The episode of the popular radio program explored the implications of the spread of coronavirus, including on broadcast media. Bogost spoke to how esports broadcasts could – or could not – fill the gap left by live sports, which have almost all been cancelled for the time being.

Excerpt: 

MICAH LOEWINGER: And even Ian Bogost thinks sports fans are ready for it.

IAN BOGOST: It's like the announcers job now to persuade the viewer that everything is normal, even when everyone knows that it's not. But that's kind of what the sports viewer wants. In a way. It's not just the game with a kind of first one is the ritual. I watch sports on the weekends or you know, I watch Monday Night Football, whatever it is, replacing that loss with something that resembles sports enough or where you're play-acting as if it is quote, unquote, real sport. That may actually tick the box.

Listen to or read the transcript of the program here.