World Series of Video Games to be Broadcast on CBS

Tomorrow is Sunday, which as we all know is not usually a good “TV” day. With normal television stations you have the prerequisite golf, sports, racing, televangelists, and infomercials. Sometimes, if you are lucky, you can watch some low budget movie that the stations throw in for filler. This Sunday (July 29) will be a bit different though, because CBS is broadcasting the World Series of Video Games tournament that was held last month in Louisville, KY. Granted, this is not the first time video game tournaments have been broadcast, but this is the first time that a channel unaffiliated with satellite or cable has decided to show people mashing buttons and bashing on their plastic Guitar Hero controllers.

“Who knows, in 10 years we could be looking back on this as a very significant moment,” said Rob Correa, senior vice president for programming at CBS Sports. This is true – considering that 13 billion dollars worth of video game systems and software were purchaed last year Americans alone. Advertisers see this as lucrative investment as well, and KFC, Intel and the Marines have procured commercial spots as proof.

“Without a doubt the biggest question is: How do you make watching the television show fun for a viewer who’s not actually playing the game?” Mr. Correa said. “Clearly video games have always been a participant sport, if you will, and that’s going to be the challenge.” Hey, if they can make watching a boring game of Poker exciting enough for millions of viewers to watch every week, I am sure they can do the same for gaming tournaments. The hardest part will be entertaining someone who is not a gamer and giving them the correct visual tools to understand what is going on.

For the full scoop, check out the New York Times website. Also, check out your local CBS Affiliate for availability.