NASA TV: "Heidi Bowl 2"

[David Brinza]

Originally Posted by GaryV1188

That's not NASA's fault. If they cut away at 6:30, that's 1/2 hour later than FIRST for scheduled the end of the finals and awards. List a reasonably accurate end-time, and NASA TV can show everything.

Yes, the NASA TV schedule (published on-line before the event) indicated that the coverage would end at 6:30pm (a half-hour later than last year). The nature of the FIRST Championship is such that an accurate end-time is almost impossible to predict. All four division championships must complete, so if any of them have multiple rounds that go to a third match, field errors, time-outs, etc. the time for the start of the Einstein matches will be delayed. Then there are speeches before the first Einstein match - even though the presentation by Dr. Tony Tether (Head of DARPA) was a bit long, it was very interesting and relevant to FIRST. The robot parade is a nice celebration for the division champions - it could be shorter, though. The awards that are interspersed between matches take time to present as well.

There are things that FIRST could do to speed things up at the Championship, but why? This is FIRST's big celebration - every individual, sponsor or team that wins an award (especially Chairman's) deserves the recognition they've earned. Ever since the "Heidi Bowl" in 1968, the major networks continue coverage of sporting events that overrun their timeslot until completion. Given NASA's major involvement with FIRST, NASA TV should be flexible enough to cover the event to completion, even if it runs more than an hour late.

If the cost of the satellite link the driver? Is staffing at NASA TV's control center a problem? I don't understand why the coverage cannot be extended until the event is over. Maybe someone in FIRST and/or NASA TV can explain the issue...

[Richard Wallace]

I don't like the Heidi Bowl analogy because it doesn't really fit the situation. We're not trying to sell shoes (or other advertised stuff) here -- FIRST is about inspiration and recognition. Yes, that means celebrating success of the participants. But it also means inspiring others to participate. And that means holding their attention long enough to get the message across.

Please don't hang the blame for this on NASA -- this is FIRST's problem, not theirs. NASA is arguably the best friend FIRST has, but even their resources are not boundless (except for creativity, of course).

For many reasons, NASA coverage included, FIRST needs to find a way to make the Championship finish on time.

Please note that the webcast did continue throughout the event, and NASA provides both television and webcasting support for many FIRST events including the kickoff. Those satellite trucks are expensive. (Webcasting isn't free either.)

I don't work for NASA anymore, but whining about getting 8 hours of free satellite TV Nationwide coverage plus all four fields being simultaneously webcast is a bit shallow.