Live on TV! Super Bowl National Holiday

By Michael Ryder

The Super Bowl is, without a doubt, one of the most talked about and covered events in the sports and entertainment world. This year, we watched the Seattle Seahawks take on the New England Patriots in the 49th Super Bowl. The Super Bowl is a highly publicized event and some even consider that Sunday to be a holiday. Because of its popularity, the Super Bowl gains a lot of media attention.

Usually, the actual game begins at 6 pm, but television channels such as ESPN, FOX and the NFL Network begin airing pre-coverage of the game as early as 9 am. Sports broadcasters and journalists, and sometimes retired players or coaches, appear on these Super Bowl pregame shows. The teams, players, statistics, and location are all discussed by the panel of football experts, as well as their opinions on which team they think will be victorious. Games from the past season are also discussed by the NFL aficionados and their analysis is what fans tune in for.

As it gets closer to game time, cameras follow the athletes as they get off their bus and make their way into the stadium, while reporters flock to the sidelines to cover what’s happening on the field. The journalists conduct interviews with the players and coaches to get insight on what they’re feeling and how they think the game is going to go.

While the game is being played, two to three announcers are in the studio giving a play-by-play and commentary of the game the entire time – this is who the sideline correspondents are reporting back to. The halftime show, which lately features a popular music act performed in the center of the stadium on live television, has become a pop culture fixture. This year’s Katy Perry and 2013’s Beyoncé performances have been hailed as two of the best halftime shows of all time.

After the game, players from the winning team are interviewed in the midst of their excitement and celebration to share how they feel about their victory. A press conference is held after the game in which the coach of the winning team is interviewed. Pre- and post-game shows are shown usually on multiple channels; however, the game itself is shown on only one major station.

The Super Bowl has gone from being just the championship football game to a popular culture phenomenon. From pre- and post-game shows, interviews, and press conferences, the media covers every aspect of the big game. And because of all the media attention the Super Bowl garners, spectators can get a front row seat to the game without leaving their couch.