Regionals on TV?
 

ok so i know that the regionals (most of them) are webcast, but my internet sucks so i was wondering with they would be on TV. i have direct TV so if anyone could point me to a channel that would be great. i do know that the NASA channel i do get has a whole bunch of things called education file, but nothing called FIRST. i am doing all this becuase i am a week two regional and would liek to see what works and what doesnt...
any help would be great....

Re: Regionals on TV?
 

I can say with 90% certainty that the regionals will not be on TV this week, the only FIRST events that NASA TV Broadcasts is the Kickoff and The Championship Event.

Discovery Channel Canada is doing the Greater Toronto Regional again this year, but I am not sure if that is live on TV.

Re: Regionals on TV?
 

It would be great if Espn or G4tv was showing a few(live) regional.
They did it for MLG(major league Gaming).

Re: Regionals on TV?
 

That could be something that would have to be talked with stations possibly for next year may with FIRST because I agree, Dialup does what you need though

Re: Regionals on TV?
 

FLR was broadcast locally LIVE last year, I'm not sure about this year however.

Re: Regionals on TV?
 

It'll be live on TV this year too with enhanced coverage using kids on the teams as on field reporters and as part of the production crew. A great learning opportunity if I say so.

Re: Regionals on TV?
 

FLR is cablecast on TimeWarner - Channel 4 I believe. I'm not sure about practice day, so I'll say March 7, 8. They're going to have an interview booth set up. I think it's the start of an amazing partnership.

Re: Regionals on TV?
 

Do you have any details about this broadcast, such as

- start time and end time
- confirmed channel (# and name of channel)
- can satellite dishes pick this up?

Thanks! Great initiative here!

Re: Regionals on TV?
 

you know, this discussion comes up every year it's just no body does anything about it.

i would find the threads from previous years BUT i have to get to work soon so i can't maybe later

Re: Regionals on TV?
 

It is Time Warner - Channel 4 (Educational Access). I'm pretty sure this is only going to be shown in the Rochester area. :( But! I believe that it will be uploaded after the competition. If I find out differently, I'll update info here.

Re: Regionals on TV?
 

I remember watching matches from a few different regionals throughout the season in 2003 on NASA TV (#205 in Houston, TX area). I'm not sure why this has been limited just to Kickoff and Championship.

Re: Regionals on TV?
 

i remember seing it on spike tv one time

Re: Regionals on TV?
 

The reason is simple - $$$$

Every year, NASA (and every other sponsor) has to make decisions about how to allocate available resources, which are finite. This year we had to decide whether to use some of those resources to provide NASA TV coverage of a regional competition, or to provide financial support for three additional teams via the regional challenge grants. Was that the right choice? It can be argued either way. The three teams that received the grants obviously would think so. But all the teams and communities around the country that might be exposed to FIRST if we were able to broadcast the regional competitions might see it differently. It can be argued that the potential long-term benefit that could come to the entire FIRST program outweighs the potential short-term benefit of three additional teams in the 2008 competition.

We will face the same decision regarding allocation of (limited) resources next year. Should we make the same prioritization that we did this year? We would be interested in hearing any (constructive) comments and input.

-dave




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Re: Regionals on TV?
 

This suggestion sounds like a poll would be helpful, Dave.
People could contribute their thoughts as well but it would give you some numbers to look at. For example, I might vote in a poll but not express an opinion regarding NASA supporting teams vs. supporting televised viewing of regionals.

Re: Regionals on TV?
 

Dave, I believe with NASA being so supportive with the web casting that your support of individual teams is #1. There is an opportunity for people to see FIRST on the web or Discovery Channel (in Canada anyway) that the impact you make on team members is priceless. It would be good if more businesses followed NASA's example because the impact that could be made and spread through individuals can make huge changes in or society.

Discovery Channel in Canada is an official sponsor. They play clips from FRC all year. It is amazing that when I talk about FIRST now that many people speak up and remember the ads. It makes it a lot easier to make connections since Discovery Channel came on board.