference I could see was that it was played under floodlights. Could this be the simple answer to Hockey on TV?
We hear its a challange to get Hockey on TV so if Hockey England want to get more coverage they have to try more things. Maybe a simple thing to try is to play a national league game under good floodlights and see if it improves it as a television event.
I know this isn't going to make it an instant success on TV, but if people cannot watch the game and see the basics so they can start to understand it, they are not going to tune back in and we will never get to see it on mainstream TV.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
How can you say it is not a good TV event!?
ReplyDeleteIt should be on tv and accessilble to all. the speed and skill of the game and almost non stop action is what is missing from most other sports!
Yes I am a hockey player and footballer!
In fact the hockey players would show the footballers up for there fitness levels too!
Thanks for commenting and reading.
ReplyDeleteThis is my 3rd attempt at replying so hopefully i don't appear short!
The point I was trying to make was more about the coverage and not the games themselves.
I agree 100% with you that the quality of the play, the skill involved and no stop action makes it a great sport, but if the quality of the TV coverage isn't at the same level then non-players are not going to find it appealing. Doesn't this back up my point?
How did you find the earlier games? Again not the game itself but the quality of the coverage compared to the semi's?
If playing national league games at night, under lights and putting them on TV gets more people watching, then that will be good for all.
Do you mind telling me what level and who you play for?
It seems from the bits of feedback from the different sources I posted links, that I have either confused some people or at least been misunderstood.
ReplyDeleteI am in no way saying that hockey should not be on TV. I wish it was on more often but on mainstream channels.
I am also not saying that hockey isn't a good sport to watch on TV. It is a fantastic exhibition of skill and speed. A brilliant example of this was the England vs India game.
My thoughts were more around the quality of the briadcast. So many times I have switched on to watch and found a single camera on the half way line panning up and down with the occasional zoom in on a short corner, where most of the time the ball isn't even visible. Again, compare that to the England Vs India game, where a good quality broadcast and various camera angles meant all the skill and speed could be fully enjoyed by everyone for what it was, even by people who don't fully understand the game.
And then I come to my other theory. Was it because it was played under floodlights? That was the other big difference.
Or am I wrong. Does anyone agree that the semis were of better broadcast quality than earlier rounds played in normal light? Maybe I just don't watch the correct games.
Not completely convinced the lights make that much difference. Some of the floodlit games were better because they were cooler & the pace was higher. But overall I'd say the quality of the camera work/director is paramount to the viewing experience. The quality of commentary is probably important more to non-players.
ReplyDeleteIndia's games tended to have better coverage etc when it came to cameras, which I don't mind particularly. It's inevitable that all the best local camera folk would want to work on what are the 'big games' and I think the quality really showed.
Interestingly, live, even when the lights are superb (like they are in Delhi) it's easier to to see the ball in bright, natural light.
tom@pushhockey.com
Thanks Tom for replying.
ReplyDeleteYou make a very valid and, now you have said it, an obvious point that the games involving India probably did get more attention which probably resulted in a better experience, which shows that it is possible to produce that quality all of the time, if the desire is there.
I also agree that the quality of the commentary is important. Do you think a more hockey aware (probably ex player) but still professional commentator could add to the presentation?
Another valid point you make is that live, I would agree that bright natural light is better to watch in. My experience is only in British conditions with me not being fortunate enough to be there, and lights do not add much to the game, and the last thing we should look to do is to ruin the enjoyment for the players just to make it look good on the TV.
My original point was to highlight the lack of quality on a typical broadcast, and I think you agree that it can be done. But it needs the will and investment of the TV companies and probably England Hockey to get us there. And maybe some different experiments involving our national league teams will help.
Then in 2012 we can have a broadcast to be proud of, get more people playing hockey and see England can go one step further and get the gold.
Thanks for your time in reading and commenting, allowing me to ask the question and have a debate. Also well done for you commentary via twitter. That goes for England Hockey to.