Potomac, MD – October 19, 2010 Bobservations has learned from sources close to the National Football League that the league is delaying the launch of its Helmet-to-Helmet Channel, after a number of violent collisions marred the action in Sunday’s games.
Originally conceived by NFL executives based on the phenomenal success of its RedZone Channel, which switches to any game in which a team has a scoring opportunity, the Helmet-to-Helmet Channel is designed to appeal to the hardest core, most Neanderthal fans who crave slow-motion replays of skull-jarring hits, prolonged shots of prone players surrounded by kneeling teammates and medical personnel deadlifting motionless tailbacks onto stretchers.
“When it comes to hard hits, we have to have a two-pronged approach,” said an NFL executive who asked not to be named since he was saying something asinine. “Sure, we’re obligated to take a tough public stance against concussions with things like fines, rules, player safety education and locker room posters. But research shows that fans love vicious hits, so we have to pander to that as well. We don’t see any conflict with the Helmet-t0-Helmet Channel.”
Madison Avenue has indicated that the Helmet-t0-Helmet Channel would have no problem attracting advertisers. According to Bob London, president of Washington, DC-based marketing consulting firm London, Ink, “This new channel is further confirmation that Americans love gratuitous violence, as though we needed more proof. There are potential advertisers lined up outside NFL headquarters, including Excedrin, State Farm Insurance, Band-Aid and the latest crash and explosion-filled Bruce Willis action film–all with major product placements and other promotional tie-ins.”
Bobservations is written by me, Bob London. More of my writing can be seen at www.bob-servations.com. I’m also president of London, Ink LLC, a full-service marketing and communications firm and serve as a Virtual VP of Marketing for growth-stage companies that need hands-on project-based leadership in marketing strategy and planning. More information is available at www.londonink.com.
