Bowling for ratings: Fox-PBA partnership proves a success so far

Whether it is graphics showing changes in oil patterns on the lanes or more emotion being shown on strikes, the sport of bowling has caught up with the times when it comes to putting a captivating show on television.

Fox Sports and the Professional Bowlers Association have made the most of their partnership, which is in its fourth year. Going into this weekend’s U.S. Open, the fifth and final major of the season, ratings on Fox and FS1 continued to hold steady at a time when other sports have experienced huge drops due to the pandemic. The U.S. Open in Reno, Nevada, will have its finals air on FS1 today.

“We are bringing an upgraded viewing experience for every viewer at home. They’re able to understand this is not when you or I go to a birthday party and throw the ball right down the middle of the lane,” said PBA CEO Colie Edison.“They are able to be really engaged into the intricacies of the sport.”The PBA produces events, but a lot of the technological evolutions have been in partnership with Fox. There is a StrikeTrack, which shows the ball speed, location, revolutions per minute and other features. There are also graphics that track the change in oil patterns on the lane, while the scorebox updates with the maximum score each bowler could get, which makes it easier to understand the flow of matches.

Rob Stone, a staple of Fox’s college football, basketball and soccer coverage, is also the bowling announcer. Stone said the sport has become a refreshing outlet for him to do something different.“It’s a real pleasant watch. I kind of call it comfort food. When you turn this on, you just feel comfortable,” Stone said.