My thoughts on the readings and the debate about women athletes posing nude is what I want to touch on. Yes, women are not receiving as much coverage in the sports world as much as men, but just like any other network, channel, or show, you need to keep in mind the majority of the viewers.
I do believe that women sport need more coverage from the media, but keep in mind, those who watch these sport channels, sport shows, and sport networks are the ones who need be be satisfied; thus, the majority of the viewers are men. In a 2010 article written by Michael Hiestand in USA TODAY, he states that ESPN viewers account for 76% of men. In saying this, there is no coincidence that there are more men announcers, commercials tailored to men, shows about men, and men sports. It goes the same for women tailored shows such as Oprah, Tyra, and women dominated networks. These shows and networks will show commercials tailored to women because the majority of women watch these shows. So, until more females watch sport shows on television, then there will be an unequal media coverage of men and women in sport.
Now, there have been more females and male viewers who want to watch women sports, so ESPN created a channel called ESPNW that televises only women sports. So, things are changing in favor of women sports, but it still lags because there is a much fewer amount of women than the vast majority of men who tune in for these sport shows, networks, and channels.
Furthermore, there are more males viewed in the media in regards to sport because the dominant viewers are males. There has been more women sports that are being televised, but until there are more women tuning in and a higher demand for women sports, then males will continue to be the dominant gender in sport media.
Jeffrey Paneda
Kins 577
LT 22
It’s interesting that you brought up this topic because I recently had thought of the same situation. There is no denying that men are the dominant viewers and that there is a correlation with how sport is delivered through the media. It is one thing to know the numbers, and it is another to challenge the numbers. Sport is conducting itself as a business, which means servicing the customer in highest demand. Men’s sports are in the highest demand, in part, because the majority of us were introduced to sport by our parents. It is no secret that our culture has been shaped by centuries of male dominance in all areas of life. Although our society as a whole is making strides towards true equality, there is no denying that women were treated as subservient for far too long. Naturally this meant that women’s sports were a lesser form of sport. Instead of accepting how sport is portrayed through the media we all have a chance to be active and make a difference. Changing the way society interacts with sport is a daunting task, but we all have the opportunity to make strides on a smaller scale everyday.
ReplyDeleteRobbie Matz
KIN577