(12-14-2017 12:49 AM)sctvman Wrote:  

(12-13-2017 04:48 PM)Wedge Wrote:  

(12-13-2017 01:12 PM)sctvman Wrote:  And even lesser-known games online this year have gotten huge amounts of views. FAU-Charlotte on the Saturday after Thanksgiving got almost 82,000 views at one point or another doing the game.

TV ratings (which drive advertising rates) are not measured that way. They're measured by the average number of viewers throughout the program, which is much lower than the total number who watch for at least a few seconds at one point or another. The TV rating for 82,000 "unique views" would probably be something like an average of 20000-25000 viewers. That's fine for streaming, but it would be a disastrously low number for a rating on a cable channel like FS1 -- the least-watched CFB game on FS1 this season (UCF-Maryland) had a TV rating of 247,000 viewers. 20000-25000 is so low that only games on beIN Sports have ratings that low.

I know CBSSN isn’t rated, but probably CBSSN has a little higher ratings than beIN. Still, their football games probably wouldn’t average more than 50K or so, except for the Oregon St-Colorado St game they had to start the year and that bowl game they have this weekend. Basketball rates lower than that. FS2 also has a few games rating around that 20-30K number.

Still, that’s barely enough to make a dent. That’s less than some local newscasts in a under top 100 market.

CBS-Sports has about 3 times the subscriber base of BeIn and is quite a bit more established. They have been the home of both Navy and Army for a while (as well as CUSA, MW, and AAC content). Their ratings are probably fairly comparable to ESPN-News. When it comes to streaming--its tough to compare "views" and ratings. I remember a few years ago there was an article that indicated that the MAC games on ESPN-3 were only drawing the equivalent of 3K viewers each. That was about 3 years ago and streaming has certainly become bigger---however, its not like Im talking about the dark ages where Rokus and Apple TV's were not around. Streaming sports was pretty big 3 years ago.

Here is the deal. There are a lot of choices out there on the typical Saturday. The major OTA and cable channels where everyone knows to go to for sports are still the best way to find a mass audience for college football games. Streaming is great for college football content that wouldn't otherwise get a traditional television broadcast slot--but streaming content is "on demand". With streaming content you need to know specifically where to look and then you need to specifically ask for it. That means the hard core fans of that team are going to go find that streamed game for "Watsamatta U"---everyone else is just going to turn on the cable (or OTA TV) and flip to the first game that looks kinda interesting to them.

It's official:

http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/90...qD7WQLx.99

With Big FOX, B1G Network, FS1 and FS2 not being part of the deal, looks like a very limited impact on college football. Disney gets a bunch of regional sports networks that matter a lot regarding MLB and the NHL, but this won't impact the B1G/PAC/Big 12 deals FOX has with those conferences.

It's really much bigger news to fans of movies. Over on a film forum I visit, they are excited about Marvel properties being integrated, Hulk fighting Wolverine, LOL.

http://fortune.com/2017/12/14/its-offici...lion-deal/

I'm very surprised Fox is keeping Big 10 Network

I figured ESPN would really want that majority stake

(12-14-2017 08:06 AM)solohawks Wrote:  http://fortune.com/2017/12/14/its-offici...lion-deal/

I'm very surprised Fox is keeping Big 10 Network

I figured ESPN would really want that majority stake

It falls in line with being like FS2 so not surprised that they kept it.
Probably also since the B1G owns 50% it wasn't going to be on the table.

(12-14-2017 08:06 AM)solohawks Wrote:  http://fortune.com/2017/12/14/its-offici...lion-deal/

I'm very surprised Fox is keeping Big 10 Network

I figured ESPN would really want that majority stake

There may be provisions in the Big Ten-FOX BTN contract that matter.

?? Big Ten right-of-first-refusal on a sale
?? Big Ten right to approve a sale

Or maybe BTN as a national sports network (or effectively national) would be an antitrust red flag in a way that the local RSNs are not, even collectively.

(12-14-2017 08:18 AM)MWC Tex Wrote:  

(12-14-2017 08:06 AM)solohawks Wrote:  http://fortune.com/2017/12/14/its-offici...lion-deal/

I'm very surprised Fox is keeping Big 10 Network

I figured ESPN would really want that majority stake

It falls in line with being like FS2 so not surprised that they kept it.
Probably also since the B1G owns 50% it wasn't going to be on the table.

B1G owns 49% :)

(12-14-2017 08:21 AM)johnbragg Wrote:  There may be provisions in the Big Ten-FOX BTN contract that matter.

?? Big Ten right-of-first-refusal on a sale
?? Big Ten right to approve a sale

Or maybe BTN as a national sports network (or effectively national) would be an antitrust red flag in a way that the local RSNs are not, even collectively.

most likely a contractual issue allowing the Big 10 some say if Fox can sell or not. Anti Trust in college sports may have also played a role. With the launch of the ACC network, it may be a bad look to have 3 of the 5 Power Conferences TV networks plus the Longhorn Network and most of the Big 12 Tier 3 rights all under one roof

(12-14-2017 08:06 AM)solohawks Wrote:  http://fortune.com/2017/12/14/its-offici...lion-deal/

I'm very surprised Fox is keeping Big 10 Network

I figured ESPN would really want that majority stake

Talk about a redundant post, LOL. Look at the one just above it.

(12-14-2017 09:29 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(12-14-2017 08:06 AM)solohawks Wrote:  http://fortune.com/2017/12/14/its-offici...lion-deal/

I'm very surprised Fox is keeping Big 10 Network

I figured ESPN would really want that majority stake

Talk about a redundant post, LOL. Look at the one just above it.

just stating my opinion and providing a different article. skip it if you don't like it

Impact for several conferences.
ACC: Does this give them the ACC network and more content on the RSN's?
AAC: Does ESPN shut down the News and U channel and move those games to the acquired RSN's?
MAC: Probably not as much change but could see more MAC games on the RSN's?

Both the AAC, ACC and MAC are majorly involved with ESPN.

CUSA: Since CUSA hasn't renewed a deal with any networks it currently is on, could they hook up with ESPN again and have their content on the RSN's? BeIN sports is tied till 2020 or 2021.

Sunbelt: They have a tie to ESPN but not sure how deep it goes, could be like the MAC since they have quite a few game on ESPN3. They could see some games on the RSN's now also.

MW: Doesn't seem like this will affect the MW much. Not many games are on ESPN or ESPN3. MW is more tied with AT&T net currently and Root. The MW is a wildcard in this next TV renewal....as they may just sign on with a Network or 2 for national games and then stream the rest in combination with Stadium for some OTA broadcasts.

(12-14-2017 10:52 AM)MWC Tex Wrote:  Impact for several conferences.
ACC: Does this give them the ACC network and more content on the RSN's?
AAC: Does ESPN shut down the News and U channel and move those games to the acquired RSN's?
MAC: Probably not as much change but could see more MAC games on the RSN's?

Both the AAC, ACC and MAC are majorly involved with ESPN.

CUSA: Since CUSA hasn't renewed a deal with any networks it currently is on, could they hook up with ESPN again and have their content on the RSN's? BeIN sports is tied till 2020 or 2021.

Sunbelt: They have a tie to ESPN but not sure how deep it goes, could be like the MAC since they have quite a few game on ESPN3. They could see some games on the RSN's now also.

MW: Doesn't seem like this will affect the MW much. Not many games are on ESPN or ESPN3. MW is more tied with AT&T net currently and Root. The MW is a wildcard in this next TV renewal....as they may just sign on with a Network or 2 for national games and then stream the rest in combination with Stadium for some OTA broadcasts.

The Sunbelt has a pretty strong tie to ESPN...as in ESPN owns the rights to all thier content. Ditto with the MAC and AAC. ESPN owns a pretty hefty package of what would be normally considered 2nd tier MW (plus all Boise home games in a side deal). ESPN owns a small package of CUSA rights (5 games if I remember correctly). However, CUSA is currently up for bid as all its deals (except for BeIn) expire at the end of this sports season.

(12-14-2017 11:27 AM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(12-14-2017 10:52 AM)MWC Tex Wrote:  Impact for several conferences.
ACC: Does this give them the ACC network and more content on the RSN's?
AAC: Does ESPN shut down the News and U channel and move those games to the acquired RSN's?
MAC: Probably not as much change but could see more MAC games on the RSN's?

Both the AAC, ACC and MAC are majorly involved with ESPN.

CUSA: Since CUSA hasn't renewed a deal with any networks it currently is on, could they hook up with ESPN again and have their content on the RSN's? BeIN sports is tied till 2020 or 2021.

Sunbelt: They have a tie to ESPN but not sure how deep it goes, could be like the MAC since they have quite a few game on ESPN3. They could see some games on the RSN's now also.

MW: Doesn't seem like this will affect the MW much. Not many games are on ESPN or ESPN3. MW is more tied with AT&T net currently and Root. The MW is a wildcard in this next TV renewal....as they may just sign on with a Network or 2 for national games and then stream the rest in combination with Stadium for some OTA broadcasts.

The Sunbelt has a pretty strong tie to ESPN...as in ESPN owns the rights to all thier content. Ditto with the MAC and AAC. ESPN owns a pretty hefty package of what would be normally considered 2nd tier MW (plus all Boise home games in a side deal). ESPN owns a small package of CUSA rights (5 games if I remember correctly). However, CUSA is currently up for bid as all its deals (except for BeIn) expire at the end of this sports season.

That kinda what I suspected about the Sunbelt but couldn't find anything solid describing like the MAC deal.
I realize the ESPN has a bit of MW but 1/2 of the MW footprint doesn't reside in the Fox RSN footprint. So there isn't going to be any big change for the MW that I can think of.

CUSA could be the first test of this new acquisition and although they don't have to expand, they could at least setup the SW RSN with several choices for content if NMSU and Texas St were added. That give 6 teams within that footprint.

(12-14-2017 12:02 PM)MWC Tex Wrote:  

(12-14-2017 11:27 AM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(12-14-2017 10:52 AM)MWC Tex Wrote:  Impact for several conferences.
ACC: Does this give them the ACC network and more content on the RSN's?
AAC: Does ESPN shut down the News and U channel and move those games to the acquired RSN's?
MAC: Probably not as much change but could see more MAC games on the RSN's?

Both the AAC, ACC and MAC are majorly involved with ESPN.

CUSA: Since CUSA hasn't renewed a deal with any networks it currently is on, could they hook up with ESPN again and have their content on the RSN's? BeIN sports is tied till 2020 or 2021.

Sunbelt: They have a tie to ESPN but not sure how deep it goes, could be like the MAC since they have quite a few game on ESPN3. They could see some games on the RSN's now also.

MW: Doesn't seem like this will affect the MW much. Not many games are on ESPN or ESPN3. MW is more tied with AT&T net currently and Root. The MW is a wildcard in this next TV renewal....as they may just sign on with a Network or 2 for national games and then stream the rest in combination with Stadium for some OTA broadcasts.

The Sunbelt has a pretty strong tie to ESPN...as in ESPN owns the rights to all thier content. Ditto with the MAC and AAC. ESPN owns a pretty hefty package of what would be normally considered 2nd tier MW (plus all Boise home games in a side deal). ESPN owns a small package of CUSA rights (5 games if I remember correctly). However, CUSA is currently up for bid as all its deals (except for BeIn) expire at the end of this sports season.

That kinda what I suspected about the Sunbelt but couldn't find anything solid describing like the MAC deal.
I realize the ESPN has a bit of MW but 1/2 of the MW footprint doesn't reside in the Fox RSN footprint. So there isn't going to be any big change for the MW that I can think of.

CUSA could be the first test of this new acquisition and although they don't have to expand, they could at least setup the SW RSN with several choices for content if NMSU and Texas St were added. That give 6 teams within that footprint.

Im curious how this will work. The professional sports teams rights obviously must be sold with the FOX RSN's or the RSN's have no value. But I know from past experience the RSN's will sometimes carry college Big-12 programming (Fox Sports-SW). I assume that may occur some in the Pac12 area (I cant say for sure as I dont live in those regions). MWC Tex noted above there isnt much Fox RSN penetration out west--so the Pac12 may not be a factor. So--I am curious if these RSN's will come with some lower tier Big-12/Pac-12 content--or if this additional sundry content is not part of the sale.

Either way, I can see ESPN using the Fox regionals as additional outlets for tons of ESPN-3 content. If they DO get some Big-12/Pac-12 content--I could see them sliding that B12/P12 content into vacated Big10 windows and moving more G5 content to lesser windows and Fox Regionals (assuming they even have that option with the acquired Fox B12/P12 content). Keep in mind, even if some of this B12/P12 content is transferred--its possible the deal is written in such a way that ESPN cant use it to compete on national platforms directly with FOX, FS1, or FS2. It may be that they can only use it on the RSN's. So the contract language may spell out a lot of what can or will happen.

Frankly--my sense is this deal is NOT going to usher in any earth shattering changes in college sports. Its primarily about monetizing regional pro sports rights.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/r...al-1067842

Quote:Following the unveiling of a $52.4 billion deal to sell assets of the Fox empire to Disney, Rupert Murdoch and his sons James and Lachlan rallied staff in a memo disclosed in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing on Thursday.

The full letter, signed by Rupert, Lachlan and James, is below.

DEAR COLLEAGUES,

Our journey started decades ago, and with your hard work, creativity and dedication, we’ve built and nurtured what has become 21st Century Fox – one of the most dynamic media companies in the world. Today, we launch the next great leg of our journey by announcing two transformative transactions, the new “Fox” and a combined Disney and Fox.

Our sports, news and broadcast businesses will form the new Fox, a growth company centered on live news and sports brands and the strength of the Fox Network. The new Fox will be created through a spin-off of Fox Broadcasting, Fox News, Fox Business, FS1 and FS2, Big Ten Network (BTN) and our stations group. This company is already a leader many times over: Fox News is the long-time leading cable news network and more recently the #1 cable network. Fox Business is now the most watched business news channel. Fans look to FOX and Fox Sports as the long-term home of important sports leagues like the NFL, MLB and NASCAR and college conferences like the Big 10. And the FOX broadcast network and stations group are present in tens of millions of homes across this country providing Americans with live local news and sports. Fox’s mission will be to produce and deliver must-watch live news and sports content to households across America at a time when live content has never been more coveted.

Combining with Disney are 20th Century Fox Film, 20th Century Fox Television, FX Networks and Productions, the National Geographic Partners, Fox Sports Regional Sports Networks, Fox Networks Group International, Star India, and our interests in Hulu, Sky PLC, Tata Sky and Endemol Shine Group. We’ve long-admired what Disney has built, and like Fox, Disney boasts content assets that engage audiences around the world. Their parks and resorts business is a clear leader, as is their consumer products business. The scope of the new company’s combined storytelling, customer interactions, consolidated Hulu ownership and the international direct to consumer businesses at Sky and Star, will yield a formidable customer-driven company for the future.

You may be wondering how we came to this momentous decision. And the answer is simple – we’ve always made a commitment to deliver more choices for customers; provide great storytelling, news, challenging opinion and compelling sports. Through today’s announcements we are proud to recommit to that promise and enable our businesses to flourish for years to come. The new Fox and Disney are two of the world’s most iconic, relevant, and dynamic media companies, and they will each continue to be leaders in creating the very best experiences for consumers.

We of course appreciate that change brings uncertainty. While we do not yet know what these future changes will mean for our talented colleagues, we can tell you this: we are deeply committed to finding opportunities for our people as well as ensuring that anyone impacted is well taken care of. As the planning for these transactions gets underway, we will have more information to share with all of you. We encourage you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.

In the meantime, it is important to remember that while we have agreed to these transactions, it will be 12-18 months before the spin-off and the combination with Disney are complete. Until then, we will continue to operate independently as we do now and there will be no related changes to your position or responsibilities. We encourage everyone to remain focused on continuing to deliver the outstanding and meaningful work we do here every day.

We want to reiterate our deep appreciation for everything you do to make this a special company, and we look forward to sharing updates with you.

Quote:The new Fox will be created through a spin-off of Fox Broadcasting, Fox News, Fox Business, FS1 and FS2, Big Ten Network (BTN) and our stations group.

This is a major nugget--so existing Fox shareholders will be getting shares of Disney, and shares of the "new Fox". I think that means the existing Fox corporate shell folds up.

There had been questions about how it would work--would Fox own the Disney shares in trust for the stockholder, would there be some sort of interlocking directorate between "new Fox" and Disney. That looks less likely. (Although the Murdoch family are still major shareholders in both companies, as is any other major Fox shareholder.)