With the advent of satellite television, families now have incredible access to a world of programming that was previously too expensive or simply unavailable. From science shows to health channels to gardening practices and cooking tips from the world’s best chefs. Junk reality TV series can be easily avoided when there’s literally a lot of great programming at your fingertips. One of the greatest assets that an extensive channel lineup allows is not only the opportunity to be entertained, but also to be educated. An underappreciated tool of cultural education, broadcasting sporting events has the power to reveal the nuances of a nation and its efforts to promote goodwill.
With more exclusive packages than any other cable or satellite provider, DIRECTV offers viewers more access to activities as varied as NASCAR racing, European baseball and rugby. From cricket matches in Bangladesh to soccer finals in Argentina, a home television becomes a transmitter of culture near and far. As with the United States, the icons of a nation are often found in its fields. Meeting the champion of your soccer field is being able to sit more calmly at a dinner and chat with a family in Mexico, or have tea in England.
Nelson Mandela once said, “Sports have the power to change the world! They have the power to bring people together in one direction.” It’s no wonder, then, that UNICEF uses soccer stars and tennis champions to talk about the role of individual and group physical activity in the personal development process. They draw attention to the needs of children both in their own countries and abroad, visiting field projects and emergency programs. In war-torn nations, teams are made up of children of different religious backgrounds and ethnic groups as a simulation of what is possible across the country.
Nationally, the NFL Sunday Ticket features teams like the Dallas Cowboys, who used their annual Thanksgiving game to host the Red Kettle Kickoff, along with the Salvation Army. Since 1997, the joint effort has raised more than $ 1 billion and has been used to provide social services such as food, clothing, and utility assistance to 30 million people each year. Another NFL star involved in social efforts is Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander. 2005 MVP Player of the Year, he has slowed his support for Nickelodeon’s “Let’s Just Play” campaign, which encourages young people to stay active and healthy.
From soccer in Brazil to ice hockey in Canada, knowing that a nation’s favorite activity is having one foot in its culture. The saying goes that you should talk about religion or politics at the table, but depending on the country and depending on the team, it may not be such a good idea to talk about sports either. The team you choose may not match that of the head of the household and if you think the Protestant / Catholic debate is hot, try discussing your affiliation with Real Madrid at the Atlético de Madrid fan table. It will get complicated quickly.
Watching incredible plays in high definition becomes even sweeter when you learn about the team’s cultural value to their nation, as well as the social initiatives they support.
