The commentator information system: a usability evaluation of a real-time sport information service

ABSTRACT

Many of the most vivid recollections we have of major sporting events and accomplishments as TV viewers and sports fans are things like scores, statistics, or the TV images of specific events. What make many of these live in our memories, or grab our attention in the first place is often the commentator or sports-caster, their words of wisdom, or lack thereof, the excitement and emotion in their voices, echoing our own. The commentator is a vital part to the sportscast experience, part of what can make watching sports remotely more enjoyable than at the stadium. In order to provide accurate and timely data to TV viewers, radio, or online listeners, commentators sometimes rely on a system called the Commentator Information System (CIS). In this paper we present an in-depth usability study of a CIS, how commentators do their job, how the process may be improved, and how to make sportscasts and simulations more enjoyable in the future.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.m Miscellaneous

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.3 INFORMATION STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL
      H.3.5 On-line Information Services
          Subjects: Web-based services; Data sharing

  K. Computing Milieux
  K.m MISCELLANEOUS

General Terms:
Design, Experimentation, Human Factors, Reliability

Keywords:
HCI, commentator information system, entertainment, ethnography, olympics, sports IT, television, usability