This study is to define the professionalization of sportscasters and the skills to improve the quality of sportscasting. The study is focused on the issues ; whether sportscasters are recognized as specialists, how has the professionalism of sportscas...
This study is to define the professionalization of sportscasters and the skills to improve the quality of sportscasting. The study is focused on the issues ; whether sportscasters are recognized as specialists, how has the professionalism of sportscast settled down, the attitudes the sportscasters show about the professionalization, and the ways to evaluate the professionalism of sportscasters.
Bibliographic researches, surveys, and interviews were conducted, and the study led us to the following conclusion.
1) Sportscasters have not yet been settled as a specialist. Most of them admit their lack of professionalism' and lack of information considering the details of games. And it is impossible for them to have sportscasting as their exclusive assignments. Sports producers propose a need for 'free-lance sportscasters'.
2) For professionalization, more than anything else, sportscasters need to secure professionalism in the events they broadcast. At present, sportscasters feel the lack of professionalism. For the procurement of professionalism, they need to accumulate the technical and strategic knowledge about the games they broadcast.
3) Professionalization should be secured in the 'one sportscaster per game event' system. At present, each sportscaster broadcasts a number of games events. This can be regarded as a pre-stage before the full-fledged professionalization of sportscasters. A 'professional sportscaster system' for each of the games events should be established.
4) There is a tendency a number of sportscasters do the broadcasting of games in concentration. They need to make some efforts exerted in rearing new sportscasters.
5) There is a need to develop a method of making a fair evaluation of the sportscasters. There are discontents about the one in charge of assigning the job because of absence of fair evaluation standard. A kind of evaluation table should be prepared to develops the professionalism and capability of sportscasters. The standard should comprise the 'vocabulary', 'accuracy', 'capability to describe the situation', 'humor, 'the understanding of the games techniques', and 'the overall knowledge of the games'. The evaluation table should be worked on in collaboration of the sportscasters and the sports producers through joint workshops. A priority should be given in evaluating whether the sportscaster maintains professionalism, and his or her capability to describe the situation of the games.
6) They need to diverse the methods in acquiring information and materials related to the games and players. At present, they mostly rely on internet and sports newspapers. It will be desirable for them to acquire information directly from the sources rather than relying on indirect information. Fo that sportscasters should be given time and appropriate conditions so they can get first-hand access to the stadiums or information sources other than the sportscasting itself.
7) Because the capability of a sportscaster largely depends on his or her born talent, a sportscaster can accomplish professionalism With a little efforts and supports. If a sportscaster is equipped with the basic training as an announcer, two to five years of exercise and practice is required.
8) For the rearing of sportscasters with professionalism, there needs to be a systematic support from the broadcasting company. Here are suggestions for the broadcasting companies.
a) First in programming, rather than making a temporary programming every time there is a game, they need to make sports program a regular weekly program like ordinary programs. At present, sports programs are arranged on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. But many times, even those are replaced by re-broadcasting of dramas.
b) Second, as a matter of support, fixed studios should be made permanently in major stadiums. This enables a camera to be fixed on the sportscasters. More frequent exposure of sportscasters on TV screens would enhance the popularity of the sportscasters.
c) Third, related to system, it should be shifted to 'one sportscaster per game event' system, It's desirable each sportscaster concentrates in one major game event. The 'one sportscaster, several games events' system weakens the professionalism. That is not what the sports fans, players nor the TV viewers want. The sportscasters should be able to make professional comments on the trend of the sports and the contents of the game through various mass media. If they lack of number of casters, 'one major game, one minor game, and a possible game' system is suggested as a pre-stage to the full-fledged professionalization of sportscasters. Supports should be made for the sportscasters to acquire 100% professionalism in their major game event, 80% in their minor and 50% professionalism for their third game event.
d) Re-training of sportscasters should be conducted according to their experience. Senior sportscasters are suggested to concentrate in developing new expressions and ways to add to the fun of sports, while the leading sportscasters should concentrate in gathering various information related to the games and learning technical part of the games. New sportscasters are suggested to spend more time on building accuracy in describing the situations. Also I suggest two sportscasters to broadcast each game. By assigning a senior caster and a new caster at a time(to enhance training) or by arranging two leading casters together for a game(to enhance competition between them), they will have an opportunity to enhance mutual development. This will also enable to sort out the sportscasters ; those who try and those who don't.