PAC announced a proposed reduction in late evening games as PAC networks will seek to be able to broadcast simultaneously with ESPN and FOX airing of PAC12 games. Also there will be conference eSports sponsorship and telecasts for the 2016-2017 year. The last is interesting as data is showing that eSports do generate positive ad revenue, and the PAC is home to the top video game design schools (undergrad and grad).

Night Football Games
The presidents and chancellors approved a recommendation from the Pac-12 Council to modify the Conference’s TV agreements with ESPN and FOX and reduce the number of Pac-12 Networks Saturday night football games (start time of 7 p.m. or later). Under the modification, a Pac-12 Network game can now start either at 2:30 p.m. or 6 p.m. local and overlap with an ESPN or FOX exclusive TV window. This change is expected to reduce the number of Pac-12 Networks night games by as many as four contests.

“The Pac-12 has some of the most loyal fans in college athletics and we appreciate our television partners working with us on this important issue for fans,” said Rob Mullens, University of Oregon athletic director. “The increased exposure and revenue from our contract with ESPN and FOX has been instrumental to our success, but we continue to work hard to minimize as much as possible the negative impact late start times have on our fans who travel great distances to see our teams in person."

Pac-12 Networks & eSports
Finally, following an internal review of the growing interest amongst Pac-12 students in competitive video gaming, the presidents and chancellors approved Pac-12 Networks to commence eSports competitions with Pac-12 universities this upcoming year. Teams from campuses will participate based on a specific game, and the competitions will include head-to-head matchups in studios as well as a tournament in conjunction with a Pac-12 championship event. The game titles and event formats are still to be determined, but will be announced in the coming months.

Intercollegiate competition in egaming is in its initial stages, but Pac-12 universities are increasingly involved through passionate student groups competing in competitions with popular games. eSports is also closely tied to academic departments at Pac-12 universities such as computer science, visual and cinematic arts, engineering and others.

“eSports is a natural fit for many of our universities located in the technology and media hubs of the country,” said Scott. “Pac-12 Networks’ commitment to innovation as well as its natural tie to our universities and established media platform make it the perfect organization to develop the framework for eSports intercollegiate competition.”

What did the PAC have to give up to get this? Please don't tell me nothing.
Cheers!

(05-24-2016 09:20 PM)billybobby777 Wrote:  What did the PAC have to give up to get this? Please don't tell me nothing.
Cheers!

Probably nothing. ESPN was willing to do this last year but Fox objected for some reason. As the press release says, this will affect the starting time of about four games each year, which is only one home game every three years for each team.

What leverage do they have to make this happen?

I doubt Fox would simply agree to this without additional consideration. My guess is that Fox agreed to this request from the Pac 12 in exchange for comparable flexibility on moving games between Fox and FS1. Fox is going to need to have to find windows for the B1G starting next fall (likely 12-13 additional windows based on reports) and Fox currently has a lot of commitments among MLB, the Pac 12 and Big XII.

For the Pac 12, Fox has rights to 22 games, of which at least 8 must be on Big Fox. Last year they showed 10 on Fox and 12 on FS1. My guess is that Fox wanted some flexibility to be able to show only 6-7 games on Fox in some years to free up space for the B1G.

(05-24-2016 10:49 PM)Big Ron Buckeye Wrote:  What leverage do they have to make this happen?

If I understand correctly, this ONLY affects games on the Pac-12 Network. BTN could make this kind of change too, as could the ACC with it's Raycom games. The only one who's network partner might have something to say about it would be the SEC, I imagine. I don't think it's a big deal.

Now, is it a wise move? Will they gain more East Coast fans than they lose on the West Coast because of all those games during the day?

(05-25-2016 05:44 AM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  

(05-24-2016 10:49 PM)Big Ron Buckeye Wrote:  What leverage do they have to make this happen?

If I understand correctly, this ONLY affects games on the Pac-12 Network. BTN could make this kind of change too, as could the ACC with it's Raycom games. The only one who's network partner might have something to say about it would be the SEC, I imagine. I don't think it's a big deal.

Now, is it a wise move? Will they gain more East Coast fans than they lose on the West Coast because of all those games during the day?

Seeing as how they are only moving 4 timeslots off a channel nobody has, I'm sure it is a benefit to conference viewership as a whole

I'm not sure if I watch more AAC football or Pac12 football. Id try to figure it out if I cared.

The esports thing is interesting....I'd probably watch some of that.

It shouldn't matter to ESPN and FOX.

The idea was to prevent competition from PAC games on the P12N at the same time that ESPN or FOX was airing other PAC games.

But clearly, fans of PAC schools really just don't give a crap about watching other PAC teams on TV. They don't even care enough about watching their own team to push for the P12N to be added to their cable systems.

Clearly the PAC12 doesn't rank real high with ESPN and Fox.

Why doesn't the PAC12 try to do a deal with NBC? Other than the Notre Dame home games their is a lot of programming that could be applied to NBC and NBCSN. Part of the deal would be that NBC would leverage their "clout" with DirecTv and other outlets to get the P12N on their channel lineup.

To add programming the PAC12 would look to add 4 schools from the Central time zone. By that I mean go after the best 4 schools you can get from the Big 12. The PAC12 needs to be proactive and not wait for the SEC or Big 10 to take who they want and leave the PAC12 with the leftovers.

Making plans to head east with expansion....