« Installing the XM2go MyFi in your car | Main | MSpot Cell Phone Radio released... who cares. »
April 07, 2005
Sirius Lands Wimbledon - crowd goes wild?
First golf, now tennis, in an attempt to cure the world of sleep deprivation the Satellite Radio Industry has collectively gotten together to air some of the least radio-friendly sports possible. Yes folks, that's right, Sirius Satellite Radio just announced that it has signed a 4-year agreement to air play-by-play updates of the Wimbledon Championships for an undisclosed amount. At first, I thought pretty much the same thing that many of you are doing right now. What's the use of listening to Tennis? (grunt!) wack, wack, wack, "SCORE!" (grunt!) wack, wack, wack "LOVE!" Not necessarily anything that gets blood rushing to spongy tissue.
But then look at this deal from the collective standpoint.
Sirius is systematically scooping up as many sports as they can. It's not just about how big of a market will listen to Tennis, but the overall sports experience to the listener. When a possible subscriber looks at Sirius, they'll see NFL, NBA, NHL, College Sports, EPL Soccer, NASCAR (in 2007) and now Tennis.
Radio will never replace Television, so arguing that some sports are better on TV than they are on Radio is a moot point. Radio is supplimental. It's what you do when you're driving, or at work, or out for a jog, or pounding back shots of Jager on your friend's boat. So when you can't be parked on your couch drinking a six-pack with your foam "Anna #1!" finger at hand, you can listen to [insert hot tennis player] grunting and wacking away on Sirius Satellite Radio when they begin broadcasting the Wimbledon Championships from June 20 to July 3.
April 7, 2005 08:28 AM
Comments
What happened to just listening to music and talk shows, now the big thing is hearing people grunting on a tennis court? Sure, I like to watch the Dallas Cowboys play, but it isn't the same on the radio, what's next? The World Poker Tour on satellite radio? I'm sure it's a huge market, but I really don't get too excited that a another sporting league has joined up with satellite radio.
Posted by: vic at April 7, 2005 09:46 AM
While I initially thought the whole satellite pursuit of sports was stupid, I'm really enjoying listening to MLB on XM. I am a casual baseball fan at best, but I think listening to the game in the background while working is more enjoyable than sitting at home directing all my attention to watching a game. I'm not sure it'd be the same for all sports, but for baseball it works well.
I also think it's interesting seeing how XM is extending their deal with MLB to include advertising in stadiums - that's huge and if Sirius can do the same with all these sports they've snatched up, they'll gain valuble advertising space.
Jesus, I'm amazed that these companies can afford all these deals.
Posted by: Doug C. at April 7, 2005 12:36 PM
