TUNING IN
By: Ardith Stephanson
THE HYPE HAS STARTED
Signs that the Roughriders won the Grey Cup last year? How about Regina sportscasters traveling to Florida to cover a mini camp that features very few veterans. Our very own Rod Pedersen was there, as was Rod’s competition, Rawlco’s Jamie Nye.
The hype over mini camp may not be related solely to the fact the Riders are defending Grey Cup champs. It’s also because they lost some key players at key positions, and this camp could see the emergence of the next Kory Sheets or Weston Dressler. You can bet there will be pressure from the fans this year on a new look Roughriders squad.
HAVING A DART
Have you ever actually watched darts on television?
There was a viewing lull last Saturday afternoon, with the world curling championship semifinal finished, and some time to kill before the March Madness semifinals, a variety of baseball games, and some NHL matchups with playoff implications.
Channel surfing didn’t get great results – women’s wrestling or darts. The wrestling looked entertaining, but I was drawn to the darts. I haven’t watched darts in years, and the stereotype of guys drinking beer in the bar is obviously that – a stereotype. This was a major event – Betway Premier League Darts.
These guys were playing in a major venue, with thousands of fans watching, cheering, holding signs, even dressed in costumes. It didn’t strike me as a great in-person spectator sport, but there was a lot of excitement in the crowd. Combine that with a bunch of sponsorship, some scantily clad females in the tradition of ring card girls in boxing, and some characters, like Peter Wright. He obviously is to darts what Thomas Ulsrud and team are to curling – proudly wearing Loudmouth golf pants. Even more shocking, his hair matched the pants…
Hard to believe, this was entertaining to watch, although I can’t see myself tuning in every week…and I don’t think I will be an in-person spectator anytime soon.
APRIL MADNESS
Apparently I am in the minority in not wanting to watch the multitude of March Madness games in the first part of the tournament.
On Friday, The National Post reported that the average 9.8 million viewers are the highest in 21 years. On Saturday, Turner Sports and CBS Sports’ exclusive presentation of the semifinals delivered the two most-watched college basketball telecasts in cable television history.
The networks’ collective coverage of Kentucky against Wisconsin grossed 16.3 million total viewers to become the most-viewed college basketball game of all time on a cable television network, based on Nielsen Fast Nationals. The telecast peaked with an average of 18.6 million total viewers.
Kentucky/Wisconsin also ranks as the most-viewed non-football sporting event in cable TV history, beating the previous high of 13.5 million for the Japan/United States Women’s World Cup Final in 2011.
Coverage of Connecticut-Florida across the three networks grossed 11.7 million total viewers to become the second most-watched college basketball game ever on a cable television network. The Connecticut/Florida telecast peaked with an average of 16.2 million total viewers. Stay tuned for ratings for the final.
The NCAA’s 14-year, $10.8 billion TV contract made every game available on a national telecast. There was a record-tying seven overtimes. And Warren Buffett’s offer of $1 billion to anyone who could fill out a perfect bracket may have attracted new and more fans. Nobody won the billion.
The final was entertaining to watch, as they usually are. I caught the first half on TSN, which led me to wonder if Dick Vitale has been calling basketball since it was invented. No, only since 1979, after being fired by the Detroit Pistons. He apparently has staying power, and with quips like “that was super, scintillating, sensational,” he is somewhat entertaining. Canada’s own Dan Shulman is paired with Vitale.
In the second half it was over to CBS, with Jim Nantz, Greg Anthony and Steve Kerr. Definitely calmer and not as goofy as Vitale!
AROUND THE DIAL
Is it a surprise that a team that has already decided it won’t be together next season fails to get a medal at the world curling championship? The drama around Team Canada continues … We are into the final week of the 2013-14 NHL regular season. Much remains to be decided before the season ends April 13, including some playoff spots and positioning. The Stanley Cup playoffs will begin April 16 … The 2014 Masters Tournament starts in earnest on Thursday with round one. In Canada we can catch it on TSN on Thursday and Friday. The feed is picked up by Global on Saturday and Sunday. Canadians in the field are Mike Weir and Saskatchewan’s own Graham DeLaet. Looks like I may be able to avoid watching darts in the coming week.
Send in your thoughts and follow me on Twitter @Ardith_S
So you hate Trade Centre on TSN but enjoy sitting down to watch Darts??? Is that even considered a "sport". I'm sorry but I find your blog utterly annoying Ardith and this will be the last time I read it!
March Madness is the best sporting event going. One game, win and move on, lose and go home. Beats the hell out of all those meaningless hockey games, curling(hollering) games.
To Ardith re your comment "You can bet there will be pressure from the fans this year on a new look Roughriders squad." Really!?!? You think that every one will be screaming and putting pressure on the Riders organization to come out with a 'new look squad?' Your statement would be more appropriate if they had a complete losing record last year, which of course, they didn't. I would believe the contrary, after losing so many players to free agency and the Ottawa draft, I believe Sask fans are hoping that the Riders will still somewhat resemble the Grey Cup… Read more »
Wow. Looks like a couple of guys are off their meds this week. I didn't find anything offensive or even mildly controversial in her piece. I thought the darts stuff was interesting. I always used darts as a way of running down TSN. I was surprised to find out it is quite an event. What's the problem with saying the new look Riders? They lost some key players and in a lot of areas there WILL be a new look. Shen didn't say all the players had changed or that she hopes the new look includes not winning the Grey… Read more »
To the guy that said "Wow looks like a couple of guys are off meds this week"…
People don't have to be on or off meds to have a viewpoint or to make comment. Maybe in your world 'meds' are important for getting by, but for most of the rest of us, we wouldn't know.
No meds here, just a comment in the comment section (seems logical – not medical).
Good luck in your own medical induced recovery!
This is not to suggest plagiarism nor a comment on quality but it would be interesting for RP to write an article but post it as AS. The man love would be out.