- Joined
- Nov 12, 2014
- Messages
- 973
- Reaction Score
- 2,538
I probably listen to too much WEEI, so it is still fresh for me.
ESPN3 has no plans to stream SNY broadcasted Games this year!
- Thread starter CocoHusky
- Start date
- Status
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2014
- Messages
- 4,529
- Reaction Score
- 32,626
ESPN is on the verge of mass layoffs.
An ESPN representative declined to comment on Tuesday evening. Earlier in the day Bloomberg News reported that up to 350 employees, or 4.3% of its 8,000 positions, will be affected.
The layoffs are seen as both a reaction to, and preparation for, wrenching changes in the cable television business. Cable channels like ESPN, which depend on subscriber fees, have been pinched by the small but growing number of viewers unsubscribing.
Back in August ESPN's parent company, Disney, reduced its profit growth expectations for the network, citing marketplace challenges.
Layoff rumors started not long after. The Big Lead, a sports news site, said in September that Disney had told ESPN to "trim $100 million from the 2016 budget and $250 million in 2017."
[MORE]
Whatever is left of WatchESPN, let's hope the entire boat doesn't sink. Damn that Mickey Mouse!
An ESPN representative declined to comment on Tuesday evening. Earlier in the day Bloomberg News reported that up to 350 employees, or 4.3% of its 8,000 positions, will be affected.
The layoffs are seen as both a reaction to, and preparation for, wrenching changes in the cable television business. Cable channels like ESPN, which depend on subscriber fees, have been pinched by the small but growing number of viewers unsubscribing.
Back in August ESPN's parent company, Disney, reduced its profit growth expectations for the network, citing marketplace challenges.
Layoff rumors started not long after. The Big Lead, a sports news site, said in September that Disney had told ESPN to "trim $100 million from the 2016 budget and $250 million in 2017."
[MORE]
Whatever is left of WatchESPN, let's hope the entire boat doesn't sink. Damn that Mickey Mouse!
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2014
- Messages
- 4,529
- Reaction Score
- 32,626
ESPN Announces Layoffs, 200 In Bristol
The cut is the second in three years for the sports network, which has lost a few million subscribers in the last four years from a cable TV base that was approaching 100 million customers. The layoffs cut across pay levels and departments with no major area targeted for closure.
The network has 4,200 employees in Bristol and about 8,000 worldwide. All employees laid off will have the option to remain with ESPN for at least 60 days...
The layoff will leave ESPN in compliance with a state economic development deal under which it received $10 million in state tax credits, spokesman Mike Soltys said. ESPN had to spend at least $175 million on Digital Center 2, the home of its SportsCenter broadcasts, and add at least 200 jobs for a total of about 4,000 — numbers the network said it exceeded by the time the building opened in 2014.
"Even after this action we will be above our state commitment and we expect that to continue," Soltys said Wednesday.
[MORE]
The cut is the second in three years for the sports network, which has lost a few million subscribers in the last four years from a cable TV base that was approaching 100 million customers. The layoffs cut across pay levels and departments with no major area targeted for closure.
The network has 4,200 employees in Bristol and about 8,000 worldwide. All employees laid off will have the option to remain with ESPN for at least 60 days...
The layoff will leave ESPN in compliance with a state economic development deal under which it received $10 million in state tax credits, spokesman Mike Soltys said. ESPN had to spend at least $175 million on Digital Center 2, the home of its SportsCenter broadcasts, and add at least 200 jobs for a total of about 4,000 — numbers the network said it exceeded by the time the building opened in 2014.
"Even after this action we will be above our state commitment and we expect that to continue," Soltys said Wednesday.
[MORE]
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2014
- Messages
- 9,877
- Reaction Score
- 29,420
This is just the beginning unless ESPN figures out a new revenue model to fully replace their old/current one (charge every cable company in the Western hemisphere $6/month and the subscriber has no opt-out). Great work if you can get it, but that's about to be over with the coming unbundling of cable channels.
Likely result when it all shakes out is those who want ESPN will pay more (the full cost of production), and those who don't want it will pay nothing. That's probably how it should be. How much more we are willing to pay will determine how much coverage we will get and how glamorous the announcers are (They've already decided they can't afford Keith Olberman, Bill Simmons, Colin Cowherd, etc. Will they really be able to afford John Gruden at $5.5 million and Stephen A. Smith at $2.2 million?)
Q: Will ESPN still be able to subsidize the WNBA and WCBB? (i.e. Should Sue consider coaching?)
Likely result when it all shakes out is those who want ESPN will pay more (the full cost of production), and those who don't want it will pay nothing. That's probably how it should be. How much more we are willing to pay will determine how much coverage we will get and how glamorous the announcers are (They've already decided they can't afford Keith Olberman, Bill Simmons, Colin Cowherd, etc. Will they really be able to afford John Gruden at $5.5 million and Stephen A. Smith at $2.2 million?)
Q: Will ESPN still be able to subsidize the WNBA and WCBB? (i.e. Should Sue consider coaching?)
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2013
- Messages
- 391
- Reaction Score
- 1,411
Thanks for the valuable information. For the last few years I've been ordering the sports package on Directv to get the UConn games on SNY. I didn't realize I could also see the games on ESPN3. Being here in Berkeley I feel I'm the only in the area who cares about UConn. It's nice to know that there are fanatical fans all over the country who live and die with the team.
- Status