How StarCraft 2 Could Work on TV

Now before I begin the meat of this post, let me put a disclaimer out there. This piece isn’t about whether StarCraft should be on TV, but rather how it could work if it was on TV. The argument of whether or not SC2 should be on TV has beaten to death and I’m not here to kick it any further.
Are we good?

Sweet.  Now let’s begin.

Out With the Familiar, In With the Different

The first thing that would have to go is the current tournament format. That doesn’t mean it can’t continue the way it has online, but viewers on TV aren’t going to have the attention span that most SC2 fans do. The goal here is to appeal to an audience larger than the current SC2 community. They need to reach out and grab other viewers, or else there’s no point. Therefore any current tournaments like MLG and IPL would be pointless to try and translate to a TV experience. It’s better to start fresh than ruin what already works online.

The current long format with multiple games and several streams is only going to confuse new viewers or make them feel like they’re only getting half the action. They need to be able to get the whole package. The solution? Shorter, single elimination tournaments. This keeps things clean and crisp with minimal complications and confusion. He who wins advances and he who loses is out. It’d be very easy for new viewers to catch on to.

You also don’t need to show so many games in a single day. People aren’t going to be watching StarCraft 2 for seven hours straight. They’re going to want it in smaller chunks (closer to regular sports games). This would help extend smaller tournaments while keeping the viewership happy.

The Rise of Team Games

People enjoy one-vs-one sports like UFC and other martial art related sports, but all of the most popular sports in the world are team sports. People enjoy watching team members work together towards a common goal. Nothing is more spectacular to watch than when everything clicks into place and a “play” goes exactly as that team had planned.

This is something StarCraft 2 could use to its advantage. While anything above 2v2 is seen as a more “casual fun zone” type of game mode, I think if utilized properly there is a wealth of material there for people to enjoy. Sure it may not be as “in depth” as 1v1 but put a prize pool in front of those teams and you bet your ass they’ll be trying to figure out the best way to win.

A More Defined Season

The tournament scene for SC2 on TV would have to be streamlined. Instead of several different tournaments going on right near or at the same time as each other there needs to a more defined season similar to football or baseball. The smaller format detailed above would help with this.
This makes things easy to follow for the casual viewer. He doesn’t have to wonder which tournament this is, which players are still playing, what the prize pool is, who the casters are, etc etc. He can tune in any time and know what the deal is because it’s been the same all year.

Create Characters

As Artosis once stated in a State of the Game episode, the biggest advantage SC2 has is its diversity. People from all different backgrounds play the game at the highest level. Many of them are already figures (whether they like it or not) that the community looks up to. Take these people like White-Ra, Naniwa, Huk*, and make them stars. Build them up so people will want to invest in them and their story. Nothing is more exciting than cheering on your favorite player whether their part of a larger team or on their own.

*There are of course many more people worthy of being built up, I just didn’t feel like boring everyone with a “complete” list.

Money Makes the World Go ‘Round

Obviously the biggest hurdle for StarCraft 2 is monetization. How do networks make money off of StarCraft? It’s not a sport where there are times and places to break (except for the occasional pause). Ads would have to be presented similarly to how they’re presented online. Commercials are played in between games, sponsorships are talked about by casters, and perhaps a few overlays could work?
I realize that this is clearly the biggest obstacle, but my lack of knowledge in the advertisement industry makes it difficult for me to pinpoint the exact way ads should be approached. No doubt there is a solution that I haven’t found yet. It’s certainly not impossible.

So what do you guys think? Would you enjoy watching something like this on TV alongside the big online tournaments?