Professional gaming coverage coming to CBS, others

by Blake Snow { Dec 4th 2006 at 2:15PM }

In what is either a sign of popularity or an attempt to follow poker's TV success, the World Series of Video Games has signed a major broadcasting deal with CBS making it the first time that professional video game competitions will air on network television. CBS will begin its coverage on December 30 at 3 p.m. with a one-hour special profiling five "rising stars" in professional gaming, the most notable being Johnathan "Fatal1ty" Wendel. Other deals were struck with CSTV and VOOM's Gameplay HD channel. Let's just hope the coverage is nothing like the fictional broadcast in Wizard when Jimmy beats Lucas in a SMB 3 tourney.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Yoshi Likes Boys @ Dec 5th 2006 11:57AM

No Blake, let's hope that it's EXACTLY like the Wizard. I might watch it if it was.

Dracula Jones @ Dec 4th 2006 3:27PM

"Let's just hope the coverage is nothing like the fictional broadcast in Wizard"

Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I hope the coverage is EXACTLY like the fictional broadcast in the Wizard. Just like I think more rock concerts should be like the climax of Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey.

Davis @ Dec 4th 2006 3:46PM

I love the Power Glove. It's so bad.

RDX @ Dec 4th 2006 3:43PM

I'm going to love this broadcast. It's going to be so...bad...

I now give permission to repeat said joke in numerous ways.

Jose @ Dec 4th 2006 2:54PM

Any news on whether CBS will air the tourneys in HD?

audioeric @ Dec 4th 2006 4:07PM

This is great for gaming, however, they need to make it interesting.

I watched a show the other day that followed a MLG tournament, and while it was cool that they profiled people and followed them before hand, the game sucked. It's like watching football and them talking about the players' backgrounds the entire time and only flipping over to the QB's Helmet Cam to watch a replay of a touchdown pass.

It really was awful. I want to see real camera work in the game, I actually want to see some of the game. I don't want to see just a screenshot of the results and a quick clip of the last kill.

I understand that they have a lot of rounds to cover, but when you're doing a tournament like that, you have to skimp on the lower rounds and cover the last few rounds completely.

I don't care what it takes to get this done, but until they actually make watching the game almost interesting, these shows are going to fail...

Zoot Suit Jedi @ Dec 4th 2006 3:06PM

I hope this ignites a rebirth of the Powerglove.

pete @ Dec 4th 2006 4:53PM

ive must have seen that movie a dozen times as a kid, its all kinda fuzzy but i remember that little competion was pretty cool, back then looking back, any way when he came from behind and found the flute and ran away with the lead. oh yea wizard kicks ass

KaneRobot @ Dec 4th 2006 4:17PM

What are you talking about? "Video Armageddon" was the greatest video game competition, real or fictional, of ALL TIME.

Lucas: Hey, it's the Wizard! I hope you don't get nervous like last time. We wouldn't want you to...whiz on someone. Huh huh.

Jimmy may win the prize, but Lucas gets the women.

mark @ Dec 4th 2006 4:03PM

Hopefully it isn't like the Directv coverage... they make it seem like it's pro wrestling.

Tocom @ Dec 4th 2006 5:25PM

Whom ever wrote this is wrong MLG (Major League Gaming) has had a show going on since Nov. 11 on the USA network...looks like gamers don't even know games....

GOB @ Dec 4th 2006 4:13PM

At the very least, it should be funny.

Also reminds me..G4 would probably be actually worth watching if they just replayed Double Dragon, The Wizard, and the Mario Bros movie 20 hours a day.

mumbles @ Dec 4th 2006 4:24PM

Fatal1ty is a "rising star"? He's been around for like 8 years.

Mr. Khan @ Dec 4th 2006 6:28PM

I know i'm in the extreme minority, but i loathe televised Competitions

I hate watching Sports on TV, i'd much rather play them
(except Basketball and Volleyball, those sports can burn for what i care)
I would hate watching people play, I'd rather play myself

The most hideous experience is sitting around all day and watching TV Baseball. That is one sport best played

And Video Games are universally a "sport" best played
(although i'd watch a DDR or Wii Sports Tournament just so i could laugh my ass off)

Author X @ Dec 4th 2006 6:49PM

*holds the Wii remote in one fist to play Excite Truck*
I love the Wiimote... it's so bad!

pete @ Dec 4th 2006 6:57PM

@12 yes true, but cbs belongs to the big 3 nbc, fox, cbs, this would be the first time "that professional video game competitions will air on network television." key word there network tv, thats free over the air that EVERYONE gets even with the bunny ear antena

pete @ Dec 4th 2006 5:57PM

ok lets try this again, dont know what happen to my last post? ok @# 12, althought you are correct the MLG has been on USA since back in early November, USA is a cable channel that you pay to see, i know what your saying, its not hbo I dont pay for it, but you do thats basic cable, alright back to what i was getting this would be the first time the one of the big four fox, nbc, abc, cbs broadcast "professional video game competitions...on network television" so there i think. looks like wanna be gamers dont even know games!