When thinking about the different ways in which we receive information, the five senses are the main concepts in which people often reference: See, Smell, Hear, Taste, Touch. Sports information is often received through the sense of sight – reading stories, viewing social media or even watching live games.
This week, we were introduced to another sense of ours that we receive sports information through: hearing. Yes, sports can be viewed – BUT we cannot forget about the hearing side of it. We can listen to games via podcast, radio, or television. We can hear the buzz of the timer at games to indicate a new quarter, the cheer of the crowd to indicate a made basket, and even hear the shot of the gun to indicate the start of a race. It can be easy to forget, but we as humans can be very receptive through sound.
So, how can we receive sports information through our ability to hear?
P.R.T. – Podcasts, Radio and Television
(Source: FutureLearn)
Podcasts
Podcasts are the most recent up and coming in the media world. An interesting new tool, podcasts are used by many in order to learn, relax, and be entertained. Professor Vareberg explained in this week’s lecture just how someone like you or I could start our own podcast:
Talk about topics of interest for both yourself and your intended audience
Tell stories that listeners can take away from
Give your audience goals or steps to take after listening
Ask the listeners questions and report their responses
Form your topic of interest and keep conversation relevant and consistent
Invite unique guests onto your show
Listen to and engage with your guests
Choose guests who are relevant, knowledgeable, entertaining
Perfect your audio with proper equipment and practice
Tell your fans how they can learn more about the topic and stay on base with you
Be YOURSELF
Post transcriptions of your episodes for people to read (SIGHT sense)
I personally have never gotten huge into podcasts, other than playing a few motivational ones in the background while I shower, but I do think they would be fun to get into if I were to take the time to search for one I would like. I kept this overview very brief, but I hope to dive deeper into the concept of podcasts in the future!
Check out the hottest podcasts of 2021 here!
Radio
I’ve always thoughts that radio was very interesting. In high school, I was on the Speech team and decided to try out the Radio category my senior year and ended up placing at state competition! I fell in love with the category and caught on very quickly. I am glad we are looking over radio broadcasting in this module, and I look forward to diving into the concept. For now, let’s discuss ways in which radio can be used for sports media:
Providing sports facts
Providing insight into how you interpret a performance or play
Broadcasting a sporting event for those who cannot be present
Interviewing coaches or athletes about specific performances or upcoming events
Predicting future game outcomes and hosting discussion with listening - welcome call-ins!
Overall, radio broadcasting is considered one of the great ways to share sports information. KOVC radio station in Valley City is the local station, in which Paul McDonald travels to announce local sporting events for both high school and college. He has a great personality both on air and in-person! I think that being a radio announcer would be really fun.
Television
One of the most common ways in which people will watch and listen to popular sporting events and talk shows is via television. ESPN is one of the top cable channels for streaming, but many people are moving beyond cable to sites like Reddit or streaming service Hulu+ in order to watch and listen to these events. When it comes to television, this service has been available for many years and is nothing new to our current society. While television stats seem to go down, there will always be a great amount of people who turn to cable for opportunities to watch their favorite NFL, NBA, MLB, etc… teams.
Since the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic, many people have had to make the transition to following their favorites sports completely online or virtually.
If you were working in sports communications during this time, which area do you think you would prefer to work in – podcast, radio or television?
Very interesting material, but to address your question, as you said being in the midst of a global pandemic, I believe virtual would be the best way to continue delivering news to your audience. As a result, I believe podcasts are the best step.
Overall great article! To answer your question if I worked in sports communications I would probably join the podcast world. I had a buddy who recently started his own podcast up in Grand Forks, talking about UND athletics and he has slowly been growing in attention and publicity. I think that the podcast world is going to take over social media if it hasn't already.
Hey Hannah, great read! Really informational stuff, but to answer your question as you mentioned being in the middle of global pandemic I think virtual would be safest way to still deliver news to your audience. So I would say podcasts are the best move.
I liked how you organized your blog, it was easy to read and get new information. To answer your question, if I would need to choose between podcast, radio, and television, I would probably go for the podcast. One of the reasons is that it's pre-recorded and would allow for more flexibility what becomes part of it. The other reason is that it might be easier to incorporate some other elements, like music or other guests into one podcast — people don't have to physically be available during that time.
Hannah,
Really interesting read. I know you said you don't listen to podcasts all that often, neither do I, but there is one called the JRE- the Joe Rogan Experience. I don't know if you know who he is but he has such a wide variety of guests that I recommend it to nearly everybody. To answer your question, I think I would want to do podcasting the most. I understand that there is still a structure to podcasts, but they seem much more chill and relaxed compared to radio and television.
-Kurt Simmons