The Utility of Graphics Containing Statistics in NCAA Championship Broadcasts

Presenter Information

Brent Hesse, Ball State University

Document Type

Oral Presentation

Location

Indianapolis, IN

Subject Area

Communication & Media Studies

Start Date

13-4-2018 11:30 AM

End Date

13-4-2018 11:45 AM

Description

College basketball, and especially March Madness is enjoyed by countless Americans throughout the country. Televised broadcasts of these games continue to grow in popularity in the past three decades since CBS was given the rights to the tournament. Thanks to an advancement in technology, the network now has the ability to incorporate many new features to enhance the experience of the fans viewing from home. One of the most significant ways is through the use of graphics and statistics throughout the game’s broadcast. This study analyses how the utility of graphics that contain statistics have changed within championship broadcasts. Starting in the early 80’s and reviewing the championship game in five year intervals up to the most recent title, shows the progression not only in the total number of graphics that appear on screen, but also the amount of screen space that is consumed, the length of the display on screen, and the type of statistic contained. The preliminary findings suggest that graphics have become more prevalent in recent years and appear in more variety in regards to size and content. These alterations have been beneficial in keeping viewers informed and entertained through the entirety of the broadcast and are one of the key contributing factors in the popularity of March Madness.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS
 
Apr 13th, 11:30 AM Apr 13th, 11:45 AM

The Utility of Graphics Containing Statistics in NCAA Championship Broadcasts

Indianapolis, IN

College basketball, and especially March Madness is enjoyed by countless Americans throughout the country. Televised broadcasts of these games continue to grow in popularity in the past three decades since CBS was given the rights to the tournament. Thanks to an advancement in technology, the network now has the ability to incorporate many new features to enhance the experience of the fans viewing from home. One of the most significant ways is through the use of graphics and statistics throughout the game’s broadcast. This study analyses how the utility of graphics that contain statistics have changed within championship broadcasts. Starting in the early 80’s and reviewing the championship game in five year intervals up to the most recent title, shows the progression not only in the total number of graphics that appear on screen, but also the amount of screen space that is consumed, the length of the display on screen, and the type of statistic contained. The preliminary findings suggest that graphics have become more prevalent in recent years and appear in more variety in regards to size and content. These alterations have been beneficial in keeping viewers informed and entertained through the entirety of the broadcast and are one of the key contributing factors in the popularity of March Madness.