All the potential pitfalls of networks doing remote game coverage were on display Friday night for FS1’s broadcast of the Maryland Terrapins hosting the Virginia Cavaliers.
One would think an ACC vs. Big Ten game between schools in neighboring states would merit a broadcast crew at the stadium, but FSI went remote, with Eric Collins and Devin Gardner calling the game from the studio.
As FSI and other networks have shown in the past, it’s difficult to pick up on all the nuances of a game remotely, especially with no sideline reporter on hand, and things were no different in this game. FS1 missed the fact UVA freshman Anthony Colandrea was getting the start at quarterback over senior Tony Muskett. (FSI drew criticism for missing a similar QB situation in their broadcast of the Utah-Washington State game last year.)
FS1’s production tonight has been off.
Announcers are in studio
Didn’t see UVA was warming up a different QB
Didn’t spot who was kicking the field goal for Maryland
Endzone camera is crookedI know it’s a Friday night, middle of the pack, ACC-Big 10 game but be better
— Richard Martin (@Ricardo_Knows) September 15, 2023
The FS1 crew struggled to identify players and missed calls, including Virginia picking up a first down via penalty that caught the crew by surprise. They finally explained the situation a couple of plays later.
Weird things happening on tonight's Virginia-Maryland game on FS1. Broadcast caught unaware of a defensive penalty on a 3rd down sack and left guessing as to what happened. Remote broadcast issue? pic.twitter.com/cWMV4phRUx
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 16, 2023
This is not meant to throw Collins and Gardner under the bus. They would have certainly preferred to be on hand to broadcast the game from the booth if given the choice. Networks go remote to save money, but in the process, quality suffers. Broadcasters on site can see, for example, a flag being thrown on the field on third down, rather than trying to pick that up from the TV camera.
Viewers checking in on social media were quick to point out all the issues Friday night.
FS1’s production tonight has been off.
Announcers are in studio
Didn’t see UVA was warming up a different QB
Didn’t spot who was kicking the field goal for Maryland
Endzone camera is crookedI know it’s a Friday night, middle of the pack, ACC-Big 10 game but be better
— Richard Martin (@Ricardo_Knows) September 15, 2023
I know the Friday night FS1 crew isn’t the A team, but good lord they need to clean it up. Missing kickoffs and penalties and of course that high school art project scorebug in the way. Announcers are fine, considering they’re getting no help from the truck.
— Alex Inman (@alexinman) September 16, 2023
https://twitter.com/PSUinJersey/status/1702834624999637032
What are we doing @FS1? Can we get a penalty call over the air? Why do we keep having to guess what the flag is for? Wake up.
— Big Bob (@BigBobWins) September 15, 2023
