In yet another example of ESPN excess, the first few minutes of Game 1 of the NBA Finals will air on 15 ESPN platforms, including ABC, ABC HD, ESPN Radio, ESPN International, ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN2, ESPN2 HD, ESPNEWS, ESPN Classic, ESPNU, ESPN Deportes, ESPN.com, ESPN360.com and ESPN Mobile.
Meanwhile, NBC is doing its best to match ESPN; the network will “show Tiger Woods‘ group teeing off on its first hole June 14 across seven NBC-owned networks ? including Sci Fi, Bravo and CNBC ? and on four NBC websites.”
Increased exposure is always good. But with LeBron James and Tiger Woods combining for appearances on twenty-two platforms this week, the question becomes whether or not overexposure is effective strategy. Will James playing on ESPNU and Tiger teeing off on Sci-Fi Channel actually drum up increased interest for the NBA Finals and U.S. Open?
At least neither the NBA Finals nor the U.S. Open will be accompanied by a TV movie; ESPN coverage of The Belmont Stakes will include the TV movie “Ruffian”, which will follow the race on ABC at 9:00 PM.
