Live Sports on TV and the FCC

[TampaSteve]

Often we'll hear a player on live TV using salty language.
I find it curious that non-sporting live broadcasts on network tv (award shows come to mind) must build in delays to catch the salty language we would hear - or else they're fined, yet live network sport broadcasts don't build in the 15sec or so delay to adhere to the same FCC rules?

Anyone savvy with broadcasting and could explain why there seems to be a different standard for live sports v live non-sport broadcasts?

[Ralph Damren]

I do recall a response from the FCC Chairman following the Red Sox Big Papi's infamous speech. Following the catch of the  bad guys  of the Boston Marithon bombing, the city reopened. The mayor and governor spoke at home plate in pre-game ,followed by Big Papi ,who said : DIS OUR F@#$%^& CITY, BOSTON STRONG  !"  Later that day the FCC stated that such an act would normally bring a huge fine to the network, but considering the emotion involved, today there would be none.

While I understand the emotion of someone trying to blow up part of your city being excused, I'm unsure of 'the slip of words' coming from a player that just scored the winning touchdown/home run/basket/goal. Young kids at home, watching their hero utter F@#$ - or whatever- may feel its OK to say : "Ma, pass the F@#$%^& potatoes,please  "...or something, theresuch  .

The last that I heard, there were seven words that the FCC prohibited over our airwaves. That number may be shrinking  .

[AlUpstateNY]

I do recall a response from the FCC Chairman following the Red Sox Big Papi's infamous speech. Following the catch of the  bad guys  of the Boston Marithon bombing, the city reopened. The mayor and governor spoke at home plate in pre-game ,followed by Big Papi ,who said : DIS OUR F@#$%^& CITY, BOSTON STRONG  !"  Later that day the FCC stated that such an act would normally bring a huge fine to the network, but considering the emotion involved, today there would be none.

While I understand the emotion of someone trying to blow up part of your city being excused, I'm unsure of 'the slip of words' coming from a player that just scored the winning touchdown/home run/basket/goal. Young kids at home, watching their hero utter F@#$ - or whatever- may feel its OK to say : "Ma, pass the F@#$%^& potatoes,please  "...or something, theresuch  .

The last that I heard, there were seven words that the FCC prohibited over our airwaves. That number may be shrinking  .

Sadly, this is what "progress" has produced.  Emotion generating "salty" language is nothing new, but before we've progressed to the current situation, there were understood "consequences" that served to deter their usage.  Today there is far more emphasis on acquiring "likes" & "followers" and FAR less emphasis on restraint and moderation. 

Like being able for each of us to have a voice in choosing our leaders, when we make a mistake there's nobody to blame but ourselves, allowing our children to choose how/when to behave, we have nobody else to blame for excesses.

[TampaSteve]

my meaning is:
if network live broadcasts have to have a censor and build in a delay to catch any salty language...
how is it live network sports seemingly dont have to?

I mean we never read about FCC fining xyz network because of whatever game, yet time to time we see FCC fining radio and live non-sports tv broadcast for salty language.

[AlUpstateNY]

my meaning is:
if network live broadcasts have to have a censor and build in a delay to catch any salty language...
how is it live network sports seemingly dont have to?

I mean we never read about FCC fining xyz network because of whatever game, yet time to time we see FCC fining radio and live non-sports tv broadcast for salty language.

Does technology exist, that monitors pre-selected individual voices , that would provide similar instantaneous monitoring of the multi-thousands of voices/languages of spectators, players, sidelines at televised/Radio sporting event broadcasts?

[sir55]

Since most professional and college sports have endorsed betting, I think a 15 or 20 second delay in the live broadcast would or could influence to betting lines during the game. The sports books, etc. are not going to allow that.

[Ralph Damren]

Since most professional and college sports have endorsed betting, I think a 15 or 20 second delay in the live broadcast would or could influence to betting lines during the game. The sports books, etc. are not going to allow that.

There is currently such a delay, as the TV signal bounces off one of our man-made moons and returns to earth. Try listening to your radio, whose radio waves travel from the broadcast tower  to it. You'll hear the difference.

BEFORE YOU PLACE A BET, BEWARE THE BOOKIE MAY BE LISTENING TO HIS RADIO 

.............................THE NEW RULES WILL BE HERE SOON 

[Ralph Damren]

the 'bleep button dude' may not always hear clearly what is being said  . Some of you may recall this 'event' from last Fall.....

THE PLAYERS:   A racecardriver named Brandon
                        A lady reporter will a possible hearing problem
                         President Joe Biden (in name only)
                          A racetrack full of fans

THE SCENE:    Brandon has just won the race
                       The reporter is about to interview 
                        Some/many fans chant: "F&%# Joe Biden  !"'

ACT I :       Reporter : "WOW, Brandon, listen to the fans  "
                  Brandon : " Well  , er......"
                   Reporter: " They are all chanting 'LET'S GO BRANDON  !"
                    Brandon :  " I  don't think so  "

ACT II :   'LET'S GO BRANDON'  became a greeting or bumper sticker in some circles.
                Crowd noice has been muffled at some events.

IF PAUL HARVEY WAS STILL ALIVE, YOU WOULD HEAR : "..AND NOW YOU KNOW THE REST OF THE STORY " 

[ElvisLives]

And there are a lot of folks still shouting - ever louder - “LET’S GO BRANDON!”

[AlUpstateNY]

Since most professional and college sports have endorsed betting, I think a 15 or 20 second delay in the live broadcast would or could influence to betting lines during the game. The sports books, etc. are not going to allow that.

We were all told, "Stupid is, as stupid does" and warned to keep wolves away from the herd, because....they're wolves.  Despite really bad lessons learned in the 20s-30s we decided to let the wolves back in, thinking they've changed their ways. Unfortunately, the best bet remains that, wolves will ultimately remember that they are wolves, and the herd will pay a steep price, again.