Let's not stop with CBS

[ScoutingNerd175]

Originally Posted by artdutra04

Here's all the teams within about 20 minutes of Hartford: 155, 173, 175, 176, 177, 178, 181, 195, 228, 571, 809, 1124, 1373, 1524

Edit: This is my 555th post.

Of these teams, 181 is the team which is actually in Hartford.

[Sgraff_SRHS06]

It depends 181 has the time. They should, but I'm not sure because everyone (at least the students) have their heads in some sort of AP review book from now until May 20. (AP exams) Hope no one is working too hard (or working too little).

Anyway, I hope ESPN jumps on. But you guys should really try for MTV! If they have "The Gauntlet," They should devote two straight days to it. After all, FIRST is supposed to target the MTV generation! (And get rid of stupid shows such as "My Super Sweet 16th Birthday Party" which make us average ppl feel poor and turn red because we wish we could do that.)

P.S. 1111 will make an appearance on a 90-second news spot on a national news network sometime between mid/late May and early June. (Probably CBS, except I'm not sure of any details.)

[ahirsch2589]

a petition would do the trick

[RoboticsPhyre]

Originally Posted by aallen88

I know this is a kind of random and out there thing, but I'll be attending University of Hartford next fall and am planning on being a part of their television program that broadcasts weekly on ESPN 2. Does anyone know any teams in the Hartford, CT area?

I know that the Students @ Hartford in CETA mentor a team, I'm not sure which one though. I'll find out soon though. I can't wait to go up to Hartford as well. Biomed/Mech Engineering. I definately will be working with FIRST much after i grad from HS and College.

[themagic8ball]

I think that a paper or electronic petition would be our best bet, along with a formal proposal for the program outlining the benefits of broadcasting FIRST, both for FIRST, science and technology, and the company in terms of profit. According to the FIRST website 10,000 students attended nationals, this is at least 10,000 families that would probably tune in back home, plus whoever each of these families tell and whoever else who is interested (and honestly, who isn't somewhat interested if you mention the word "robot"?).

[Rickertsen2]

Originally Posted by Budda648

I'm in... but it might take a lot more than us to get ESPN to consider it. Besides... I don't think they would cover the Championship b/c it's 2 full days of action. That would be 9-5 for two days. Maybe we could get them to cover the elimination rounds. Or maybe tape it then edit it. But I'd rather see NBC cover it like they would a football game or a NASCAR race.

I would prefer a condensed, edited version consisting of just the higher level matches. Edited footage is simply much more exciting. I think that an edited version without match downtime, etc would be much more pubicly appealing.

[RoboticsPhyre]

Originally Posted by Rickertsen2

I would prefer a condensed, edited version consisting of just the higher level matches. Edited footage is simply much more exciting. I think that an edited version without match downtime, etc would be much more pubicly appealing.

I completely agree, though the pauses in between the match ending and the score is still needed. Otherwise the suspense isn't there. My main concern with this, though, is the fact that they will have to film on all 5 fields. 4 of them at the same time! How will they air that? Back to back to back?

[Lil' Lavery]

I'd rather not see FIRST on ESPN again. They had to blur logoes off of robots, and other stuff like that, and it was barely watchable, much less entertaining.
Plus, it can't really be broadcast live anyway. No time for commercials, so a big network like ESPN, CBS, or Discovery would lose all the commercial money, which is alot more than a FIRST competition would draw. Unless you want to drop 1 commercial between each and every match, which would make the broadcast horribly choppy and barely watchable.
You could tape the event and play it later, as they used to do. Add interviews, and other things to spice it up a bit. But then, there's absolutely no way you could fit even close to the entire event in a single episode, it would take an entire season's worth of shows for each regional. You could go elimination rounds only, but then you lose half the fun.

[RoboticsPhyre]

I get what you mean.. they can't blur out anything otherwise it loses everything. Robotics is about Team and Sponsor pride. I think we just need to start talking to stations. Honestly, the best way to start is on a local station then try to move up.

[themagic8ball]

Actually a commercial every 2-3 matches wouldn't be bad, plus you would have to switch fields periodically, it would kind of be like how they broadcast multi-table poker games, having a "feature" table and rotating through. They could also have interviews and everything to spice it up and keep the matches live, you would just need to record interveiws before hand. I think a big network would find a way to make it work. In terms of sponsors and blurring out stuff I think that if we got a lot of the big sponsor's of FIRST to have commercials on the broadcast we could get rid of that. I mean look at nascar all the cars are sponsored by different companies.

[KTorak]

Maybe if we added something cool like...onboard robot cameras....we'd appeal to EPSN or big networks for broadcasting...

[themagic8ball]

That wouldn't be a bad idea to mount some inexpensive camera's on the robot and somehow get FIRST to put it in the rules that a certain camera will not count as weight (ala the bumpers for this year.) it would definately be feasible.

[aallen88]

Originally Posted by RoboticsPhyre

I know that the Students @ Hartford in CETA mentor a team, I'm not sure which one though. I'll find out soon though. I can't wait to go up to Hartford as well. Biomed/Mech Engineering. I definately will be working with FIRST much after i grad from HS and College.

Hey let me know about the team when you find out! Helping out a nearby team would be greeeeatttt. I may not be going into engineering, but I definitely won't be able to get through a whole year without robotics.

I thought it would be cool to try and do a story on a local robotics team on ESPN 2 instead of just local sports teams for next year.

[DeAnnaC]

Looks like the Discovery channel is looking for new program ideas - that may be more like the group of a target audience for FIRST anyway.

Could someone who is into writing put something together and post out here:
http://community.discovery.com/group...m/f/5241934628

Have an awesome day.

DeAnna

[David Brinza]

How about this format for televising the Einstein matches (FIRST Final Four)?

Prior to the start of the semifinals, some FIRST background material (including Dave Lavery's game animation) would be shown to set the context. Highlights of finals matches for each of the divisions would be shown to familiarize the viewers with the game and show how the Einstein alliances made it to the "Final Four".

The Einstein matches themselves would be shown live, with multiple cameras covering the field. A few of the robots could be equipped with wireless 'bot-cams as well. Coverage of the match might use split-screen, a close-up "picture-in-picture" window and an accurate current score banner across the top. Live coverage is tricky, since action is generally spread across the field. The "play-by-play" announcer needs to be very familiar with the game strategies, robot capabilities, etc. to guide the viewers through the critical action. Immediately after the match, instant replays and recorded 'bot-cam clips could be shown, with a live shot of the drive teams' reaction to the posting of the official score. The SF 1-1, SF 2-1 matches are played back-to-back, with just replays and team introductions between the matches. Then there's time for commercial breaks and "condensed" award presentations. After the break, SF 1-2 and SF 2-2 are played, followed by another break for awards and commericials. If necessary, third matches for the semifinals would be played. There's time available before and between each of the finals matches for more FIRST awards presentations. After the champion is determined, maybe some field-level interviews with drive teams, the trophy presentations and wrap-up with the Chairman's Award.

All of this could be packaged in a 60-minute to 90-minute slot. FIRST officials would have to take it's cues from a director on the field and the teams be ready to go on cue. A challenge would be to build in some "wiggle room" for third matches, ties, timeouts, etc.

It might be interesting to see if this year's championship footage (if it's still available) could be neatly edited to make a "demo tape" for potential broadcast networks (ESPN, Discovery, MTV, TNT - whoever). Even if the networks pass on this, having a well-produced, one-hour FIRST championship video would be very popular among the teams and could even be periodically re-broadcast on NASA TV's "Education File". I know I'd like to have this in my DVD library!