In America, sports dominate much of the cultural landscape. We love everything about sports: playing them, watching them, talking about them, it doesn’t matter to us. Additionally, we show immense love for our professional sports.
We relish the ability to watch our favorite athletes and teams compete. In addition, we also want to know all the breaking news, as well as analysis that comes with watching them play. Our insatiable desire for our sports has done nothing but increase, which has given way to a multitude of shows that are sports themed, most of them even focus just on one particular sport.
Specialized programming allows for the most hardcore of fans to get their fill of all the action. In the U.S. the most popular sports are football, basketball, baseball, and soccer, and they all have their own shows across various networks. With all the options though, it can be difficult to figure out which show best covers your favorite sport. Here’s a great show for each of the most popular sports, which should give you a good start.
Football
As far as football is concerned, NFL Sunday ticket is the subscription to have if you are a hardcore fan. With Sunday ticket, you can watch every live football game with Direct TV. Not only will you be able to enjoy the game from the comfort of your own home, but you’ll also be able to take the game on the go when you don’t have a free Sunday afternoon, as the games are also available on laptops, tablets, or smartphones.
Once the games are over you have the choice between several stellar post-game coverage and highlight shows. Whether you choose the Sunday evening programming of ESPN, NBC, or NFL Network you won’t be dissappointed. All three put on big budget hosts and productions to give you in-depth coverage on all things NFL each Sunday.
Basketball
If you are looking for a good basketball program to tune into, look no further than NBA Inside Stuff. This show began on NBC and later ABC, and bridged the gap between morning programming and sports in the afternoon. Eventually the name was changed to NBA Access with Ahmad Rashad, however after his departure the name was changed back, and features new hosts Grant Hill and Kristen Ledlow; it now airs on NBA TV.
This show combines weekly highlights and top plays, with more journalistic aspects of television. Using interviews with players, coaches, and other league officials, the show achieves a unique perspective on just what goes on inside the NBA. This show often focuses on exposing what happens outside the lines of the basketball court, as well.
Baseball
The summer months can sometimes be slower for sports. Basketball finishes up in June, and Football and hockey don’t start until fall. As a result, summer is a time designated for America’s oldest past time, baseball. However, with 162 games packed into a summer it can be easy to lose track of what is happening in the baseball season.
Baseball Tonight on ESPN can help you avoid becoming overwhelmed with the volume of baseball you’re being exposed to. With charismatic hosts, experienced baseball writers, and legends of the game it offers a professional perspective at how the game is played, and thought about by some of the people who know it the best.
Soccer
While soccer is not traditionally thought of as one of our most popular sports, it is climbing the ranks and gaining respect in this country. Thanks to the success of the U.S. Women’s national team, soccer has grown tremendously over the last decade. In addition, the Men’s national team is now going further than it ever has more consistently.
Because the increase in success, ESPN has since started broadcasting ESPN FC. This show centers on what happens all over the world of soccer. Offering highlights and analysis of both international competition and MLS play, soccer fans in the U.S. should look no further for their daily dose of the beautiful game.
