TBS (Turner Broadcasting Sucks!)

by phedsy on Oct 3, 2007 11:36 PM CDT Comment 41 comments

I am watching the game, that isn't going the way I had hoped, and my mood is not being helped by the quality of production on the part of TBS. I have seen parts of each of the three games today, most of the Red Sox, and have not seen the jumpy pixellation or the horrible commentary. These guys called Aramis Rodrigo Ramirez, and didn't correct themselves. I know this sounds a little lame, but I just think that they are getting paid enough to do this so maybe they could do their homework. Ron Darling has talked about the mets meltdown more than I care to hear about. I know he is the commentator for them, but this is cubs Vs. Diamondbacks, have some respect for the two teams that didn't give up. I sound like a typical, angry blogger right now, but I just want to know if I am valid in my arguments or not. Anything you might have noticed about the production?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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I agree

Dick Stockton is awful.

Mispronounced Quade's name repeatedly.
Called Doug Davis by the wrong first name.
Keeps talking about a "hobbled" Soriano, come on, it's not like were talking Kirk Gibson.

I can't remember all of them, but this has been horrible broadcasting.

On top of that, the picture keeps jumping, and what the heck was the deal with going to 2/3 of a commercial while Lou made a mound visit. Doesn't TBS think fans might want to see how that conversation is going.

I also love Big Frank's genius prediction during a tie game in the 6th inning that the game will be decided by the bullpens. Way to state the obvious there Frank.

I wish I could listen to the radio broadcast along with the TV, but I have DirecTV, so the sound on the radio is actually a few seconds ahead - really really annoying.

by HectorVillanueva on Oct 3, 2007 11:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Lou's mound visit

"what the heck was the deal with going to 2/3 of a commercial while Lou made a mound visit. Doesn't TBS think fans might want to see how that conversation is going."

That is more than likely the result of a crew that hasn't seen many Cubs games this year. They assumed that since Lou was going to the mound there was going to be a pitching change, what they didn't know is that he sometimes goes to the mound (gasp!) without making a pitching change sometimes!

TBS is terrible. It's painfully obvious to me that this is a basketball crew trying to do baseball.

"Dad gum right this games gonna be played under protest. . . I guarantee this is gonna be one protest that's upheld." --Hawk Harrelson, 6/24/07

by RynoHoF on Oct 4, 2007 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

That was my point. They didn't know the team, they didn't know the game. The crew, the broadcasters, the graphics people - the whole TBS thing was just plain awful. That's inexcusable for playoff baseball.

by HectorVillanueva on Oct 4, 2007 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's not the crew.

They don't roll the commercial breaks in from the truck.

by MN exile on Oct 4, 2007 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed.

I hate it when we get stuck with him doing DA Bearsss games too.

"The decline of society is rampant...Cubs winning the WS in '07 will make everything right again."

by Bluelou on Oct 3, 2007 11:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

the stupid frank tv commercials

I don't want to see any more of this douche bag doing his Madden or fat Al Pacino impersinations. I don't think he's funny every once in a while. I sure as hell don't find him funny every other commercial. I understand pushing the new show, TBS, but this is overkill. I don't want to watch the show because of the commercials. THey have him swinging a bat at the bottom of the screen during the game. During the Phillies game, they put a huge, bright orange banner up behind home plate for the entire game. Very distracting. I believe that is all of my ranting.

by phedsy on Oct 3, 2007 11:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Promos, not commercials

And they are a symptom of unsold ad avails.

by MN exile on Oct 4, 2007 12:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

do some homework

on the teams you are covering. They butchered Quade, Marmol, and Soto. Geesh!

It may have been just the Dish in my area, but especially during the start of the game, the picture would freeze for a second.

And flashing up ARam's info when Floyd was up. Come on. And inject some excitement into the game.

fly your W flag Cubs fans!

by love the ivy on Oct 3, 2007 11:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It froze

for me too. Mostly in the beginning of the telecast. The name butchering was awful.

Shawn Johnson, Des Moines, IA, worlds greatest gymnast. 2007 All Around World Champ. GO SHAWN!!!!

by sue369 on Oct 4, 2007 12:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pic freezes

It was happening here in MN on my Comcast as well. The thing about that is, it's likely what's called the "backhaul" (the feed from the ballpark back to TBS) - also called the "uplink" if it's specifically a sat feed.

I've worked with sat trucks that have a redundant uplink - makes me wonder if this was not one of them. Or if they might not also look into a Vyvx fiber path? These are national broadcast feeds.

Or - big or - it could have been from TBS's signal going out to the national satellite feed.

In any case it was frustrating to me as a viewer.

by MN exile on Oct 4, 2007 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Same pixellation freeze during the broadcast

experienced here in SoCal on Time-Warner. Clearly a TBS problem.

Aren't monopolies wonderful?

Thanks, Bud $elig!

by JFCubFan on Oct 4, 2007 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not to mention...

-Stockton calling Jorge Julio Julio Jorge.
-Ted Lilly being spelled Ted Lily across the bottom of the screen as tomorrow's probable starter the entire game.
-A member of the DBacks (I can't remember who) having a Cubs logo next to his graphic.
-Hilights spelled on one of their graphics.
-The Frank Thomas highlight having some really strange spelling/font.

It was awful. And the jumpy screen and sound were really annoying.

And it's Marmol for god sakes, not Mar-mole!!!

by bergs55 on Oct 3, 2007 11:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

they had dicuss instead of discuss in a graphic

The fact is that Stockton and Darling knew nothing about what they were watching. I'm not one that normally gripes about such things, but you'd think that they'd get someone a little more knowledgeable.

After the commercial during a mound visit, you could clear hear Stockton say "I'll wait for you to tell me next time" when they came back on the air. Stockton clearly went to commercial when he shouldn't have. Way to go Dick.

Check out Road To Wrigley, my NEW Cubs Minor League System website: Road To Wrigley

by jonpyardi on Oct 4, 2007 7:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Drew

I believe it was Drew's graphic that had a Cub logo.

by HectorVillanueva on Oct 4, 2007 7:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

One More

They also said that a key turning point for the Cubs this season was when Barrett was traded for Kendall.

Go Cubbies!

by NC Cubs Fan on Oct 4, 2007 6:17 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I think everyone covered the mistakes....

... but even without the gaffes, it was simply a boring broadcast. For a game that was so close and featured such good pitching, they added zero to the game. Ron Darling has no business in the booth at all. It seems like TBS's approach to this was, let's just go get anybody we can in there and I'm sure they'll figure it out. How great would it be if tonight, TBS decided to rescue this thing with Len and Bob.

"You know what? You want a job? Go out and earn one." Sweet Lou

by Kyle Turney on Oct 4, 2007 8:20 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I actually

thought Dick Stockton wasn't that bad. Yeah, the name mistakes, etc they made were annoying, but after watching the tie-breaker game on Monday, and listening to the 2 earlier games on Wednesday, at least Stockton's voice changed a little when something of impact happened in the game.

It's obviously not Len/Bob or Pat/Ron, but I think we got the better game caller out of all the other series thus far.

by talkingcubs on Oct 4, 2007 8:37 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It was bad

Is the best of the worst really a good thing?

by HectorVillanueva on Oct 4, 2007 8:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

All this

and no one's even mentioned the 9pm start time. I thought that was the most ridiculous part of the whole thing.

I'm a teacher, and today I've got tons of heartbroken kids here wondering why they had the game on so late. Even those whose parents let them stay up, couldn't make it until 11:40. TBS really dropped the ball on this one - the game is played for the fans and how many great fans get introduced to the game when their local team is making a playoff run? Alienating these kids is careless, thoughtless, and just plain wrong. I know I got sucked in in '84, my brother in '89, and my nephew in '03 - how many future fans did not get made last night because of this idiotic decision?

I'm handcuffed and have to watch TBS if I want to see the rest of the games, but I won't be watching this station anymore after this.

by HectorVillanueva on Oct 4, 2007 8:50 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

When did you want them to play it....

It was 7PM local in AZ and you had two other games. You can't start one of the games on the east coast at 10PM EST. And how old do you have to be to manage to stay awake until midnight. I remember watching movies on Friday night that started at 10PM when I was 7 or 8 years old.

"You know what? You want a job? Go out and earn one." Sweet Lou

by Kyle Turney on Oct 4, 2007 9:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why?

Yes, there were other games, but why did they all have to be on the same channel? There are games this weekend on TNT. Did one of the games really have to start at 10ET? Why couldn't they overlap them by a few hours on a weeknight? Why not start the late game an hour earlier and overlap with the Boston game? Boston/LA fans could watch the end of their game then flip to ours in the 4th. Come to think of it, the Philly/Colorado game should have started an hour or so later so Rockies fans would be home from school/work for the start. No one misses what they want to watch.

How many people actually sit and watch 9 hours straight through of baseball? I watched parts of the first two games, but would have been okay flipping channels to get them.

Great, you stayed up late watching movies on a Friday when you were a kid. That's a far cry from staying up to watch a ball game on a weeknight. They had school Wednesday and Thursday. That's getting up at 6-6:30, staying up til midnight, then doing it all again the next day and being alert for school. Many of the parents didn't even let the kids stay up that late, let alone whether or not they were able to make it until 11:40.

I understand that regular season games start at the appropriate local time. Playoff games are different. Playoff games have to be treated differently. Alienating that many fans in inexcusable.

This was purley a money decision. TBS and MLB did not think of the fans when they set this schedule. That makes me far madder than anything that happens on the field.

by HectorVillanueva on Oct 4, 2007 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And where

have you been for the last 20 years? Baseball (and all sports for that matter), stopped being about the fan a long time ago. If you don't like it, stop watching.

Fact is, it's a business, and TBS paid a TON of money for the rights to broadcast these games, so, guess what, they can put them on when they want. Also, those kids you're so worried about don't generate a lot of ad revenue, so they don't matter. That's life, and as I said, it's how it's been for 20 years.

Moose

Hubbs!

by moose97 on Oct 4, 2007 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

well,

i don't know where you work, but i'm in denver and if the rockies were on an hour later it would be at 2pm. i don't think it would make much difference. - but no one seems to be complaining here. they are just happy that the rockies are are in the playoffs.

as i noted below, all the complaining from the chicago fans and media is really uncalled for. the game is prime-time in the market in which it is played. if you wanna blame someone, blame the cubs for not winning home-field advantage. chicago is not the center of the universe.

by anormal on Oct 4, 2007 1:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So what's the solution?

If the games overlapped, fans (of baseball -- not necessarily specific teams) would complain because they couldn't watch each game in its entirety.

And you contradict yourself... it probably is a money decision. Doesn't that imply that the people paying the money think they'll make the most back (ad revenue, viewers, etc) by having the start times as they have them?

If you have the perfect solution that works in everyone's best interest, I'd love to hear it.

Granted, much of the TBS coverage was awful. But I don't see a clean solution for the start times.

My Hero the Goat

by mike42 on Oct 4, 2007 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

All I know is...

That I will never watch Frank TV. I also now am a HUGE fan of Aquafina. If anybody saw that commercial (I think they only played it once) you know why. Oh, and TBS needs to fix their satellite feeds or whatever, because it wasn't just dish network, the picture would freeze and jump on everyones TBS station because the problem was on TBS' side.

by adam316 on Oct 4, 2007 9:31 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Can I just say

I agree with every word of the above post. Evan as an AZ fan, that Aquafina commercial was great, and the TBS picture quality was equally awful here on Cox cable. Plus, Frank TV is off my list forever. How many more years of this have we got? :-(

by AZ Snakepit on Oct 4, 2007 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guess you missed my Monday diary

Diaries don't have a long life span any more

http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/story/2007/10/2/31344/3060

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Oct 4, 2007 12:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

yup, it was terrible

really the worst part was just all the picture skipping. even if the announcers are morons, i would think that in order to get the contract they would have to at least have the technical ability to get the feed smoothly to homes nationwide.

one regular tv announcer from each team working together would make the broadcasts much better. it sux to be a fan who has followed your team all year only to see some idiot who knows nothing about them doing the playoff games. i think that is probably annoying for fans of any team.

as for the start time, all the complaining amazes me. - oh no! you might have to stay up till midnight! - so freaking what. get over it. if you want to blame someone, blame the cubs for not getting home-field advantage.

by anormal on Oct 4, 2007 1:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm a big boy

I can decide if I should stay up late on a weeknight or not. I can survive a few work days on less sleep. My complaint about the start time is for the kids. I watched the playoffs in '84 and fell in love with this team - kids do the same every year. This late start alienates those young fans who aren't able to stay up late (because mom/dad won't let them or because they just can't make it). There's no reason why the game couldn't have started an hour or an hour and a half earlier - no reason. Midwest fans wouldn't have complained about an earlier start and missing the end of Boston/LA. Most West Coast fans would be able to see the whole game (maybe a few would miss the first innings, but isn't that more fair than all the midwest kids missing the end?)

Maybe you don't have kids, or deal with kids, but it's them that I'm angry for. It's them that got screwed by this decision.

by HectorVillanueva on Oct 4, 2007 1:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

read my comments above

you are right, i have no pity for the poor (sob) kids who can't stay up late. tape the game. watch it whenever you want.

by anormal on Oct 4, 2007 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tape it?

I do that all the time, I Tivo the day games to watch after work. However, with a playoff game, how are they supposed to spend an entire day at school and not hear the score or find out what happened? That's all they were talking about before school, on the bus, and at lunch today. A lot of kids who really care about their team are upset that they lived and died with their team all season and come playoff time, when it really matters, they don't get to watch. That's irresponsible of both TBS and MLB to do that to the young fan base, the people that five/ten years down the line will be the ones buying the merchandise, watching the commercials, and going to the games. It's poor public relations like this that has kids turning to the NBA (who market a league full of thugs incredibly well) and the NFL (who put their games on TV when you can watch them).

It's apparent that you don't care, and if the issue doesn't affect you, I don't see why you would care, but I still haven't heard a good reason why the games couldn't have overlapped -or- why the start time couldn't have been an hour or so earlier (to appease fans in both time zones).

I also don't understand why both Saturday games are night games, putting the Phillies at 9:30 Eastern (at least it's a weekend, but come on, that's just stupid). There's only two games, play a 3pm and a 6pm so every fan can watch.

Sunday some of the games overlap so why not do that during the week too? The most ridiculous scheduling is Sunday's 10pm ET Phillies/Rockies game. That's retarded.

Go ahead and make sarcastic remarks, argue with me that Phillies fans shouldn't be upset about watching baseball at 1am, that Cub fans shouldn't question why they have three games scheduled til midnight on weekdays.
The whole thing is just insane. It's obviously about money and not about the fans. That's wrong.

by HectorVillanueva on Oct 4, 2007 2:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

once again,

you are not the center of the universe. whine whine whine. the cubs are in the playoffs and all you can do is complain. as i said, tape it, take a day off of school, watch highlights in the morning, or just stay up and watch it. whatever works for you. does knowing the score somehow make the tape/tivo self-destruct? kids here in denver can't watch the rockies games cause they are still in school. so what? life everywhere cannot stop for a sporting event. the 8pm local time start for the rockies game on sunday takes in to account the fact that the broncos and the avalanche play home games on the same day. downtown here in denver will be a zoo and staggering those start times was a great idea. i will say it one last time since you don't seem to understand - you are not the center of the universe.

by anormal on Oct 4, 2007 2:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

ok,

as i read over this again, the "whine whine whine" part was unnecessarity confrontational. i'm sorry about that. i stand by what i said, but i should have been a bit nicer about it.

by anormal on Oct 4, 2007 2:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, I'm not

I realize that. Personally, the game time made for a little less sleep, but I dealt with that. I don't know where you get that I feel that way. Every thing I've complained about has been for the sake of younger fans that seem to have no say and no voice.

I agree that the Rockies/Phillies game should have started later yesterday too. I think the entire schedule is flawed when considering the bulk of fans.

As for your "whine, whine, whine" and "you're not the center of the universe remarks." Whatever. I didn't realize that me typing my opinion on this page hurt you somehow. If you don't want to hear what I have to say and want me to shut up, then DON'T REPLY TO MY POST. It's really that simple. Attacks and antagonism like this are why I left the board I used to go to. If that's the kind of community I found here, I'll be happy to leave.

by HectorVillanueva on Oct 4, 2007 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You keep

talking about the kids...

Well, if you owned a business, and had the choice between plan A, which was more popular with kids, and plan B, which would make you more money because more people could view it, I guarantee you would go with plan B 100% of the time. TBS is not in business to make kids happy - they are in business TO MAKE MONEY.

Go back and re-read my first post. Again, the entire sports world hasn't been geared to youth for 20 years. Guess what, they're doing alright, aren't they?

And, again, if you don't like it, don't watch the games. I'd be willing to bet you won't find much support for your protest...

Moose

Hubbs!

by moose97 on Oct 4, 2007 7:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm Done

I'm not going to argue this anymore. I have my opinion, other people are entitled to theirs. I simply believe that TBS and MLB are alienating a good portion of their fan base, thereby making more money today, but losing money (ie fans) in the long term. I think it's unfair to the fans and really bad business. Those who disagree have the right to do so, but let's end it here.

The only thing I have left to say is GO CUBS!!! No matter what time of night, no matter who fell asleep, no matter who missed part of the game... I think we can all agree on GO CUBBIES!!!

That and "I hate the Packers."

by HectorVillanueva on Oct 4, 2007 8:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wish we could have had...

Ted Robinson and Stoney. Two pros who seemed well-prepared and had some rapport.

Instead we got creeping senility and sidekick mumble-mouth.

1. x-Chicago Cubs (0) new magic number = 11

by bison on Oct 4, 2007 1:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Not sure if anyone mentioned this....

but they also mispronounced Mike Quade's name. They said it like Qwade.

You're right though, not being in the best mood dosen't help matters.

"Things are startin to go our way."

by CubbieCurt on Oct 4, 2007 1:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Poor camera coverage was my main complaint

I felt like they only had 4 cameras covering the entire stadium. There were a ton of times where I wanted to see the bullpens or dugouts of the teams, but never once got that.

You never even got the reverse angle shot of the pitcher on the mound before he went into his windup - you only saw them from behind.

It was pretty pathetic all told. Most local coverage is more together and professional than this.

by Wreckard on Oct 4, 2007 2:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Is it just me???

Or am I the only one just freakin happy the Cubs are in the playoffs, on Nationally televised HD TV, and not on the Eastcoast Sports Network? TBS isn't perfect, but give me them over having to listen about how the Yankees and Sox will make a great series every 10 seconds.

by martyblue on Oct 4, 2007 7:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs