from worldbadminton.com

“Three little letters” slowing US badminton growth

04/12/2002 : US TV giant NBC is holding back badminton’s development in the USA, according to a recent report in Sports Illustrated magazine.

In its 4 November issue, Sports Illustrated ran a feature entitled “Bar Stool Brawl”, listing the most overrated and underrated people, places and things in sport – badminton was highlighted as their most underrated of the Olympic Sports, with gymnastics the most overrated.

“Olympic-level badminton is a fast-paced, tactical, sweat-soaked contest that beats the bejesus out of tennis when it comes to spectacular rallies,” writes Sports Illustrated reporter E M Swift, describing the doubles game to the US-based audience as “like pinball played with a net”.

With a circulation of over 3 million each week, Sports Illustrated magazine claims that TV network NBC hampers badminton’s growth in the US as it does not give Olympic airtime to sports dominated by the Chinese and Koreans, and concludes with a call for “the shuttlecock to play a starring role on the peacock”. *

NBC have pledged to increase Olympic coverage by 60% for the Athens Games in 2004, according to a report in the 1 November edition of Sports TV Report, which states all sports have been assured of significant coverage on the network in Athens, with 24 out of 28 sports enjoying coverage from the Sydney 2000 Games.

“The TV coverage of badminton in such a sports-conscious country as the United States has historically been poor,” explained IBF Chief Executive Neil Cameron.

“I hope this is the start of a greater recognition that elite badminton is athletic, skilful and exciting. I also hope that this development leads to more television coverage – and not just from the Olympic Games.”


[* the NBC logo depicts a peacock]

old news. (we, ie. BF, knew of that long time ago :) ) but i'd like to add that i don't have much hope of NBC carrying any decent badminton coverage for Athens. but what i am hoping is for the internet/technology to advance enough by then that we can get full online coverage.

if that doens't pan out, i will have to travel to either Athens or back home in Asia to watch the games.

Originally posted by kwun
but what i am hoping is for the internet/technology to advance enough by then that we can get full online coverage.

if that doens't pan out, i will have to travel to either Athens or back home in Asia to watch the games.


Ahhhh.... Don't have high speed internet connection at home >'<

Guess travel is the only choice for me now... :( :confused:

It would be great to see some modification of NBC's exclusivity rights in the US. During the Sydney games, I was hoping to catch some badminton on a friend's CCTV hookup, but found it blacked out due to NBC's contract. CCTV couldn't even show highlights on their news programs, only still photos. I figure since NBC isn't going to broadcast badminton until hell freezes over anyway, is there a major problem with allowing other broadcasters (especially foreign broadcasters only available on satellite dish) to show events NBC is ignoring anyway?

Perhaps some high profile lobbying from Hollywood would help push the issue. As discussed before on this forum maybe we should start writing to people like Paul Newman.

It's hard to believe that SI is criticizing NBC on this one. Come on...when was the last time you saw an article about badminton...pardon me while I choke back my laughter...in the pages of SI?? What a joke.

By the way, did anyone see that the Olympic committee is talking about cutting some sports from the bloated Olympic schedule to streamline the event?

One thing I heard that was interesting was that badminton might be moved to the Winter Games, since it's an indoor game, along with Ping Pong. I was thinking that this might be a good idea, since badminton always gets lost amongst all the glamour sports during the Summer Games.

Anyway, I thought it was interesting. Here in Canada, badminton basically IS a winter sport anyway, because it's so cold here in winter that you have to do something indoors (no *** jokes, please).

Any reactions?

Originally posted by Shoulderpain
By the way, did anyone see that the Olympic committee is talking about cutting some sports from the bloated Olympic schedule to streamline the event?

One thing I heard that was interesting was that badminton might be moved to the Winter Games, since it's an indoor game, along with Ping Pong. I was thinking that this might be a good idea, since badminton always gets lost amongst all the glamour sports during the Summer Games.

Anyway, I thought it was interesting. Here in Canada, badminton basically IS a winter sport anyway, because it's so cold here in winter that you have to do something indoors (no *** jokes, please).

Any reactions?

I have mixture of feeling on this one. The good part is, yeah, since badminton's popularity can't compete with other "major" sports, moving into winter game might gain more coverage.

However, I felt much worse in the first case. What badminton (and pingpong) to do with ice and snow??? Yeah, they are indoor sports, but what about gymnastics? Swimming? basketball? and a big portion of track & field? All those can be (acutally soome must be) held indoor, too. Why only badminton and pingpong will be moved? The only answer is: since these 2 are way too dominated by asian nations (and a few european ones). Since these nations don't have such a strong voice in Olympic committee, they are the "perfect" choice to be move.

Yeah, move is better than cut, but why only pick these 2? I just get the same feeling as being robbed, and then the robber say, "sorry man, I did not rob u, I just try to borrow $$$ from u..."

Originally posted by kwun
With a circulation of over 3 million each week, Sports Illustrated magazine claims that TV network NBC hampers badminton’s growth in the US as it does not give Olympic airtime to sports dominated by the Chinese and Koreans, and concludes with a call for “the shuttlecock to play a starring role on the peacock”. *


I wonder what effect it would have if USAB organized a petition drive for its members and all badmintion enthusiasts in the US to put pressure on NBC. Another factor that might have an effect is the increasing size of the Asian population in the US, especially in the larger cities. What effect would it have to lobby for coverage? After all, Olympic coverage is not just on the main network, but also CNBC and MSNBC. There must be room for it. Then the trick would be finding out ahead of time when it will be shown.

It'll be interesting to see how badminton coverage is handled when the Olympics are held in mainland China.

Originally posted by LazyBuddy
What badminton (and pingpong) to do with ice and snow???

I agree--it doesn't make sense to switch badminton to the Winter Games, unless it's played on a court of ice and the players wear skates!

Actually I do not feel that moving pingpong and badminton to Winter Olympic Games is a bad idea. It seems to me quite natural solution. Would you prefer to reduce the number of olympic sports or at least disciplines? Other sports like gymnastics may follow baddy later. Everything is evolving why not to change status of Olympics. Look at the number of new sport disciplines and their increasing popularity. I can even imagine having Olympics annualy each year dedicated to defined group of sports. For example: water year. frozen water year, indoor year and outdoor year. What do you think?

One thing that the Olympic people said was that the Winter Olympics aren't very popular in Asia, so moving Ping Pong and Badminton over would help boost their interest. I was a little surprised to hear that the Winter Games aren't so popular in Asia...is that true? I know they are popular in Japan, because I lived there for 5 years.

Anyway, as long as they don't cut badminton out altogether. Please...take out trampoline, short-track speedskating, ice-dance (corruption of judges...not the sport itself), pairs diving...I can think of a a lot of Olympic Sports I would be happy to NEVER see again.

[i]Yeah, move is better than cut, but why only pick these 2? [/B]

I don't think they are only thinking of changing over these 2, but they just used them as an example of the kind of changes they think could be made.

I have a question and some view on "badminton on tv".

Is there a channel that shows badminton on tv here in U.S (I live in bay area, CA) ?
Any asian (chinese or indian or european ?) I'd love to pay upto $50 just to get a channel that cover's major international badminton tournaments.

I thought if I could get bbc sports channel that would be great, but that is not offered by at&t or direct tv or any satellite tv. (they offer BBC America but not BBC Sports!!).

-------------

And now my views:
This is a commercial nation and only money talks here! so we should think in terms of money. Just wondering how much would it cost to get a broadcaster (U.S or foreign) to stream badminton on tv ?
If we have an idea of the amount, may be we (badminton associations & fans all over U.S) can put up a site and get the users subscribe to the service.
I'm assuming it might be a huge sum because if it were something manageable badminton equipment manufacturers would have done it already! (I may be wrong)

In anycase, popularizing badminton by showing it on tv is the best way to allow the sport to flourish. ITS THE FASTEST RACKET SPORT. ITS EXCITING. IT'LL SPREAD LIKE WILD FIRE. Once the american viewers get to see competitive badminton on tv, I have no doubt they'll be addicted to it like drugs!!!

There is a tremendous business opportunity there. One doesn't have to be extra extra brilliant to realize that. I wonder why badminton equipment manufacturers like Yonex, Gosen, Victor, Carlton etc dont get together and do something about it (they could get all the help from the badminton associations and badminton fans like us).

---------------------

Well, sorry to bug you all with all my ramblings and frustrations. Does anybody have info that can be of help to me ?

Originally posted by trapped-never
Actually I do not feel that moving pingpong and badminton to Winter Olympic Games is a bad idea. It seems to me quite natural solution. Would you prefer to reduce the number of olympic sports or at least disciplines? Other sports like gymnastics may follow baddy later. Everything is evolving why not to change status of Olympics. Look at the number of new sport disciplines and their increasing popularity.

But it's the winter olympics! No would suggest moving long-distance running to the winter supports, even though, it is also not as popular and because races are usually held in the winter....

Sorry to disagree, but I think you're really deluded if you think that badminton would "catch on like wildfire" in the US, if it had more coverage! All the TV coverage in the world won't change the fact that the Americans suck in international badminton, and I mean they SUCK. Americans don't like to see other Americans SUCK on national television, especially when they dominate so many other well-established sports...just think of the list of sports in which they are highly competitive...it boggles the mind.

Americans love to see other Americans win...at whatever sport might be involved. Until Americans start to dominate international badminton, and preferably non-Asian Americans who look like Pete Sampras, or the Williams sisters, they will have no interest in the sport. American television always FOLLOWS American success...it never attempts to cultivate interest in new sports for the good of that sport, or the world.

you have made some good point shoulderpain, american do like to watch and support games they dominate. I was trying to finding some exception to your reasoning but couldn't. Take soccer for example, definitely world #1 viewing and partipicating sport but rarely get national television space in the US because US is not a dominating factor in the soccer world. Even bowling, billard, boat racing gets more air time than soccer.

Every adults i have talked to have said they have played badminton before like in school but never continue with it and i guess that is their last reference of mind relating to badminton, a slow moving game and not very mentally and physically demanding. Unless NBC/TSN/etc major networks show some pro badminton on TV, it would be a long slugging for the grass root to work into the american sport scene. I hope i'm wrong though.

we also have to differentiate between these:

- for all the sports that american watch, they dominate in it.

- if american dominates in a sport, they will watch it.

i wonder if one day america is a strong power in badminton, will badminton be watched?

can we find an example of a sport in which america is a strong power in yet there is hardly any tv coverage?

Did I mention that Americans suck at international badminton? Sorry, I just really enjoy writing that.

I was thinking that America used to be very strong in volleyball, but that sport has never received much TV attention in the US, as far as I can remember (outside Olympic years, that is). I could be wrong, though.

By the way, I DON'T hate Americans...I just enjoy bugging them...it's a Canadian thing.

I agree with many of your points, ShoulderPain. Another point I would like to point out is about us Badminton athelics and fans, who live in Canada. If you live here, especially in Central Canada, you will understand why we only play badminton in the winter months. Summer can be hot and humid and winter, well, you catch the idea. What can us Manitobans do in the winter? Play indoor games and I don't mean bedminton :D

Originally posted by Shoulderpain

I was thinking that America used to be very strong in volleyball, but that sport has never received much TV attention in the US, as far as I can remember (outside Olympic years, that is). I could be wrong, though.



Volleyball does not have TV coverage???

ESPN constantly has college volleyball matches coverage. Of course, compare to college football or basketball, u can surely say volleyball did not even get 1/5 of time. However, compare to badminton (any level combined), that's way a lot already.

Originally posted by kwun
we also have to differentiate between these:

- for all the sports that american watch, they dominate in it.

- if american dominates in a sport, they will watch it.

i wonder if one day america is a strong power in badminton, will badminton be watched?

can we find an example of a sport in which america is a strong power in yet there is hardly any tv coverage?

Americans also dominate:
- Rowing
- Wrestling (not the fake one)
- Marksmenship
- Paintball
But there isn't very much coverage for them, even though most people would consider these "serious" sports. (The first two, anyway.)

But then again, nobody watches golf yet it is always on? The only possible reason is because of the big bucks in prizes and that americans dominate it. So far as i know, of course.

Originally posted by Shoulderpain
Did I mention that Americans suck at international badminton? Sorry, I just really enjoy writing that.

I was thinking that America used to be very strong in volleyball, but that sport has never received much TV attention in the US, as far as I can remember (outside Olympic years, that is). I could be wrong, though.

By the way, I DON'T hate Americans...I just enjoy bugging them...it's a Canadian thing. I don't know about US, but we get a lot of volleyball coverage in Canada. Go to TSN or CBC any sat or sunday afternoon in the summer, and good luck finding anything else!

Originally posted by Xuser
I agree with many of your points, ShoulderPain. Another point I would like to point out is about us Badminton athelics and fans, who live in Canada. If you live here, especially in Central Canada, you will understand why we only play badminton in the winter months. Summer can be hot and humid and winter, well, you catch the idea. What can us Manitobans do in the winter? Play indoor games and I don't mean bedminton :D

I used to play badminton in a 6-court gym for the last couple of summers. I went through 3 bottles of water a session! 700ml bottles! That was more than what i drink in two days now. I remember it got so bad that sweat was constantly dripping from my face onto the floor, so that they had to wipe the floor every few rounds. I wonder how people in the US and asia deal with it... it must be 40 degrees C there most of the time!

another view of it is.

do american only watch sports in which they dominate? the most watched sports here are:


american football - dominate, yes, but that's because no one else cares about american football
basketball - dominate, yes
baseball - do they dominate?
ice hockey - dominate? i don't think so, if i remember correctly, canada and Russia are the real powers in ice hockey

Originally posted by kwun
another view of it is.

do american only watch sports in which they dominate? the most watched sports here are:


american football - dominate, yes, but that's because no one else cares about american football
basketball - dominate, yes
baseball - do they dominate?
ice hockey - dominate? i don't think so, if i remember correctly, canada and Russia are the real powers in ice hockey


Popularity of ice hockey begun in the US when bruce mcnall 'purchased' wayne gretzky for the L.A. hockey team around 1991. It proved that money can buy talent and the talent drain begun as top canadian players cross the border to chase the big american bucks, i can't blame them, more $, american dollars, lower taxes.

look at the stanley cup records

Stanley Cup winners

Year Winner
2001 Colorado
2000 New Jersey
1998 Detroit
1997 Detroit
1996 Colorado
1995 New Jersey
1994 NY Rangers
1993 Montreal
1992 Pittsburgh
1991 Pittsburgh

1990 Edmonton
1989 Calgary
1988 Edmonton
1987 Edmonton
1986 Montreal
1985 Edmonton
1984 Edmonton

Baseball, unless the cuban and japanese play the american leagues, american do dominates baseball as well.

well, NFL does not define hockey. same as the British football league does not define football/soccer.

here are the olympic medals list. which imho is a more representative.

OLYMPIC GAMES

YEAR GOLD SILVER BRONZE
1924 Canada United States Britain
1928 Canada Sweden Switzerland
1932 Canada United States Germany
1936 Britain Canada United States
1948 Canada Czechoslovakia Switzerland
1952 Canada United States Sweden
1956 Soviet Union United States Canada
1960 United States Canada Soviet Union
1964 Soviet Union Sweden Czechoslovakia
1968 Soviet Union Czechoslovakia Canada
1972 Soviet Union United States Czechoslovakia
1976 Soviet Union Czechoslovakia Germany
1980 United States Soviet Union Sweden
1984 Soviet Union Czechoslovakia Sweden
1988 Soviet Union Finland Sweden
1992 Unified Team Canada Czechoslovakia
1994 Sweden Canada Finland
1998 Czech Republic Russia Finland
2002 Canada United States Russia

Originally posted by kwun
well, NFL does not define hockey. same as the British football league does not define football/soccer.


Ahh... Did we miss something here? Why would the NFL (National Football League) even want to define Hockey? heheheh:D

Originally posted by badrad
Ahh... Did we miss something here? Why would the NFL (National Football League) even want to define Hockey? heheheh:D

hehe. my bad... NHL... NHL.... :P

[QUOTE]Originally posted by kwun
[B]well, NFL does not define hockey. same as the British football league does not define football/soccer.

When people go watch a game, they are usually there to cheer for their home team, regardless of where they come from. Othereise, it'd be very confusing considering how many Canadians are on both sides... they wouldn't know which side to root for!

I was interested to hear about how much TV coverage volleyball actually gets. I should let you know that I have no cable TV, and get only two channels...so it's CBC (Canadian national network), or nothing, baby. Thank God for Hockey Night in Canada (no, there are no signs that a Badminton Night in Canada may soon begin).