Television personas in sports broadcast

World Cup 1970-2010

Abstract

This paper discusses the narrative construction of sports broadcasts, studying the images of when the ball is out of play. We hold that it is in these moments and these images that television produces the match's narrative because these images become anchors for the journalists' comments. Using an extensive database taken from the World Cup finals from 1970 to 2010, we look at the primary "television personas" who occupy these out of play moments, like players, coaches, referees and fans. It allows us to perceive, diachronically, how television is getting closer and closer to the faces of these personas. Synchronously, it allows us to understand how some plans refer to the inside field and others to the narrative itself. Also, we point out paths for further research.