Hi guys:
When it comes to pro and college sports on television, I'm an avid a viewer as most fans.
But something that is increasingly bothersome to me is how television and "prime time" viewing drives start times to just about anything sports-related.
I bring this up thinking about Friday night's NHL draft. As proven by the ratings for the Stanley Cup Finals, the NHL can't draw viewers to its biggest games of the year, yet Friday night -- in prime time -- there's the NHL draft on television.
Although I'm not all that old, I remember as a kid getting home from school as watching the Yankees playing the Kansas City Royals in an American League Championship Series game. Imagine that, an ALCS game in the afternoon!
It seems as though -- until recently -- even the NCAA baseball and softball championships were held in the afternoon. (The opening game of the NCAA World Series begins tonight, which reminds me, didn't classes end around a month ago?)
Now, whether it's baseball, football, basketball, hockey or anything college, you're lucky to get a game-time before 8 p.m. The Super Bowl does start at 6:30 p.m., but once you factor in commercials and the what-seems-to-be the two-hour long halftime show, it might just as well be an 8 p.m. start.
This week's NBA draft is scheduled for prime time, and although the NFL draft begins at noon, it takes so long for each pick, you don't even begin the second round before 6 p.m.
Whether it's college or the professional ranks, sports is always looking to draw the younger viewers. Maybe if parents or kids didn't have to worry about staying awake past midnight, more young viewers would take an interest in watching.
At least it's something to think about.
Until next time, take care and God bless.