(05-22-2016 02:55 PM)MWC Tex Wrote:  

(05-19-2016 03:13 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(05-19-2016 02:36 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(05-19-2016 08:03 AM)MWC Tex Wrote:  

(05-19-2016 05:46 AM)johnbragg Wrote:  For CUSA, this would mean WORSE exposure than American Sports Network (which at least seemed to get CUSA games shown in a half-dozen of CUSA's home TV markets), and still almost no money. CUSA football isn't going to get BeIN carried or on basic cable.

You are right that CUSA isn't going to put BeIN Sports on basic cable, but it could move them to lower tiers on cable providers where they are only available on the highest tier (i.e as Quo found out with Cox). And some cable providers don't offer the channel but could with demand for the channel.
We'll see when CUSA officially can tell the contract details.

But for those who are OTT TV viewers with Sling TV and Playstation Vue, they are easily available without being on the highest tier (Vue mid-tier) or can be added for as a sport package for $5 on Sling.

Still, the fact is that BeIN Sports is now making a push for US programming and it will now add another option for conferences especially 4 years from now when the AAC, MW and Sun Belt all start to shop out their TV contracts.

What I have seen regarding ASN is that they will be playing quite games and that should help ASN get stronger and possibly get their 24hr network on more sub-channels in their footprint.

The problem with ASN is its effectively not in nearly as many homes as it claims. For instance, they tend to claim a market---but on the ground, the affiliate in that market either doesn't show the game or it shows it on a digital subchannel band that isn't carried on the local cable systems. That means only people who can receive it are those people within the tv market that can actually receive a viable OTA digital signal (which in most cases, something less than an area's claimed TV market). That might mean a reachable market that's 75% of the size being claimed, and once you account for all the people without antennas---it could be a FAR smaller market. For instance, Im in the Houston TV market, but I cant receive a usable signal for most OTA TV networks. I don't even try anymore. I have no antenna connected to any tv. I either view TV via cable or via web stream. Last I checked, Houston (home of CUSA member Rice) doesn't even have an affiliate. So, ASN is effectively invisible in Houston unless you have Direct TV. Worse yet, ASN has no real streaming option.

While BeIn isn't a widely watched channel, it is widely available at an additional cost. You can buy it today on almost any cable system. So, its as easy to get for most people as just paying an extra $10 a month for the upgraded "sports package". Better yet, BeIn has a strong streaming platform, so that adds an additional access option.

To me, "job one" in league exposure is to just get the games where they are at least accessible to your fans. Once that is accomplished, "job two" is to let the fans know where the games are---while constantly trying to acquire even better more visible tv outlets for the league. CUSA is trying to accomplish "job one" right now. My guess is BeIn will help that goal.

A while ago I catalogued the CUSA 2015 games and what networks they were on. I remember a couple to a bunch of CUSA schools who had 4-7 games on ASN steadily. I have to assume that Sinclair or ASN has an affiliate in those cities that runs the games.

FYI. It looks like the CW station in San Antonio will have ASN's 24 hr sports network on the sub-channel (35.2). CW station usually has the ASN broadcast anyway on the regular channel.
Right now its all color bars but the info is the ASN network.

FWIW--I have the sports tier on ATT-Uverse and both BeIn (english and Spanish) are part of that package. It comes free with the top level package, but I think its $5 or $10 a month as an add-on for lower tiers. To the best of my knowledge, ASN is not present anywhere in my Uverse package in Houston (and I have their highest tier U-450 package). I think there is no way to get ASN here other than a dish based network. I believe some CUSA fans have pretty good ASN game access with Direct TV. For Houston CUSA fans, I think BeIn is going to be a great addition to the CUSA media package.

Here is the official announcement from BeIN Sports.

http://www.wbko.com/content/sports/beIN-...09051.html

"beIN SPORTS’ coverage of Conference USA will feature 10 football games with conference rivalries, as well as nonconference matchups. The network will also air 10 men’s and 10 women’s basketball games. As part of the long-term deal, the programming lineup will include 12 games of Conference USA’s baseball schedule as well as 12 women’s softball events, 10 men’s and 10 women’s soccer matches, and 0 women’s volleyball games."

Not sure if the volleyball games is a typo or just to inform that no volleyball will be on this channel.
EDIT: It was made know to me that 10 volleyball games will be broadcasted by beIN Sports.