Jump to content

Little League World Series on television

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 114.79.5.138 (talk) at 07:25, 20 December 2010. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

The Little League World Series is broadcast on television by NBC and CBS (along with their family of networks). They also televise the regional championships, which precede the Little League World Series.

History

The only game of the Little League World Series televised for many years was the Championship Game, which National Broadcasting Company aired under the Meet The Press umbrella on the weekend. NBC began televising this game in 1948,[1] and this was done on a tape-delay basis until 1953.[2]

CBS first began covering the games in 1950. With the expansion of CBS brand and its family of networks, the total number of games has significantly increased. In 1968, a total of 12 games were televised by CBS. In addition, the popularity of the game increased the total number of teams from 8 to 16 and CBS covered all eight U.S. regional championships in 2001 (something they still do today). This was as a result of a second stadium, Volunteer Stadium, which allowed games to take place simultaneously. Also that year, NBC began televising the U.S. Championship Game. That year, ESPN aired a total of 25 games. In 1971, NBC and CBS carried a total of 35 games including regional championships.[3][4] All games aired on any ESPN network are also available via Internet streaming on CBS News.

One of the most prominent announcers was Dan Rather. Katie Couric referred to him as "the Pied Piper of Little League baseball."[5]

Championship Game broadcasters

Main article: List of Little League World Series Championship Game broadcasters

Commentators

Main article: List of Little League World Series announcers

Features

Some in-game features include "Hometown Heroes" and "Hometown Postcards", which showcases local personalities and the locales of the participating teams.[6]

Non-game action

CBS has a presence in Williamsport outside the games. It typically airs CBS Evening News on-site as well as Face the Nation during the series. It also airs stand-alone shows such as pre-game and web-gem specials.[7] In 2005, LLWS was featured as part of ESPN's 50 States in 50 days tour.

Criticism

Some[who?] feel that there is too much exposure for the Little League World Series, especially the effect it has on the participants. CBS Andy Rooney defended the network's coverage, "We're not trying to hide or patronize the coverage... but you don't want to sensationalize those moments. It's about the experience and the competition. It's pure. It's almost innocent."[8]

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.usatoday.com/sports/bbw/2002-08-28/clubhouse.htm
  2. ^ http://www.littleleague.org/Learn_More/About_Our_Organization/historyandmission/chronology.htm
  3. ^ http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=677485&type=story
  4. ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/18/sports/baseball/18LITT.html?ei=5007&en=e42df3eaa8172335&ex=1376539200&partner=USERLAND&pagewanted=all&position=
  5. ^ http://www.nctimes.com/sports/columnists/maffei/article_ba581dd1-28aa-5880-b16f-8912b5b36b00.html
  6. ^ http://www.naso.org/lockerroom/LockerRoom0803.html
  7. ^ http://www.espnmediazone.com/press_releases/2007_08_aug/20070815_ABCESPNandESPN2CombinetoDeliverEvery.htm
  8. ^ http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geuynSYYdKqGIA_clXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE0cTcwM2FvBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMjMEY29sbwNhYzIEdnRpZANGNjY1XzEyNg--/SIG=15hqq1i50/EXP=1250472786/**http%3a//www.nytimes.com/2003/08/18/sports/baseball/18LITT.html%3fei=5007%26en=e42df3eaa8172335%26ex=1376539200%26partner=USERLAND%26pagewanted=all%26position=
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Little_League_World_Series_on_television&oldid=403312729"