Conference realignment

[LVsinceJV]

 

[Higbee]

Hate to see the damage across other PAC-10 sports. This suck starts a Harley…

What is " this suck starts a harley "

 

[volnationnj]

What is " this suck starts a harley "

Don't think it applies here.
It's usually a term of admiration describing a female's ability to perform a particular physical act with intensity.

 

[madtownvol]

Huge television contracts are driving this consolidation and creating these insane East to West coast travel demands. And this revenue model may not be sustainable as demonstrated by the big blow up between Charter and Disney, over ESPN carriage fees.

It seems that watching sports is going to get really expensive in the next few years as each super conference is going to monetize by exclusively streaming their games. The NFL, MLB, and the NBA are already taking steps in this direction.

All those preaching "cut the cord cause streaming is cheaper" will soon realize that cable (soon to be a relic of the past) was actually a better value than this al a carte model for those who have somewhat diverse media interests. Sure you can stream ESPN on youtube TV for $80 a month, and even factoring in your wifi costs, that specific cost is lower than your total cable bill.

But, is ESPN the only content you will want to stream? Add in a few more sports streams and a movie channel like Max or Showtime, Disney+, a news channel, and other odds and ends streaming services and pretty soon the cumulative costs will be higher and the offerings still more limited than your cable line-up and costs.

 

[volnationnj]

Huge television contracts are driving this consolidation and creating these insane East to West coast travel demands. And this revenue model may not be sustainable as demonstrated by the big blow up between Charter and Disney, over ESPN carriage fees.

It seems that watching sports is going to get really expensive in the next few years as each super conference is going to monetize by exclusively streaming their games. The NFL and the NBA are also taking steps in this direction.

All those preaching "cut the cord casue streaming is cheaper" will soon realize that cable (soon to be a relic of the past) was actually a better value than this al a carte model for those who have somewhat diverse media interests. Sure you can stream ESPN on youtube TV for $80 a month, and even factoring in your wifi costs, that specific cost is lower than your total cable bill.

But, ESPN the only thing you will want to stream. Add in a few more sports streams and a movie channel like Max or Showtime, Disney+, a news channel, and other odds and ends streaming services and pretty soon the cumulative costs will be higher and the offerings still more limited than your old cable bill.

What you say is true,
if you watch sports, you will be up the creek without a paddle.
I was talking to a friend of mine in NYC who was complaining about watching the Yankees on the YES network. It costs $20 a month (for one channel and a sub .500 team) and that doesn't even give him all their games. They're split up among Amazon Prime, Apple and a couple of other stations. Team owners will sell the rights to their broadcasts to the highest bidders, regardless of the long term effect it will have on their fans.
If you're not interested in sports or first run movies, I suggest a free portal like Pluto. Almost every old TV series along with older movies and lots of other programs, and it's free. All you need is a wifi connection and Roku or a Fire stick.

 

[glv98]

Huge television contracts are driving this consolidation and creating these insane East to West coast travel demands. And this revenue model may not be sustainable as demonstrated by the big blow up between Charter and Disney, over ESPN carriage fees.

It seems that watching sports is going to get really expensive in the next few years as each super conference is going to monetize by exclusively streaming their games. The NFL and the NBA are also taking steps in this direction.

All those preaching "cut the cord casue streaming is cheaper" will soon realize that cable (soon to be a relic of the past) was actually a better value than this al a carte model for those who have somewhat diverse media interests. Sure you can stream ESPN on youtube TV for $80 a month, and even factoring in your wifi costs, that specific cost is lower than your total cable bill.

But, ESPN the only thing you will want to stream. Add in a few more sports streams and a movie channel like Max or Showtime, Disney+, a news channel, and other odds and ends streaming services and pretty soon the cumulative costs will be higher and the offerings still more limited than your old cable bill.

For six yrs I've had DTVstream with add ons Netflix, Max, and I get Amazon Prime as a prime customer. I add on other stuff like Hulu, Apple, if something comes on I want to watch, then I drop it. All the ESPNs come with my stream as does the ESPN ap. The cost of all that is just now equaling what I was paying for cable six years ago. Maybe I was doing something wrong back than LOL. But streaming has saved me a ton.

I'd save even more except I like to keep a live service for live news, local channels, and live sports on the networks. My kids can't imagine cable nor any need for live tv, so they just stream various aps and get off way way cheaper than I did w old school contract cable. Maybe they're doing something right.

 

[glv98]

https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/college/article/acc-women-s-basketball-schedule-look-stanford-18337368.php

Poor Tara. Absolutely heartbreaking for her. But she's trying to be a good soldier bc what the hell choice does she have? Retirement would be one but she doesn't seem close to that yet.

They're obviously trying to figure out something to make it make sense for the nonsensical travel schedule involved with cross country conference basketball. The article above doesn't mention it, but yesterday there was talk about Dallas as a neutral, halfway site for the west coast teams' "home" conference games. FU season ticket holders!

What a stinking mess, esp bc the athletes and fans are who will suffer. The west coast schools will eventually make bank, but SMU has to wait 9 yrs to get a penny and Stanford and Cal only get half shares for several years.

 

[madtownvol]

For six yrs I've had DTVstream with add ons Netflix, Max, and I get Amazon Prime as a prime customer. I add on other stuff like Hulu, Apple, if something comes on I want to watch, then I drop it. All the ESPNs come with my stream as does the ESPN ap. The cost of all that is just now equaling what I was paying for cable six years ago. Maybe I was doing something wrong back than LOL. But streaming has saved me a ton.

I'd save even more except I like to keep a live service for live news, local channels, and live sports on the networks. My kids can't imagine cable nor any need for live tv, so they just stream various aps and get off way way cheaper than I did w old school contract cable. Maybe they're doing something right.

That was then but I am referring to the brave new media world that is rapidly taking shape. Streaming services are likely to get more fragmented, as volnationnj pointed out about the NYY broadcasts, and expensive. Right now, ESPN is letting itself be bundled with other packages like Hulu or youtube TV. In 2024 or 2025, they are going to launch all their ESPN offerings as a free standing streaming service, with variable fees. The future is revealed below:

Hello, ESPN customer service here. How can I help you? Yes, our standard ESPN streaming bundle is only $120per month. It is a great value that puts the ENTIRE world of sports at your finger tips. You are going to be so glad that you cut the cord!!"

Oh, you want SEC NETWORK and ESPNU, along with ESPN 1&2. Okay that extended bundle will be $280 per month, giving you immediate access to all the great sports content you want. No Sportscenter, the NHL, and all our soccer programming will only shown on ESPN+. Yes, you have to buy the super-duper extended ESPN bundle to get ESPN+, which brings your total to a great bargain price of $430 a month. What a deal you are getting sir!

No, you cannot access MNF or any NHL playoff games with this package. Those options are pay-per-view only. So, you can expand your freedom of choice for a fee of $75 to $100 per PPV game (costs may vary depending on demand).

Yes, to get pay-per view you have to subscribe to our super-duper-you-are-not-worthy bundle, which a great bargain at $500 per month + each PPV fee. We're almost giving it way here. Hahaha!

Yes, that is correct you pay the pay-for-view fee on top of our value-oriented super-duper-you-are-not-worthy bundle price. Excuse me sir, you need to calm down. Our pricing is all very simple and market driven. MLB? Well that programming actually will be on a separate stream, ESPNBalls, that you can access if you have subscribe to the Disney-is-GOD bundle for only $750 per month and that is a great choice for any sports loving household.

The NBA? Yes we have that great content on ESPNCLANK, a dedicated channel that you can stream 24/7 if you buy the WE_OWN_YOU_YOU_PATHETIC LOSER bundle. And great news, which we are running a 3 month special on that option. $1500 per month for your first 3 months and the we resume the "standard" rate. What is the standard rate? Oh sir is not the joy you will have watching all this great sports content with your family a real bargain at any price? What is a 2nd mortgage when you get to watch College Football Gameday!! Yeah, that is what I am talking about.

But, I do need to inform you that I just had an an important update from my superior. College Football GAMEDAY!!! is no longer included in the WE_OWN_YOU_YOU_PATHETIC LOSER bundle. No its not on PPV either. How do you watch it? Well, it is a very easy and convenient process that will enhance your customer experience.

What is it?

Well, you first have to die and then bequeath all you assets to Disney. Then, oh happy day you can watch GameDay in Heaven !!, provided that your surviving family members purchase, the "Living in the Clouds bundle" which is a mere $2000 per month.

So, can I sign you up Sir??.... Sir?, Si?.....

 

[stllvf]

Mad town should be in BLUE sorry I forgot that costs extra.

I've been reading that paying actors and writers for "streaming movies an tv programs' is the unresolved issue re the strike. And one consequence could be the smaller production organizations going bankrupt.

I grew up playing board games, fairly good on chinese checkers, and monopoly.

 

[glv98]

That was then but I am referring to the brave new media world that is rapidly taking shape. Streaming services are likely to get more fragmented, as volnationnj pointed out about the NYY broadcasts, and expensive. Right now, ESPN is letting itself be bundled with other packages like Hulu or youtube TV. In 2024 or 2025, they are going to launch all their ESPN offerings as a free standing streaming service, with variable fees. The future is revealed below:

Hello, ESPN customer service here. How can I help you? Yes, our standard ESPN streaming bundle is only $120per month. It is a great value that puts the ENTIRE world of sports at your finger tips. You are going to be so glad that you cut the cord!!"

Oh, you want SEC NETWORK and ESPNU, along with ESPN 1&2. Okay that extended bundle will be $280 per month, giving you immediate access to all the great sports content you want. No Sportscenter, the NHL, and all our soccer programming will only shown on ESPN+. Yes, you have to buy the super-duper extended ESPN bundle to get ESPN+, which brings your total to a great bargain price of $430 a month. What a deal you are getting sir!

No, you cannot access MNF or any NHL playoff games with this package. Those options are pay-per-view only. So, you can expand your freedom of choice for a fee of $75 to $100 per PPV game (costs may vary depending on demand).

Yes, to get pay-per view you have to subscribe to our super-duper-you-are-not-worthy bundle, which a great bargain at $500 per month + each PPV fee. We're almost giving it way here. Hahaha!

Yes, that is correct you pay the pay-for-view fee on top of our value-oriented super-duper-you-are-not-worthy bundle price. Excuse me sir, you need to calm down. Our pricing is all very simple and market driven. MLB? Well that programming actually will be on a separate stream, ESPNBalls, that you can access if you have subscribe to the Disney-is-GOD bundle for only $750 per month and that is a great choice for any sports loving household.

The NBA? Yes we have that great content on ESPNCLANK, a dedicated channel that you can stream 24/7 if you buy the WE_OWN_YOU_YOU_PATHETIC LOSER bundle. And great news, which we are running a 3 month special on that option. $1500 per month for your first 3 months and the we resume the "standard" rate. What is the standard rate? Oh sir is not the joy you will have watching all this great sports content with your family a real bargain at any price? What is a 2nd mortgage when you get to watch College Football Gameday!! Yeah, that is what I am talking about.

But, I do need to inform you that I just had an an important update from my superior. College Football GAMEDAY!!! is no longer included in the WE_OWN_YOU_YOU_PATHETIC LOSER bundle. No its not on PPV either. How do you watch it? Well, it is a very easy and convenient process that will enhance your customer experience.

What is it?

Well, you first have to die and then bequeath all you assets to Disney. Then, oh happy day you can watch GameDay in Heaven !!, provided that your surviving family members purchase, the "Living in the Clouds bundle" which is a mere $2000 per month.

So, can I sign you up Sir??.... Sir?, Si?.....

Wow, I'm too old to look that far down the road in that much detail. You cable guys do youselves, I'm just glad af I haven't been paying all that extra all these 6 years. Especially if they're about to stick it to me up the wazoo now.

 

[madtownvol]

On a serious note, Clay Travis explains why streaming for sports is going to get way more expensive, why the cable bundle business is collapsing and why that is generally bad for sports and sports fans (hint-- with the bundle, the majority of people who are not watching sports programming are heavily subsidizing those who dot). A 10 minute clip that is definitely worth a watch:

 

[37620VOL]

Huge television contracts are driving this consolidation and creating these insane East to West coast travel demands. And this revenue model may not be sustainable as demonstrated by the big blow up between Charter and Disney, over ESPN carriage fees.

It seems that watching sports is going to get really expensive in the next few years as each super conference is going to monetize by exclusively streaming their games. The NFL, MLB, and the NBA are already taking steps in this direction.

All those preaching "cut the cord cause streaming is cheaper" will soon realize that cable (soon to be a relic of the past) was actually a better value than this al a carte model for those who have somewhat diverse media interests. Sure you can stream ESPN on youtube TV for $80 a month, and even factoring in your wifi costs, that specific cost is lower than your total cable bill.

But, is ESPN the only content you will want to stream? Add in a few more sports streams and a movie channel like Max or Showtime, Disney+, a news channel, and other odds and ends streaming services and pretty soon the cumulative costs will be higher and the offerings still more limited than your cable line-up and costs.

The problem is becoming that al a carte is now a bunch of bundles just like cable was. Let me pick 10 channels, and I'm good, but that's just not what streaming is, or really ever was.

At least streaming has made DVR functions an A+ experience, fast forward, rewind, etc have all made the TV experience magnitudes better than it was in the aughts.

 

[madtownvol]

The problem is becoming that al a carte is now a bunch of bundles just like cable was. Let me pick 10 channels, and I'm good, but that's just not what streaming is, or really ever was.

At least streaming has made DVR functions an A+ experience, fast forward, rewind, etc have all made the TV experience magnitudes better than it was in the aughts.

Exactly.

I am collateral damage of the Disney vs. Spectrum war and have been looking at options. Streaming is basically on-line cable.

Of course, you can buy some specific streams a la carte, independent of the Hulus or the world. Examples being Peacock, Max, Paramount Plus, Apple TV and Netflex but it seems that most sports major channels are locked into streaming bundles.

When ESPN goes to a direct-to-customer stream, which they are planning to do in the next 2 years, there might be more fragmentation in the streaming world

At some point, it seems like the same pressures that have imploded the cable bundle will also effect the Hulus, Fubos, and youtube TVs of the world.

However, if and when "let me play only for the 10 channels I watch" becomes the media norm, then the price of those a la carte channels will likely go up in some cases maybe a lot. Bundles are a kind of socialist system where non-watchers of say ESPN subsidize those who do watch sports programming.

 

[glv98]

if and when "let me play only for the 10 channels I watch" becomes the media norm, then the price of those a la carte channels will likely go up in some cases maybe a lot

I feel like that's been the media norm for a long time. It's what attracted me to streaming. Especially if you don't care about live news or sports, paying for half a dozen entertainment channels (which you can drop and add at will) is definitely the smart play. It's what every younger person I know does. My grandkids only have a vague notion of what cable tv was.

Streaming channels do go up gradually in price like everything does. If they're about to take a big cost leap, I hate it for us streamers, but still glad I got the discount over cable for so long.

 

[Remy]

Huge television contracts are driving this consolidation and creating these insane East to West coast travel demands. And this revenue model may not be sustainable as demonstrated by the big blow up between Charter and Disney, over ESPN carriage fees.

It seems that watching sports is going to get really expensive in the next few years as each super conference is going to monetize by exclusively streaming their games. The NFL, MLB, and the NBA are already taking steps in this direction.

All those preaching "cut the cord cause streaming is cheaper" will soon realize that cable (soon to be a relic of the past) was actually a better value than this al a carte model for those who have somewhat diverse media interests. Sure you can stream ESPN on youtube TV for $80 a month, and even factoring in your wifi costs, that specific cost is lower than your total cable bill.

But, is ESPN the only content you will want to stream? Add in a few more sports streams and a movie channel like Max or Showtime, Disney+, a news channel, and other odds and ends streaming services and pretty soon the cumulative costs will be higher and the offerings still more limited than your cable line-up and costs.

No just like long distance became a gimme with deregulated phone service many know as mobilephone or cell services, there will be many gimmes from the world of sports as we get more competition for eyeballs known as content. Lots of people now struggle with watching games while playing Xbox or checking out volnation simultaneously. The more competitors/choices and speeds we get over the air the lower the costs will be for consumers. The quicker the consumer can get away from being captured by a wired cable company the better the consumer will be regarding cost. And how are cable companies responding? By jacking up prices while they can which is what the wireline phone companies did until their competitors bought them. Although this time cable has no assets anybody wants the wireline companies at least had circuit connectivity to the world that was worth something. Today, what's to keep a guy watching the Bama Texas game on his tv from transmitting it to his best friend on Facetime? it's sketchy now but not to long from now either one will throw it from Facetime to his tv. C'mon Starlink, cmon IPV7, cmon 6G goodbye Comcast into the dustbin of history you go!!

 

[madtownvol]

No just like long distance became a gimme with deregulated phone service many know as mobilephone or cell services, there will be many gimmes from the world of sports as we get more competition for eyeballs known as content. Lots of people now struggle with watching games while playing Xbox or checking out volnation simultaneously. The more competitors/choices and speeds we get over the air the lower the costs will be for consumers. The quicker the consumer can get away from being captured by a wired cable company the better the consumer will be regarding cost. And how are cable companies responding? By jacking up prices while they can which is what the wireline phone companies did until their competitors bought them. Although this time cable has no assets anybody wants the wireline companies at least had circuit connectivity to the world that was worth something. Today, what's to keep a guy watching the Bama Texas game on his tv from transmitting it to his best friend on Facetime? it's sketchy now but not to long from now either one will throw it from Facetime to his tv. C'mon Starlink, cmon IPV7, cmon 6G goodbye Comcast into the dustbin of history you go!!

A couple of things. Pirating and illegal streams are with us now. IF I really want to watch a game that is behind a ESPN+ or Paramount + paywall, I can easily find a free stream (the quality might be subpar with a lot of buffering but it can be done). It is very easy with airplay or screen sharing smart TV functions to project your phone content to your television screen so, yes, you could easily share, via Facetime and other means, a stream with a non-subscriber.

However, long distance phone service is commodity not unlike internet or cable service. It is a means to get content. What is the real value-added in that equation?--the content. And that is where the real pricing battles will occur.