Other than Big East hoops, is anyone watching?

Is the big thing about FS1 is that it is another network and more networks create more competition for content, e.g., MAC sports, which would have helped us get a better contract with ESPN?

Thoughts?

I don't get the channel, but I do find the reporters annoying when they would advertise during NFL Sunday's on Fox. They seemed to be trying too hard to be funny.

The have Big East and PAC-12 hoops, a lot of UFC, and mostly endless repeats of their daily sports news and commentary show.

(01-15-2014 10:03 AM)axeme Wrote:  The have Big East and PAC-12 hoops, a lot of UFC, and mostly endless repeats of their daily sports news and commentary show.

Other than exclusive content (I forgot PAC-12 hoops), it must be hard to compete for the 'endless repeats' of daily sports new. ESPN pretty well has that locked down.

Wonder what their ratings are like and are they enough to sustain a network????

With the G5 they had some good numbers for a few C-USA games, unfortunately all featured teams going to AAC.

(01-15-2014 10:12 AM)emu steve Wrote:  Wonder what their ratings are like and are they enough to sustain a network????

Fairly abysmal, but getting people into the habit of tuning in is a lot slower process than many people recognize ... with MLB coming onto FS1 this coming season, that will be much bigger slice of people than New Big East or Pac-12 hoops. They get some more programming in 2015 ~ both motor sports, NASCAR and Formula E ~ and they complete their soccer rights in 2015 when they get the Copa Libertadores and the World Cups through 2021, which will likely see a substantial increase in the demo among younger Latino soccer fans. Plus the USGA events starting in 2015, which is a much bigger demo by buying power than by headcount.

Part of what they have to sort out is how they program when they have such distinctive demographics for MLB, soccer, motor sports, USGA golf and college football and hoops, in addition to their boxing / UFC rights. I haven't seen crosstabs, but I can't believe that there would be a lot of programming spillover in moving from Copa Libertadores to MLB to a USGA golf tournament to a NASCAR event.

As others have mentioned, its really too soon to determine if Fox Sports 1 & 2 are successes or failures. I don't think you could even begin the discussion until year five. By then, they will have all of their programming on line with a cycle under their belts.