About Sportscasters
Sportscasters deliver sports news through a broadcast medium like television or radio. They are different from sports journalists working for print media. Sportscasters deliver the sports news to an audience by telling it directly to them. This permits the sportscaster to use her personality, voice and sometimes facial expressions to communicate additional nuances of the sports stories. It also allows the audience to listen to the sportscasts and sporting events live instead of reading about sports after the fact.
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Significance
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Sportscasters have become an increasingly important fixture in broadcasting in a sports-obsessed culture. Sportscasting has evolved from being a feature on news broadcasts, to being the subject of its own shows, to providing all the content for some radio and television stations. As sports become more popular, there is more money to be made in delivering sports news to the fans. This has increased the number and quality of sportscasters.
History
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In the early days of radio, sportscasters recreated sports events. They sat in broadcast studios and described games they didn't actually see. Sometimes sound effects were employed to trick the audience into thinking the sportscasters were actually there. Eventually technology permitted sportscasters to broadcast live at sporting events. Reporting games and scores evolved into the sportscast. It was added to daily newscasts in the 1960s. Sportscasts were initially considered a minor part of a newscast and only received a few minutes of air time. Shows specifically about sports gained popularity in the 1970s, spearheaded by ABC's Wide World of Sports. In 1979, ESPN was launched as the first all sports network. Its longevity and success are a testament to the popularity of sportscasters and their craft.
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Types
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There are several types of sportscasters on sports news broadcasts today. Sports anchors deliver sports news to an audience telling them a series of sports stories. They usually do this from a broadcast studio, but sports anchors also occasionally work on location at sporting events. Sports anchors often "toss" control of the sportscast to sports reporters. Their primary job is to go to sporting events and report on what happened there. Sports analysts are experts who add perspective to sports news. They are usually experienced sportscasters or former athletes in a particular sport.
Benefits
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Audiences benefit from a team approach to sports broadcasting during games. The lead sportscaster is called the play-by-play announcer. He sets the tempo of the sportscast by describing what happens on every play. The play-by-play announcer is accompanied by one or two color commentators. They add perspective on what happens on each play. Most game broadcasts also have one or two sideline reporters. They work on the sidelines of the field or court and dig up news on the players during the game. The team provides comprehensive coverage of the sporting event that would be impossible with one sportscaster.
Function
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Sportscasters also function as talk show hosts who moderate live conversations about sports issues on the radio or television. Sports talk programming is very popular among sports fans who want a forum for their opinions. The function of a sportscaster/talk show host is to provide an outlet for sports debate. This is a vital part of the spectator sports culture. Sports fans feel a vested connection to their sports teams. This often translates to a feeling of ownership of their team's successes and failures. Being able to boast and complain about their sports teams strengthens this bond.
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