Registered: Dec 2005
Location: New York
Posts: 592

The game does not need more than eight ends the same top teams will still win! Mr JH will not all of a sudden become a National threat.

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We'll see you on the Ice! Willy

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Registered: Nov 2013
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Posts: 5

Not everything has to be appealing to everyone in the world.

Curling trying to spruce itself up to gain viewers is like the doofus who puts on a maroon suit to go to the prom by himself. The popular kids still mock him, and at the end of the movie he discovers that his real friends like him just the way he is. The reason the average weekend football fan doesn't watch curling is because it's weird and uncomfortable for them, not because it has this or that little thing that needs changing.

I like watching ten-end games. Perhaps it takes a bit long, but I don't feel that eight-end games develop enough. Also keep in mind that a ten-end games has an odd number of games per half, so that in theory whoever starts without hammer at first, in the second half starts with it and has it in the even ends.

Taking away the hammer for blanking seems like a good idea, but I kind of think it should be done if you blank three in a row.


just the perspective of a happy fan...

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Registered: Dec 2005
Location:
Posts: 180

Since the topic is TV for US market, there is no need to change the game itself...change the telecast. Until the viewing public demands it live, show all games on a tape delay. Begin the telecast 1 hr after the actual beginning. That way you can control the length, eliminate televising multiple blank ends or any extended down time, including the 5th end break. Also affords the time to replay key shots and calls for second guessing. Sochi time zone, I believe, will require all curling on CNBC to be shown taped. I bet it turns out fine.

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Registered: Sep 2002
Location: US - CT
Posts: 1431

Can't remember where I saw it but a lot of the curling from Sochi will be shown live. Lots of games shown in the wee hours of the morning.

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Registered: Dec 2005
Location: St. Thomas, North Dakota
Posts: 2613

Even though it is killing me, I must disagree with Ram.

The Olympics have proven that hardcore sport fans will watch curling...in droves.

TV viewership is critical to our growth. Making concessions to TV seems wise to me...very wise. Shrinking to 8 ends looks like the best way to start.

Shrinking the time clocks doesn't need to be that severe. I think 62 minutes per team would be a good place to start...with two timeouts of one minute each (and a minute means a minute...no extra time for the coach to reach the ice).

Extra ends are the best for TV. We need to allow teams more time because it is extremely good television. I'm thinking no extra timeout (but you can bank one of your two should you wish), but 9 minutes per team...or give them 8 minutes and up to 2 minutes of time remaining from regulation.

Blowouts shouldn't be that big of a deal. Boxing worried about early knockouts for ever...and the TV people learned to deal with it.

Ben Tucker
Just some random thoughts

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Registered: Sep 2011
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Posts: 1064

Crazy weird question...

Since the introduction of FGZ...how often (if ever) has a meaningful game (By which I mean a National Championship, Euros, Worlds, or Olympics) NOT had either a stolen end or a deliberately blanked end?

This is why I ask...

9 ends.

still long enough that if you give up a 4 in the 2nd, the 2-1-2-1-2-1-2 trade through the rest gets you a win, so a team doesn't have to go insane mode to catch up (thereby probably reducing the number of 4 end blowouts, since my feeling is that most are caused by a team that gave up a 4 or 5 early going full "OMG GAMBLE!" in an attempt to get back in the game), while short enough that the game can fit into a shorter time block.

The counter argument would be "But uneven numbers of ends with the hammer!!" to which I would posit either how often has it actually stayed "on shot" through an entire game?

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Registered: Mar 2005
Location: St. Albert
Posts: 839

quote:

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Originally posted by misty1
I really dont want to see the brier, scotties and worlds moved to 8 ends..although i fear its inevitable. Your right 10 ends gives a team that gives a 4 in the 2nd end still plenty of time to recover. It might not seem like alot but those 2 extra ends make a world of difference.
If they were switched to 8 ends we would see alot of really lopsided scores like we do in the cash tour season and that wouldnt be good for anyone

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Registered: Apr 2005
Location:
Posts: 399

quote:

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Originally posted by Frykenstein
Agreed. One of the things I like about curling is that it's a game of touch and finesse--of feeling and judgment. No doubt, using a stopwatch effectively is an acquired skill, but it's not--IMO--a curling skill. It's a bit like Rodney Dangerfield's putter in Caddyshack--too much technology, not enough humanity.

No doubt I (and my trusty hair broom) am in the minority on this!

mf

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Registered: Apr 2007
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Posts: 94

quote:

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Originally posted by jhcurl
Another change I believe will come up at the WCF. Second blank end in a row will lose hammer. Can't just be one, there is the "accidental" blank occasionally (says the guy who played 13 ends).

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Registered: Sep 2002
Location: London, Ontario
Posts: 4002

Not sure if forcing a change in hammer in a blank end would have the desired effect you're seeking . The team without hammer would have less incentive to play any kind of aggressive shots to try and force a team to score one in a tight game.

You would see the teams with hammer play more aggressive, but likely run into a similar rock control game you see now that makes the game even more simplistic. If the team without hammer is a strong hitting team like we see now, one double and they'd be able to force the team with hammer to have to score 1 or give up the hammer.

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Registered: Dec 2005
Location: St. Thomas, North Dakota
Posts: 2613

Speaking of TV:

Thursday night on NBCSports will be the recap of The Olympic Qualifier for Fussen. Cheer Face and Da Boyz all over again.

Tuck

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Registered: Sep 2002
Location: US - CT
Posts: 1431

And there will a daily 3 hour show on CNBC for the Olys along with live streaming.

Last month, the NBC announced that CNBC will carry 36 hours of Olympic curling coverage while MSNBC hosts 45 hours of live curling and hockey, including medal rounds. USA Network serves up 43 hours of live curling and hockey coverage, including medal rounds.

It was also announced that NBCOlympics.com plans to live stream all Sochi Olympics competition. The vast majority of live streaming will only be available to authenticated cable, satellite or telco customers via “TV Everywhere.”

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