Sports in Australia
The changing dynamics in the sports industry has had a number of influences not only on the organizations but also on the stakeholders as well as the consumers who eventually receive the content. It is a fact worth noting that the popularity of a sport in a given locality highly depends on the extent to which the contents are made available to the audience. This consequently reveals the correlation between proper broadcasting and the popularity of a given kind of sport. The emerging trends in technology have given rise to new method of broadcasting. It is a fact worth noting that the nature of the audience plays a pivotal role in determining the type of broadcasting model to be used (Andreff and Staudohar, 2010). This is because the preferred contents tend to vary across different age group. This again brings up an essential element which is the content being broadcasted. In addition to the fact that the approach of broadcasting has an effect on the reception by the consumers, the contents released for consumption equally play a pivotal role in determining how much the consumers end up relating with the digital content. In line with the brief overview above, this essay comprises a discussion of the aspect of new broadcast models and how they impact contents to consumers. The essay shall highlight the various ways in which the new approaches in broadcasting increase opportunity for the rise in popularity of not only the smaller sports but also the non-corporate sports.
The topic of discussion revolves around the issue of sports in Australia, the historical developments in broadcasting as well as the current trends and their possible impacts on the popularity of smaller or non-corporate sports. The methodology in this case involved the extensive review of literary materials which were carefully selected based on the relevancy of their contents with respect to the topic of study (Cave and Crandall, 2011). The study also involved data visualization in which statistics were carefully analyzed and core concepts derived before being used to make tacit conclusions with respect to the research topic. Each of the strategies above was aimed at addressing the core research issue. At the end of the essay, the discussion ought to have brought out a clear indication of how the emergence of new models in broadcasting has since increased opportunities for popularity of smaller or non-corporate sports in Australia.
Before venturing into the possible impacts of the new broadcasting models and their impacts on sports broadcasting in Australia, it would be important to have a brief outline of the current picture in terms of sports in the country. The country is known to be adept in a number of sports with teams occasionally performing well not only locally but also at international fonts. One of the famous sports in Australia is soccer which takes over 48% in the list of common sports in the country (Chae and Flores, 2009). The local football league comprising various tiers has remained popular as a result of the stable broadcasting models employed by the corporate bodies as well as the stakeholders. The other sport in the country is the rugby league which takes about 20% of the major sports in the country. The Australian rugby team has also performed well in various international events for instance the Olympics in addition to other world leagues. The percentage level of popularity of basketball is 30%. The sport also has a league format in different tiers and receives a fairly wide coverage. The other established sports include netball, cricket, baseball, golf and swimming just to mention but few. While cricket serves as one of country’s national games part from the rugby league, there are other smaller/non-corporate sports which have emerged in the recent past. Statistics indicate that the smaller sports do not only have the least number of participants but is often attended by few fans. Some examples of the less popular sports in Australia include: dog racing, tennis both indoor and outdoor, harness racing, tenpin bowling and lawn bowls just to mention but few. The popularity of these sports may not have risen to the expected levels in the past due to the nature of the broadcasting models used to transmit the contents to the final consumers. The brief highlight of sports in Australia is a crucial foundation for the subsequent portions of this paper. By analyzing the statistics surrounding the popular and less popular sports, it is possible to deduce some of the reasons why some sports are more popular in comparison to the others (Cornwell and Maignan, 2010). Based on these very statistics, the future of these non corporate sports can be projected especially due to the ever changing technological arena which has given rise to new models in broadcasting.
Historical perspective of Sports Broadcasting Models
To begin with, broadcasting can be defined as the transmission of both audio and video content to a variety of audience located in different areas through electronic media. The most common model of broadcasting right from the beginning of time is the one-to-many model. This arrangement involves the transmission of content to a group of individuals by utilizing the electromagnetic spectrum, more specifically, the radio waves. The concept of broadcasting mainly started with the fame of AM radio and the gradual rise in popularity of the vacuum tube radio transmitters and receivers. Before its inception, the main methods of transferring information involved the use of a one-to-one model especially through phones and telegraph. Over the past years, the concept of broadcasting has improved in leaps and bounds. The introduction of other technological innovations allowed the change of model from one-to-one to one-to-many hence making the process more effective (Easton and Rockerbie, 2015). Despite the fact that broadcasting in history was mainly meant for the transmission of news items and emergent issues, it slowly found its way into the arena of sports. As early as in 1947, various football games, basketball as well as rugby would be covered and brought to the audience mostly through the radio. The television soon took to the platform and was consequently embraced as one of the major components of one-to-many model of broadcasting. The historical context of the aspect of broadcasting can majorly be anchored on the people’s dependence on traditional methods which would later change as a result of emerging technological inventions (Einolf, 2014).
Before highlighting the new model of broadcasting, it would be important to trace the origin of these methods by outlining some of the traditional methods which were used to enhance sports broadcasting in the past. To begin with, there was the use of telephone which was popular mainly between 1881 and 1932. This mode involved the use of distribution systems which allowed the users to receive information through their phones. While this approach was rarely used to cover sports, it remained essential in providing a core foundation of sport broadcasting as some of the new models which shall be discussed later in this paper were basically improved from the phone as the original gadget of reference. The main disadvantage during this time was the low signal strengths which largely affected reception especially in certain locations (Gwinner, 2008).
The second medium was the radio which depended on the concept of over the air transmission. In this case, audio signals released from a transmitter would be sent to a receiver through the antenna. This innovation and method of broadcasting was common between 1906 and 1920. The popular sports that would be broadcast through this method included football and basketball. The other traditional medium from which the current models have been developed is the use of analogue television which had its experimental stage in 1925 and its official commercial using beginning in 1930. In this case, visual signals sent from a transmitter would be directed to a receiver through the antenna. The TV sets depended on analogue technology. This is one aspect which influenced the quality of the images transmitted the pictures were presented in black and white colors. The new visual content broadcasting models have been developed from this very foundation. Furthermore, there was also the use of cable radio where transmission was enhanced with the help of a coaxial cable. This method had its limitations especially based on the fact that it was largely hindered by geographical factors like water bodies as well as mountains just to mention but few (Hess, 2008). This explains why the wireless generation of sport broadcasting ended up overshadowing the use of cable radio. The traditional approaches also incorporated the use of direct broadcast satellite where the signals would be transmitted directly to the recipients based on their subscriptions. The last method under an analysis of the traditional broadcasting approaches is the use of webcasting. The approach involved the incorporation of both audio and visual systems relayed to the recipients based on their subscriptions and mainly depended on internet radio as well as internet television.
Traditional models
Before outlining the possible ways in which the new broadcast models have provided opportunity for growth and popularity of the smaller sports, it would be important to point out some of the basic elements of the current trends.
To begin with, the possession and use of phones has become a common occurrence across various age groups. This could be associated with the multifunctional abilities of these gadgets in addition to the fact that they can easily be carried from one place to another. It is a fact worth noting that a good chunk of the current broadcast models rely on applications which can be downloaded and supported by phones. The historical perspective outlined that the original phones depended on over the air transmission (Hoehn and Lancefi, 2010). The same technology has been harnessed to improve the current phones in a bid to ensure that the users are able to get the best signals irrespective of their locations. A phone in itself comprises various other applications within it which have since gained popularity in the field of sport broadcasting. For instance the application of internet television and internet radio is one of the core elements of new broadcast models. Smartphones are technologically enhanced hence the consumers are able to access the internet and hence the various platforms on which they can receive the contents from the broadcasters. It can therefore be deduced that through a phone, an individual has access to YouTube, Face book and twitter all of which are platforms which have currently gained popularity in the field of sports broadcasting. The phone remains one of the most effective gadgets for sports marketing since it gives the user a more personalized feel of the content. Additionally, the one on one interaction with the providers allows the user an opportunity to receive a variety of other services which in turn enhances satisfaction and consumer loyalty.
Migration from analogue television to digital television has been an essential component in improving the face of sports broadcasting in Australia. The traditional TV sets which poor image quality and low signal reception have since been replaced with the more effective digital television. The electronic media have since been modified to enhance their transportation from one place to another. Furthermore, the technological innovations have given room for the development of inbuilt smart TV which do not only give the consumers an awesome experience with the contents but also comes with the necessary attraction value. The use of television as an approach in sports broadcasting is significant due to the fact that it can be used to reach a huge number of target audiences. This is because most individuals in the country own these sets. However, the use of television has majorly been challenged by the aspect that it may be quite cumbersome to transport the gadget from one place to another which in turn confines the audience to a specific location (R.I.C. Publications , 2008). The absence of mobility might be a factor of inconvenience and the audience, especially those on transit, may never be in a position to have a go with the real time events.
New broadcast models
The online media is one of the most common platforms for sports broadcasting especially among the teenagers and youths. This is because the good infrastructure has enhanced the establishment of stable signals in the country which implies the consumers have access to good and reliable internet. The emerging trends indicate that some sport broadcasters has since resorted to hosting the contents on the various online media with the aim of reaching out to a good number of receivers. One has to pay in order to access the online media. The return on investment associated with this model makes it one of the most revered platforms in the field of sports broadcasting (Rolls, 2009). Under online media, various components arise. For instance, there is the use of facebook , twitter and other social media platforms in which the broadcaster are able to provide the live feeds while covering the games. The approach in this case is referred to as live streaming. The audience can also access this content through other online platforms like YouTube. This approach plays a vital role in ensuring that the consumers get to interact with real time events at the comfort of their various locations. The incorporation of internet TV and Radio has changed the whole rhetoric about broadcasting. The new ideas being implemented has played a major role in increasing awareness among the people with respect to the various types of sports depending on the ones being broadcast.
The transmission of audio signals to the recipients has been aided and enhanced by coming up with better radio models with better reception and high end antennae. The radios are relatively less bulky hence depending on the size; one can easily carry out with them. At the same time, the radio application can be installed in phones where it can be used to serve similar purposes. The advancement in technology has encouraged the establishment of a better infrastructure in the country (Shilbury, 2011). This therefore implies that the signal strength are maintenance which in turn improves the quality of contents transmitted. The use or radio gives the audience an opportunity to have both a personalized experience as well as a public reception of the contents. This is because several stations can be networked so that the broadcasting taking place at a point can be covered and transmitted to a variety of consumers. At the same time, the fact that the gadgets are owned by the individuals implies that they are able to make choices on the kind of content they would love to interact with. From the discussion above, it has been possible to highlight some of the emerging trends in sports broadcasting. The new broadcast models are entirely attached to the various media outlined above. The portion above reveals two major models. First is the one-to-one model which can be enhanced through phones, radio as well as through online media. The second model is one-to-many approach of sports broadcasting which is majorly enhanced through radio and television.
Implications of new broadcast models on sports broadcasting
In the introductory portions of this paper, the various sports especially those that are popular in Australia were outlined. At the same time, the smaller ones were indicated. Some of the sports which could be referred to as the smaller ones in Australia include harness race, dog race, golf, tennis and bowling just to mention but few. The diminishing popularity of the smaller sports could be associated with the extent of media coverage as outlined by the broadcasters. Effective broadcasting acts as an essential marketing tool which in turn attracts investors (Smith, 2011). For instance, when the local football league enjoys the right coverage not only in the local scenes but also internationally, it is possible to attract investors which then increase the amount or revenue related with the sport. With respect to the argument above, the smaller sports are christened smaller due to the fact that they tend to command a smaller following in terms of audience or supporters. This therefore implies that the revenue levels associated with such sports are relatively lower than the popular ones. The low level of following may be caused by the fact that most individuals are not aware about such sports due to the limited amount of coverage that they receive. Broadcasting mainly through the radio and television is often meant to reach to a wider target audience. This implies that the content transmitted needs to be appealing to the audience. Consequently, the broadcasters who employ these forms of media tend to concentrate on the popular sports only. This bias is often caused by the financial implications and the projected return on investment. Such strategies often come at the expense of the less known sports investors (Smith, 2011). In line with the extraction above, it can be deduced that the emergence of new broadcast models could be a good opportunity for the smaller sports to begin finding their way among the vast audiences.
As a means of improving the effectiveness of broadcasting media, the use of analog TV which had been the most common practice towards the end of the 19th century was later replaced by the digital TV. The shift in models has had a number of effects on consumer expectations and variations in their behaviors as well. As a result of the emergent digital transmission, the quality of contents has not only escalated gradually but the consumers have a number of alternatives from which they can choose from. For instance, through the use of digital set boxes, individuals are treated to a variety of channels among them are sports channels. Despite the fact that the model works on the principle of one-to-many, the consumers have the luxury to watch their preferred sport from the vast array of options. Some of these channels are often dedicated for the smaller or non-corporate sports (Stewart, 2010). The consumers therefore have these sports brought right into their living rooms. The continuous broadcasting of such sports has a positive effect on the consumers. The number of followers to the given sport is likely to increase as the public gets aware of their existence through the dedicated channels. It can therefore be deduced that the rise and popularity of digital television has provided an effective opportunity for the marketing of smaller sports in Australia. The associated benefits of the shift in models can be experienced when the attendance to these events starts improving gradually due to the growing interest in the sport. For instance, in the statistical list of top games in Australia, dog racing, harness racing, swimming and bowling are indicated as some of the sports not only with few participants but also experience low attendance levels. The broadcaster can seize this opportunity by increasing the level of coverage of the sports and present the contents in an effective and consistent manner to the public in a bid to improve its value and popularity among the people. As a result of digital migration, sports like bowling, horse racing and baseball have slowly gain popularity among the audience. This can be confirmed by the ever increasing rate of attendance to this games which can be estimated to improve by about 5% annually. The discussion above therefore reveals the existence of a direct correlation between new broadcast models and opportunity establishment for smaller sports (Stewart, 2010).
Conclusion
Apart from digital TV, the audio transmission modes have also shifted from analog to digital. The AM radios which were commonly used in the past have since been replaced by the more effective FM transmissions. The evolutions in technology have made such adjustments possible hence varying the nature of consumer experiences. Just like the case of digital TV, digital radio has also led to the existence of a variety of channels. The audience therefore has the chance to listen to what interests them most. Sports broadcasting through radio transmission have gained fame in Australia since 2000 due to the huge number of audience covered by this model. There are specific sports channels meant for live coverage. At the same time, there are the channels dedicated for sports news. Through such platforms, the information about results, upcoming events, the various leagues and the participants is constantly aired to the audience. This offers an appropriate ground for people to know about the sports that are considered to be lesser. The decline in attendance and hence the value of the non-corporate sports could be associated with the fact that the public is rarely made aware of such events. The rise of digital radio has therefore established an effective platform where news about the less popular sports can be used as an appropriate marketing strategy to attract the public to attend such events. At the same time, the broadcasters have since introduced occasional live coverage for such sports especially during mega events like the recent Olympic Games (Szymanski, 2013). A prominent advantage of digital radio as a new broadcast model is the fact that the consumer has the luxury to flip into their channel if interested. This is possible despite the fact that a one-to-many approach is used in the transmission of content. By varying the packages, the audience has a variety of options. It is within these very channels that people get to know about the smaller games hence improving their popularity in one way or the other.
The rise in the popularity and use of smart phones as a new broadcasting platform in Australia has given sports broadcasting a whole new dimension. The accessibility and portability of these devices makes them one of the most convenience platforms through which the sports broadcasting strategies can be properly implemented (Szymanski, 2013). Due to their ability to perform multiple functions, the gadgets can be loaded with various other applications like the internet TV, radio and other forms of online media. Phones therefore provide a vital opportunity for the growth of the smaller sports since the various avenues and options can be harnessed as platforms for sports marketing and creation of awareness. For instance, sports organizations, in a bid to develop a given sport can implement a strategy where subscribers are consistently notified of an upcoming event. The notifications also involve the location, ticketing information and the parties involved. Based on the fact that this trend has seen the rise of other popular sports like cricket and soccer, the same approach could be used to inform the public about the lesser sports.
References
The final consumer of the digital content is one of the major stakeholders in the field of sports broadcasting. In order to ensure the consumer needs and requirements are adequately addressed, it is important for the broadcasting organizations to develop the most effective content transmission approaches. Due to the advancement in technology, most of the stakeholders have access to the very gadgets that broadcasters can use as platforms in a bid to reach their audience. A good model in this case would be one-to-one transmission through the mobile phones and more specifically via online media. The use of phones comes with specific benefits since the users are able to have a personalized feel of the services. As such, the audience have the chance to pick on the very content that interests them most. This is the very opportunity that can be used by the sports stakeholders to enhance the level of awareness among the members of the public by making the coverage more frequent, accessible and interesting. Through the phone, it is also possible to access the internet which leads to a whole new experience since the user is able to interact with the millions of online feeds and coverage of events and games.
Apart from digital TV, Radio and smart phones sports broadcasting, the emergence of online media has done a lot in creating opportunity for the growth and popularity of the non-corporate sports. This has led to major developments in the sports broadcasting industry in the country. The various alternatives available for content transmission has not only enable the organizations to establish the best approaches in consumer satisfaction but has also treated the audience themselves to a variety of good alternatives to pick from. Emergence of new broadcast models especially through the online media has therefore been accompanied by a number of positive implications on the wider industry. The online media comprises a number of elements which the audience can harness as a method of varying their experiences and ensuring they obtain the best. The emergence of online media has paved way for the establishment of various social media platforms covering millions of people from all over the world. Through social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, individuals do not only interact with one another for social gains but also get to interact with loads of essential information regarding different kinds of spaces. For instance, Facebook pages can be used to host the live streaming of events which the users are therefore able to follow based on their levels of interest (Szymanski, 2013). This therefore implies that the introduction of new broadcast models has done a lot in increasing the scope of coverage. Unlike in the past, the current trend indicates that an individual may not have to stay confined to a TV screen or radio in order to follow their favorite sports as various other platforms covering the event are available online. Through the online platforms, the smaller sports can be marketed. Through live streaming, the audience is able to catch up with the crucial updates regarding the game. Other forms of online based approaches of broadcasting include YouTube. This platform is often use to transmit both audio and visual content and is effective in regions with strong signals hence easy access to the internet. The audience is treated to a variety of contents. The broadcasters therefore gauge the performance of the online content by noting the number of times it is viewed (Shilbury, 2011). This strategy can be used to project the possible opportunity for a smaller sport. For instance, an online channel can be used to host a string of horse races, bowling and other live events like golf. Based on the response of the audience to these forms of content, the broadcaster is able to adjust the mode of coverage and hence reach a larger number of audiences. In addition, online media does not only serve to benefit the local population but the content is made available even to the international community. Through this platform, it is possible to attract international interest and investors into the sport thereby increasing its revenue value. Furthermore, online platforms like twitter allow the audience to get constant updates regarding specific sports. The interesting aspect about this is fact that the consumers are able to access this information irrespective of their location. Consequently, such avenues can be harnessed to receive the feedbacks from the audience in line with the quality of content and their extent of satisfaction. Based on these feedbacks, the stakeholders are able to identify some of the reasons why the smaller sports are less popular among the audience. These recommendations can then be harnessed in a bid to come up with better strategies which all play a crucial role in improving viewership. Online methods of broadcasting therefore provide a good opportunity for the development of the non-corporate sports due to the fact that it covers a wide scope of the target audience. This is because once the feeds are loaded online; anyone with access to internet, on any part of the earth is able to interact with the contents (Shilbury, 2011). Continuous interaction with contents improves familiarity which eventual alters the level to which consumers are aware of particular sports. It can therefore be deduced that online media broadcasting has established a good platform through which smaller sports are slowly getting into the limelight. This can be confirmed by the increasing number of participants and attendants in smaller sports such as dog racing, swimming, indoor and outdoor tennis, golfing and baseball just to mention but few. The sports statistics between the year 2017 and 2018 indicate a drastic rise in popularity of games as a result of online media broadcasting.
Conclusion
The essay focused on analyzing the relationship between new broadcast models and creation of opportunities for the development of smaller sports with a specific reference to the field of sports in Australia. The study which was mainly anchored on visualization and interpretation of statistical records as well as review of relevant literature revealed a clear connection between emerging trends in broadcasting and their corresponding impacts on the non-corporate sports. The discussion established the historical context of sports broadcasting before outlining some of the new broadcast models. From the discussions, it can be established that new approaches in sports broadcasting like use of digital television, digital radio, and smart phones, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube have had a positive impact on the development of sports which were formerly less popular in the country. The new models in sports broadcasting have not only improved accessibility to the contents bus has also served the audience with a variety of alternatives to choose from. Consequently, the consumer experiences have been enhanced hence leading to an improvement in the value of non-corporate sports. The current trends in sports broadcasting can be used to project the possible occurrences in future. With the dynamic nature of the corporate world in addition to the ever improving technology, it can be projected that the future measures of broadcasting are likely to be more effective in enhancing the development of sports by varying the quality of contents and service delivery. The sports which currently have a lesser number of participants and attendance are likely to gain more popularity with the changing modes and approaches in broadcasting.
References
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