Old FIRST (and US FIRST) videos posted on Youtube

[Akash Rastogi]

Why is there no longer any ESPN coverage?

I remember hearing something about why there wasn't any CNN coverage this year, is this the same case as ESPN?

Awesome videos, really enjoyed watching them.

[XaulZan11]

Originally Posted by lilstogi11

Why is there no longer any ESPN coverage?

I'm sure someone here knows, but has ESPN covered it after the championship left Disney? If not, them I'm sure that had to with it.

[Andy Baker]

Originally Posted by lilstogi11

Why is there no longer any ESPN coverage?

1998 was the last year that FIRST was covered by ESPN.

I really don't know why it stopped for sure. However, I will make a guess. Like many other tough decisions, it was probably about the money.

In 1999, FIRST asked about 20-30 teams to supply video footage so they can put together a documentary. A documentary producer ended up creating a 30 minute video that was very good. When FIRST went to ESPN to get the video aired, ESPN pushed back and wanted to blur out the corporate sponsor logos on the robots, flags, t-shirts, and such. Essentially, ESPN did not want to help advertise for these companies without being paid.

I didn't understand this at the time, and still don't quite understand it. Of course, sporting events have all kinds of corporate sponsors, and each one of them can't be paying ESPN. However, there is a high dollar contract with each sporting administration to pay ESPN for the coverage.

I suppose that FIRST could not afford this same sort of payment for a contract.

That's my best guess.

Andy

[MrForbes]

Originally Posted by Andy Baker

I didn't understand this at the time, and still don't quite understand it.

It boggles the mind. Maybe it's time to read 1984 again......and practice doublethink....