The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum » Sports Play-By-Play Simulcasts Are Becoming A Problem For Radio

RadioActive · July 17, 2025 9:40 am

Remember when The Fan590 was taking audio from its Sportsnet TV broadcasts to air the Jays games? It was a dismal failure for the most part, as replays and comments like "as you can see" failed to make any sense to listeners. Also tough to judge whether a pitch was in the strike zone when you can't see it.

It's bad enough the crews no longer go to out-of-town ballparks, but at least the radio guys are back.

Turns out Toronto isn't the only market cheapening out. Many others are doing the same thing trying to save money, by either keeping their crews at home in a studio, thousands of kilometres away from the real action, or simply plugging in their inadequate TV audio, which uses pictures to do half the talking.

According to the author in the article below, it doesn't matter who's playing or where, or what the final score is - it's listeners and radio that loses this game.

"A team owner that looks at each of their two distinct broadcasts as afterthoughts won’t think twice about cutting one. The owners aren’t the ones that feel the consequences of a decision like this after all.

"Fan outrage and advertiser dissatisfaction aren’t ideal, but they are problems for broadcasters and radio stations. Do you know how many layers an angry fan has to go through before the team owner even hears what they have to say?"

Sports Play-By-Play Simulcasts Are Becoming A Problem For Radio

Binson Echorec · July 17, 2025 10:09 am

Outside the World Juniors and the FIFA World Cup, I don't really watch sports. I'll dip into a game of whatever here and there but I have no real vested interest - I'd rather see a good game played over cheering for some logo on a jersey.

That aside, I wonder if this problem could be solved at the league level somehow. Maybe provide a pool feed to all affiliates. It could be a logistical nightmare but I'm just spitballing here.

RadioActive · July 17, 2025 10:17 am

The problem with a pool feed is if one crew wanted to point out something in a replay, there's no way they'd be able to call for it if everyone's seeing the same generic video. Not sure it would work.

Binson Echorec · July 17, 2025 10:26 am

There would only be one crew - working for and employed by the league, not for the teams involved. That's sort of where I'm going with this...there would definitely be wrinkles to iron out to get it to work, if it could be made to work. Again, this is just the seed of an idea.

It may not be feasible but it's certainly worth the discussion.

maybo · July 17, 2025 10:36 am

Binson Echorec wrote:
There would only be one crew - working for and employed by the league, not for the teams involved. That's sort of where I'm going with this...there would definitely be wrinkles to iron out to get it to work, if it could be made to work. Again, this is just the seed of an idea.

It may not be feasible but it's certainly worth the discussion.

As long as it is a radio-friendly broadcast call. Currently simulcasting a TV feed on radio leaves listeners wanting. Not just the “as you can see” references but TV play-by-play omits key points like, “infield at double-play depth”, “huge gap between the outfielders in left-centre” and “wind blowing out to right.”

Last edited by maybo (July 17, 2025 10:35 pm)

Binson Echorec · July 17, 2025 11:49 am

maybo wrote:
As long as it is a radio-friendly broadcast call. Currently simulcasting a TV feed on radio leaves listeners wanting. Not just the “as you can see” references but TV play-by-play omits key points like, “infield at double-play depth”, “huge gap between the outfielders in left-centre” and “wind blowing our to right.”

Yes, I'm speaking about a radio-friendly broadcast approach.

pinto · July 17, 2025 2:02 pm

Laying by the pool, listening to the Jays on the radio with a couple of good announcers in the summer... good times! Baseball and radio were made for each other. Other sports, not so much.

Binson Echorec · July 17, 2025 2:09 pm

pinto wrote:
Laying by the pool, listening to the Jays on the radio with a couple of good announcers in the summer... good times! Baseball and radio were made for each other. Other sports, not so much.

Completely agree. IDGAF about baseball but it and radio just...works.

RadioActive · July 17, 2025 2:15 pm

Never a better radio moment than "Touch 'Em All Joe!"

Binson Echorec · July 17, 2025 2:20 pm

^That reminds me...what hasn't been referenced by The Simpsons?

Last edited by Binson Echorec (July 17, 2025 2:21 pm)

torontostan · July 18, 2025 9:05 pm

These radio specific sports broadcasts are a luxury in 2025..... not many AM sports stations would be profitable anymore. In fact, I'd be quite surprised if a single one was breaking even in all of Canada. There's fewer people listening than the number of people at the game.... just to put it into perspective for you all

Easily Amused · July 18, 2025 9:40 pm

torontostan wrote:
There's fewer people listening than the number of people at the game.... just to put it into perspective for you all

I would be very interested in your producing the proof for that statement.

Jody Thornton · July 18, 2025 10:31 pm

Easily Amused wrote:
torontostan wrote:
There's fewer people listening than the number of people at the game.... just to put it into perspective for you all
I would be very interested in your producing the proof for that statement.

Do you REALLY need it?

torontostan · July 18, 2025 10:42 pm

Easily Amused wrote:
torontostan wrote:
There's fewer people listening than the number of people at the game.... just to put it into perspective for you all
I would be very interested in your producing the proof for that statement.

Gladly.

Last 12 Jays home games (Jun 17-Jul 6)*
Avg. attendance at the dome: 36,093
Avg. radio audience: 16,392

Last 4 Leafs home games (May 4-18)
Avg. attendance at the arena: 19,259
Avg. radio audience: 4,375

Source: Numeris Total Canada 2+ & Baseball Reference
*with data available, that is

Last edited by torontostan (July 18, 2025 10:43 pm)

Easily Amused · July 18, 2025 10:50 pm

torontostan wrote:
Easily Amused wrote:
torontostan wrote:
There's fewer people listening than the number of people at the game.... just to put it into perspective for you all
I would be very interested in your producing the proof for that statement.
Gladly.

Last 12 Jays home games (Jun 17-Jul 6)*
Avg. attendance at the dome: 36,093
Avg. radio audience: 16,392

Last 4 Leafs home games (May 4-18)
Avg. attendance at the arena: 19,259
Avg. radio audience: 4,375

Source: Numeris Total Canada 2+ & Baseball Reference
*with data available, that is

Radio audience for the flagship station only, or the entire broadcast network of affiliates airing the game?

torontostan · July 18, 2025 11:39 pm

Easily Amused wrote:
torontostan wrote:
Easily Amused wrote:

I would be very interested in your producing the proof for that statement.
Gladly.

Last 12 Jays home games (Jun 17-Jul 6)*
Avg. attendance at the dome: 36,093
Avg. radio audience: 16,392

Last 4 Leafs home games (May 4-18)
Avg. attendance at the arena: 19,259
Avg. radio audience: 4,375

Source: Numeris Total Canada 2+ & Baseball Reference
*with data available, that is
Radio audience for the flagship station only, or the entire broadcast network of affiliates airing the game?

Hahaha. At that point you're talking about somewhere around $250 in revenue per game... one seat at the venue could be worth more than that. Remind me why Rogers should care about their radio broadcast in timbuktu?