3.1.3 – Making informed decisions: The media

Learning objectives

To understand the 4 main media outlet used in sport.

To be able to explain the difference between terrestrial T.V. and satellite T.V.

To understand how the media help our understand of sporting activities.

To be able to describe the different types of T.V. broadcast

Sport using a variety of media outlets to promote and report itself to the widest possible audience.

The 4 main media outlets are:

The Media

Television Newspaper

Radio Internet

The Press:

The back pages of the newspaper always report on sporting news. Journalists and photographers are employed to solely work on sport news stories.

Sports magazines are specific to a particular activity

i.e. Golfers monthly Match, 4-4-2.

Terrestrial T.V.This includes all free to air channels (BBC1, 2, ITV, C4, CH5)

The battle between terrestrial TV and Satellite for big sporting event is huge. The television committee has made sure that some sporting events are always available on free to air channels. (See table)

Television:

Free to air events Event that can be bought

Olympic games Premier league football

World Cup Ryder cup

FA Cup final Cricket test matches

Wimbledon IAAF World athletics

Rugby World Cup

Some events are exclusive to free T.V. channels and other are brought by the T.V. companies.

Positive & negative effects of sports coverage on terrestrial TV:

Positive effects Negative effects

Popular sports gain exposure

Encourages participation

Money gained goes in grass roots sport

Generates role models

Pundits increase public knowledge of elements of the

game

Major sport have majority of coverage (in the place of minority

sports)

Discourages participation as people sit at home at watch T.V.

Views are at the directors discretion

Replays and opinions can undermine referees and umpires

Satellite T.V.This is subscription TV and includes SKY and Virgin Media

These big companies bid for sporting events and cover a wide variety of activities. They also offer interactive services to enhance viewing.

This also includes pay-per-view T.V.

Types of television broadcast:

The Internet:

This is the newest form of media. The internet provide up to date coverage of sport from around the world. Sports good are also bought and sold over the internet.

Radio:

Radio broadcasters like the BBC will regularly report on sporting events and will provide live commentary.

Five LiveTalk SportRadio 4 and cricket coverage

How does the media give us an understanding of performance and participation?

How the media helps understanding and

participation.

Replays shows a breakdown of the

action.

Different newspapers have

their own specialist writers.

Camera angles and technology

enhances the viewing experience.

Publish up to date statistics on games

and sports.

Technology is used to aid officiating and offers the

spectators entertainment. i.e.

Hawkeye.

Experts share their knowledge.

Different types of T.V. Broadcast:

Informative Programmes: i.e. News bulletins. These programmes are based on facts and are designed to keep us updated on information.

Educational Programmes: These programmes deal with coaching and helping people. They can be documentary based. i.e. Football coaching ideas

Instructive Programmes: This coverage is aimed teaching the viewer something new. Many programmes include elements of instruction. i.e. A cricket master class during a break in play.

Entertaining Programmes: These are designed for entertainment. Sometimes the drama of sport can be entertaining i.e. Quiz shows, reality t.v. shows

Director’s influence

Highlight programmes pick out the best of the action in the time available. Here the audience sees exactly what the director wants them to see. Incidents are ‘hyped up’ and the expert can over analyse it.

Summary Questions:

Describe the different types of television broadcast?

What is the difference between terrestrial T.V. and satellite T.V.?

Name the different types of media outlet?

Explain the media’s influence on our understanding of sport? How have they increased our knowledge of activities?