HBO Boxing: How do older forms of media inform new media markets?

     In my case study, I examined on how old media forms shaped the evolution of HBO Boxing in new media. Furthermore, I utilize the history of HBO Boxing events to show how core ideas of old media are still present today. I also present the number of ways viewers can access the content, not facing limitations of having to be in front of a TV. The Case of America Presents, Ltd v. Hopkins, can be examined to see how poor practices of old media have lead to the need for more strict acts being in place. One of these acts is the S.893 National Boxing Commission act of 2001, establishing the National Boxing Commission.
     HBO Boxing today is facing the transition from pay TV, to online streaming. This mirrors the transition in old media from the radio, to the traditional T.V. cable broadcast. Core beliefs of entertainment being a social media have stayed consistent through the years. For example, having broadcasters sitting in front of the audience almost seemingly conversing with them is still present. Old media was facing commercial skippers when the transition from singular advertisement, to segments of advertisements was occurring. Today we see new media mirroring this old media platform of plastering advertisements all over the contenders, the ring, and title sponsors (main advertisement of the event) on the promotional posters. This shows a practice of having old media singular advertisements, along side segments to maximize profit of these live streams. I also observe the potential earnings with these advertisements showing how Mayweather made upwards of $25 million from just his clothing, and how Corona had to pay upwards of $10 million to be on the promotional poster(title sponsor).
     When thinking about the question: How do older forms of media inform new media markets, it is important to see how following these core practices have stood the test of time. I use the example of earnings from the 1975 fight between Muhammad Ali, and Joe Frazier to show how the beginning of HBO Boxing was profitable with Ali making around $9 million; Then compared it to the most recent championship fight between Mayweather and McGregor to show that earnings have multiplied 10 fold compared to its beginning with Mayweather earning over $100 million. This comparison shows that forms of old media have stood the test of time, and shows that old media principles can still be applied to new media with success.

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Works Cited: (I highly recommend taking a look at some of these sources. After doing some research, it is very fascinating to see how much money comes from these championship fights. Copy and pasting links and removing space will work rather than clicking due to link formatting.)

Fife, Patrick B. (2002) "The National Boxing Commission Act of 2001: It's Time for

Congress to Step into the Ring and Save the Sport of Boxing," Hofstra Law Review: Vol. 30: Iss. 4, Article 5. Available at: http://scholarlycommons.law.hofstra.edu/hlr/vol30/iss4/5

America Presents, Ltd. v. Hopkins, 330 F. Supp. 2d 1217 (D. Colo. 2004). United States

District Court, D. Colorado. 12 Aug. 2004. Justia US Law. U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado - 330 F. Supp. 2d 1217, 12 Aug. 2004. Web. 27 Oct. 2017. Available at: https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp2/330/1217/2314281/  

Straubhaar, Joseph, and Lucinda Davenport. "Chapter 9, Television" Media Now:

Understanding Media, Culture, and Technology. Ed. Robert LaRose. 10th ed. Boston: Cengage Learning, 2016. 214+. Print.

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Court." ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures, 18 Aug. 2015. Web. 27 Oct. 2017. Available at: http://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/13457769/floyd-mayweather-jr-manny-pacquiao-lawsuits-sent-california-court

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“Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier (3rd Meeting).” Edited by Box Rec, Box Rec, Box Rec,

24 Feb. 2016, Available at: boxrec.com/media/index.php/Muhammad_Ali_vs._Joe_Frazier_(3rd_meeting)

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Record.” ESPN, ESPN Internet Ventures, 2 Sept. 2017, Available at: www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/20535309/estimated-50-million-people-watched-floyd-mayweather-jr-vs-conor-mcgregor-fight.

Hibberd, James. “'Game of Thrones' Whacks 'The Sopranos' to Become HBO's Most

Popular Show Ever.” EW.com, Time Inc, 5 June 2014,

Davies, Gareth A. “Exclusive: Floyd Mayweather to Earn Nearly £20m in Clothing

Sponsorship from Conor McGregor Fight.” The Telegraph, Telegraph Media Group, 16 Aug. 2017, Available at: www.telegraph.co.uk/boxing/2017/08/16/floyd-mayweather-earn-nearly-20m-clothing- sponsorship-conor/

Carp, Sam. “Corona Extra to Sponsor Mayweather-McGregor.” SportsPro, Sports Pros,

21 Aug. 2017, Available at: www.sportspromedia.com/news/corona-extra-to-sponsor-
mayweather-mcgregor.