I think I know what Disney-ESPN/ABC is up to now. Yes, cord-cutting is gradually affecting cable tv, but not at the speed we think it is. All of these ESPN layoffs, in the name of "cord-cutting " are nothing more than a red herring for what is really going on at ESPN. Part of why ESPN is screaming about cord-cutting so much is that they're trying to get all of the pro-leagues to lower their rights value as well as college sports leagues. Thus, we can conclude that ESPN is saving $$'s, but for what reason?? Disney's bid to try to take over FOX provides the answer, IMO. Not only does Disney want FOX for its movies, it wants it for its sports league rights also!! ESPN is trying to build a coast to coast sports broadcasting monopoly. It doesn't just want the SEC & the ACC, it wants all of the Big Ten and PAC 12 too, not to mention the valuable programs in the Big 12 for college sports.

(11-13-2017 03:36 AM)DawgNBama Wrote:  I think I know what Disney-ESPN/ABC is up to now. Yes, cord-cutting is gradually affecting cable tv, but not at the speed we think it is. All of these ESPN layoffs, in the name of "cord-cutting " are nothing more than a red herring for what is really going on at ESPN. Part of why ESPN is screaming about cord-cutting so much is that they're trying to get all of the pro-leagues to lower their rights value as well as college sports leagues. Thus, we can conclude that ESPN is saving $$'s, but for what reason?? Disney's bid to try to take over FOX provides the answer, IMO. Not only does Disney want FOX for its movies, it wants it for its sports league rights also!! ESPN is trying to build a coast to coast sports broadcasting monopoly. It doesn't just want the SEC & the ACC, it wants all of the Big Ten and PAC 12 too, not to mention the valuable programs in the Big 12 for college sports.

AA: Disney purchase of Fox

"CNBC’s David Faber dropped a bombshell Monday, reporting that ESPN parent company Disney has held talks with 21st Century Fox about buying most of Fox’s assets, but not Fox News, Fox Sports, or the Fox broadcast network." *Bold is mine

AA: What a Disney/Fox deal means for ESPN's streaming services

"If Disney and Fox get into handshake mode and start signing dotted lines, Disney would take over Fox’s European and Asian sports networks, Sky and Star. And with ESPN preparing to launch a streaming service in 2018, the inventory that the two international networks can bring would be a boon."

"Sky Sports is dependent on English Premier League, boxing, darts, golf, F1 and other sports. Star Sports in India has a lot of cricket. ESPN won’t stream EPL games as they belong to NBC and golf to Golf Channel, but the other sports are pretty much fair game. ESPN is increasing its boxing inventory and in the U.K., Sky is known for its excellent stable of fights and quality boxing production."

(11-13-2017 06:08 AM)TerpsNPhoenix Wrote:  

(11-13-2017 03:36 AM)DawgNBama Wrote:  I think I know what Disney-ESPN/ABC is up to now. Yes, cord-cutting is gradually affecting cable tv, but not at the speed we think it is. All of these ESPN layoffs, in the name of "cord-cutting " are nothing more than a red herring for what is really going on at ESPN. Part of why ESPN is screaming about cord-cutting so much is that they're trying to get all of the pro-leagues to lower their rights value as well as college sports leagues. Thus, we can conclude that ESPN is saving $$'s, but for what reason?? Disney's bid to try to take over FOX provides the answer, IMO. Not only does Disney want FOX for its movies, it wants it for its sports league rights also!! ESPN is trying to build a coast to coast sports broadcasting monopoly. It doesn't just want the SEC & the ACC, it wants all of the Big Ten and PAC 12 too, not to mention the valuable programs in the Big 12 for college sports.

AA: Disney purchase of Fox

"CNBC’s David Faber dropped a bombshell Monday, reporting that ESPN parent company Disney has held talks with 21st Century Fox about buying most of Fox’s assets, but not Fox News, Fox Sports, or the Fox broadcast network." *Bold is mine

AA: What a Disney/Fox deal means for ESPN's streaming services

"If Disney and Fox get into handshake mode and start signing dotted lines, Disney would take over Fox’s European and Asian sports networks, Sky and Star. And with ESPN preparing to launch a streaming service in 2018, the inventory that the two international networks can bring would be a boon."

"Sky Sports is dependent on English Premier League, boxing, darts, golf, F1 and other sports. Star Sports in India has a lot of cricket. ESPN won’t stream EPL games as they belong to NBC and golf to Golf Channel, but the other sports are pretty much fair game. ESPN is increasing its boxing inventory and in the U.K., Sky is known for its excellent stable of fights and quality boxing production."

I just don't get that. If Fox would keep Fox Sports as part of the deal, it would make absolutely no sense to give up properties that would make ESPN stronger and increase it's streaming services. Talk about cutting one's own throat.

It it were me at the negotiating table, I'd try and work something out where as Disney would acquire the Fox Studios movie catalog (including the X-Men and Fantastic Four to add to the MCU) but in return would want a portion of their sports rights (ie: college sports). If Fox is going to build around News and Sports, why not try and swap something THEY want for something YOU want.

(11-13-2017 09:30 AM)BadgerMJ Wrote:  

(11-13-2017 06:08 AM)TerpsNPhoenix Wrote:  

(11-13-2017 03:36 AM)DawgNBama Wrote:  I think I know what Disney-ESPN/ABC is up to now. Yes, cord-cutting is gradually affecting cable tv, but not at the speed we think it is. All of these ESPN layoffs, in the name of "cord-cutting " are nothing more than a red herring for what is really going on at ESPN. Part of why ESPN is screaming about cord-cutting so much is that they're trying to get all of the pro-leagues to lower their rights value as well as college sports leagues. Thus, we can conclude that ESPN is saving $$'s, but for what reason?? Disney's bid to try to take over FOX provides the answer, IMO. Not only does Disney want FOX for its movies, it wants it for its sports league rights also!! ESPN is trying to build a coast to coast sports broadcasting monopoly. It doesn't just want the SEC & the ACC, it wants all of the Big Ten and PAC 12 too, not to mention the valuable programs in the Big 12 for college sports.

AA: Disney purchase of Fox

"CNBC’s David Faber dropped a bombshell Monday, reporting that ESPN parent company Disney has held talks with 21st Century Fox about buying most of Fox’s assets, but not Fox News, Fox Sports, or the Fox broadcast network." *Bold is mine

AA: What a Disney/Fox deal means for ESPN's streaming services

"If Disney and Fox get into handshake mode and start signing dotted lines, Disney would take over Fox’s European and Asian sports networks, Sky and Star. And with ESPN preparing to launch a streaming service in 2018, the inventory that the two international networks can bring would be a boon."

"Sky Sports is dependent on English Premier League, boxing, darts, golf, F1 and other sports. Star Sports in India has a lot of cricket. ESPN won’t stream EPL games as they belong to NBC and golf to Golf Channel, but the other sports are pretty much fair game. ESPN is increasing its boxing inventory and in the U.K., Sky is known for its excellent stable of fights and quality boxing production."

I just don't get that. If Fox would keep Fox Sports as part of the deal, it would make absolutely no sense to give up properties that would make ESPN stronger and increase it's streaming services. Talk about cutting one's own throat.

It it were me at the negotiating table, I'd try and work something out where as Disney would acquire the Fox Studios movie catalog (including the X-Men and Fantastic Four to add to the MCU) but in return would want a portion of their sports rights (ie: college sports). If Fox is going to build around News and Sports, why not try and swap something THEY want for something YOU want.

Because, apparently, it's not a swap, it's a sale: FOX is trying to raise money, because right now, they need money, not sports properties.

if fox is looking for a way to save money might I suggest canceling the skip bayless show.

(11-13-2017 10:00 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(11-13-2017 09:30 AM)BadgerMJ Wrote:  

(11-13-2017 06:08 AM)TerpsNPhoenix Wrote:  

(11-13-2017 03:36 AM)DawgNBama Wrote:  I think I know what Disney-ESPN/ABC is up to now. Yes, cord-cutting is gradually affecting cable tv, but not at the speed we think it is. All of these ESPN layoffs, in the name of "cord-cutting " are nothing more than a red herring for what is really going on at ESPN. Part of why ESPN is screaming about cord-cutting so much is that they're trying to get all of the pro-leagues to lower their rights value as well as college sports leagues. Thus, we can conclude that ESPN is saving $$'s, but for what reason?? Disney's bid to try to take over FOX provides the answer, IMO. Not only does Disney want FOX for its movies, it wants it for its sports league rights also!! ESPN is trying to build a coast to coast sports broadcasting monopoly. It doesn't just want the SEC & the ACC, it wants all of the Big Ten and PAC 12 too, not to mention the valuable programs in the Big 12 for college sports.

AA: Disney purchase of Fox

"CNBC’s David Faber dropped a bombshell Monday, reporting that ESPN parent company Disney has held talks with 21st Century Fox about buying most of Fox’s assets, but not Fox News, Fox Sports, or the Fox broadcast network." *Bold is mine

AA: What a Disney/Fox deal means for ESPN's streaming services

"If Disney and Fox get into handshake mode and start signing dotted lines, Disney would take over Fox’s European and Asian sports networks, Sky and Star. And with ESPN preparing to launch a streaming service in 2018, the inventory that the two international networks can bring would be a boon."

"Sky Sports is dependent on English Premier League, boxing, darts, golf, F1 and other sports. Star Sports in India has a lot of cricket. ESPN won’t stream EPL games as they belong to NBC and golf to Golf Channel, but the other sports are pretty much fair game. ESPN is increasing its boxing inventory and in the U.K., Sky is known for its excellent stable of fights and quality boxing production."

I just don't get that. If Fox would keep Fox Sports as part of the deal, it would make absolutely no sense to give up properties that would make ESPN stronger and increase it's streaming services. Talk about cutting one's own throat.

It it were me at the negotiating table, I'd try and work something out where as Disney would acquire the Fox Studios movie catalog (including the X-Men and Fantastic Four to add to the MCU) but in return would want a portion of their sports rights (ie: college sports). If Fox is going to build around News and Sports, why not try and swap something THEY want for something YOU want.

Because, apparently, it's not a swap, it's a sale: FOX is trying to raise money, because right now, they need money, not sports properties.

If that's the case, it still makes no sense.

Fox is keeping Fox Sports which must mean they see that as a way to make money so why sell something to your competition that's in direct opposition to that?

Seems like short term thinking.

(11-13-2017 10:19 AM)solohawks Wrote:  if fox is looking for a way to save money might I suggest canceling the skip bayless show.

Get rid of Skip and have him take Shannon, The Herd, and the rest of their "talk" shows with him......

(11-13-2017 10:39 AM)BadgerMJ Wrote:  

(11-13-2017 10:00 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(11-13-2017 09:30 AM)BadgerMJ Wrote:  

(11-13-2017 06:08 AM)TerpsNPhoenix Wrote:  

(11-13-2017 03:36 AM)DawgNBama Wrote:  I think I know what Disney-ESPN/ABC is up to now. Yes, cord-cutting is gradually affecting cable tv, but not at the speed we think it is. All of these ESPN layoffs, in the name of "cord-cutting " are nothing more than a red herring for what is really going on at ESPN. Part of why ESPN is screaming about cord-cutting so much is that they're trying to get all of the pro-leagues to lower their rights value as well as college sports leagues. Thus, we can conclude that ESPN is saving $$'s, but for what reason?? Disney's bid to try to take over FOX provides the answer, IMO. Not only does Disney want FOX for its movies, it wants it for its sports league rights also!! ESPN is trying to build a coast to coast sports broadcasting monopoly. It doesn't just want the SEC & the ACC, it wants all of the Big Ten and PAC 12 too, not to mention the valuable programs in the Big 12 for college sports.

AA: Disney purchase of Fox

"CNBC’s David Faber dropped a bombshell Monday, reporting that ESPN parent company Disney has held talks with 21st Century Fox about buying most of Fox’s assets, but not Fox News, Fox Sports, or the Fox broadcast network." *Bold is mine

AA: What a Disney/Fox deal means for ESPN's streaming services

"If Disney and Fox get into handshake mode and start signing dotted lines, Disney would take over Fox’s European and Asian sports networks, Sky and Star. And with ESPN preparing to launch a streaming service in 2018, the inventory that the two international networks can bring would be a boon."

"Sky Sports is dependent on English Premier League, boxing, darts, golf, F1 and other sports. Star Sports in India has a lot of cricket. ESPN won’t stream EPL games as they belong to NBC and golf to Golf Channel, but the other sports are pretty much fair game. ESPN is increasing its boxing inventory and in the U.K., Sky is known for its excellent stable of fights and quality boxing production."

I just don't get that. If Fox would keep Fox Sports as part of the deal, it would make absolutely no sense to give up properties that would make ESPN stronger and increase it's streaming services. Talk about cutting one's own throat.

It it were me at the negotiating table, I'd try and work something out where as Disney would acquire the Fox Studios movie catalog (including the X-Men and Fantastic Four to add to the MCU) but in return would want a portion of their sports rights (ie: college sports). If Fox is going to build around News and Sports, why not try and swap something THEY want for something YOU want.

Because, apparently, it's not a swap, it's a sale: FOX is trying to raise money, because right now, they need money, not sports properties.

If that's the case, it still makes no sense.

Fox is keeping Fox Sports which must mean they see that as a way to make money so why sell something to your competition that's in direct opposition to that?

Seems like short term thinking.

Quote from the 1st article :

""The company could not own two broadcast networks and would therefore not buy the Fox broadcast network. It would not buy Fox’s sports programming assets in the belief that combining them with ESPN could be seen as anti-competitive from an antitrust standpoint..."".

Disney (ESPN) might want Fox's sports programming but might not legally be able to aquire them.

(11-13-2017 10:39 AM)BadgerMJ Wrote:  

(11-13-2017 10:00 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(11-13-2017 09:30 AM)BadgerMJ Wrote:  

(11-13-2017 06:08 AM)TerpsNPhoenix Wrote:  

(11-13-2017 03:36 AM)DawgNBama Wrote:  I think I know what Disney-ESPN/ABC is up to now. Yes, cord-cutting is gradually affecting cable tv, but not at the speed we think it is. All of these ESPN layoffs, in the name of "cord-cutting " are nothing more than a red herring for what is really going on at ESPN. Part of why ESPN is screaming about cord-cutting so much is that they're trying to get all of the pro-leagues to lower their rights value as well as college sports leagues. Thus, we can conclude that ESPN is saving $$'s, but for what reason?? Disney's bid to try to take over FOX provides the answer, IMO. Not only does Disney want FOX for its movies, it wants it for its sports league rights also!! ESPN is trying to build a coast to coast sports broadcasting monopoly. It doesn't just want the SEC & the ACC, it wants all of the Big Ten and PAC 12 too, not to mention the valuable programs in the Big 12 for college sports.

AA: Disney purchase of Fox

"CNBC’s David Faber dropped a bombshell Monday, reporting that ESPN parent company Disney has held talks with 21st Century Fox about buying most of Fox’s assets, but not Fox News, Fox Sports, or the Fox broadcast network." *Bold is mine

AA: What a Disney/Fox deal means for ESPN's streaming services

"If Disney and Fox get into handshake mode and start signing dotted lines, Disney would take over Fox’s European and Asian sports networks, Sky and Star. And with ESPN preparing to launch a streaming service in 2018, the inventory that the two international networks can bring would be a boon."

"Sky Sports is dependent on English Premier League, boxing, darts, golf, F1 and other sports. Star Sports in India has a lot of cricket. ESPN won’t stream EPL games as they belong to NBC and golf to Golf Channel, but the other sports are pretty much fair game. ESPN is increasing its boxing inventory and in the U.K., Sky is known for its excellent stable of fights and quality boxing production."

I just don't get that. If Fox would keep Fox Sports as part of the deal, it would make absolutely no sense to give up properties that would make ESPN stronger and increase it's streaming services. Talk about cutting one's own throat.

It it were me at the negotiating table, I'd try and work something out where as Disney would acquire the Fox Studios movie catalog (including the X-Men and Fantastic Four to add to the MCU) but in return would want a portion of their sports rights (ie: college sports). If Fox is going to build around News and Sports, why not try and swap something THEY want for something YOU want.

Because, apparently, it's not a swap, it's a sale: FOX is trying to raise money, because right now, they need money, not sports properties.

If that's the case, it still makes no sense.

Fox is keeping Fox Sports which must mean they see that as a way to make money so why sell something to your competition that's in direct opposition to that?

Seems like short term thinking.

No, if you read the original article, Fox is trying to sell because they don't think a player of their size is viable in the current environment. They've leaked the talks with Disney, possibly in an attempt to smoke out offers from Amazon, Google, Apple, Facebook, Microsoft etc.

They're not keeping Fox Sports, Fox News, the Fox Network and the Fox local TV stations because those properties are or aren't profitable. They're keeping them because a Fox-Disney deal would never get US Anti-Trust approval if it meant one company owning 2 OTA networks, or ESPN acquiring it's biggest competitor. Fox News Channel may be too difficult to untangle from Fox Sports 1 and the broadcast network. (Or possibly Fox News doesn't generate enough profit to balance out the negative reputation carried.)

I'd expect that, if a Disney-Fox deal went through, you might then see the Murdochs & Co sell the Fox US TV unit. Or possibly they sell the whole package to Amazon or Apple or Bill Gates and just cash out.

EDIT: The fact that ESPN would be picking up US streaming rights to some boxing, darts, golf, Formula 1 and cricket isn't really a big factor either way.

(11-13-2017 01:11 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  No, if you read the original article, Fox is trying to sell because they don't think a player of their size is viable in the current environment. They've leaked the talks with Disney, possibly in an attempt to smoke out offers from Amazon, Google, Apple, Facebook, Microsoft etc.

Agreed that Fox leaked the news about talking to Disney in order to see if they could start a bidding war.

An unstated reason why Fox might want to sell their movie/TV libraries is tax or estate planning, or just wanting a really big pile of cash, given that Rupert Murdoch is 86.

(11-13-2017 03:36 AM)DawgNBama Wrote:  I think I know what Disney-ESPN/ABC is up to now. Yes, cord-cutting is gradually affecting cable tv, but not at the speed we think it is. All of these ESPN layoffs, in the name of "cord-cutting " are nothing more than a red herring for what is really going on at ESPN. Part of why ESPN is screaming about cord-cutting so much is that they're trying to get all of the pro-leagues to lower their rights value as well as college sports leagues. Thus, we can conclude that ESPN is saving $$'s, but for what reason?? Disney's bid to try to take over FOX provides the answer, IMO. Not only does Disney want FOX for its movies, it wants it for its sports league rights also!! ESPN is trying to build a coast to coast sports broadcasting monopoly. It doesn't just want the SEC & the ACC, it wants all of the Big Ten and PAC 12 too, not to mention the valuable programs in the Big 12 for college sports.

Nah....

Fox wanted to buy Time/Warner a few years ago as a merger, but could not get it. The issue with Fox/Time-Warner/Trump/AT&T seems to be a revenge for Newscorp to forced them to sell CNN to weaken Time-Warner and AT&T. NewsCorp wanted TNT, TBS, HBO, TruTV, HLN, CNN, etc.Maybe so that Newscorp will shut CNN and HLN down?

I do not know why Rupert want to sell off the entertainment side when he wanted to get a share of the Game of Thrones's ratings?

No matter how it shakes out, Benjamins will rule!

My theory is AT&T will acquire the FOX broadcasting and sports division after the Time Warner sale with CNN and few other assets being sold off.

(11-14-2017 01:55 AM)DavidSt Wrote:  Fox wanted to buy Time/Warner a few years ago as a merger, but could not get it. The issue with Fox/Time-Warner/Trump/AT&T seems to be a revenge for Newscorp to forced them to sell CNN to weaken Time-Warner and AT&T. NewsCorp wanted TNT, TBS, HBO, TruTV, HLN, CNN, etc.Maybe so that Newscorp will shut CNN and HLN down?

I do not know why Rupert want to sell off the entertainment side when he wanted to get a share of the Game of Thrones's ratings?

Again, from the original article, the Murdoch's thinking seems to be that the Fox empire is not big enough on its own. Buying TimeWarner would have made FoxTimeWarner a big enough player to be competitive with Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Apple and Facebook. That didn't work out, so next best thing is selling Fox--either keeping a stake in a new, merged Fox-Disney or just taking the money and running.

It's like jaywalking on a busy two-way street, and being halfway across. You can finish crossing, or you can run back to the sidewalk you started from. But you can't stand still.

(11-14-2017 02:29 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(11-14-2017 01:55 AM)DavidSt Wrote:  Fox wanted to buy Time/Warner a few years ago as a merger, but could not get it. The issue with Fox/Time-Warner/Trump/AT&T seems to be a revenge for Newscorp to forced them to sell CNN to weaken Time-Warner and AT&T. NewsCorp wanted TNT, TBS, HBO, TruTV, HLN, CNN, etc.Maybe so that Newscorp will shut CNN and HLN down?

I do not know why Rupert want to sell off the entertainment side when he wanted to get a share of the Game of Thrones's ratings?

Again, from the original article, the Murdoch's thinking seems to be that the Fox empire is not big enough on its own. Buying TimeWarner would have made FoxTimeWarner a big enough player to be competitive with Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Apple and Facebook. That didn't work out, so next best thing is selling Fox--either keeping a stake in a new, merged Fox-Disney or just taking the money and running.

It's like jaywalking on a busy two-way street, and being halfway across. You can finish crossing, or you can run back to the sidewalk you started from. But you can't stand still.

These companies are way too powerful already. I would love to see anti-trust against these companies so that they are broken down to smaller companies. As for cable companies? I would love to see anti-trust against them. I would like to see Cox, Altice, Charter, Comcast and others fight for costumers in the same town for service. It might help bring down the bills. Having only Suddenlink as the main cable provider really hurt. I did not like the guys behind Charter did when they bought Cox cable in certain areas, and dropped channels and added channels people do not want. Cox Cable did not raise the prices on us the way Suddenlink did.