IRI Live Coverage

[JesseK]

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

Specifically? The "market" already "supported" FRC on ESPN for as long as ESPN was interested.

That was 17 years ago; what about now? How can we get other networks interested?

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

More broadly, FRC is not well suited for live broadcast for a number of reasons, many of which have been covered in this thread. A non-live, condensed broadcast is more doable, but still heavily limited and not likely for a nationwide broadcast on a major network.

I still can't find the comment in this thread that said FRC is not well-suited for live broadcast and why - are there other threads?

Several have claimed internet is better for them, but haven't explained why it is better for the target audience - kids (and their parents) who need some inspiration to move forward with STEM degrees - who (by definition of 'needing inspiration') aren't searching the internet for robotics. Wooly hit on some challenges for live TV, but they're not necessarily barriers to entry if the IRI committee wants to put in requests to teams who attend.

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

Even broader still. This is a competition based on technology and ingenuity. Let's be forward thinking about how to present and broadcast the content. Internet streaming and video-on-demand are increasingly taking bites out of live television broadcasts. Embrace it, don't fight it.

I agree that internet-based tech is a great way moving forward. Yet I think we're asking the wrong questions with respect to broadcasting for target audiences. The question should be: how do current families with young children watch their entertainment? What if they're poor? What if they can afford every entertainment option? If they're already using Twitch, how do we get FRC robotics onto their Xboxes without them having to already desire it?

I have a moment to breath this weekend. Maybe I'll pull together some research.