Survey shows HDTV preferred over live Super Bowl experience
By Darren Murph 
posted January 17th 2007 11:00AM
posted January 17th 2007 11:00AM
Unsurprisingly, surveys these days can often have very interesting results, which may not necessarily represent the general population in a factual manner, but nonetheless, if the "Big Game Survey" is to be believed, more people would rather watch the Super Bowl on an HDTV than actually going to the event in-person. Conducted on behalf of Circuit City, the survey found that 48-percent of all respondents would rather catch the big game from the comforts of their couch compared to just 26-percent who would rather cheer from the nosebleed seats. While it wasn't directly stated where the other 26-percent fell, we can only assume that those were the folks who'd rather pressure-wash their entire house than suffer through four hours of non-stop partying over a game of pigskin. Nevertheless, it's certainly not a surprise to find that sports offerings glue Americans to their couches like no other type of programming can, and the survey also found that around 60-percent of men (and 49-percent of women) were more likely to throw down for an HD set solely because of the Super Bowl (and hosting a subsequent party). While we'd probably have no qualms accepting an all-expenses-paid trip to see the biggest NFL game of the year, we have to assume that folks were taking total cost into account when answering the questions, and considering the dough you'd likely lay down just to get a seat for this primetime event, wouldn't you rather bring home a svelte HDTV instead?
No matter what the cost, I simply prefer to watch football on my 100" projector screen from the comfort of my couch, pausing, rewinding, fast-forwarding through halftime blah-blah-blahs, making my own snacks and drinks, and enjoying the company of my friends and family. If it's a game I REALLY care about, I HAVE to watch it at home. Most sports are this way for me, except baseball, which is the total opposite. I HAVE to be there for baseball, there is no substitute!
The only sporting events I'd always rather see live are my alma mater's college football/basketball games. (Texas A&M)
At the rate food & drinks cost are raised at games
you bet I'd rather see the game on HD. Besides as they said getting a ticket alone will set you back far too much. The travel cost, hotel room and other expences are all over inflated to take advantage of the sports fan. As more HD sets are sold and more events are aired in HD the crowds will die to a trickle. All of this could cascade into sports being played on a sound stage. I give it 15 to 20 years before that happens, but it will happen.
This is a dumb survey if you ask me. Of course, you'll get a better view of the game from your HD then you would at the game in the stadium's worst seats. So what - you can't beat the atmosphere of being AT a game. That's half the fun of going to a game in the first place! I love my HD football and Sunday Ticket, but I more enjoy my one trip to Buffalo each season to see my Dolphins!! The survey is comparing apples to oranges here - that's why it makes no sense!!! I highly doubt it's accurate either. Tell someone, "Here are two free tix and travel to the SuperBowl. You can have them right now, or, you can come over to my house to watch it on my 60" DLP." I'm guessing most people will be getting on the plane!
Tell someone, "Here are two free tix and travel to the SuperBowl. You can have them right now, or, you can come over to my house to watch it on my 60" DLP." I'm guessing most people will be getting on the plane!
That probably didnt factor into the peoples decisions. For the most part, the cost for the tickets and travel or TV is likely coming out of the respondents pockets than given to them freely (a rarity). A very nice HDTV and the costs associated with sending one person to one Super Bowl may cost the same (I dont know, never been to one) but Im guessing it would be more for the game. If all it comes down to is between sending one person (let alone the entire family and some friends) to the Super Bowl (Im guessing $2000+) or getting a nice large HDTV (to enjoy even after the Super Bowl) its not hard to see how a lot of respondents would choose the latter.
Football is so much better on Tv, especially now with HD. Baseball is one of the sports that is soooooo much better in person, and I like Football way more than baseball.
SAINTS RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!THEY HAVE A DATE WITH DESTINY!!!!!
SAINTS RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!THEY HAVE A DATE WITH DESTINY!!!!!
Apparently they dont.