(08-09-2012 12:00 AM)Jchuges7 Wrote:  All I'm gonna say is be careful what you wish for... Do you really want to see Big East sports relegated to a single cable network that most Americans don't get? Out of sight, out of mind. Hardcore people would make it happen, but the casual fan would not worry about finding it at all. Get the best deal possible, but sometimes it's worth it to go with something more established. And yes, I'm hoping that ESPN gives the BE the best deal and I DO get NBCSN, but I know plenty of people in Cincinnati who would just give up on watching Big East sports, including UC, before they would upgrade their cable or satellite service to get NBCSN. Sad but true tale.

I assume big basketball and football games on Saturday would be on NBC, network TV. Also, I remember when UC moved to the Big East and Insight did not offer ESPN2 HD which meant a lot of games in standard def, but they got it the next season. I'm sure NBC Sports would be in much more demand if it actually carried something other than WAC basketball and rodeos.

(08-08-2012 10:02 PM)eroc Wrote:  my only problem with the switch would be that i watch alot of bearcats stuff on espn3 since i'm located out of the market area. NBC doesn't have an online platform akin to that which would be a huge loss for me.

I had that problem moving away from school because my apartment offered cable/internet for free (i.e. in the rent) but not online streams like ESPN3. firstrowsports.eu is a decent replacement.

Regarding NBC; even if they get the Big East contract there won't be a telecast for more than a year. The Big East will demand a platform that at least matches ESPN. For all we know NBC may plan to add another channel and/or their own version of ESPN3. You have to wonder how long they'll keep MSNBC on life support--programming and ratings are really lame. They could flip that to sports anytime. Bottom line: let's not underestimate the ability of another major player to replicate the ESPN platform.

(08-09-2012 12:00 AM)Jchuges7 Wrote:  All I'm gonna say is be careful what you wish for... Do you really want to see Big East sports relegated to a single cable network that most Americans don't get? Out of sight, out of mind. Hardcore people would make it happen, but the casual fan would not worry about finding it at all. Get the best deal possible, but sometimes it's worth it to go with something more established. And yes, I'm hoping that ESPN gives the BE the best deal and I DO get NBCSN, but I know plenty of people in Cincinnati who would just give up on watching Big East sports, including UC, before they would upgrade their cable or satellite service to get NBCSN. Sad but true tale.

From a provider standpoint Comcast carries NBCSN pretty well, which isn't a surprise since they OWN the station :). Here in Chicago there is definitely a wide range of channels between ESPN and NBCSN. ESPN for me is channel 3 and NBCSN is like 58. But in HD, ESPN and NBCSN are right next to each other. That could be what Comcast/NBC could be banking on.

As far as the media contract is concerned I'm not that worried about exposure of the Bearcats on NBC vs. ESPN. Most of the games last season weren't even on TV, generally relegated to ESPN 3. If NBC plays it correctly, they could put three Big East games on TV every Saturday during the football season. For example:

Noon: Cincinnati - Rutgers
3 PM: Houston - Louisville
6 PM: Notre Dame - Michigan State
9 PM: Boise State - San Diego State

Three timeslots would probably be the max for Big East games on NBC but there should be at least two available. If that's the case those are pretty good odds that a Cincinnati team, especially one that is playing well, will get slotted at one of those times on NBC. And if the Bearcats are placed on NBCSN so be it. At least NBCSN is on television vs. ESPN 3 which you have to stream through your computer. The convenience of NBCSN vs. ESPN 3 definitely moves the needle in favor of the former.

With NBC you are not fighting with all kinds of other sports programming as compared to espn not to mention the only other college football your competing against is notre dame. You dont have the acc and sec to compete with on nbc stations. nbc is not going to spend the money it takes and then not be able to get their programming into households.

The advertisers who spend the kind of money nbc will need will want households.

The more I think about this the greater the reward seems to be. Big East just needs to hire the right people.

The only problem I see is if the Big East cant get the deal finalized before the economy really starts tanking.

Who is the guy the big east hired who got the pac 12 their deal? Is it with espn? I dont trust espn not to pay this guy under the table to get him more money and pay the big east less.

The Big East will never get prime time Saturday night on ESPN or ESPN2 again. Whether they re-up with ESPN or not, ESPN's money is with the SEC and Big 10 and they will take those spots. I think the Big East is going to have to go with NBC if they want any Saturday prime time spots...

Hell, something the Big East essentially partnered with ESPN to create is gone... Thursday and Friday night games. The ACC's new deal gives them a ton of those spots... and that is due to the fact that they also realize they aren't going to be getting the Saturday night prime time spots.

I don't see where Big East football can fit within the ESPN networks... there just isn't room. NBC is NOT going to pay big money for Big East football without the basketball coming along as well. They won't offer up the same kind of money without both, let alone invest money into any online streaming stuff to support games that don't make TV without all of them coming along. I think people need to get out of their day dreaming and be honest about the situation. The NBC deal could also kill the CBS basketball games...

ESPN - Great for basketball and online. Football is an afterthought.
NBC - Great for both sports, maybe a little harder to find the TV outlet (although Time Warner, Comcast, Dish, and DirecTV all have it, you may not get it as basic cable). No current online outlet but certainly something that could be put into place in short order.

(08-08-2012 08:42 PM)BeerCat Wrote:  I hope NBC decides to go after ESPN in more ways than just live sports. I would love to watch a different highlight show. I can't watch sportscenter anymore because none of what they show is highlights.

NBC Sports Network already has such a nightly highlights show. Plus a nice interview/feature show hosted by Bob Costas.

It is already my favorite channel for all of its live Tour de France coverage.

This would be great.

12:00, NBC, Big East
12:00, NBC Sports, Big East
3:30, NBC, Notre Dame
3:30, NBC Sports, Big East
7:00, NBC Sports, Big East
10:30, NBC Sports, Big East

12:00, NBC, Big East
12:00, NBC Sports, Big East
3:30, NBC, Big East
3:30, NBC Sports, Big East
7:00 NBC Sports, Big East
8:00, NBC, Notre Dame
10:30, NBC Sports, Big East

(08-09-2012 08:51 AM)Bruce Monnin Wrote:  

(08-08-2012 08:42 PM)BeerCat Wrote:  I hope NBC decides to go after ESPN in more ways than just live sports. I would love to watch a different highlight show. I can't watch sportscenter anymore because none of what they show is highlights.

NBC Sports Network already has such a nightly highlights show. Plus a nice interview/feature show hosted by Bob Costas.

It is already my favorite channel for all of its live Tour de France coverage.

I can't find that show anywhere.

(08-09-2012 08:23 AM)mlb Wrote:  The Big East will never get prime time Saturday night on ESPN or ESPN2 again. Whether they re-up with ESPN or not, ESPN's money is with the SEC and Big 10 and they will take those spots. I think the Big East is going to have to go with NBC if they want any Saturday prime time spots...

Hell, something the Big East essentially partnered with ESPN to create is gone... Thursday and Friday night games. The ACC's new deal gives them a ton of those spots... and that is due to the fact that they also realize they aren't going to be getting the Saturday night prime time spots.

I don't see where Big East football can fit within the ESPN networks... there just isn't room. NBC is NOT going to pay big money for Big East football without the basketball coming along as well. They won't offer up the same kind of money without both, let alone invest money into any online streaming stuff to support games that don't make TV without all of them coming along. I think people need to get out of their day dreaming and be honest about the situation. The NBC deal could also kill the CBS basketball games...

ESPN - Great for basketball and online. Football is an afterthought.
NBC - Great for both sports, maybe a little harder to find the TV outlet (although Time Warner, Comcast, Dish, and DirecTV all have it, you may not get it as basic cable). No current online outlet but certainly something that could be put into place in short order.

I think it is spot on.

I would be fine with BE hoops going to NBC if that's what it takes to get prime time NBC football slots. I know ESPN would be better for hoops probably but the good news is, BE hoops will have a following regardless of what station airs us.