Advice for TSN’s Grey Cup commentators
November 26, 2009 · 21 Comments
TSN will go wall-to-wall with football coverage this weekend by focusing heavily on Sunday’s Grey Cup game, but also airing the Vanier Cup on Saturday.
The network has scheduled 25 hours of football programming; it will use 32 cameras to shoot the Grey Cup (Montreal Alouettes-Saskatchewan Roughriders); the crew at Calgary’s McMahon Stadium will consist of 150 production and technical people; the bells and whistles will include a cable cam (the robotic camera than runs along a grid above the field); a camera shooting from a helicopter; and a camera at the CFL command centre to shoot the deliberations of a review if it is required.
Chris Cuthbert, who is announcing his 12th Grey up, will be in the booth with Glen Suitor. At field level, co-hosts Brian Williams and Dave Randorf will provide commentary along with sideline reporters Farhan Lalji and Sara Orlesky. (Rod Black and Duane Forde will call the Vanier Cup at Universite Laval in Quebec.)
Three of TSN’s franchise shows – SportsCentre, Off The Record and Dave Hodge’s The Reporters — will be live on location in Calgary. You can’t have a TSN football telecast without the panel of Chris Schultz, Matt Dunigan, Jock Climie and Milt Stegall, the combined weight of which is, according to a TSN release, 1,050 pounds (no metric conversion). For the pre-game on Sunday, Williams will interview CFL commissioner Mark Cohon. And after calling the Vanier Cup, Forde will fly to Calgary to provide more Grey Cup analysis.
It sounds impressive – it is impressive — but to improve things even more, we have suggestions:
- That Dave Randorf talk to us instead of yell at us.
- That Jock Climie lose, just a little – and we know this will be difficult – his air of superiority.
- That Glen Suitor takes a breath once in a while. Yes, we realize Glen thinks he gets paid by a word, but he needs to say less. When the huddle breaks, we need to hear the quarterback make his call and Suitor needs to shut up.
- That Cuthbert dials it down. Cuthbert is a talented play caller, accurate, well prepared and smart. And it’s certainly important to bring energy to the telecast. But Cuthbert has a high pitched voice, and it gets higher when he’s excited. Like Suitor, he also needs to cut back on the verbiage.
Fan590 turns down Grey Cup
The Corus chain of radio stations owns rights to the Grey Cup, but interest in Toronto, where the Argonauts are inept and nobody cares, was so low Corus offered the game to the Fan590 for next to nothing and was turned down.
Corus’s AM640 will air the broadcast — the station wasn’t given an option, apparently — but will lose money on it because it will be pre-empting sold out programming, according to people familiar with radio in the city. Sources say Corus offered the Cup broadcast to the Fan590, which airs Argonaut games, for a price of only $500. The Fan said no thanks.
Grey Cup record?
If the Grey Cup pulls in a record TV audience, the most important factor will be the results produced by the new measurement system, the Portable People Meter, which was introduced to the English Canadian market in September.
Unlike the old system, the PPM measures group viewing, and that will push up TSN’s numbers significantly.
One reader alertly pointed out that the first draft of my column yesterday reported that PPMs were new to Quebec. They’re not. They’ve been used in that market for more than a year. Therefore, RDS’s Grey Cup audience won’t show a huge increase from last year’s 1.062 million.
That makes a record audience (TSN and RDS combined) difficult, but not impossible. TSN will need to draw at least 4.3 million and RDS 1.2 million.
Another reader asked if audience figures affect advertising revenue. The answer is yes, but only future advertising dollars. Networks base the price of ad time on audience performances over previous years.
Predictions
Rogers Sportsnet’s two Grey Cup experts, Orlondo Steinauer and Giulio Caravatta, both former CFLers, pick the Als, who are heavily favoured, to defeat the Riders.
Cavavatta stated in a Sportsnet release, “Saskatchewan has been proving people wrong all season, but I think the fairy tale won’t end on a happily ever-after note.”
Mark Cohon will be interviewed on Sportsnet’s Connected on Friday.
Controversial documentaries
The Fight Network will air on Saturday (8 p.m. ET) a British documentary on families that involve their children, at ages 4 and 5, in Thai boxing, the fastest growing martial art in the Britain. The film titled, Strictly Baby Fight Club, shows 9 year old boys fighting in a cage brawl.
The following week, Saturday, Dec.5, 8 p.m., TFN will air Bum Fights, which reports on the phenomenon of filming brawls involving the homeless and mentally ill, and selling the videos. TFN calls it a “big noisy film on an ugly shocking subject.”
Milestones of the week
Scarlett Johansson turned 25 on Sunday, the same day on which Rodney Dangerfield would have celebrated his 88th birthday if he hadn’t expired five years ago. No respect. Joe DiMaggio would have been 95 yesterday. He died 10 years ago. And Tina Turner is 70 today. From 1971:
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Nobody cares about the Argos in Tranna?
I don’t know. 26,000 a game for a last place team ain’t bad.
And why would the FAn want to carry the Grey Cup?
They’re too busy trying to help Rogers paper the house for the Bills next week.
Anyways the big game will do about 5 million combined on TSN and RDS.
Doesnt’ need the factors Houston talks about.
Because his opinions about the CFL have been proven totally 100% wrong.
Like a few years back when he called it a “marginal” sport.
Oh well.
Keep cheering on those Blue Jays Willie.
Now THATS a maginal sport!
Does 640 have to air the Grey Cup? Why else would they if they have to preempt programs that are sold out and probably are more listened to?
Oh great, Rick has found this page too. You obviously don’t live in Toronto Grace, as the Argos ARE about as marginal as you can get in Toronto.
Yeah. Thats your opinion.
What do you base it on?
What your buddies say?
Stick to the NBA and baseball.
As long as they’re around that is.
And Tranna sure is a big NFL town eh?
Free tickets anyone?
Now go away pal.
I base is on actually living there and seeing the interest in teams first hand. Your not from there, so what is your opinion base on. Absolutely nothing!
Why don’t YOU crawl back under the rock you came out from under, Graceless. You come on here and Zelkovich’s column and Dowbiggin’s column to spout your unintelligent, jingoistic opinions, all the while making an ass of yourself. Don’t you ever get tired of being a jerk?
Interesting note about the Grey Cup radio rights in Toronto, William. Just out of curiosity, who is calling the game on radio?
The Ike & Tina / Smothers Brothers clip would have to be from 1969. The Smothers Brothers weren’t on the air in 1971. Also, she refers to “I’m Gonna Do All I Can to Do Right by My Man” as their newest recording. It came out in ‘69.
As soon as I saw a comment from Rick Grace I thought “oh no. He’s found this blog too’.
Rick, be honest, do you live in Toronto? Because, as mediocre as the Jays and Raptors have been, those teams have a very obvious presence and pulse in the city. When the Jays had that hot start in April, believe it or not the buzz was palpable. I was high-fiving guys I had never met while watching the games on TV in a bar. I like the Argos. I want them to succeed. But if you live in Toronto, it is very plain to see that the do not have a large impact in the Toronto sports scene.
You go on and on about the CFL and NHL being the only sports of interest in Canada. For most of Canada, I’m sure you’re 100% right. But you have to understand that Toronto is a very unique marketplace in this country. Wealthy, extremely multicultural, and extremely big. There is a lot of interest in a lot of different things. I mean, my goodness, if you got your wish and the Jays and Raptors both moved away, Toronto would be the most underserved sports market in North America by miles! There’s room for MLB, NBA, NHL and CFL here…and frankly probably more (be it another NHL team or NFL).
So, please. The CFL/NHL only stuff is so tiresome. Please understand that Toronto isn’t Barrie or Regina or London, On. Let it go.
The half-time entertainment is a big factor for the casual fans. I mean Blue Rodeo will not garner any extra attention whatsoever. They will still get 5 million – no question
Having Blue Rodeo as the half-time entertainment reflects exactly what is wrong with the CFL. The league needs to get younger viewers, and, anecdotally, I see that younger guys watch the CFL, even in big, complicated cities like Toronto (seriously, can’t you Toronto folk ever get over yourselves? It’s not like it’s the only big, multiculti city in the nation, relatively speaking, Toronto is not much bigger than Montréal, they’re both amongst the 10 largest cities in North America). But I digress, having ancient, boring baby boomers like Blue Rodeo cranking out hits from 1990 at half time just kills the buzz. The CFL needs to book bands that at least can pull in younger crowds, we don’t need Lady Gaga, but someone, anyone, that can appeal to a younger set will keep us rooted to our seats for the entire game.
As for Graceless, even if I think you Toronto folk live under a rock, I have to agree the CFL and NHL aren’t the only sports of interest in this country. The NBA has a strong following, even if the rest of Canada could give a rat’s arse about the Raptors (here, it’s the Celtics who have a big following, along with the Red Sox in baseball), even soccer has a presence, at least in Montréal (speaking of underserved sports cities: give us a real stadium and baseball works here, and why don’t we have an MLS side?).
I’m a big Blue Rodeo fan, but I agree that they are a bad choice. I expect they will be great, but they are the wrong demographic.
TSN is an embarrassment. TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AGAIN. Could you imagine if the BCS Championship game had transmission troubles?
Matthew, you’re right. I think with a new stadium and decent ownership, the Expos would have been successful. I’m a big Jays fan, but I miss them a lot. You’re also right that Montreal is definitely underserved compared to American cities with similar populations.
Montreal’s population is 1.6 million (City) 3.6 million (Metro). They have 1 major league team (This is not meant as a slight to the Als or Impact. The CFL is major league in a sense, but I’m referring to ‘major’ as the amount of money/infrastructure necessary to operate a team. The CFL doesn’t require the same financial investment/population base as NHL/NBA/MLB/NFL).
Compare that to (according to Wikipedia):
Minneapolis: 390,000 (city) 3,500,000 (Metro). 4 teams in 4 major sports leagues.
Milwaukee: 604,000 (city) 1,700,000 (Metro). 2 teams in big 4 sports. (3 if you include Green Bay)
Denver: 598,000 (city) 2,500,000 (Metro). 4 teams in big 4 sports.
St Louis 354,000 (city) 2,800,000 (Metro). 3 teams in big 4 sports.
Buffalo: 272,000 (city) 1,200,000 (Metro) 2 teams in big 4 sports.
Cincinatti: 333,000 (city) 2,100,000 (Metro). 2 teams in big 4 sports.
Also, when you consider that Toronto’s population is 2,500,000 (city) 5,500,000 (Metro) , not to mention 8,100,000 (Golden Horseshoe) – it illustrates how unrealistic Rick’s notion is that there should only be a CFL and NHL team here. In fact, you could argue that Toronto is underserved as it is – hence the clamoring for a second NHL team and the NFL rumours.
Re: Criticism of Blue Rodeo choice. I could not disagree more. The long-term strategic goal of the CFL, like that of all leagues, is to attract young viewers so that the fan base doesn’t erode. But the goal when planning the Grey Cup is to attract a massive number of viewers, and you do that with a mainstream artist that will attract a broad audience, not an artist that appeals to any one demographic. Blue Rodeo is one of the most well known, recognizable, and successful brands in Canadian music. A perfect choice. And besides, if you think it’s a bad choice, how about suggesting some actual alternatives?
Peter – I can’t suggest an alternative because I am not part of that demographic- I am fully clued out. I know the Black Eyed Peas got huge buzz from the under 30s when they played. I have no clue who an equivalent would be.
In short – it should be a band I have no familiarity with – then they have a chance at being hip and current. If you are on my ipod, the kids won’t be excited.
Peter, Blue Rodeo are no longer a mainstream band, they’re an ageing boomer band. Even the Tragically Hip are moving out of the mainstream. Same with Sloan and all the bands I grew up on. But I’m not the demographic the CFL wants. I agree, you want a huge audience for the Grey Cup, but I’ll also tell you this: I teach college, my students are more excited for the New England/New Orleans game Monday night than the Grey Cup, despite the fact their home town team is in it. And whilst no one i know actually watches half-time, my students say that nothing about the CFl appeals to them, other than its Canadianness, but they think it’s full of 2nd rate athletes (which it’s not) and is boring (“just like Canada,” to quote one of them). At the very least having music that they can dig on at half time might not reinforce the idea that the CFL is foreign to them. That’s all I’m saying.
Matthew
: I teach college, my students are more excited for the New England/New Orleans game Monday night than the Grey Cup, despite the fact their home town team is in it. And whilst no one i know actually watches half-time, my students say that nothing about the CFl appeals to them, other than its Canadianness, but they think it’s full of 2nd rate athletes (which it’s not) and is boring (”just like Canada,” to quote one of them)
i was not aware Montreal had colleges for retards.
Black Eyed Peas? The CFL couldn’t afford them, first of all. And it would be a terrible choice. The kids would be happy, and the othe 90 per cent of the grownups would be asking who are these punks.
Hey, Canadians! How about Nickelback? So, along with 7-yard punts, I ‘d have another reason to ignore this game and just watch real football like Steelers/Ravens?
And this year, exactly ZERO Canadians will watch the Sunday night Steelers/Ravens game because BBM doesn’t measure Canadians watching NBC if it’s not a simulcast. Way to go, Canada! And you can get that Houston and Zelkovich will marvel at this amazing fact.
The Grey Cup is the Super Bowl of Canada. Here are recent Super Bowl halftime artists: Bruce Springsteen, Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, and Prince. This year, it will be The Who. Prince is the only one under 60 in the bunch. That’s really cutting edge. And somehow, the Super Bowl will struggle to get 110 million viewers in North America. Clearly they’re doing something wrong.
Hey Peter Brown, you said the CFL could not afford the Black Eyed Peas. Do some research, the Black Eyed Peas played the halftime at the 2005 Grey Cup in Vancouver. Most of the fans going to the game thought that it was a bad choice and did not appeal to the majority of the demographic at the game.
The CFL has gotten a much younger fan base than they used to have, but it appeals to real sports fans above 25 years of age who want to bring their family to an affordable sports event, and who are not dependent on gambling on the NFL and immersing themselves in all the NFL stats. Really, if it was not for the gambling, most people would be nowhere near as interested in watching the National Football League as they are. Young men first get involved and addicted to gambling, then they become involved and addicted to the NFL because they play most of their games simultaneously on Sunday.