Mistaken assumptions about AAC and ESPN3

[upstater]

I imagine Aresco doesn't know the split as the network will depend on the quality of the teams. That is why there is a 13 day window all football season.

Well, CBS laid it out for him. ESPN has only committed to a high threshold for football (90%). We don't know which channels. There may be more specificity however.

The unfortunate thing is that NBC live sports only average 200,000 viewers, so it's pretty hard to complain about being stuck on ESPN when the alternative doesn't give you much exposure. This is why ESPN was able to "match" NBC's offer, because matching NBC wasn't very hard to do.

 

[whaler11]

Well, CBS laid it out for him. ESPN has only committed to a high threshold for football (90%). We don't know which channels. There may be more specificity however.

The unfortunate thing is that NBC live sports only average 200,000 viewers, so it's pretty hard to complain about being stuck on ESPN when the alternative doesn't give you much exposure. This is why ESPN was able to "match" NBC's offer, because matching NBC wasn't very hard to do.

CBS has a dozen basketball games. But everyone has the same issue on the 13 day football window. They will get the specifics like everyone else does when the time comes.

NBC Sports averages 200k in their dreams. They get ratings for the Olympics and a handful of NHL games. Other than that well below 6 figures in viewers.

Matching NBC was easy because they offered no money. Their offer was so financially pathetic you have to wonder why they bothered.

 

[UC990411]

So

I'm sure Aresco knows what the commitment is. We don't. He's also not going to sit there and say, 24 basketball games will be on ESPN, 12 on CBS, 32 on ESPN2, 41 on ESPN U, 16 subbed to Fox, etc.

wait, the SNY thing for men's hoops is going away? If our cupcake games aren't on SNY, what will they be on?

 

[upstater]

CBS has a dozen basketball games. But everyone has the same issue on the 13 day football window. They will get the specifics like everyone else does when the time comes.

NBC Sports averages 200k in their dreams. They get ratings for the Olympics and a handful of NHL games. Other than that well below 6 figures in viewers.

Matching NBC was easy because they offered no money. Their offer was so financially pathetic you have to wonder why they bothered.

I just read that 200k figure in an article by Doyle of the Courant. And that 200k average was portrayed as miniscule.

 

[whaler11]

I just read that 200k figure in an article by Doyle of the Courant. And that 200k average was portrayed as miniscule.

I'd love to see the selective endpoints they used to come up with 200k. Would have to be during NHL playoffs. They have a good amount of shows that get 15,000 viewers.

200k is pathetic. NBCS doesn't get anywhere near that in reality.

 

[upstater]

So
wait, the SNY thing for men's hoops is going away? If our cupcake games aren't on SNY, what will they be on?

Cupcake games will be on SNY. Only 60-65% of all AAC games will be on ESPN. Another 12 games will be on CBS. The rest will be on regional networks like SNY. I'm simply assuming that with that much inventory for ESPN to fill, and with that many crappy teams in the conference, that UConn's AAC games will be on ESPN, as will some of the national games against good OOC teams. The cupcakes will be on SNY again, I assume.

 

[upstater]

I'd love to see the selective endpoints they used to come up with 200k. Would have to be during NHL playoffs. They have a good amount of shows that get 15,000 viewers.

200k is pathetic. NBCS doesn't get anywhere near that in reality.

It was the average for live sports. Who knows, maybe they are averaging NHL viewership.

 

[whaler11]

It was the average for live sports. Who knows, maybe they are averaging NHL viewership.

http://www.awfulannouncing.com/2013/january/nbc-sports-network-ratings-are-a-disaster.html

NHL probably average 200k w finals. Their college sports ratings are laughably bad. The MWC basketball games got like 20k.

 

[Rumrunner]

How do we know that ESPN's definition of "national cable" does not include Watch ESPN? Watch ESPN after all has agreements with national cable companies, and specifically incorporates ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and of course ESPN3. Have technical changes overcome traditional nomenclature and that is the fig leaf that Aresco hides behind when he says 90% of AAC games will be on national cable? I guess we'll find out some day.

Also, regional networks and local syndication go away. The AAC gave that to ESPN. Of course with the crack connecticut press corps, including the courant's fb beat writer, all of this has been reported on with nauseating detail.

 

[upstater]

How do we know that ESPN's definition of "national cable" does not include Watch ESPN? Watch ESPN after all has agreements with national cable companies, and specifically incorporates ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and of course ESPN3. Have technical changes overcome traditional nomenclature and that is the fig leaf that Aresco hides behind when he says 90% of AAC games will be on national cable? I guess we'll find out some day.

Also, regional networks and local syndication go away. The AAC gave that to ESPN. Of course with the crack connecticut press corps, including the courant's fb beat writer, all of this has been reported on with nauseating detail.

1. ESPN3 and WatchESPN are not television
2. The reports of the contract listed ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU + subbed licenses to NBCSPorts and Fox.
3. Aresco differentiated between the ESPNs and ESPN3

 

[Rumrunner]

True, but watch espn is different than ESPN3. They can define the terms of the k any way they want, including language that says something like if available to x percentage of cable subs (via watch espn) that achieves "national cable".



When the deal was first announced there were reports of fb games on digital network, cf,
http://sportsmediajournal.com/2013/03/19/current-big-east-and-espn-reach-rights-deal/

FOOTBALL

Complete coverage: Every conference-controlled football game will be available via a television or digital platform.

Now I'm not saying watch espn definitely counts as national cable, but there has been no lock down proof that it doesn't. I don't believe there exists a quote out there from aresco, or a release from espn or the aac/big east that says "90% of conference controlled games will appear only on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, or ABC" without the qualifier "national cable".

Now aresco is a tv guy. As you stated, either he is being honest or is deceiving us, but in my opinion the deception could be more subtle than outright lying. More like snookered.

1. ESPN3 and WatchESPN are not television
2. The reports of the contract listed ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU + subbed licenses to NBCSPorts and Fox.
3. Aresco differentiated between the ESPNs and ESPN3

 

[whaler11]

True, but watch espn is different than ESPN3. They can define the terms of the k any way they want, including language that says something like if available to x percentage of cable subs (via watch espn) that achieves "national cable".



When the deal was first announced there were reports of fb games on digital network, cf,
http://sportsmediajournal.com/2013/03/19/current-big-east-and-espn-reach-rights-deal/

FOOTBALL

Complete coverage: Every conference-controlled football game will be available via a television or digital platform.

Now I'm not saying watch espn definitely counts as national cable, but there has been no lock down proof that it doesn't. I don't believe there exists a quote out there from aresco, or a release from espn or the aac/big east that says "90% of conference controlled games will appear only on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, or ABC" without the qualifier "national cable".

Now aresco is a tv guy. As you stated, either he is being honest or is deceiving us, but in my opinion the deception could be more subtle than outright lying. More like snookered.

If it turns out he is playing a semantic game and you are right he'll end up in trouble in the long run. Personally I think everyone needs to put ESPNU in their favorites, as that is where you'll find the vast majority of games.

If he had hard counts for ABC, ESPN and ESPN too I imagine he would share unless they are brutal. The Big East had at least a minimum on ABC for football.

 

[upstater]

True, but watch espn is different than ESPN3. They can define the terms of the k any way they want, including language that says something like if available to x percentage of cable subs (via watch espn) that achieves "national cable".

When the deal was first announced there were reports of fb games on digital network, cf,
http://sportsmediajournal.com/2013/03/19/current-big-east-and-espn-reach-rights-deal/

FOOTBALL

Complete coverage: Every conference-controlled football game will be available via a television or digital platform.

Now I'm not saying watch espn definitely counts as national cable, but there has been no lock down proof that it doesn't. I don't believe there exists a quote out there from aresco, or a release from espn or the aac/big east that says "90% of conference controlled games will appear only on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, or ABC" without the qualifier "national cable".

Now aresco is a tv guy. As you stated, either he is being honest or is deceiving us, but in my opinion the deception could be more subtle than outright lying. More like snookered.

When he says television, I'm assuming he means television, especially when he's distinguishing it from espn3. I can't see how watchESPN is television.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

As Whaler has said repeatedly, the majority of our conference games will be on ESPNU. Not that hard to follow.

I imagine UConn hoops will be featured prominently on the CBS deal for hoops and will probably still have our fair share of hoop vs. Cinci, Memphis, Temple and maybe the Florida schools on ESPN/2, but it sure seems like it's going to be SNY/ESPNU for football.

It sucks compared to what were used to but at least it's not NBC Sports or ESPN3.

 

[upstater]

As Whaler has said repeatedly, the majority of our conference games will be on ESPNU. Not that hard to follow.

So, you guys know this?

Let me ask you this: if the AAC is good enough for 12 Saturdays on CBS nationally, why isn't it good enough to be on ESPN2 say 66% of the time?

The ratings for ESPN (never mind 2) are similar to CBS ratings.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

So, you guys know this?

Let me ask you this: if the AAC is good enough for 12 Saturdays on CBS nationally, why isn't it good enough to be on ESPN2 say 66% of the time?

The ratings for ESPN (never mind 2) are similar to CBS ratings.

Because there's really only 12 basketball games worth watching to a national audience in this conference in a given year?

I think well be fine, but there's no way the CUSA filler games ever make it on the Big networks.

 

[upstater]

Because there's really only 12 basketball games worth watching to a national audience in this conference in a given year?

I think well be fine, but there's no way the CUSA filler games ever make it on the Big networks.

So, ESPN is giving CBS all of its good games?

Let's cut to the nitty gritty: UConn versus USF... what channel? UConn versus Cincy? UConn versus Temple? UConn versus Houston?

 

[ConnHuskBask]

So, ESPN is giving CBS all of its good games?

Let's cut to the nitty gritty: UConn versus USF... what channel? UConn versus Cincy? UConn versus Temple? UConn versus Houston?

Well, we played USF twice last season and it was on SNY and ESPNU.
UConn vs. Temple could be CBS/ESPN.
UConn vs. Houston is ESPNU/SNY.

I could be wrong, but I was under the impression the CBS games included out of conference games, like UConn vs. Florida type game this season.

UConn, Temple, Memphis and Cinci basketball will still be featured nationally, but Houston, SMU, ECU are not. Very simple.

 

[upstater]

Well, we played USF twice last season and it was on SNY and ESPNU.
UConn vs. Temple could be CBS/ESPN.
UConn vs. Houston is ESPNU/SNY.

I could be wrong, but I was under the impression the CBS games included out of conference games, like UConn vs. Florida type game this season.

UConn, Temple, Memphis and Cinci basketball will still be featured nationally, but Houston, SMU, ECU are not. Very simple.

CBS is 6 conference, 6 OOC.

Since the basketball contract starts this year, we'll get to see what it's going to be like right away.

UConn-USF was on ESPNU and SNY also because UConn had been on for so many other conference games during the year. Can't show UConn each week. This year, the UConn-USF game will be one of the more competitive games and may get onto 2.

 

[Husky25]

Just got a new laptop for work and it has a HDMI port. Bring on ESPN3. No more PlayOn for this sports fan!!!

 

[MilliniumPrince]

Really, about 3 big things:

1) he could have left rights for schools to sell so the UConn's, Memphis's, Cinci's could have maximized their value (e.g. Tier 3 rights, and especially women's basketball where we are getting hosed on this contract).
2) I want a hard commitment to channels for games, not wishy washy "national TV"
3) When he went and added schools I want to see a justification that the school added to the TV contract in a real, not conceptual, way (see Tulane).

That is all. Doesn't seem like too much to ask from a guy making a mill.

Again.... What leverage did he have in the inherited situation to accomplish an of he above? If he let the schools control their own rights... Why the hell would ESPN or NBC agree to that? I don't know the man, but dear God!! He was at a high stakes poker table with about $100 in chips. Why would any network agree to any of that... For a league who seemed to lose a program every month? Why should he had added instead of those who joined? Why would these better teams jump on board a sinking ship? The Aresco bashing leaves me stunned.

 

[specialisthusky]

Again.... What leverage did he have in the inherited situation to accomplish an of he above? If he let the schools control their own rights... Why the hell would ESPN or NBC agree to that? I don't know the man, but dear God!! He was at a high stakes poker table with about $100 in chips. Why would any network agree to any of that... For a league who seemed to lose a program every month? Why should he had added instead of those who joined? Why would these better teams jump on board a sinking ship? The Aresco bashing leaves me stunned.

The Aresco bashing is no different than an overpaid baseball player who strikes out a ton. Half the amount of people giving him a hard time wouldn't be if he personally was not making as much as UCONN.

 

[Waquoit]

That is good news. Let's try and keep this thread what it is, positive, cause God knows it would be pretty awesome to have one of them on these boards.

Didn't take you for a "Barney" type of guy, art.

 

[Waquoit]

The Aresco bashing is no different than an overpaid baseball player who strikes out a ton.

Yeah, but in baseball that type of guy hit the occaisional home run. Aresco just strikes out a lot.

 

[tcf15]

CBS is 6 conference, 6 OOC.

Since the basketball contract starts this year, we'll get to see what it's going to be like right away.

UConn-USF was on ESPNU and SNY also because UConn had been on for so many other conference games during the year. Can't show UConn each week. This year, the UConn-USF game will be one of the more competitive games and may get onto 2.

Don't mean to jump in the middle of this, but I have a question about the CBS coverage. Are the 12 games guaranteed to be on CBS, or will it be split between CBS and CBS Sports Network? I remember the preseason tournament UConn played in last year was broadcast on CBS Sports Network and it was pretty awful.

 

[upstater]

Don't mean to jump in the middle of this, but I have a question about the CBS coverage. Are the 12 games guaranteed to be on CBS, or will it be split between CBS and CBS Sports Network? I remember the preseason tournament UConn played in last year was broadcast on CBS Sports Network and it was pretty awful.

CBS not the Sports Network.

One of the reasons why the value of the ESPN deal was driven down so low is that CBS gets first choice of any 12 games it wants.

This is the deal the league used to have with CBS.

Now, the fact that these games are guaranteed national games on a big network is great. But, you have to wonder about CBS getting the best games for next to nothing.

If ESPN had guaranteed a certain number of games on ESPN, you could argue the conference was better off going with ESPN than CBS.

The ratings for national CBS and ESPN games are roughly similar.

 

[UPitt]

CBS not the Sports Network.

One of the reasons why the value of the ESPN deal was driven down so low is that CBS gets first choice of any 12 games it wants.

This is the deal the league used to have with CBS.

Now, the fact that these games are guaranteed national games on a big network is great. But, you have to wonder about CBS getting the best games for next to nothing.

If ESPN had guaranteed a certain number of games on ESPN, you could argue the conference was better off going with ESPN than CBS.

The ratings for national CBS and ESPN games are roughly similar.

Until fall of 2014, everything is just speculation. You are assuming that CBS will broadcast the games on CBS instead of CBS Sports. I believe the contract gives CBS the rights to any 12 games, but does not specify what network will broadcast the games. Being that CBS will pick the best 12 games fot TV, it is likely that most or all will be on CBS. But, my understanding is that CBS would have the right to sell these games to another network or broadcast them on a sister station such as CBS Sports. Secondly, the CBS games are not guaranteed to be broadcast nationally (on all TV sets), and will more likely than not be broadcast regionally. This is not new, as this currently exists for almost all games broadcast on over-the-air networks.

 

[UPitt]

But, you have to wonder about CBS getting the best games for next to nothing.

Have you seen the CBS contract? I have not, but I agree that it sounds as if the AAC was more interested in TV exposure than dollars. This combined with the 6 year contract may be a very good thing for Uconn and the conference. TV exposure is what will drive up the value of the conference for the next TV contract, and more importanly this exposure will help to keep Uconn in the national spotlight. With the contract only being 6 years, the conference does not need renegotiation "look-ins" to increase the value of the contract. After 6 years, the conference can go to the open market and should be worth more after 6 years of good TV exposure. I actually think the AAC conference leaders have done a better job looking out for the conference and its teams than the past leadership in the Big East.

 

[upstater]

Until fall of 2014, everything is just speculation. You are assuming that CBS will broadcast the games on CBS instead of CBS Sports. I believe the contract gives CBS the rights to any 12 games, but does not specify what network will broadcast the games. Being that CBS will pick the best 12 games fot TV, it is likely that most or all will be on CBS. But, my understanding is that CBS would have the right to sell these games to another network or broadcast them on a sister station such as CBS Sports. Secondly, the CBS games are not guaranteed to be broadcast nationally (on all TV sets), and will more likely than not be broadcast regionally. This is not new, as this currently exists for almost all games broadcast on over-the-air networks.

It specifies CBS and not CBS Sports.

It would totally insane to give your 12 best games to CBS Sports Network.

Lastly, CBS bball games are broadcast nationally. During the entire season last year, there was only one instance of games that were not national. Two games went head to head, that's it.

I don't know why in the world people are speculating all over the place when some of this is clear. Not everything. But CBS is clearly the network OTA channel. That channel does not show regional basketball games.

 

[upstater]

Have you seen the CBS contract? I have not, but I agree that it sounds as if the AAC was more interested in TV exposure than dollars. This combined with the 6 year contract may be a very good thing for Uconn and the conference. TV exposure is what will drive up the value of the conference for the next TV contract, and more importanly this exposure will help to keep Uconn in the national spotlight. With the contract only being 6 years, the conference does not need renegotiation "look-ins" to increase the value of the contract. After 6 years, the conference can go to the open market and should be worth more after 6 years of good TV exposure. I actually think the AAC conference leaders have done a better job looking out for the conference and its teams than the past leadership in the Big East.

First, they do have look-ins.

But secondly, the CBS contract is the same as the old BE contract. It's the same thing. Remember, ESPN essentially extended the old contract after it went to market. This is why the American was stuck with the matching provision. It was part of the old contract. So--what the American put out to bid was all of football and basketball (minus the best 12 games).\
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