By Don Ohlmeyer
ESPN Ombudsman (public's representative to ESPN, offering independent examination and analysis of ESPN's media outlets.)
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=ohlmeyer_don&id=4764245
As the "face" of a telecast, announcers sometimes take the heat for a poorly produced show. If there's no coherent storyline, if the replays aren't very good, if there is a lack of focus on the game, if there isn't any sense of excitement or if the game itself isn't competitive, commentators are the easiest target. But broadcasting is a team sport. Based on 35-plus years in the industry, here are 10 things I keep in mind when making judgments about the quality of a telecast:• Good sports television is relevant to the hard-core fan, accessible to the occasional fan and unpredictable to both, making the telecast enjoyable for all.• Everything in a telecast should be motivated by and tied (even if tangentially) to the game being covered on the field. Preparation and imagination provide the best opportunity to accomplish this.• The overall goal of production should be to bring the audience to the game. A great telecast makes viewers feel as if they're sitting in the stands, a part of the excitement of the contest with the added advantage of replays, graphics and expert commentary. Although the pictures let them watch what's going on, it's the high-impact shots and the sound that really make them "feel" it.• Storytelling is at the core of all telecasts. The initial storyline sets the stage by signaling to the viewer why an event is important. The events on the field then dictate ever-changing plotlines that resolve in a win or loss, success or failure, triumph or tragedy. The telecast must periodically reset the trajectory of the story so that the drama is explicit as it unfolds.• Announcers should possess distinct voices, articulate distinct points of view and have distinct responsibilities. They should master the art of observing the obvious with a sense of discovery. Synchronicity between the commentators and the production truck is an imperative. All must be telling the same story.• Good sports broadcasts take into account that athletes are human, and their strengths and frailties are central to the story. The production team should seek methods to tie events on the field with universal truths to which audiences generally respond -- courage, selfishness, camaraderie, sacrifice, pride, hubris, fear, success and failure.• The game should be treated with respect even while maintaining the sense of humor and irony that increases the fans' enjoyment.• One of production's goals is to push forward technical innovation by finding new ways to capture the speed, strength, teamwork and intelligence of the game.• Informative and arresting graphics are central to an effective telecast. Graphic excellence is determined not by quantity but by quality. Because typically one-third of the audience is watching the game without listening, viewers should be able to follow the game without the aid of commentary.• Promotion is the lifeblood of television. Handled well, it does not seem a distraction to the viewer; handled poorly, it is painful to sit through.There are many more elements requisite for a good telecast, of course. But as you critique ESPN's programs in the new year, at least you'll have a sense of where I'm coming from.