[jsimon]

Remember the good old 90's? Back then, you were pretty much assured you could get a women's bodybuilding contest about once a month. They were not all classics, but you always got a NPC or USA regional at the very least. Then the cable companies cut them out for other "sports" like poker and darts (PS: Any activity that requires no physical training and doesn't raise your heart rate is NOT A SPORT!). But even as recently as two years ago, you could get the Arnold Classic or the Ms. Olympia on demand, even if it was in HD. Now you can't even get that. The best you get nowadays is the Cowboy Cheerleader tryouts. I mean there's not even figure contests on. What's the deal?

PS: Tetsuko rules! DCM, please continue her story when you can!

[pelourinho]

You're preaching to the choir, brother.  The fact that the National Geographic channel featured it in one of their Taboo episodes, and TLC had its Supersize She special suggests there is enough interest in the phenomenon to warrant putting it on TV, but I guess ESPN and Fox Sports do not agree.  It's a shame we get poker shoved down our throats for like 10 hours a day, but a niche sport like bodybuilding never makes the airwaves.  I guess the networks just didn't see it as a growth market.

I've wondered at times, though, if bodybuilding, especially women's, should be considered a form of avante-gard art rather than a sport.  There is something to be said of the idea of using your body as a hunk of marble or pile of clay and shaping it as you desire.

[Yaponvezos]

OMG?! 10 hours of poker?

[pelourinho]

OMG?! 10 hours of poker?

Okay, that may not be an exact figure  :), but I you'd think poker must be the most popular spectator sport (if anything engaged in by grizzled, chain smoking meatballs can be considered such) judging by ESPN's programming.  Try finding a 4 hour window in which one of their networks does not air a game.

[00tree]

Okay, that may not be an exact figure  :), but I you'd think poker must be the most popular spectator sport (if anything engaged in by grizzled, chain smoking meatballs can be considered such) judging by ESPN's programming.  Try finding a 4 hour window in which one of their networks does not air a game.

I got tired of poker on TV after the first 30 seconds of it. a freind of mine used to want to watch it before we played D&D and it was sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo lame.

[baditude41]

You're preaching to the choir, brother.  The fact that the National Geographic channel featured it in one of their Taboo episodes, and TLC had its Supersize She special suggests there is enough interest in the phenomenon to warrant putting it on TV, but I guess ESPN and Fox Sports do not agree.  It's a shame we get poker shoved down our throats for like 10 hours a day, but a niche sport like bodybuilding never makes the airwaves.  I guess the networks just didn't see it as a growth market.

I agree…all I usually see is poker, poker, poker.  And to be honest, I've always wanted to see a strongwoman competition, but usually all I see on ESPN or ESPN2 is the same stuff, or Strongman Competitions.  It's just unfair. 

[Holiday]

The best you get nowadays is the Cowboy Cheerleader tryouts. I mean there's not even figure contests on. What's the deal?

I saw pics of the recent Cowboy Cheerleader tryouts. There were no bodybuilders, but there was one brunette with great abs. That's a good step forward.

[AlexG]

Occasionally, FOX Sports does run fitness contest competitions w/ all of its jumping jack-gymnastic-strength moves by the participants.  However, if you looking for pure and unadulterated FBBing coverage it's not to be found on TV.

The powers that be @ ESPN yrs ago (meaning Disney) declared it not to be a sport, and thus unworthy of airtime.

Of course, that's absurd.  How is billiards/pool or poker a sport? 

Financial excuses don't really make much sense – then why bother running the rare fitness or even the strongest man contests?  They don’t have any degree of monetary return or endorsement power vis-à-vis with the general public.

The real reason has probably has more to do with the insecurities (sexual and/or otherwise) of those in charge that they were (from their POV) promoting a She-Male beauty contest(s) and a pro-steroid exhibition of women using gear.

“I like a good story well told. That is the reason I am sometimes forced to tell them myself.”
~ Mark Twain / Samuel Clemens (1907)

[mistaricsta]

Okay, that may not be an exact figure  :), but I you'd think poker must be the most popular spectator sport (if anything engaged in by grizzled, chain smoking meatballs can be considered such) judging by ESPN's programming.  Try finding a 4 hour window in which one of their networks does not air a game.

While it may not be 10 hours a DAY, I work the graveyard shift here in Nashville, and they show it for about 4-6 on Sunday night! God I miss Musclesport USA!!!  :'(

[Trash Boat]

Well this is a controversal subject in the publics eyes so what can you do. Channel networks don't want to irritate anyone – but the people in the scene – so they go the easiest way.

Thank god for small yet active sub networks.

[Author]

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