Archived Thread

NGT: The "No Announcer Game" Jets @ Miami in 1980

Matt in SGS : 6/28/2017 6:50 am

So in searching on youtube, I found one curiousity which was an oddity that is still talked about now and again, the time NBC broadcast a full NFL game with no announcers. There were some NBC execs felt the announcers talked too much and distracted from the game. So they wanted to run a test. Broadcast a game with no announcers, to see what it would feel like for home viewers, with only the PA system, and see if they enjoyed it, similar to the feel if you were in the stands. So they picked a meaningless game in December 1980 with the Jets vs. Dolphins in the Orange Bowl. The broadcast was a disaster and never tried again.

Looking at this now in 2017, with the announcers, sideline reporters, live break ins, stats flying around, sponsorships, fantasy stats, in game commercial reads, it's unimaginable to even attempt this today. But 1980 was a different time (and different economics and technology). Still, there are times now with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman that this wouldn't be such a bad thing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWySLZAZf48 - ( New Window )

I mute every NFL game now.

Popeye : 6/28/2017 6:55 am : link

Un-mute for penalty calls. That's it. Everything else is annoying filler.

RE: I mute every NFL game now.

Moondawg : 6/28/2017 8:03 am : link

In comment 13513233 Popeye said:

Quote:

Un-mute for penalty calls. That's it. Everything else is annoying filler.

I set the volume to 3 so I can hear the crowd but I can't understand what the announcers are saying.

You will be able to select your announcers.....

WideRight : 6/28/2017 8:19 am : link

Like turning down the TV and playing the radio braodcast. Let them compete, and eveyone will enjoy better product(s)

too bad ESPN didn't try this for the '88 Giants-Saints game

Victor in CT : 6/28/2017 9:40 am : link

;-).

With the technology available for secondary audio broadcasts

jcn56 : 6/28/2017 9:51 am : link

I was hoping that by now we'd have some choices available to us, such as stadium only noise (crowd, officials, no announcers) and radio broadcast audio (each team's fans would be able to choose their own local broadcast).

Sadly, no dice.

jcn, I've long wanted an option like that

Greg from LI : 6/28/2017 9:55 am : link

I hate muting because I want to hear the sounds of the game. I just don't want to hear inane commentary. If they can make a SAP button that gives you a Spanish broadcast, why not a similar option to get rid of the announcers?

That must be the game I remember,

lugnut : 6/28/2017 10:19 am : link

though it sure felt more recent than that. Anyway, I loved it.

RE: You will be able to select your announcers.....

chopperhatch : 6/28/2017 11:08 am : link

In comment 13513286 WideRight said:

Quote:

Like turning down the TV and playing the radio braodcast. Let them compete, and eveyone will enjoy better product(s)

I like to pause and rewind a lot of plays though. Hwlps reduce commercial time too

I mute games and rewind with volume if needed

Ron Johnson 30 : 6/28/2017 11:20 am : link

except Giants games

RE: jcn, I've long wanted an option like that

Victor in CT : 6/28/2017 11:53 am : link

In comment 13513417 Greg from LI said:

Quote:

You would think that the networks would be all over this as a way to devalue announcers and color commentators in order to drive down their salaries.

__________________

I am Ninja : 6/28/2017 12:26 pm : link

Ive heard you can turn off your center channel speaker to do just that. Dont know how true it is though. Dont care enough to try it.

RE: too bad ESPN didn't try this for the '88 Giants-Saints game

Matt in SGS : 6/28/2017 12:26 pm : link

In comment 13513396 Victor in CT said:

Quote:

;-).

You got that right. It's tough when a game review that I would do focuses on how bad the broadcasters were.

I think that experiment is going to come around again

81_Great_Dane : 6/28/2017 12:26 pm : link

With widescreen Ultra-HD picture, advanced graphics and the ability to throw a social media channel up next to your game picture on a smart TV, the no-announcer option will be more practical.

On the other hand, the choose-your-announcer option is better. Even better than that: Choose your broadcast style, like, I want the X's and O's and the all-11 angle a lot of the time, but someone else might want a softer broadcast with more human-interest angles. To each his own.

Probably a closed cicuit social experience

WideRight : 6/28/2017 12:35 pm : link

Plug into the same feed as a bunch of your buddies, and watch the game as if you were in the room together, whether you need an announcer there or not would be a group decision

Better than seeing John Gruden in the booth

Chris684 : 6/28/2017 2:51 pm : link

wearing a Vikings shirt before a tough Monday night game in Minnesota!

Watch a NFL game on

River : 6/28/2017 3:29 pm : link

Sky sports and you will see a huge difference in Commercials and in game conversations. On too many commercial breaks they talk scores and football strategy.

I Remember Watching It...

looie : 6/29/2017 1:36 am : link

...and loving it. No announcers over-analyzing everything, just the pure sounds of the game. Graphics on the screen told me everything I needed to know. One of the best sports viewing experiences I've ever had. Made me realize just how unnecessary announcers are.

RE: I Remember Watching It...

NINEster : 6/30/2017 5:42 am : link

In comment 13514565 looie said:

Quote:

I think it's awesome.....

But a great announcing team whether TV or Radio still adds to a broadcast IMO.

Watching '80s/'90s football without Summerall/Madden or the MNF crew just wouldn't have been the same.