TV or no TV?

[Dannefaerd]

There is a whole **** load of debate at the moment about the different formats (7/10/X, etc) - around the "race" to be first on TV and what it means for the sport as a whole.

I think that the whole TV debate is a bit over rated. As much as some of us hate to admit it - paintball is a bit stale and boring to watch for those who don't actually 'ball. If you play the game then as a general rule you will be more than happy to sit down and watch 90 minutes plus of teams laying the smackdown on each other - if you don't play then you can forget it!

Half the issue is how people are looking at having this televised (at least from what I've seen the debate focussed around).

I don't know if you guys get it in Europe/US like we do down here - but the way to do it is similar to what happens on the World Rally Championship. What we see down here is like a "highlight" show - 60 minutes on the days events ... highlights of the play (where good or exceptionally bad), driver reviews, interviews, etc. It well presented, makes the sport clear to the layman (this is the important part kiddies) - and is a generally fun view.

It is this format that paintball should be aiming our collective talents .... tape all you want at a tournament for the teams/players to buy later on DVD ... BUT invest heavily in a good editing crew/post production to put the best of it on TV for the general punters to view.

..... well that's my 2c (probably 5 looking at the length again). What's yours?

 

[Tyger]

The race is over. 10 man was on ESPN in 95.

Paintball is not a TV friendy sport, not yet. And we don't have enugh players / industry people willing to let go control of certain things to make it a TV frinedly format, or to sacrifice some things for TV.

I don't see it in the near future, other than 'infomercials', paid for by hte promoters. At least, that's what I've seen so far.

Yes, I'm a cynic, but I've never seen anything else to prove me wrong so far.

-Tyger

 

[Mak D - Nexus Eclipse]

Don't really agree with u there boys.

A think if the camera's where to roll into comps like Millenium or even the Midlands Masters series it would not only take ballin right into the living rooms of the public, but give them an insight of wot paintball is all about, reather than half the nation thinkin we all round the woods playin armies.

I think paintball is exciting enough to get put onto the big screen, ok so sum games are pretty borin teams tradin paint bla bla, but that only a few games. Teams who have a very aggresive style of play make for very good watchin.

WE NEED SKY1 lol

Mak D

 

[joe bob]

My freind who doesnt ball has wached more than me,

I would want to see some tradin paint in the beginning then somone just pulls out some kick @$$ move and win the game

 

[KillerOnion]

Being boring has very, very rarely stopped a sizeable percentage of shows from making it to TV. It's the fact that too few people meet all of the necessary qualifications simultaneously: lots of money, substantial business expertise, strong enough influence to get everyone in line with them, public friendly, and not a raging egomaniac out for themselves and backstabbing everyone else at their convenience. Sure you can point out plenty of such in different people, but not all at the same time or we wouldn't be sitting here munching on popcorn, cashews, and pistachios while typing with the other hand wondering about this, and until then we will continue to do so.

 

[dr.strangelove]

Like KillerOnion said, being boring has very rarely kept many programs off the air. Car racing? Water polo? Airsoft target shooting? Billiards? Bowling? Those are all televised "sports" and I'm sure that the majority of people don't find them too terribly exhilarating to watch. I think paintball has just as much appeal and excitement as any one of the "sports" above that I mentioned, and people watch those. If paintball was shown to the public as it is, instead of as a terrorist training program they would be interested in watching it. I wouldn't be at all opposed to televising a 60 minute show of highlights, but I think that people would watch if you put a few hours of tournament coverage on (it'd be like tennis, your lamen will watch a few matches, and your loyal players/viewers will tune in for the whole thing)

 

[Gyroscope]

Beyond the fifty had a very good format for the "taped and edited" school of TV paintball. Far from being boring, there was so much going on that you had to stop and rewing to figure out everything happening. I am refering to the games where there was a little map on the side of the screen that showed the players positions and had a little graphic for when a player was eliminated. The main part of the screen showed the actual game. It jumped around to focus on the action. There were some parts that were dull, but mostly it was so busy and action packed that you couldn't keep up with all the input. The action is filmed at WC2002

Also, Traumahead has put out some good stuff. It may be that it is boring to some. Golf on TV? Bass fishing?! Celebrities stranded in sort of a wilderness setting? I think that kids would love it, therefore, it would sell toys. I would buy them at least.

 

[€gg]

chanel?

On sky...which chanel is paintball usually on? In the uK presumably.