I prefer a less-is-more approach to broadcasts. I don’t generally enjoy sideline reporters. I don’t think reporters (mostly male, by the way) at ice level during hockey games adds much to a broadcast. Often times, these reporters have to shout above the crowds because they aren’t isolated in press boxes. I don’t need a sideline reporter in college football to tell me that a player has an ankle injury when I can see his ankle being wrapped.
I generally watch sports on TV with the sound off.
Amen. They are worst during the preseason. "Well, we appear to have missed three plays while I inanely tried to talk to the third string quarterback, but you wanted to hear me anyway instead of the game."
Oh, by the way networks. I am ready for football, not a five minute song and dance introduction. Get to the (2@*#($ game or at least have some good announcers talk about football instead of having someone sing about it. This isn't some Wagnerian conflict needing an aria.