A Big East Network is a bad idea. For one the start up costs are very high. Two, I simply don't think there is enough of a demand for one to generate subscriber fee dollars. A better idea would be to use a low perfroming channel by the carrier, as an outlet for excess games. G4 would be a good one, since it is being rebranded as a men's magazine channel.

(02-15-2013 11:49 AM)adcorbett Wrote:  

(02-14-2013 02:23 PM)UHCougar Wrote:  . . . why the hate on NBC? . . . the conventional thinking always has been NBC is the best option by far for the Big East because it will actually promote the Big East, which would be it's marquee (only really) conference partner . . .

I suppose that was the "conventional wisdom" but I never bought into it. I always thought NBC was the worst option, simply because of how they run their network, how they promote, and the lack of other options on the network to draw casual viewers. The original BE, back in 2010 prior to any defections and with TCU and potentially another coming on board, probably could have thrived on NBC, especially with cross promotion with Notre Dame games. But as defections hit, it made the BE which already had image problems, less able to be a true marquee league. At that point, the n.BE was always going to be better off on an established network where people are used to going there to watch games (ESPN and Fox), or some sort of basic cable network (TNT, TBS). I always thought NBC was too cheap to do it right, but I had hopes that if NBC was the carrier, that hopefully they would showcase games across their networks, not just NBC Sports, but USA, NBC network, and G4 whcih they've been trying to sell for years, converted to a BE Network.

One other issue with NBC: Basketball will die. Remember NBC Sports carries NHL Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and Saturday Nights. That means no Big Monday games (USA is out too as they are booked up from 8-11). That is a big deal for the Big East.

I agree, the BE will die off just like C-USA did. Remember when games like UofL-UC would be played during ESPN Rivalry week? I can also recall several UC games against lesser C-USA opponents that were aired nationally on ESPN. But since they left ESPN, I've never seen one aired (1 or 2 Memphis games notwithstanding). BE basketball will die on NBC.

(02-15-2013 11:50 AM)adcorbett Wrote:  

(02-14-2013 06:47 PM)ECMAN79 Wrote:  Something else I thought of.....games on the Comcast RSN's...like CSN Mid-Atlantic, CSN Philly, CSS, CSN Houston, maybe SNY, CSN New England......those regionals would give NBC another outlet to place games.

That's not something anyone wants. Third tier games for teams in that area, maybe. But if you put "national" games on those networks, a lot of their own fans won't see them.

I was just saying that NBC can use those RSN's as a secondary outlet to put games on....games they can't fit into NBC Sports Network and NBC. Instead of leaving the inventory on the shelve, or shuffling it off to other networks. Just toss a few on the RSN's if need be. I get most of those RSN's just fine on my Direct TV. As long as there are no blackouts, I can watch the games without a problem and I'm in North Carolina.

Especially since NBC doesn't have an "ESPN3 type of product". Unless NBC plans on streaming games on NBCsports.com They already stream Notre Dame games on NBCsports.com I think (there's a special streaming player or something for Notre Dame games)

I don't think anything is "left on the shelf." ESPN never even left anything on the shelf (note ESPN3 games make them a lot of money so that's not putting it on the shelf). Games not broadcast generally revert back to the conference to produce and distribute (tier 3). But you don't want them randomly assigned to RSN's unless you are reselling them there. I think that's what they are trying to do with the CBS Sports deal mentioned in another thread, resell the leftover inventory to CBS.

(02-15-2013 06:06 PM)adcorbett Wrote:  I don't think anything is "left on the shelf." ESPN never even left anything on the shelf (note ESPN3 games make them a lot of money so that's not putting it on the shelf). Games not broadcast generally revert back to the conference to produce and distribute (tier 3). But you don't want them randomly assigned to RSN's unless you are reselling them there. I think that's what they are trying to do with the CBS Sports deal mentioned in another thread, resell the leftover inventory to CBS.

I can tell you that ESPN-3 coverage is about the worst thing to happen to a league trying to win new fans. Only the hardcore fans are watching a whole football game on thier computer. Its invisible to the casual sports fan flipping through the cable channels looking for something to watch. Its better than nothing, but in this day of 52" flat screen HD TVs and surround sound stereo systems, I have no desire to watch a game on my desktop or lap top. I noticed that many of the games on ESPN-3 are exclusive--- ie. No other coverge outside of ESPN-3.

Not disagreeing with you about it being invisible to casual fans (although a simple $15 HDMI cable will fix all of those problems for you. I stream a lot of sports on my computer, and play it directly on my HD TV and surround sound, in full HD). Then again, let's be honest: most ESPN3 exclusive games are of little interest to channel flippers. I just meant they physically make a good chunk of change off ESPN 3, and must provide content for it to keep making the money. Thus when they put something there, it is not "leaving it on the shelf."

"left on the shelve" is phrasing I noticed some were using in their posts. I assume that's implying "not being aired at all".

is an ESPN3.com internet exclusive better than something that airs on 4 Comcast RSN's? not sure I would say "yes" to that.....

selling a secondary package to CBS sounds great and it's sorta what Aresco has been saying for a while....that there would be multiple partners with this thing