does that leave NBC to drive up our price in TV negotiations come 2016? They have no NCAA football except the IVY league on NBC-SN. They might be willing to pay a lot more than they normally would just due to lack of live sports content alone.

NBC served up the BE to ESPN at a bargain basement price. Don't forget NBC is owned by Comcast who carries ESPN programming. I believe now that NBC will still need programming for it's sports cable channel. If that helps CUSA, who knows, but it couldn't hurt.

C-USA deserves drastically better than CBS-College Sports. It's ridiculous. I would love to be able to randomly watch a Southern Miss / UTEP game in HD at home. To me, it's not about $$, it's about exposure/coverage. I think C-USA being on NBC would be awesome.

(02-22-2013 10:23 AM)MUsince96 Wrote:  does that leave NBC to drive up our price in TV negotiations come 2016? They have no NCAA football except the IVY league on NBC-SN. They might be willing to pay a lot more than they normally would just due to lack of live sports content alone.

No way does it hurt our position and we will probably get an increase, but the amount of that increase will depend largely on how we perform as a conference.

Funny how timing can be everything.

Also remember, FOX (who holds our tier 1 rights), will be rebranding the Speed Network as FOX Sports 1 in August.

(02-22-2013 10:42 AM)MUsince96 Wrote:  Also remember, FOX (who holds our tier 1 rights), will be rebranding the Speed Network as FOX Sports 1 in August.

I forgot about that. They are supposed to be building a network to rival only ESPN. This could get interesting.

(02-22-2013 10:42 AM)MUsince96 Wrote:  Also remember, FOX (who holds our tier 1 rights), will be rebranding the Speed Network as FOX Sports 1 in August.

And Headquartered in a CUSA member city.

(02-22-2013 10:32 AM)EagleRockCafe Wrote:  NBC served up the BE to ESPN at a bargain basement price. Don't forget NBC is owned by Comcast who carries ESPN programming. I believe now that NBC will still need programming for it's sports cable channel. If that helps CUSA, who knows, but it couldn't hurt.

There is actually an ongoing fight between ESPN and cable providers, including a handful of lawsuits. ESPN is trying to drive the price up to 20 dollars per customer from around 5. ESPN believes the customers will demand ESPN anyway even at a higher price, but almost all cable providers have already been forced to remove ESPN from basic cable. The rights fee increase is cutting into cable providers' profits. Comcast's cable service would like nothing more than to stick it to ESPN, but there is little evidence that NBC feels the same way. Having a controlling interest does not necessarily mean the parent company controls the network's interests...it just means they control their money. Don't be surprised if ESPN's negotiation tactics land it in Sherman Anti-trust territory some day.

(02-22-2013 10:45 AM)MUHERD76 Wrote:  

(02-22-2013 10:42 AM)MUsince96 Wrote:  Also remember, FOX (who holds our tier 1 rights), will be rebranding the Speed Network as FOX Sports 1 in August.

I forgot about that. They are supposed to be building a network to rival only ESPN. This could get interesting.

There is also a Fox Sports 2 in the works for the following year. Speed channel and Fuel channel will be rebranded.

C-USA can make more than it does now but the BE couldn't get a lot out of NBC Sports or ESPN so I don't think we are in for some sort of bonanza.

Probably the same or slightly more. It really depends on the improvements our teams make in the next 3 years.

(02-22-2013 10:47 AM)49RFootballNow Wrote:  

(02-22-2013 10:42 AM)MUsince96 Wrote:  Also remember, FOX (who holds our tier 1 rights), will be rebranding the Speed Network as FOX Sports 1 in August.

And Headquartered in a CUSA member city.

Do we have any kind of program at the university that would be good for pumping out graduates suited to work in the sports broadcasting industry?

With ESPNU, Fox Sports, Raycom, NASCAR media, and SPEED (I'm assuming they're not going away entirely?) HQ'd in the city, it seems like that'd be something the school would want to look into.

(02-22-2013 10:23 AM)MUsince96 Wrote:  does that leave NBC to drive up our price in TV negotiations come 2016? They have no NCAA football except the IVY league on NBC-SN. They might be willing to pay a lot more than they normally would just due to lack of live sports content alone.

They also have the CAA (ODU got 2 nationally televised football games through that deal last year) and at least last year some Mountain West games.

Basketball-wise they have the Ivy, CAA, Atlantic 10 and Mountain West.

(02-22-2013 12:21 PM)Niner National Wrote:  

(02-22-2013 10:47 AM)49RFootballNow Wrote:  

(02-22-2013 10:42 AM)MUsince96 Wrote:  Also remember, FOX (who holds our tier 1 rights), will be rebranding the Speed Network as FOX Sports 1 in August.

And Headquartered in a CUSA member city.

Do we have any kind of program at the university that would be good for pumping out graduates suited to work in the sports broadcasting industry?

With ESPNU, Fox Sports, Raycom, NASCAR media, and SPEED (I'm assuming they're not going away entirely?) HQ'd in the city, it seems like that'd be something the school would want to look into.

http://communication.uncc.edu/

http://catalog.uncc.edu/undergraduate-ca...tions/JOUR

http://journalismuncc.wordpress.com/2009...st-center/

http://journalismuncc.wordpress.com/2013...ouncement/

We apparently have the equipment to have a decent broadcast journalism department if the BoG (dominated by Chapel Hill grads) would ever allow us to have one. Since that would go against the principles of their UNC Tomorrow Initiative (and their financial interests) I wouldn't hold my breath.

I do know that we routinely let our grads intern within the AD to get experience, and with Fox Sports 1 less than a mile from campus we can offer them lots of willing interns. Its a good place to start.

If you had to deal today, you likely lose $$ not gain. The good thing for CUSA is you have 2 or 3 years to reestablish the brand. It is all about timing, if another round of expansion happens in 2 years, CUSA could have similar problems to what BE just had. The BE would have been fine if the Big would have held off 6 to 9 mos before adding Rut and Mary.

(02-22-2013 04:56 PM)goodknightfl Wrote:  If you had to deal today, you likely lose $$ not gain. The good thing for CUSA is you have 2 or 3 years to reestablish the brand. It is all about timing, if another round of expansion happens in 2 years, CUSA could have similar problems to what BE just had. The BE would have been fine if the Big would have held off 6 to 9 mos before adding Rut and Mary.

Why are BE posters so sure the CUSA contract will go down just because the BE didn't get the $10 million you all were promised and dreamig of. Cusa's contract gained value after the last round of defectors, and they were a lot more valuable then what we lost this time...

(02-22-2013 11:04 AM)Freshy Wrote:  

(02-22-2013 10:32 AM)EagleRockCafe Wrote:  NBC served up the BE to ESPN at a bargain basement price. Don't forget NBC is owned by Comcast who carries ESPN programming. I believe now that NBC will still need programming for it's sports cable channel. If that helps CUSA, who knows, but it couldn't hurt.

There is actually an ongoing fight between ESPN and cable providers, including a handful of lawsuits. ESPN is trying to drive the price up to 20 dollars per customer from around 5. ESPN believes the customers will demand ESPN anyway even at a higher price, but almost all cable providers have already been forced to remove ESPN from basic cable. The rights fee increase is cutting into cable providers' profits. Comcast's cable service would like nothing more than to stick it to ESPN, but there is little evidence that NBC feels the same way. Having a controlling interest does not necessarily mean the parent company controls the network's interests...it just means they control their money. Don't be surprised if ESPN's negotiation tactics land it in Sherman Anti-trust territory some day.

As Eaglerock said Comcast now fully owns NBC.

(02-22-2013 05:18 PM)Dorrej Wrote:  

(02-22-2013 04:56 PM)goodknightfl Wrote:  If you had to deal today, you likely lose $$ not gain. The good thing for CUSA is you have 2 or 3 years to reestablish the brand. It is all about timing, if another round of expansion happens in 2 years, CUSA could have similar problems to what BE just had. The BE would have been fine if the Big would have held off 6 to 9 mos before adding Rut and Mary.

Why are BE posters so sure the CUSA contract will go down just because the BE didn't get the $10 million you all were promised and dreamig of. Cusa's contract gained value after the last round of defectors, and they were a lot more valuable then what we lost this time...

I am afraid there are lot of Cusa fans in for a rude awakening. Seems they cant realize the league hardly resembles the one that was able to negotiate the present contracts, membership will change
even more, and they cant even get an off the cuff bid from any of the networks at this time. They are holding back to see with whom they are dealing, might just be the Sunbelt under a new banner-already half way there you know.

(02-22-2013 05:58 PM)eager eagle Wrote:  

(02-22-2013 05:18 PM)Dorrej Wrote:  

(02-22-2013 04:56 PM)goodknightfl Wrote:  If you had to deal today, you likely lose $$ not gain. The good thing for CUSA is you have 2 or 3 years to reestablish the brand. It is all about timing, if another round of expansion happens in 2 years, CUSA could have similar problems to what BE just had. The BE would have been fine if the Big would have held off 6 to 9 mos before adding Rut and Mary.

Why are BE posters so sure the CUSA contract will go down just because the BE didn't get the $10 million you all were promised and dreamig of. Cusa's contract gained value after the last round of defectors, and they were a lot more valuable then what we lost this time...

I am afraid there are lot of Cusa fans in for a rude awakening. Seems they cant realize the league hardly resembles the one that was able to negotiate the present contracts, membership will change
even more, and they cant even get an off the cuff bid from any of the networks at this time. They are holding back to see with whom they are dealing, might just be the Sunbelt under a new banner-already half way there you know.

dont rain on their righteous indignation parade, let em enjoy it. my bet is southern ends up right back with the old gang before its all over anyway.

(02-22-2013 11:04 AM)Freshy Wrote:  

(02-22-2013 10:32 AM)EagleRockCafe Wrote:  NBC served up the BE to ESPN at a bargain basement price. Don't forget NBC is owned by Comcast who carries ESPN programming. I believe now that NBC will still need programming for it's sports cable channel. If that helps CUSA, who knows, but it couldn't hurt.

There is actually an ongoing fight between ESPN and cable providers, including a handful of lawsuits. ESPN is trying to drive the price up to 20 dollars per customer from around 5. ESPN believes the customers will demand ESPN anyway even at a higher price, but almost all cable providers have already been forced to remove ESPN from basic cable. The rights fee increase is cutting into cable providers' profits. Comcast's cable service would like nothing more than to stick it to ESPN, but there is little evidence that NBC feels the same way. Having a controlling interest does not necessarily mean the parent company controls the network's interests...it just means they control their money. Don't be surprised if ESPN's negotiation tactics land it in Sherman Anti-trust territory some day.

I know there has been talk about pay per channel providers where ESPN stated if that was to happen, they would have to increase to $20.00 from the $5.00 they currently charge providers since it wouldn't be bundled. They know grandma doesn't give two shites about ESPN and somehow have to figure out how to pay for the contracts they are currently signing or have in place.

ESPN is nervous now. And they should be. In three years, the distribution/pay method will most likely be very different as the options increase. What ESPN should be afraid of, is their core audience that is just starting their adult life. They will use other means to access content.

Just like the music industry, I see them learning this lesson the hard way.

Looking at a negative ESPN scenario, they may see bankruptcy court before fighting the Sherman Act.