Conference realignment "Rumors" "tweets" "etc"

[MaltLiquorBull]

20 minutes ago, BullyPulpit said:

ESPN is adapting. Getting leaner and not wasting money on products that offer no obvious financial return (MLS - approx. $50 million per year and PAC- approx. $250 million per year). They are focusing their efforts on the leagues and conferences that will result in a financial return or offer a low cost to fill programming time and also provides them with a subscription base for ESPN+. That doesn't completely fill the gap for the loss of cable subscribers, but it does help. ESPN is about 2 years away from abandoning the cable model and going DTC with a project codenamed "The Flagship". I agree that at some point the licensing fees will have to come down, but there are certain golden geese that have been bucking that trend. ESPN realizes that the content is king, so expect them to start spending next to nothing on the talent side of things.  

I was just thinking that in the old days before ESPN (ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+), most college games weren't even on TV.  Now you can pretty much watch all of them on some network or streaming service.  They can't possibly all be profitable.  I wonder if we will go back to times where if you suck and have a small fanbase, you'll have attend the game or flip on the local radio station.

[puc86]

8 minutes ago, MaltLiquorBull said:

I was just thinking that in the old days before ESPN (ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+), most college games weren't even on TV.  Now you can pretty much watch all of them on some network or streaming service.  They can't possibly all be profitable.  I wonder if we will go back to times where if you suck and have a small fanbase, you'll have attend the game or flip on the local radio station.

Then we can be as popular in the area as minor league baseball

[BullyPulpit]

21 minutes ago, MaltLiquorBull said:

I was just thinking that in the old days before ESPN (ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+), most college games weren't even on TV.  Now you can pretty much watch all of them on some network or streaming service.  They can't possibly all be profitable.  I wonder if we will go back to times where if you suck and have a small fanbase, you'll have attend the game or flip on the local radio station.

I expect to see an increase in pricing and more a la carte offerings in the future. ESPN plans to begin the move away from the cable model by 2025. Once that happens, the fees will go up. Would you pay an extra $15 per month to see USF football games (including road games). I think the answer for everyone on this board is a resounding yes. 

[WoolyBully]

1 hour ago, Bull Matrix said:

USF will be fine in the long run

 

[Peatearpan]

21 minutes ago, puc86 said:

Then we can be as popular in the area as minor league baseball

Can’t be any worse than setting up VR service for USF games. Then we can get motion sickness in the comfort of our own homes

[Brad]

"USF will be fine"

 

You see that a lot across the socials, and I guess that might be indicative of a generation in some cases.

It'll be okay.

Just sit right here.

It'll be okay.  

WTF is going on?  Get under the bed!

 

 

[Peatearpan]

1 minute ago, Brad said:

"USF will be fine"

 

You see that a lot across the socials, and I guess that might be indicative of a generation in some cases.

It'll be okay.

Just sit right here.

It'll be okay.  

WTF is going on?  Get under the bed!

 

 

Which stage of grieving are we on now?

[Brad]

Grieving about what?

[WoolyBully]

6 minutes ago, BullyPulpit said:

Would you pay an extra $15 per month to see USF football games (including road games). I think the answer for everyone on this board is a resounding yes. 

Be careful about where you place those chips, amigo. There's a whole lot of entertainment options available, and consumers are getting wise to what they pay for (just like those gym memberships gathering dust). Would I pay $15/month for USF football? Sure. Would I commit to a one-year package at $15/month? Un uh. I don't value ESPN programming enough to even spring for $9.99/mo.

Just being honest, for the past few years, the decision has been "USF is on this channel, and SEC/ACC game is on that channel. Let's watch that channel." 

[Brad]