Basketball TV visibility will go down in Big East

[freescooter]

No matter if you like or dislike the move to the Big East, one thing is true: ESPN is the king of college basketball. With the Big East media rights outside off the ESPN universe, we should expect to see less coverage of UConn basketball on ESPN. Plus, FOX coverage of college basketball has not attracted a large number of viewers. I looked up the average college basketball viewers by network and it is not good for FOX:

From 2015/2016:

CBS 1.471 million
ESPN 1.232 million
FOX 639,000
ESPN2 362,000
ESPNU 118,000
FS1 109,000
NBCSN 56,000

So being on FS1 is like being on ESPNU. The Big East men's championship game over the past 3 years has averaged 1.24 million viewers which is what ESPN averaged per game over the WHOLE season.

Look at Villanova. Last year after December 15th, Villanova did not play a game on the ESPN networks, UConn men's basketball played 12 games, and UConn women played 8 times excluding the NCAA tournament. How many Big East game highlights were covered by Sports Center?

One last question: Outside of Gus Johnson and Bill Raftery can anyone name another FOX college basketball personality?

There is no question that this decision was driven by nostalgia. Not by fact or reviewing potential. The loudest voices in the room pine for the good old days and have turned MSG into a fetish. They conveniently forget that Syracuse Pitt Notre Dame .west Virginia, in other words the top programs, are gone to be replaced by nobodies. But hey, MSG. Way less money too. But MSG. What are we doing to prepare for Y2K?

 

[whaler11]

You people really don't have smart tvs? A fire stick or Roku? Streaming games is no different than watching on a channel.

sure it is.

1. lag
2. inability to change stations

 

[browndog319]

There is no question that this decision was driven by nostalgia. Not by fact or reviewing potential. The loudest voices in the room pine for the good old days and have turned MSG into a fetish. They conveniently forget that Syracuse Pitt Notre Dame .west Virginia, in other words the top programs, are gone to be replaced by nobodies. But hey, MSG. Way less money too. But MSG. What are we doing to prepare for Y2K?

So you think the NBE didn’t look at any numbers and our administration just said “eh, so we lose millions but think of the memories!”
They looked at expenses for travel and all of the production for the digital assets. They have to know what the value is for the renegotiated contracts and the potential for them.
They looked at what they could get if they made the move. Somehow the numbers work.

 

[BuffaloHusky]

I have no information but I’m speculating that Fox Sports is also engaging in conversations with a streaming service simultaneously. Unlike the other huge media companies, Fox does not have conflicts with Amazon, Apple & Netflix. Exclusive live sports would add value to any of those platforms with the Big East, Pac 12 and Big 12 all parts of the equation. That would also benefit UConn football because they would have early time slots that the Western Conferences can’t provide.

 

[UConnJim]

I have no information but I’m speculating that Fox Sports is also engaging in conversations with a streaming service simultaneously. Unlike the other huge media companies, Fox does not have conflicts with Amazon, Apple & Netflix. Exclusive live sports would add value to any of those platforms with the Big East, Pac 12 and Big 12 all parts of the equation. That would also benefit UConn football because they would have early time slots that the Western Conferences can’t provide.

Fox does have a pay streaming service for Fox News called Fox Nation. They do have their version ESPN3 called Fox Sports GO for streaming sports.

All media companies will have streaming options in the future. Also, I believe all ESPN associated conferences will have content on ESPN+. Right after the AAC media contract was announced, the Big 12 media contract also included ESPN+ games and content. Why was the AAC first (major conference) and the B12 second with ESPN+ content? Timing of the contract expiration.

This is from the Big 12 contract: "In addition, eight of the 10 schools in the league will ship hundreds of games across multiple sports to ESPN+ beginning this year, including one regular-season football game, as well as men's and women's basketball, baseball, softball, soccer and volleyball games."

Big 12 expands content agreement with ESPN

It's OK if people oppose the AAC media contract due to its value, but anyone who opposes the deal due to ESPN+ is living in the past.

 

[noeynox]

sure it is.

1. lag
2. inability to change stations

Lag is overrated. Most people have over 100mbps internet these days. I was having issues with lag it was my router (old apple airport) was simply too old. No issues since i replaced it. Changing stations is an issue, but who switches off their uconn games.

I stream a lot of though so im used to the "issues".

 

[CL82]

There is no question that this decision was driven by nostalgia. Not by fact or reviewing potential. The loudest voices in the room pine for the good old days and have turned MSG into a fetish. They conveniently forget that Syracuse Pitt Notre Dame .west Virginia, in other words the top programs, are gone to be replaced by nobodies. But hey, MSG. Way less money too. But MSG. What are we doing to prepare for Y2K?

Somewhat, but I think it was mostly driven but the Americans consistent disregard of UConn best interests, The loss of the SNY exposure hurts our presence in the NE, NYC metro area. That was a death sentence for us.

 

[browndog319]

Fox does have a pay streaming service for Fox News called Fox Nation. They do have their version ESPN3 called Fox Sports GO for streaming sports.

All media companies will have streaming options in the future. Also, I believe all ESPN associated conferences will have content on ESPN+. Right after the AAC media contract was announced, the Big 12 media contract also included ESPN+ games and content. Why was the AAC first (major conference) and the B12 second with ESPN+ content? Timing of the contract expiration.

This is from the Big 12 contract: "In addition, eight of the 10 schools in the league will ship hundreds of games across multiple sports to ESPN+ beginning this year, including one regular-season football game, as well as men's and women's basketball, baseball, softball, soccer and volleyball games."

Big 12 expands content agreement with ESPN

It's OK if people oppose the AAC media contract due to its value, but anyone who opposes the deal due to ESPN+ is living in the past.

But you can’t access it if you have certain Sling packages unless you buy another pay TV package. You can’t just buy ESPN streaming. They don’t sell it that way.
So if you want NFL games and have Sling Blue for Fox, you’re screwed because you can’t get ESPN. So do you also pay for DirectTV? Which is kind of stupid and against the point of cutting the cord...
I knew I had an issue with streaming on my TV... I just couldn’t remember what it was until I looked into it. So I had to watch on the ESPN website which sucked.

 

[whaler11]

Lag is overrated. Most people have over 100mbps internet these days. I was having issues with lag it was my router (old apple airport) was simply too old. No issues since i replaced it. Changing stations is an issue, but who switches off their uconn games.

I stream a lot of though so im used to the "issues".

Plenty of lag from the provider end. I use + for a specific team and there are mornings where I am 2-3 min behind.

Also close game late it bogs down as people jump on.

 

[superjohn]

There is no question that this decision was driven by nostalgia. Not by fact or reviewing potential. The loudest voices in the room pine for the good old days and have turned MSG into a fetish. They conveniently forget that Syracuse Pitt Notre Dame .west Virginia, in other words the top programs, are gone to be replaced by nobodies. But hey, MSG. Way less money too. But MSG. What are we doing to prepare for Y2K?

Those top programs you named have a combined 1 less national championship than Tyler Olander.

 

[Chief00]

Linear TV viewing is undergoing a slow death. That is why Disney, HBO, ESPN, and others are coming out with over the top options and why Netflix, YouTube TV, and HULU are thriving. It is easy to watch them with a cable box today. I don’t watch Netflix on a computer, but on my TV. Games on ESPN3? I watch it on our TVs. ESPN+ will be the same. Streaming is the future and linear TV is the past.

If UConn decided to move to the Big East to allow women’s basketball games to be shown on a bundled linear cable sportsnet (SNY) which are in decline, they are really dumb.

By the way, the AAC was going to have more men’s basketball and football games on the linear ESPN networks with the new contract, not less.

It may be a slow generational death but it’s decades away.

 

[Chief00]

No matter if you like or dislike the move to the Big East, one thing is true: ESPN is the king of college basketball. With the Big East media rights outside off the ESPN universe, we should expect to see less coverage of UConn basketball on ESPN. Plus, FOX coverage of college basketball has not attracted a large number of viewers. I looked up the average college basketball viewers by network and it is not good for FOX:

From 2015/2016:

CBS 1.471 million
ESPN 1.232 million
FOX 639,000
ESPN2 362,000
ESPNU 118,000
FS1 109,000
NBCSN 56,000

So being on FS1 is like being on ESPNU. The Big East men's championship game over the past 3 years has averaged 1.24 million viewers which is what ESPN averaged per game over the WHOLE season.

Look at Villanova. Last year after December 15th, Villanova did not play a game on the ESPN networks, UConn men's basketball played 12 games, and UConn women played 8 times excluding the NCAA tournament. How many Big East game highlights were covered by Sports Center?

One last question: Outside of Gus Johnson and Bill Raftery can anyone name another FOX college basketball personality?

I business you need to look forward to what can be not rear view mirror. The is these numbers will change with the addition of UConn and that Fox understands they need to make this work on the football end - which they have great influence over.

 

[UCDaveD]

The problem is FS1 and FS2 have zero name recognition. I couldn't even tell you what channel they are.

You still need to know channel numbers? I press a button on my remote, say 'FS1', and it changes to that channel. Come live in the future, my friend.

 

[BuffaloHusky]

Another issue that can’t be underestimated is the switch from the Eastern power structure centered in Providence and the change to Texas. Colorado & Nebraska left the Big 12 when the values of the conference shifted from Midwestern to Texan. The power shift in the AAC may never be as dramatic as the Big 12 but it is still tangible and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Florida schools push back eventually as well.

 

[CL82]

You still need to know channel numbers? I press a button on my remote, say 'FS1', and it changes to that channel. Come live in the future, my friend.

I wish. FIOS has me with ancient equipment. Want to cut the cable but the wife hates change.

 

[browndog319]

I wish. FIOS has me with ancient equipment. Want to cut the cable but the wife hates change.

Fios is superior for internet. Comcast doesn’t suck for cable which is what I have for 1 TV.

 

[UConnJim]

It may be a slow generational death but it’s decades away.

It's not decades away.

First, cord cutting is not only growing, but it is probably accelerating. In Q3 2018, satellite and cable companies lost 1.1 million subs, which is a record sub loss. Since 2011, satellite and cable subs have declined from 105 million to about 90 million.

What could really accelerate the decline in subs is the economics of the MSOs and telco cable providers. As the cable bundle subs decline, the companies may decide that they will get out of the channel bundle business and focus on broadband which is still growing subscribers. (This would force consumers to streaming services.) This would expand their margins and it is less capital intensive. These moves would tank the number of cable subscribers. Cable One is already going down this path. My guess is you will see Fios head down this path soon. Comcast will hold out the longest as their cable sub losses are less severe than the industry.

Obviously, the satellite companies would be screwed, but they have been losing subs fastest and the challenge to their business model is well understood.

Craig Moffatt of MoffettNathanson has done really good analysis on the subject if you want in-depth analysis.

The sale of the Fox Regional Sports Networks by Disney to Sinclair was well below expectations as the value of sports cable nets is declining. This is a warning sign.

Why do you think all of the media companies are scrambling to develop their streaming services? Because they know the revenues from the traditional business model is in LT decline.

One prediction. The next Big East media contract WILL include streaming content which will make everyone's fear of ESPN+ look absurd.

 

[gwhuskyfan]

No matter if you like or dislike the move to the Big East, one thing is true: ESPN is the king of college basketball. With the Big East media rights outside off the ESPN universe, we should expect to see less coverage of UConn basketball on ESPN. Plus, FOX coverage of college basketball has not attracted a large number of viewers. I looked up the average college basketball viewers by network and it is not good for FOX:

From 2015/2016:

CBS 1.471 million
ESPN 1.232 million
FOX 639,000
ESPN2 362,000
ESPNU 118,000
FS1 109,000
NBCSN 56,000

So being on FS1 is like being on ESPNU. The Big East men's championship game over the past 3 years has averaged 1.24 million viewers which is what ESPN averaged per game over the WHOLE season.

Look at Villanova. Last year after December 15th, Villanova did not play a game on the ESPN networks, UConn men's basketball played 12 games, and UConn women played 8 times excluding the NCAA tournament. How many Big East game highlights were covered by Sports Center?

One last question: Outside of Gus Johnson and Bill Raftery can anyone name another FOX college basketball personality?

Donny Marshall

 

[HuskyHawk]

Somewhat, but I think it was mostly driven but the Americans consistent disregard of UConn best interests, The loss of the SNY exposure hurts our presence in the NE, NYC metro area. That was a death sentence for us.

I’d argue it’s driven by the need to (a) increase fan enthusiasm and (b) reduce costs. Most non Boneyard people are thrilled. The excitement is back. Ticket sales will be way up. The arenas will be louder. Meanwhile travel cost goes down. We also don’t know what revenue we can get from SNY for football or WBB on linear cable.

I was generally against this move over the last several years. But as you noted, the AAC TV deal made no effort to accommodate us. None. They probably gave away T3 rights we could sell for $1.5m a year for an extra $1m a year spread across the league. F* that! And I can’t deny the jump in excitement. It’s real. The casual fans just woke up from a long slumber. How screwed is football? I don’t know really. Time will tell.

 

[HuskyHawk]

It's not decades away.

First, cord cutting is not only growing, but it is probably accelerating. In Q3 2018, satellite and cable companies lost 1.1 million subs, which is a record sub loss. Since 2011, satellite and cable subs have declined from 105 million to about 90 million.

What could really accelerate the decline in subs is the economics of the MSOs and telco cable providers. As the cable bundle subs decline, the companies may decide that they will get out of the channel bundle business and focus on broadband which is still growing subscribers. (This would force consumers to streaming services.) This would expand their margins and it is less capital intensive. These moves would tank the number of cable subscribers. Cable One is already going down this path. My guess is you will see Fios head down this path soon. Comcast will hold out the longest as their cable sub losses are less severe than the industry.

Obviously, the satellite companies would be screwed, but they have been losing subs fastest and the challenge to their business model is well understood.

Craig Moffatt of MoffettNathanson has done really good analysis on the subject if you want in-depth analysis.

The sale of the Fox Regional Sports Networks by Disney to Sinclair was well below expectations as the value of sports cable nets is declining. This is a warning sign.

Why do you think all of the media companies are scrambling to develop their streaming services? Because they know the revenues from the traditional business model is in LT decline.

One prediction. The next Big East media contract WILL include streaming content which will make everyone's fear of ESPN+ look absurd.

It already does include it. They stream all the soccer and baseball games.

You’re not wrong really, it’s a question of whether prime content, like men’s hoops (or our women) is available only on a streaming platform and not simultaneously linear and streamed. That was the issue with ESPN+. In our case for example, we need any conference to sell the T3 streaming rights, while retaining linear for the school. That allows our SNY deal. Sports bars aren’t streaming stuff yet. They should but many are way behind the curve.

 

[UofCT]

The problem is FS1 and FS2 have zero name recognition. I couldn't even tell you what channel they are.

What channel is ESPN news and ESPN +?

 

[tcf15]

Like visibility wasn't an issue in the AAC.

For an 18-game AAC regular season schedule, UConn went from...

2014: 14 games on ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU and 4 on CBSSN

to

2019: 7 games on ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU and 11 on CBSSN + ESPNews

 

[tzznandrew]

I was generally against this move over the last several years. But as you noted, the AAC TV deal made no effort to accommodate us. None. They probably gave away T3 rights we could sell for $1.5m a year for an extra $1m a year spread across the league. F* that! And I can’t deny the jump in excitement. It’s real. The casual fans just woke up from a long slumber. How screwed is football? I don’t know really. Time will tell.

It really was the contract that was the breaking point on so many levels

 

[CL82]

What channel is ESPN news and ESPN +?

When you have to compare the best broadcast option on fox to the worst option on ESPN, maybe your point isn't quite as good as you thought?

 

[whaler11]

You still need to know channel numbers? I press a button on my remote, say 'FS1', and it changes to that channel. Come live in the future, my friend.

mine has a pop up when a uconn game starts and i hit on ok to go to it. even hockey.

 

[CL82]

mine has a pop up when a uconn game starts and i hit on ok to go to it. even hockey.

What TV provider?

 

[UofCT]

When you have to compare the best broadcast option on fox to the worst option on ESPN, maybe your point isn't quite as good as you thought?

I know what channel fox and espn are on

 

[Storrs South]

Like visibility wasn't an issue in the AAC.

For an 18-game AAC regular season schedule, UConn went from...

2014: 14 games on ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU and 4 on CBSSN

to

2019: 7 games on ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU and 11 on CBSSN + ESPNews

I agree with your point, but this was likely more a function of quality of program performance in recent years than anything (thanks KO).

Cincinnati, for example, had only 5 conference games on CBSSN this season. Everything else on ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU/ESPNews/CBS. It's a moot point since this is under the old contract.

I hate the idea of even one game ending up on ESPN+ at least in the current landscape. Linear cable still attracts the most eyeballs. Period.

 

[browndog319]

And if you’re not home at the time it airs, at least you can DVR the game. That’s the beauty of linear cable.

 

[Storrs South]

And if you’re not home at the time it airs, at least you can DVR the game. That’s the beauty of linear cable.

Every game on the ESPN family of networks and Fox family has replays posted online. Even the SNY games are simulcast through ESPN3 and those replays are available online as well. Same would go for ESPN+, but thankfully don't need to worry about that anyway.