Media coverage of skating this year- is anyone there?

[IceDanceMom NW]

What's going on in the U.S.press? There is very little news about skating compared to most years. Usually the New York Times has excellent skating coverage, but this year next to nothing! It seems as if the media is tired of the skating scandals. There has been paltry little coverage, especially as we near Nationals and the Worlds to follow. Seems as if the Belbin-Agosto team would be getting some attention for their wonderful standings in international events, or that there would be more bombast about the upcoming Kwan/Cohen/Kirk competition at Nationals. Can anyone connected to the Press or the Media please comment on why noone is paying attention to skating this year?

[loveskating]

I know...its really absurd, here we have this GORGEOUS ice dance team, Belbin & Agosto, and they can both skate like heck, are truly good, and compete well, and if anything, are not yet getting the high marks they really deserve, yet NADA!

Also, we have Sasha, who by almost any standard is one of the greatest skaters ever to hit the ice, and she is winning gold by a landslide everywhere, and almost nothing!

IMHO Tim has gotten a LOT better as to presentation, and is on the brink of greatness and is continually in the top 3...so what gives?

[AxelAnnie22]

Actually, I think it is not just the media coverage. This is the most blah season I have ever seen. I don't know what the problem is, exactly. There is some great skating out there, but there seems to be a huge lack of interest....even here on this board. There is not much discussion or debate. I haven't been able to figure it out. Perhaps it is that with the Men, it is Plushenko - end of story . Ladies - Sasha, and a bunch of skaters most have not heard of (I don't mean us....but everybody else LOL!). The coverage is way down on TV. It is just so blah. Frankly, the skating is kind of boring. Skate over there, and hope you land the jump.....rush over there and hope they don't notice the flutz.....and on and on. Nobody understands the marks. One can't easily remember the Japanese names (I am sorry, but I can't even keep them spelled right, and I am trying!). There are so many injuries. How long can you watch Mike Weiss botch his quad. With few exceptions, the competitions are splatfests. I just don't get it. It was a breath of wonderful fresh air when the World Team Challange was on.....and I wasn't even going to watch it. There was artistry, passion, polish.

It is just all so sad. Michelle will skate at Nationals, and win. Who do you root for with the men? Who is even going to be able to skate? Weir? Savoie? I'd root for them.

Will Nikodinov skate? And, which Angela will show up?

Bilbon and Agusto are fun, but who else is even in that discipline?

And, our US Pairs Champs....come on!
Don't get me wrong, I like Tiffany & Scott, but they are no B/S!

I was really excited to watch A-P - but I haven't seen her since Campbells.

Can you tell I am depressed!

I suppose it will all sort itself out, but, meanwhile......... :??

[sk8er1964]

Originally posted by AxelAnnie22
......It is just so blah. Frankly, the skating is kind of boring. Skate over there, and hope you land the jump.....rush over there and hope they don't notice the flutz.....and on and on........ :??

I agree with some of the things that you said, but not with this. I think that the choreography is so much more interesting this year, mainly because of the CoP. There is a lot less crossover-jump-crossover-jump-crossover-spin than what I saw last year, which was the first year in ages that I watched skating on tv again.

IMO, part of the problem is that they have waited too long to televise many of the events, and the core fans already know the outcome way before it airs. That makes the competitions boring - kind of like watching reruns, because you have probably already seen the program and can basically tell from the results how the skates went.

I've said this before, and I'll say it again: The networks would never dream of televising a football game two weeks after the event, because the fans would not stand for it, and probably would not watch the game. Why then, do they think it is acceptable to delay figure skating events? Heck, they even show golf live! (Which I also watch, btw, so I am not knocking golf). It isn't scheduling, because that type of thing can be fixed. So why??????

[Alexa]

I agree about airing the events too late being a problem. ABC has done a terrible job with the Grand Prix events this year. I am not sure if it is because the final is in Dec, and they are trying to milk the series up to that time or what.

But I have found it hard to get into because they are so behind in televising those events. Here we already know who is in the final, and they still have 3 events to finish televising. It makes it hard to discuss an event at the forums, because the event was discussed weeks ago when the competition was happening.

[IceDanceMom NW]

I am so happy you are responding to my original thread! I am a passionate skating fan and feel despondent over the lack of news in the papers, which are usually a source of interesting information, particularly the New York Times, which has really had excellent coverage in past years.
The observation that skating is being televised after the end of the event is apt. Another complaint I have is that we see the same skaters- the focus is on the top two or three. What is amazing to me has been the depth and talent coming up. I wish there would be televised coverage of the sectionals- some of the skating at the novice and junior level is fabulous. It is also awesome to see the folks at the senior level not yet known at the international level, and not as well known in the US as the stars. THese include such wonderful skaters as Aanya Reiten, Felicia Beck, Joan Chrisobal, Michael Villareal, Braden Overett, Jessica Houston, Louann Donovan, Lydia Manon and her new partner Ryan O'Meara (sp?). I am not trying to be partisan or to exclude other wonderful skaters. What I am trying to say is that there are many wonderful and passionate skaters who love to connect with the audience and who would thrill us skating fans if they were televised.
Given the fact that skating is on of the leading sports markets in television ads, second only to the Superbowl, it is surprising that it is being ignored.

[Sylvia]

Originally posted by IceDanceMom NW
Another complaint I have is that we see the same skaters- the focus is on the top two or three. What is amazing to me has been the depth and talent coming up. I wish there would be televised coverage of the sectionals- some of the skating at the novice and junior level is fabulous.

I think it's a really positive development that CN8/The Comcast Network (cable) televised parts of South Atlantic Regionals and Eastern Sectionals this season. Just a reminder: CN8
( http://www.cn8.tv/ ) is rebroadcasting Eastern Sectionals on Sunday afternoon! If you don't get this channel, try watching on your computer during the broadcast times.

Sunday, December 7, 2003
3:30-5:30 pm ET
Senior Pairs, Senior Ladies FS

CN8 showed the following skaters' long programs from Eastern Sectionals:
11 Senior Ladies: Jane Bugaeva, Suzanne McDonald, Louann Donovan, Erica Archambault, Joelle Forte, Megan Williams-Stewart, Darya Zuravicky, Tiffany St. Bernard, Alexandra Seung Tregre, Katherine Hadford, Krissa Miller;
3 Senior Pairs: Handy/Allen, Phibbs/McPherson, Appel/Harris;
8 Senior Men: Johnny Weir, Matt Lind, Derrick Delmore, Mauro Bruni, Shaun Rogers, Rusty Fein, Christopher Vaeth, Ian Macadam;
8 Novice Ladies: Christine Zukowski, Katrina Hacker, Juliana Cannarozzo, Danielle Shepard, Nicole Tahtouh, Kristin Zinsmeister, Sasha Tokarev, Erika Choi Smith.

What I am trying to say is that there are many wonderful and passionate skaters who love to connect with the audience and who would thrill us skating fans if they were televised.

Did you catch Scott Smith, Orscher/Lucash and Louann Donovan on A&E this past week? They had two programs televised apiece in the "Holiday Ice Dreams" show (Reminder: Repeat broadcast on Sunday, Dec 28 @ 6pm ET/PT) and I think it's great that they were able to earn some extra money as they prepare for Atlanta Nationals. One of Donovan's programs was her competitive short program ("Wanderer-Fantasia" by Schubert/Liszt) choreographed by Lori Nichol.

[IceDanceMom NW]

Thanks to Sylvia for the hint about CN8 and the telecast of Easterns tomorrow. I live on the West Coast, so I don't know if I can get it, but I shall try. I did catch Louann Donovan on a show with Paul Wylie and Ilia Kulik. I only saw a tiny fragment, as I came home late from work, but again, thanks for the hint about catching it on its rerun. Louann is an amazingly consistent and hard-working skater, and she is willing to put her heart out for the audience. In her exhibition at LA Nationals, when she took the Junior Ladies gold medal, she tried all her triples, and nailed most of them. She wanted to give her all to the folks watching, and the audience really responded to her sincerity and generosity. She is a skater whom I respect a great deal, having followed her for many years.
Thanks for the hints on the TV broadcasts.

I will also share my sources for news. Since the newspapers are in the doldrums this year, I am very happy to read www.ice-dance.com and www.goldenskate.com. Both have profiles, photos, results and links. I would be grateful to know of other good links.

[RobinA]

I've said it 29 times and I'll say it again. There's less interest and far less discussion because the scoring system does not give enough information for anybody to get excited or have anything to talk about. Usta be we could discuss whether Jenny Kirk should have gotten a 5.3 when Arakawa got a 5.7. We can't discuss that now, because the scores don't give anybody but the rabid fans who want to dissect the nuances of +1 and -2 anything to talk about.

I just watched LaLique. I don't know how anybody did from the judges' point of view. I know who won, but I don't know what kind of scores they got. Was Sasha overmarked? Was Joubert undermarked? I don't know. What's to talk about? Terry Gannon finally said it. "These scores don't give us very much information."

[AxelAnnie22]

Originally posted by RobinA
I've said it 29 times and I'll say it again. There's less interest and far less discussion because the scoring system does not give enough information for anybody to get excited or have anything to talk about. Usta be we could discuss whether Jenny Kirk should have gotten a 5.3 when Arakawa got a 5.7. We can't discuss that now, because the scores don't give anybody but the rabid fans who want to dissect the nuances of +1 and -2 anything to talk about.

I just watched LaLique. I don't know how anybody did from the judges' point of view. I know who won, but I don't know what kind of scores they got. Was Sasha overmarked? Was Joubert undermarked? I don't know. What's to talk about? Terry Gannon finally said it. "These scores don't give us very much information." Robin, I totally agree with you. Because the detail is concealed there is nothing to base one's excitement or interest on. It is so anti-clamatic when the scores come up. I don't think it is going to help at Olympics time. I also remember when ABC used to pick up and coming skaters like the Stiegler, and follow them through the year with stuff like how they pick their costumes and music. It was great. Lifetime had the wonderful programs about Pair skating with the analysis of various elements, what it is and how it was skated. Looks pretty grim to me.

[cygnus]

Originally posted by RobinA
I've said it 29 times and I'll say it again. There's less interest and far less discussion because the scoring system does not give enough information for anybody to get excited or have anything to talk about. Usta be we could discuss whether Jenny Kirk should have gotten a 5.3 when Arakawa got a 5.7. We can't discuss that now, because the scores don't give anybody but the rabid fans who want to dissect the nuances of +1 and -2 anything to talk about.

I just watched LaLique. I don't know how anybody did from the judges' point of view. I know who won, but I don't know what kind of scores they got. Was Sasha overmarked? Was Joubert undermarked? I don't know. What's to talk about? Terry Gannon finally said it. "These scores don't give us very much information."

Well- it doesn't help while the event is live, but within a few hours of the competition the breakdown of marks IS available and posted on the ISU websites. You get every judge's score- element for element. (still sekret judging though). There's lots to argue here if we care too!! I think COP has loads of potential, but it does need some tweaking. Check out the men's SPs at Lalique at

http://www.isufs.org/results/tll2003/tll03_men_sp_scores.pdf

for example- a lot more of what the judges were thinking than merely say 5.8/5.9- which meant nothing in absolute terms.

[loveskating]

I dunno...I think one of the reasons there is less discussion is that skating fans are very, very deeply polarized. Maybe the skating establishment is too, and maybe that is reflected in the media?

As to the media, however, there is a reference point for this season, and it is very, very clear. You can see it with a little research:

http://www.google.com

Then choose "News"

Then just type in the top names like Sasha Cohen, Michelle Kwan, Evgeny Plushenko etc. etc.

There is a pattern, a reference, even similar language...perhaps its random, but I doubt it.

[nyskatefan]

I think it's a combination of things. First off ... I agree this has been the most hideous, convoluted tv coverage I have ever seen! It's not only that we are seeing the event weeks after it occurred ... but we're seeing it in parts, mixed up with other events. I could understand the coverage being a week behind ... but why can't they show the entire coverage of one event from Friday to Monday (Lifetime on Fri - ABC on Sa/Su - and ESPN on Mon).

Add to this the new scoring system, which noone fully understands yet. I think this problem will get better as people get used to it. I think it is basically a good system, but does need some changes.

And ... some of the bigger names have not been competing ... Sarah, Michelle, Alexei.
I think things will pick up a bit with Michelle going to Nationals ... and with her recent announcement, it seems like she wants to compete more ... so that bodes well for next year and the GP series.

So I'm staying optimistic! :)

[skate talker]

I actually like perusing and discussing the detailed scores, much more than the 6.0-type marks. And although the protocol details are not available until the event is finished, we are getting a bit of a breakdown of the TCS marks as the event occurs. I won't pretend to be an expert who understands exactly what makes up a 6.3 for choreography, or a mark of 7.1 for skating skills, but I do have access to the explanations on the ISU site and can learn as much or as little as I want of the intricacies of the marks. I have found that for me, a basic understanding is enough to enjoy the events when they are televised, and if for a particular skater or skater to skater comparison I want to get into more detail, I can print out the protocol details and review them against the rules. It sure doesn't mean they make perfect sense, but at least I know exactly how the judges were supposed to arrive at the marks they gave.