Sports bars invest in HD to compete with home theater
By Richard Lawler 
posted Jun 3rd 2006 7:38PM
posted Jun 3rd 2006 7:38PM
Just like movie theaters, sports bars are feeling the crunch when it comes to home theaters encroaching on their territory. As much as fans might like the atmosphere, not many will come by to watch the game if the picture isn't as good as the one they've got at home. The ESPNZone chain is upgrading their locations with HDTVs everywhere, as well as many smaller establishments. The Chicago location wasn't done in time for the Super Bowl but expects to have their renovation completed next week. One bar owner quoted must have a few HD Beat readers as regulars as he noted that before HD some people would see their TVs, turn around and walk right back out. However, the occasional few-second delay in HD broadcasts can cause uncomfortable situations if some TVs are tuned to SD. It's good to see that establishments are aware of what they need to do to stay competitive, since sports is one of the top high-def draws.
It is interesting in how this will be interpreted by the sports industry at large. RIAA blames poor sales 100% on P2P and not the economy, cheesy music, etc. Then, the MPA blames DVD rentals and sales on declining 'moviegoers', and completely ignored the fact that a better presentation could be had at home for cheap.
Now watch the sports association blame HD Sports Bars be blamed for declining ticket sales to sporting events. Its not the $7 Coke, or the $12 beer, or the everything like the hassles getting tp/from sporting events, parking, ticket prices, etc., they'll just find their patsy in the HD sports bars.
A new sportsbar that just opened around the corner from me is rumored to have spent 500k on HDTVs. Judging from the $19 steak tip plates and the $6 beers, I'm inclined to believe it.
$500K in HDTVs? Exactly how many of of what type displays do they have? I would think the average drunk-sportster would have a difficult time telling good HD from bad HD.
I guess if they bought 100 $5K displays ... but even I can go get 200 50" plasmas from Costco.