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Message: [QUOTE="Jae-VT, post: 2682253, member: 7267"] If I may, a different view on the ACC Network: [URL]https://www.bizjournals.com/newyork/news/2017/10/11/takeaways-from-the-surprise-altice-espn-deal.html[/URL] From the article: ■Who won? ESPN is the clear winner, at least based on initial reports. It averted a standoff and added SEC Network and ACC Network on a cable system that covers the New York area market. ESPN secured a rate increase for its channels and got Altice to increase its minimum household penetration threshold, sources said. But sources cautioned me from declaring ESPN as the unquestioned winner based on one open question: We still do not know specifics about where that minimum penetration threshold is and how much flexibility Altice has to launch and market lower-cost tiers that do not include ESPN. ESPN deals typically mandate that it must be on a cable operator’s most widely distributed tier. As “cord shavers” continue to migrate to skinny bundles, those most widely distributed tiers become smaller. The key to the Altice deal is finding out how ESPN addressed that situation. “The rate increase is just window dressing in comparison,” one veteran media executive said. ■What was the biggest surprise? I am blown away by the fact that ESPN was able to get carriage for both ACC Network and SEC Network on cable systems that span Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York — areas that never will be confused for Tobacco Road or Tuscaloosa. ACC brass, in particular, have to be overjoyed, as this one deal makes its planned 2019 launch as close to a sure thing as you can get. IMHO: Who knows what will happen in 2019 and beyond. Perhaps the OP article will be correct and the ACCN will fall flat and be a failure, or perhaps, it will allow the ACC to keep pace with the other conferences. Regardless with the outcome, I do hope to see UConn regain its rightful place in one of the power conferences. Good day to you all. [/QUOTE]

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