English language sumo, any extra service?

[Takanobaka 0]

hey...

On the videos on Banzuke.com, I've noticed that there is the English language commentary, and the feed seems to have more resolution than the one on the Kyokai page. I'm just wondering if there's any pay-per service that does this, or if there's any way to access it.

Also, does anyone know of anything on TV that does live sumo in the US other than TV Japan? Just getting sick of the webfeed off of NSK....can't even make out faces on there,,,,

Thanks for any help!

[Kotoseiya Yuichi 3]

Yes, those files by Dale are of better quality as the files are digitized from NHK's regular NTSC telecast. I've never heard it delivered through the net so I guess your only choice is that option you already mention by name. Sorry...

[Yoavoshimaru 0]

Having researched the subject for the Boston area, there's no way to get live sumo except TV-J. We're SOL \ (Showing tongue at someone...)

[BuBa 77]

[ Also, does anyone know of anything on TV that does live sumo in the US other than TV Japan? Just getting sick of the webfeed off of NSK....can't even make out faces on there,,,,]

But, what is wrong with the TV Japan? I was considering it too. Could somebody share his experience with TV Japan for viewing basho tournaments. (Time difference, schedule, language etc..)

[Zenjimoto 40]

Experience is good.... :-D Basically TV Japan shows MOST of the Makuuchi bouts LIVE. Usually the first two don't make it, but they are always repeated in the replays. The live show comes on at 3:30am EDT (or 2:30am EST, depending on the time of the year) and lasts 1 hour 30 minutes. Yes, english commentary is available on the secondary audio channel, and VERY handy. Quite a few of the commentators are also found on the sumo mailing list, which is kinda fun. They also have simul-translators on staff (the famed Riyo Ohta, Reiko Matsumoto, or Yayoi Shirai) to translate interviews on the fly and to give some background infos on rikishi reports from the hanamichi before their match. Besides the regular, generally VERY knowledgable commentators (who rotate each day) they also often have very special guest commentators or guests (Akebono, Azumazeki-Oyakata, the Ambassador of Mongolia, etc.)

There is a re-broadcast the same day, usually around 3pm. This is usually an extended show of 1 hour 45 minutes, and more times than not includes the missing two early Makuuchi bouts, as well as sometimes the "feature of the day", such as an interview with a featured rikishi, historical review of a basho or rikishi of the past, or the like.

There used to be a few little glitches, such as TVJ's online programming guide not showing "sumo" but some other programming (which is a little annoying when trying to record via PVR), but the broadcast was usually there, nevertheless. Lately, there have been NO problems like this for at least 6 months.

TVJ costs $25/month. You need a second ("international") dish other than your regular Dish 500. If you have cable, you can just install the "international" dish. I would not expect that installation to cost much more than $99. Depending on how desperate your local Dish Network affiliates are, they might even do it for free...

I usually subscribe to TVJ for just the 2 weeks of the basho, then cancel ($5 cancellation fee), so my cost per basho comes out to about $18.75 with taxes. WELL worth it. Of course, if you are a Japanophile, you might as well leave TVJ on all the time. I would too, but I already have too many other things added on to my Dish Network bill :-) And NO, I don't mean ETC or TEN (Bye, bye...)

In short... go for it - it has completely changed my interest in sumo from "marginal and not really knowing what's going on" to "number one hobby", as ever since I am able to watch the real broadcasts, I have had a chance to become a real fan and accumulate a good bit of expertise. Of course, it is also vital reconnaissance for the various sumo games, as often you get a lot more insight than over the web feed... (Applauding...)

Any other questions? (Cheers...)

Cheers!

Zenjimoto

Edited July 21, 2003 by Zenjimoto

[Takanobaka 0]

The problem with JTV is that we live in a New York City co-op, and thus can't install a dish....

We'll try and contact the cable company to see if we can just subscribe to JTV without subscribing for the other foreign language premiums (digital cable...not sure I feel like paying for Al Jazeera, Chinese networks, etc), but could end up being worth it.

Thanks for the info!

[BuBa 77]

Zenjimoto-zeki, Thank you very much for you detailed answer, helped me a lot. And I like your only-basho-subscription policy (Sign of approval), quite clever.

[Zenjimoto 40]

@BuBa

Glad to be of help... let us know if it works out for you, and ... enjoy! :-(

@Takanobaka

I would hope that in a place like NYC you would be able to do what you describe (Applauding...) Then again, these days it may not be bad to have Al-Jazeera, too! (Shaking head...)

Cheers

Z.

[Yoavoshimaru 0]

In Boston (RCN), you can get TV-J over cable:

Lineup

I would think NYC has that option too... (Shaking head...)