National Spelling Bee on Prime Time Again, Why Not FIRST?

[skimoose]

Once again, the National Spelling Bee will be televised. This year on ABC tomorrow, Thursday June 1 @ 8:00PM. Good Luck and Congratulations to the finalists.

If this noble competition can get prime time airing on a major network, why can't FIRST get the same treatment for Championships? If ABC can sell enough commercial air time during the spelling bee to give it a prime time (maximum exposure) slot, why can't FIRST and our numerous sponsors show ABC, NBC, CBS, ESPN, etc that Championships can sell too?

This isn't a new thought, but what do we as the FIRST community need to do to get this kind of exposure? Someone has to be able to convince the media that this type of event will sell commercial air time, and bring in viewer ratings. Since the NASA web cast has the highest viewer ratings on the web, this should certainly carry over the TV. So that only leaves the selling of commercial air time. Why wouldn't the same companies that air commercials during the spelling bee, be interested in airing commercials during a Championships broadcast?

[Joel J]

FIRST Lego League will see primtetime before FIRST Robotics, and I guess that will be a good day.

I think FLL will emerge quickly because of its potential to actually become present in a majority of schools across america, and the world. The parts and registration is cheap, and the task is very achievable, yet challenging. Oh, I'm implying that what the Spelling Bee may have over FIRST is a deep history, and a good spread across the schools of the world. The spelling bee is an international "sport," of sorts.

[Rohith Surampudi]

Thats very true, especially even if ABC were to only show Matches on Einstein, none of the time we spend on Einstein is prime time, its Saturday Afternoon. I'm sure if ABC heard enough requests, or for that matter any major network, they would be able to broadcast it, and sell Advertisements, I'm sure many brands aimed at Teens would be interested in that time as well as parts and technology. It would also be a great way to introduce the younger age groups to The Magic FIRST. i know NASA TV already plays it, but with NASA(at least in my area) being high up in the channel numbers grouped with channels that nobody watches, not to many people are exposed to it like that. Lets contact ABC,NBC, and who ever, lets get FIRST in every home around the world, and a robot in every school.

[Michelle Celio]

Originally Posted by Rohith Surampudi

Thats very true, especially even if ABC were to only show Matches on Einstein, none of the time we spend on Einstein is prime time, its Saturday Afternoon.

It doesn't have to be live... they could always record it and air it later in the week.

[Lil' Lavery]

This has been discussed multiple times in the other sections of the forums (not in direct association with the spelling bee) over the past couple months, please search before you post.
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=47294
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...rsion +of+the
etc.