What is a sports channel on TV?

A sports channel on TV is a type of TV channel which is used to air programs and events related to sports only. There are Sports channels which air different sports events most of which are focused on the most popular types of sports across different target markets. They offer real-time coverage of games, game clips, programs that analyze the events, news, documentaries, and other programs related to sports all time.

The first sports channel that was started in the United States was ESPN in 1979. It began by airing taped and edited sports content before progressing to airing more real-time sports content. With the appearance and the expansion of cable and satellite television many more specialty sports channels became possible in the following decades including the Golf Channel, Fox Sports Networks, NFL Network, NBA TV, MLB Network, NHL Network and many others.

Other networks with a regional focus also emerged in the 1980s and 1990s to deliver coverage on popular sports teams in their area. Some of these are regional networks including YES Network owned by the New York Yankees and NESN which is owned by the Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins among others in the United States and Sportsnet channels such as Sportsnet Ontario and Pacific in Canada.

The content shown on sports channels includes:The content shown on sports channels includes:

Live games and events. This forms the largest part of most sports channels. They air live games in football, basketball, baseball, hockey, golf, tennis, motor racing, soccer and many of Olympic events if the Olympics are on. Certain games like Super Bowl, NBA finals, Stanley Cup finals and the other major championships or derbies attract very many viewers.

News and analysis programs. Sports channels prepare daily news programs that contain information about the latest events, interviews, reports and opinions regarding recent changes in sports. Analytical shows offer discussion and analysis about games from insiders. Some examples include ESPN’s SportsCenter or Fox Sports Live on Fox Sports 1.

Documentaries and magazine shows. These is exemplified by extended features on prominent sports personalities, teams, coaches and or events from the sporting arena using interviews and profiling. Some document historical events like the 100 great World Series moments or the 10 greatest football teams of all time. Some offer previews of current teams and players and others give us the real behind-the-scenes feel of a team and a player.

Talk shows. Sports talk shows involve hosts and guests discussing trending issues within the sporting fraternity and the guests are usually experts, or sports journalists. Listeners also call in to express their views on sports issue debates. Currently, some of the most famous sports talk shows include First Take, The Herd with Colin Cowherd, and Undisputed.

Replays of sporting events. Pre-match events broadcasted are normally past games, either classics or games which have other nostalgic values. Channels also show season highlights, or the entire 30 minute coverage of a game the following day. Reference to other events such as the Olympics, cup and or super bowl are events that are usually replayed.

Sports-based reality shows. Some sports channels produce their own reality shows which are based on the sports like The Contender (boxing competition), Caught Looking (pranks) and Sports jobs with Junior Seau (player experiences common jobs). Other shows cover events related to well-known athletes and sports personalities.

Sports-themed movies. Although not as common nowadays, prior to the growth of live sports, sports channels used to show Hollywood movies with sports themes during their off air programming hours. Some channels continue to plan an occasional sports film such as Rocky, Bull Durham or Jerry Maguire whenever their live event calendar is empty.

The advantages sports channels offer viewers include:The advantages sports channels offer viewers include:

Convenience. Sports enthusiasts are not compelled to wait once a week to view summaries of sporting events on normal news or general entertainment programs. By tuning to the sports channels they are able to get extensive coverage of the sporting activities on a daily basis and also access all the latest sporting information at one place.

Immediacy. Being able to watch real sporting events when they are live as they happen is a major plus compared to watching the recorded matches later or just the highlight. This generates interest, anticipation, and a sense of cultural belonging for fans.

Specificity. The target audience can watch its favorite sports instead of watching the programs that are aired on network television. Fewer popular activities such as rodeo, poker, curling, and lacrosse can now have channels that cater to their followers.

Choice. Currently, there are hundreds of national and international 24/7 sports channels in existence. On the same note, the audience can switch between different channels to get to the right sports they desire. The competition between channels also enhances the quality of programs aired to the public.

Interactivity. Technology has advanced and this means that the viewers can participate in polls, votes, chats and social media that enhance the watching of sporting events on TVs. Statistics and other further details are also available for live games through smartphone apps.

Insight. What is gained from getting analysis from knowledgeable hosts who are former professional athletes and coaches is that, the audience gets context and information on certain games that they cannot get as mere spectators. This enables them to learn plays and strategies in a better way.

Storytelling. Documentaries, magazine shows and news reports uses great narratives and cinematography to motivate the audience to share great stories of culture related sports upsets, rivalries, failure, and come back stories.

The revenue model for sports channels includes:The revenue model for sports channels includes:

Subscription fees. Most such networks are in the higher tiers or bonus bundles that the audiences agree to pay additional money monthly besides their basic cable or satellite package. These form one of the biggest revenues sources of the company. Regional sports networks also derive their revenues from the fees paid by the consumers as well.

Advertising. Sporting activities and programmes attract loyal audiences, who are known to pay attention to advertisements. Commercials often air in between shows or in between programs and breaks in live event broadcasts. Promotional consideration also normally encompasses sponsor association with a tournament telecast.

Carriage fees. Cable, satellite and digital broadcast operators pay fees to channels to subscribe to them and include the sports channel in their channel package which expands the distribution and audience of the channel. The operators also agree to pay these fees so as to satisfy and maintain the sports loving customers.

Licensing content. In the same way, some sports channels provide and sell sports content, highlights or footages to other international sports channels or to other third parties in order to get more revenues. It is also important to note that more often than not, classic games are also occasionally released for commercial use.

Merchandising. The brand equity sports channels create through the development of interesting content to air enables them to sell the name and imagery to manufacturers who produce channel-branded products and subsequently make royalties from sales.

In other words, 24/7 timely televised sports coverage including live events with experts’ commentary are provided by the sports channels to engage their target customer base of avid sports enthusiasts. New channels including the emerging college sports, extreme sports, esports and women’s sports are being created as sports networks expand and sub-divide their markets. The growth of streaming sports over internet based platforms has made sports programming a regular fixture to the viewer who is always eager to watch the sports event either at the comfort of his or her home or any other place of his or her choice.