NEW CPP Media Journals

Television Media Journal – ESPN’s SportsCenter Your name Subject and Section Professor’s Name April 15, 2024 Understanding the underlying themes and biases in television shows is essential for any viewer. It does not only allow for a critical analysis of a show but also a better appreciation of the show altogether. Accordingly, since its initial broadcast in 1979, "SportsCenter," ESPN's prime across broadcast strand, has had a tremendous impact on the evolution of sports streaming. SportsCenter is an analysis of verbal scholarship that shows how male enthusiasts aged between 18 and 49 view sports at different levels. The segment that underwent a critical analysis had 20 participants, of which a large proportion was on popular American sports such as NFL, NBA, and MLB football. Additionally, Boston's projections were the highest, with the NFL draft preview being the first teaser for other programs to watch. Accordingly, the succeeding section will critically analyze a live episode of ESPN’s SportsCenter. Content Analysis The sports show included many African-American (black) and Caucasian (white) reporters and a woman sports reporter. However, the majority of the content of the show was still male-dominated sports like football, basketball, or baseball. One of the things that is apparent when watching the show is that more than 35% of the coverage went to minority-ethnic groups, and often, their struggles were highlighted in ways that were associated with personal hardship rather than professional achievement, echoing a subtly perpetuated racial superiority complex. Equally, muscled women athletes participated almost uniquely, which stood at about 15%. In most cases, they were highlighted on aspects that celebrated their gender rather than their achievements in the respective sport. Although seemingly unequal in reach, such prejudiced observations seem to reflect the traditional bias in media, which is neither interested in dwelling on nor highlighting less prestigious and less popular games, hence reinforcing gender stereotypes through content and commercials. Commercial Analysis On the other hand, the focus of the commercials during the show also highlighted these gender imbalances, with one prevailing commercial expressing male performance-enhancing sporting equipment in the foreground (Cosh & Tully, 2014). A closer look at the commercials presented also shows a mixed group in a social setting with the unconscious implication of linking alcohol-drinking activities with team sports experiences. Accordingly, by using Gender Performance Theory, it could be seen that there are reoccurring themes about whether female or male athletes played better. However, it is worth noting that this difference was very subtle and could only be recognized upon a closer look into the subtle themes and appearances, reflecting the organiz...