TV is powerful, no matter how you watch

Terry Bigham
USBC Communications
Published: March 31, 2016 | Bowl.com

ARLINGTON, Texas – DVR. Streaming. On-demand. On your phone. On your tablet.

When it comes to what people watch on television – and how or when they watch – the available options seem to grow every day. The fact there are so many ways to be able to access a TV program speaks to the power of that glorious screen found in living rooms and bedrooms across the nation.

That is why the fact that CBS Sports Network will broadcast 23 bowling events in 2016 is such tremendous news for the industry. It’s a shot in the arm for the burgeoning Professional Women’s Bowling Association and an investment for everyone involved in bowling as we continue to build a future for the sport.

The televised events include live finals of the U.S. Open, USBC Queens, PWBA Players Championship, U.S. Women’s Open and Smithfield PWBA Tour Championship.

The Intercollegiate Singles Championships will be televised on CBS Sports Network on May 10, kicking off coverage that will have bowling on national television every week from May to September.

Nearly all events in the package, including the PWBA Tour, U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and youth events, are collaboratively funded by USBC and the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America (BPAA).

Besides the Intercollegiate Championships, youth bowling will see more coverage as the growing Junior Gold Championships presented by Storm, Roto Grip and Master will be televised for the second consecutive year. And then there is the inaugural USA Bowling National Championships.

Regional tournaments were held throughout the country to determine the U12 and U15 youth teams that would compete for the first USA Bowling National Championships titles. The event showcases the team concept for youth bowlers, much like Little League Baseball, and everyone has seen TV’s impact on that sport.

With Junior Gold and collegiate participation at all-time highs, more kids than ever are bowling, and these programs are helping student-athletes fund their educations with bowling scholarships. Putting the youth programs in the TV spotlight only can help educate more people about the opportunities in youth bowling.

The TV package also will help put the sport top of mind, which could attract new bowlers. People scrolling through TV listings will notice bowling is on TV … and maybe will tune in.

Such is the power of television, and, in 2016, it’s bowling’s turn to step into the spotlight.