What effect does having a large range of televised sports have on participation?

What effect does having a large range of televised sports have on participation?

• A. It reduces participation in minority sports.
• B. It has no effect on minority sports.
• C. It increases participation in minority sports.
• D. It makes minority sports disappear.

Answer: (C)

Exposure to a wider variety of televised sports increases participation in minority sports because it makes more sports visible and interesting to viewers. When people see different activities on TV, they learn that these sports exist, understand how they are played, and can imagine themselves taking part. This visibility also provides role models and ideas for what equipment, coaching, or clubs are needed, which lowers barriers to trying something new. As a result, curiosity and motivation grow, leading more people, including youngsters, to sign up for clubs or try sessions in those lesser-known sports. The other possibilities don’t fit as well because simply having more broadcasts doesn’t naturally decrease participation, have no effect, or cause minority sports to disappear. Increased visibility tends to foster interest and actual involvement rather than reduce it or erase it.

Exposure to a wider variety of televised sports increases participation in minority sports because it makes more sports visible and interesting to viewers. When people see different activities on TV, they learn that these sports exist, understand how they are played, and can imagine themselves taking part. This visibility also provides role models and ideas for what equipment, coaching, or clubs are needed, which lowers barriers to trying something new. As a result, curiosity and motivation grow, leading more people, including youngsters, to sign up for clubs or try sessions in those lesser-known sports.

The other possibilities don’t fit as well because simply having more broadcasts doesn’t naturally decrease participation, have no effect, or cause minority sports to disappear. Increased visibility tends to foster interest and actual involvement rather than reduce it or erase it.