US Figure Skating recently announced that the entire
Grand Prix of Figure Skating series will be broadcast online on
IceNetwork.com. Some figure skating fans say that watching figure skating on a computer is just not a substitute for watching ice skating on TV. They explain that enjoying skating in a comfortable living room is very different than sitting at an uncomfortable desk in front of a 15-inch computer. They hope that a television network does at least broadcast some of the Grand Prix of Figure Skating this season. It has been suggested that those wishing to see the event on television should take the time to write ABC, ESPN, and also the
ISU.
I agree, but of course, I am grateful that IceNetwork will broadcast the events. Will figure skating's popularity decrease without the television coverage?
US Ice Dance Champions Ben Agosto and Tanith Belbin Compete in the Grand Prix of Figure Skating - Photo by China Photos/Stringer - Getty Images
Comments
It’s an insult to the skaters who work their hearts out to not broadcast the competitions on regular TV, or basic cable. I’ve been watching figure skating for 50 years now! It’s disgusting that football games for teams from obscure cities are broadcast and figure skating isn’t.
I used to watch ISU figure skating competitions on TV all afternoon, whenever they were on. They inspired me to practice the sport. Watching it on a computer screen doesn’t feel the same. I really missed the TV coverage this season (2008)
I am so sad to see that most of the ice skating will not be seen this year on TV. Have watched everything that has been on for
years. Although I like other sports figure skating was the favorite. It will not have the viewers for Olympics either if they are not seen in between times.
I am saddened that I no longer can watch the ice skating on tv. I started watching skating faithfully in 1994 when I was recovering from chemo treatments. For me, skating is artistic, spiritual, and musical to name a few. It is a terrible loss for a lot of fans.
I subscribed to IceNetwork last year. The video quality was terrible and there are problems with access. I had to call in twice for them to restore my
access. I got tired of the problems and cancelled.
My entire family really misses not being able to watch figure skating on TV. We subscribed to IceNetwork, but unfortunately, IceNetwork doesn’t work with aircards or Direct TV, which is what we use for our computer and TV, respectively; you have to have cable to watch the live shows. So, we’re out of luck. I started skating as an adult and got my four children involved,and we all took lessonsand joined the local club. But now that we can’t follow the skating season, skating is not as much fun and two of my kids are no longer interested. I remember how much they use to bug me to skate whenever they were done watching skating on TV. I find that I myself am skating less as well. And when I do, I’m finding fewer people at the rink (….maybe it’s the economy). It’s really too bad that everything about network TV has to be about what is profitable rather than about what enriches the soul and spirit. I hope the growing lack of exposure of figure skating to kids won’t turn the sport into oblivion, like curling or bocce.
This is a terrible development. ESPN used to do a great job following the Grand Prix season and the idea of dropping this whole season onto a computer website may work in about five years, but for now the quality and delivery is just not up to par. I subscribed last year… it was awful… bad quality… terrible commentary and difficult to navigate around. I understand Icenetwork is owned by Nancy Kerrigan’s husband… and it may be great quality at some point… but right now it’s killing the sport. I’ve started trying to see performances on Youtube, but there is no substitute for good television coverage with great commentators… somehow it’s not the same without Dick Button’s incredible grasp for metaphors.
J from Connecticut sent me the following information. In New Jersey, the Universal Sport channel is on 110. The coverage is more thorough and timely than on network TV. Pass the word! es
Here is the TV schedule for the Grand Prix on Universal Sport channel number 119 on Cablevision. On Friday 5-7pm,8-10pm,11pm-1am and on Saturday 10am-12noon,5-10pm, Sunday 12-2pmand 5-7pm so set your VCR OR DVDR SO THAT YOU CAN SEE IT.
Again, in New Jersey, the Universal Sport channel is on 110.
I have always loved watching figure skating. It is so beautiful. I amj very disappointed that the television networks and cable will put on stupid Japanese gamae shows and cage fighting but not figure skatuing.
I can’t believe that the normal or espn channels are not going to show the figure skating this year. What is happening to this country that we allow this this beautiful sport and the wonderful talents and work of these fantastic skaters is being taken away from us.