The advancement of sports-viewing technology, and it’s effect on me screaming at my T.V.

As the weekend approaches, with its bevy of sports-watching opportunities, it’s interesting to think of how many more options sports fans have to choose from nowadays. With the ever-increasing number of sports channels, and technology, it seems as though there are more options every week.

From the dark days of only one or two games being televised, when you watched what you were told to watch, to the modern era, where it is becoming easier and easier to follow your team from across the country. Provided your team doesn’t suck. Sorry, Ball State fans. Your game won’t be picked up for a national broadcast. Maybe next year. If you inject about $5 million into your football program. And pray a little. Ok, a lot.

For me, this advancement of viewing options can only be a good thing. After a stressful week at work, it’s nice to scream at the T.V. for a few hours every weekend, and de-stress. And there is something comforting in being able to watch your hometown team each and every week they play. I don’t want to hear your market research studies. I don’t want to be bothered with your ratings analysis. Just put the fine young men in the Navy and Cardinal on my screen, so I can proceed to have a heart attack over the outcome of the game.

The different types of televisions make the viewing experience even more fun. Digital! Hi-Def! Projection! 3-D! But I submit to you that the greatest advancement so far is web access on your big screen. With the advent of the new Televisions with web access, now you can watch games online, in your living room, not huddled over a laptop or computer station. This proves very useful when your team’s game is not selected to air on national television. When my teams aren’t selected for a national game, it can feel like I’ve lost a bad game of musical chairs. What? I have to watch Boise State beat up on some third-tier, nothing team? No! I don’t want to! But wait, they’re airing the game online? Get the football snacks, we’re in business.

 

With the advent of online streaming games and sports content, it seems ever more important, nay, NECESSARY that I buy a new T.V. with web access. And Hi-def. And 3-D. And as big as possible. And that dispenses nachos and guacamole. There is no T.V. that dispenses nachos and guacamole yet? Give the mad scientists time. Give them time.