The Scotties kicks off this week, which signals the beginning
of the season of curling on TV. Sure there is curling before, there are Slams
before Christmas, but the Scotties kicks off the full TSN coverage, which they
do very well.
I really enjoy the Scotties. The curling is good, and the
women will tend to have a few more rocks in play than you would see at the
Brier. The women’s game also seems to have more emotion and fun.
This will be a compelling week of curling. Teams have been
shuffled since last year, so apart from the defending champs, most of the
favorites are using new line ups. And of course I will cheer for LSG – aka Laurie
St-Georges to defy the odds and make some noise.
As far as predictions go, you have to think that Homan and
Einerson are the favorites. Both have the experience and the talent to win the
big games. Smart money would have them playing each other in the finals again. Lawes
and Jones will likely round out the final 4. I am curious to see how some of
the younger teams fare. I think the women’s game is more likely to see new
teams be in contention for the next Olympic qualifying than the men’s game. Teams
like Skrlik, Grandy and Zackarias (with or without Jones) will be interesting
to watch develop over this event and the next few years.
TSN Coverage vs. Streaming
There has been a lot discussion of late around streaming and
TV coverage of curling. In Ontario Provincials, an event with 1/10th
the budget of a national championship, every single game was available via streaming, yet in a Brier or a Scotties I only get to
watch the TSN feature game.
I get that TSN has been using the same format for many years,
but it is hard to believe that it might not be time for a re-think in how they
cover the big events to help drive more exposure and better coverage.
- Firstly, they need to be more flexible to switch games,
and switch back if needed. Can we get updates that are more than just the
occasional shot? I am watching the first
draw, and while we are watching the Alberta-WC1 game, the commentators are
telling us how good the Canada-Quebec game is, and all we see is the occasional
skip rock.
- There needs to be a way to watch the other games
on-line, even without commentary. I know TSN dabbled with covering multiple games
across TSN 3-4-5, but I get why that is tougher given the production value that
they put in each game. So why not stream the other games on the TSN platform? I get that they
want eyeballs on their main feed, but it seems like a low-cost way of drawing
in fans. Eyeballs = revenue.
The current TSN model is based on the notion that most people still watch TV, but if you are trying to reach the next generation of curling fans, you need to offer options that appeal to the multi-screen, streaming-only crowd.
WTF, where F is for Format
So let me explain how the Scotties format works:
- Two pools of 9 play an eight game round robin.
- The top 3 teams advance to the playoffs.
- Then the 2nd place in Pool A plays 3rd place in Pool B, for the right to play 1st place in Pool B for a spot in the 1-2 Page playoff.
- 2nd place in Pool B plays 3rd place in pool A, for the right to play 1st place in Pool A for the other spot in the 1-2 page playoff.
- The losers of the Cross-over final play each other for the right to play the loser of the 1-2 Page playoff game.
- The the winner of that game then plays the .... ah forget it. Finals are Sunday.
What the hell are they trying to do? This is the most
confusing format I have ever seen. I don’t know any other sport that tries to
give teams so many chances to lose and still win.
Here is a truth: at a certain point, it comes down to a game
where you need to win or go home. Why is curling obsessed with giving everybody so many chances to lose? It just makes the event seem interminable. It is hard to
maintain the drama over so many damn games. There must be a better way.
I mean the friggin’ Olympics are sudden death after the
Round Robin!
I wasn't aware of the format for the final six, so I thank you for attempting to explain it. Didn't they use to go to another round robin where they played those who weren't in their pool? That seemed much more simple to me. Not sure who came up with the new format - if they wanted to confuse viewers this will definitely do it.
ReplyDeleteI concur on the streaming as well. I was able to watch Manitoba and Alberta men's provincials throughout the week prior. And, of course I watched both men and women's Sask provincials -streamed. I was hoping to see Silvernagle last night, but like St-Georges, could see only a few shots.
I have my fingers and toes crossed, that it won't be Homan/Einarson or Jones in the final. I'd like to see someone new have the opportunity. Though, I probably will just have cramped digits.