Local Television Sports: The End is Nigh

The demise of local television sports.

It's been coming for a long time. With the explosive growth of ESPN, FOX, regional sports networks and now social media, local stations are in every market either looking to cut their sports entirely or diminish it to a lower level of coverage.

In this case. Fort Myers (FL) is the 62nd ranked market in the US. It has no real local sports, relying on coverage of Tampa area teams, a few minor league franchises and high school events. To a wide range of consultants and station management, it's a waste of time and money.

Years ago I remember a still major market News Director telling me how he "couldn't wait" to dump the entire sports team. His reasoning? "It's a toy store for idiots, and I've got cheaper talent that can do do the same story and read the same highlights".

His ownership won't let him cut out everyone, but he has made the Sports Department little more than a 2 man band in a city that has all 4 major sports franchises.

The rise of instantaneous social media and regional networks has cut into what was once an integral part of a broadcast, no doubt. Fans now get their news in split seconds. Highlights are everywhere. Breaking news is on their phone. No need to wait until the nightly newscasts.

But, hold a moment. There are still great stories to tell. Fascinating interviews. In depth and enlightening, inspiring stories that need a certain touch. Take it from someone what has worked both sports and news. There's a difference telling this stories, both needing someone who breathes the air of their subjects.

It's another cost cutting move. Great sports anchors and reporters are being dumped because of their age and their cost. They're being tossed aside because they're not perky enough or show enough skin. Their hair is a little grayer, and they are expendable.

Local sports is still big in some major markets. Boston, NY, LA and others still have a presence. But even in those cities, those who work there now are always looking over their shoulder, knowing the axe could come at any moment because they don't fit the profile of this new and very different broadcast era.

Personally, I miss it. Every day. And I feel for those wonderful talents that are out looking work and know they will never be able to get back in to their chosen field. What a great waste of excellent talent.

It is the end of what was a wonderful era of storytelling, competition and fun. A few hang on, but they'll be unceremoniously dumped sooner or later. Not because they did a bad job, but because of cost cutting and ageism.

The death of great storytelling at a local level. And it didn't have to happen.

#deathoflocalsports #victimofsocialmedia #ageism

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