The neXt Games

With the ever growing number of dedicated sports channels, sports television programmers are on the constant lookout for new and different (and lower cost) shows. Witness the birth of the X Games and The Best Damn Sports Show, Period. In almost desperation, traditional sports television has gone as far as attempting to pass off almost any type of competition as 'sport'. Case in point - ESPN now offers live coverage of the World Series of Poker, complete with play by play and color commentary, and the National Spelling Bee.

All of this leads to the question - Can televised matches between PlayStation or X-Box opponents be far behind?

Let's examine this question using some critical business factors.

Appeal to advertisers. The demographic is right on. Although no group is excluded, by far the largest number of participants is Generation X. Gen X means advertisers and more importantly advertisers' money. The kids will be hooked. As they play at home, they can easily imagine themselves as the TV participants just as a generation ago swung waffle ball bats pretending to be Reggie Jackson.

Growth potential. Popularity and technical innovation continue to expand. The video gaming market explodes on with almost no signs of letting up. With the new technology, players can compete against the computer, a couch mate, or an anonymous opponent anywhere in the world. No doubt 11 on 11 football or nine on nine baseball, with each player controlling a single cyber athlete, is on the immediate horizon. Need another positive sign? Two of the biggest players in the market are Sony and Microsoft.

Cost. Production appears simple The competition is already electronically based; how hard can it be to convert to a TV signal? Maybe add a camera or two for the participants. Maybe a live studio audience with a rooting interest. And better yet, other than perhaps licensing fees to player unions and leagues, there are no owners, players or agents except for those digitized on the microchips.

If you're thinking, 'Aw, nobody would watch that stuff.', then you aren't up on the current state of television.

The answer to the question is yes. This one's a lay-up, a virtual lay-up that is.