(02-16-2020 08:32 AM)goodknightfl Wrote:  ESPN+ is simply tier 3 AAC stuff. Not a big deal. Most of it isn't even aired now. The fact it can easily be watched is more important then the money. We still have all the better stuff on ABC/ESPN platforms just like now.

^^^^^THIS^^^^^^

Basically, it’s all about the CBS-Sports Network games. The number of games we get on ABC/ESPN linear networks is actually increasing. In other words, some of the games we used to get on CBS-Sports Network will now be on an ESPN linear network. The rest will be on ESPN+. That’s just a handful of games. The rest of our content that ends up on ESPN+ is content that is currently being broadcast only on ESPN3, stuff that is currently streamed only on school owned pay services, or content that is not currently broadcast at all.

(02-16-2020 08:32 AM)goodknightfl Wrote:  ESPN+ is simply tier 3 AAC stuff. Not a big deal. Most of it isn't even aired now. The fact it can easily be watched is more important then the money. We still have all the better stuff on ABC/ESPN platforms just like now.

Incorrect...as they stated approx 40%-50% of all AAC MENS Hoop Games will be on ESPN+...when 85% of current conf games are show on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, etc....

From the Sports Business Daily's cover of this new contract:
"Football and men’s basketball are mostly on today at ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU, but the majority of basketball games and about half of the football games will go to ESPN+. Other live sports including baseball, softball and soccer also will air on ESPN+."

ESPN+ will also never published "watch" rates of future AAC Games...as it will be a HUGE drop off from even so-so TV ratings. (ESPN will only push "subscriber" numbers...and most of them are from "families" that purchased ESPN+ and probably have ZERO interest in AAC Sports.

Its sad that some thought this ESPN+ deal was just for volleyball, softball or baseball games....NO...this will impact the EXPOSURE of mostly Men's Basketball and much of football too.

(02-16-2020 10:18 AM)KnightLight Wrote:  

(02-16-2020 08:32 AM)goodknightfl Wrote:  ESPN+ is simply tier 3 AAC stuff. Not a big deal. Most of it isn't even aired now. The fact it can easily be watched is more important then the money. We still have all the better stuff on ABC/ESPN platforms just like now.

Incorrect...as they stated approx 40%-50% of all AAC MENS Hoop Games will be on ESPN+...when 85% of current conf games are show on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, etc....

From the Sports Business Daily's cover of this new contract:
"Football and men’s basketball are mostly on today at ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU, but the majority of basketball games and about half of the football games will go to ESPN+. Other live sports including baseball, softball and soccer also will air on ESPN+."

ESPN+ will also never published "watch" rates of future AAC Games...as it will be a HUGE drop off from even so-so TV ratings. (ESPN will only push "subscriber" numbers...and most of them are from "families" that purchased ESPN+ and probably have ZERO interest in AAC Sports.

Its sad that some thought this ESPN+ deal was just for volleyball, softball or baseball games....NO...this will impact the EXPOSURE of mostly Men's Basketball and much of football too.

From the press conference with Aresco and ESPN Executive VP BUrke Magnus:

Q: Mike, the press release noted that there were going to be 40 football games on various ESPN television platforms, which is an increase. I was curious if you happened to know what the current numbers are.
MIKE ARESCO: Yes, the current is 26.

and later...

Q: This is for either of you guys. You mentioned the increase from 26 to 40 in football games on the three main networks. Will there be an increase in men’s basketball, as well?
MIKE ARESCO: There is an increase in terms of the priority networks, yes. There is. It basically doubles in terms of the minimums.
Q: Do you have any idea what the minimums were?
MIKE ARESCO: They were around 32, and now we’ll go to 65. So there’s a significant increase there. ...

https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-relea...ghts-call/


So, both Football and MBB INCREASE on ABC/ESPN/ESPN2 (the "three main networks" in the MBB question. the 40 football also includes ESPNU)

(02-16-2020 10:51 AM)slhNavy91 Wrote:  

(02-16-2020 10:18 AM)KnightLight Wrote:  

(02-16-2020 08:32 AM)goodknightfl Wrote:  ESPN+ is simply tier 3 AAC stuff. Not a big deal. Most of it isn't even aired now. The fact it can easily be watched is more important then the money. We still have all the better stuff on ABC/ESPN platforms just like now.

Incorrect...as they stated approx 40%-50% of all AAC MENS Hoop Games will be on ESPN+...when 85% of current conf games are show on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, etc....

From the Sports Business Daily's cover of this new contract:
"Football and men’s basketball are mostly on today at ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU, but the majority of basketball games and about half of the football games will go to ESPN+. Other live sports including baseball, softball and soccer also will air on ESPN+."

ESPN+ will also never published "watch" rates of future AAC Games...as it will be a HUGE drop off from even so-so TV ratings. (ESPN will only push "subscriber" numbers...and most of them are from "families" that purchased ESPN+ and probably have ZERO interest in AAC Sports.

Its sad that some thought this ESPN+ deal was just for volleyball, softball or baseball games....NO...this will impact the EXPOSURE of mostly Men's Basketball and much of football too.

From the press conference with Aresco and ESPN Executive VP BUrke Magnus:

Q: Mike, the press release noted that there were going to be 40 football games on various ESPN television platforms, which is an increase. I was curious if you happened to know what the current numbers are.
MIKE ARESCO: Yes, the current is 26.

and later...

Q: This is for either of you guys. You mentioned the increase from 26 to 40 in football games on the three main networks. Will there be an increase in men’s basketball, as well?
MIKE ARESCO: There is an increase in terms of the priority networks, yes. There is. It basically doubles in terms of the minimums.
Q: Do you have any idea what the minimums were?
MIKE ARESCO: They were around 32, and now we’ll go to 65. So there’s a significant increase there. ...

https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-relea...ghts-call/


So, both Football and MBB INCREASE on ABC/ESPN/ESPN2 (the "three main networks" in the MBB question. the 40 football also includes ESPNU)

Yet Aresco still refuses to release the actual contract...(Sports Business Daily writer most likely got key information from an upset employee...either be at the AAC HQ level or from a school level).

I think we all know why Aresco has kept the contract under lock and key. (Probably more holes in it then swiss cheese...and how ESPN has to right to move any game to ESPN+ as they wish).

(02-16-2020 11:36 AM)KnightLight Wrote:  

(02-16-2020 10:51 AM)slhNavy91 Wrote:  

(02-16-2020 10:18 AM)KnightLight Wrote:  

(02-16-2020 08:32 AM)goodknightfl Wrote:  ESPN+ is simply tier 3 AAC stuff. Not a big deal. Most of it isn't even aired now. The fact it can easily be watched is more important then the money. We still have all the better stuff on ABC/ESPN platforms just like now.

Incorrect...as they stated approx 40%-50% of all AAC MENS Hoop Games will be on ESPN+...when 85% of current conf games are show on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, etc....

From the Sports Business Daily's cover of this new contract:
"Football and men’s basketball are mostly on today at ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU, but the majority of basketball games and about half of the football games will go to ESPN+. Other live sports including baseball, softball and soccer also will air on ESPN+."

ESPN+ will also never published "watch" rates of future AAC Games...as it will be a HUGE drop off from even so-so TV ratings. (ESPN will only push "subscriber" numbers...and most of them are from "families" that purchased ESPN+ and probably have ZERO interest in AAC Sports.

Its sad that some thought this ESPN+ deal was just for volleyball, softball or baseball games....NO...this will impact the EXPOSURE of mostly Men's Basketball and much of football too.

From the press conference with Aresco and ESPN Executive VP BUrke Magnus:

Q: Mike, the press release noted that there were going to be 40 football games on various ESPN television platforms, which is an increase. I was curious if you happened to know what the current numbers are.
MIKE ARESCO: Yes, the current is 26.

and later...

Q: This is for either of you guys. You mentioned the increase from 26 to 40 in football games on the three main networks. Will there be an increase in men’s basketball, as well?
MIKE ARESCO: There is an increase in terms of the priority networks, yes. There is. It basically doubles in terms of the minimums.
Q: Do you have any idea what the minimums were?
MIKE ARESCO: They were around 32, and now we’ll go to 65. So there’s a significant increase there. ...

https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-relea...ghts-call/


So, both Football and MBB INCREASE on ABC/ESPN/ESPN2 (the "three main networks" in the MBB question. the 40 football also includes ESPNU)

Yet Aresco still refuses to release the actual contract...(Sports Business Daily writer most likely got key information from an upset employee...either be at the AAC HQ level or from a school level).

I think we all know why Aresco has kept the contract under lock and key. (Probably more holes in it then swiss cheese...and how ESPN has to right to move any game to ESPN+ as they wish).

Facts are pesky things. But what contracts have you ever been privy to except those argued in a court of law?

(02-16-2020 11:36 AM)KnightLight Wrote:  

(02-16-2020 10:51 AM)slhNavy91 Wrote:  

(02-16-2020 10:18 AM)KnightLight Wrote:  

(02-16-2020 08:32 AM)goodknightfl Wrote:  ESPN+ is simply tier 3 AAC stuff. Not a big deal. Most of it isn't even aired now. The fact it can easily be watched is more important then the money. We still have all the better stuff on ABC/ESPN platforms just like now.

Incorrect...as they stated approx 40%-50% of all AAC MENS Hoop Games will be on ESPN+...when 85% of current conf games are show on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, etc....

From the Sports Business Daily's cover of this new contract:
"Football and men’s basketball are mostly on today at ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU, but the majority of basketball games and about half of the football games will go to ESPN+. Other live sports including baseball, softball and soccer also will air on ESPN+."

ESPN+ will also never published "watch" rates of future AAC Games...as it will be a HUGE drop off from even so-so TV ratings. (ESPN will only push "subscriber" numbers...and most of them are from "families" that purchased ESPN+ and probably have ZERO interest in AAC Sports.

Its sad that some thought this ESPN+ deal was just for volleyball, softball or baseball games....NO...this will impact the EXPOSURE of mostly Men's Basketball and much of football too.

From the press conference with Aresco and ESPN Executive VP BUrke Magnus:

Q: Mike, the press release noted that there were going to be 40 football games on various ESPN television platforms, which is an increase. I was curious if you happened to know what the current numbers are.
MIKE ARESCO: Yes, the current is 26.

and later...

Q: This is for either of you guys. You mentioned the increase from 26 to 40 in football games on the three main networks. Will there be an increase in men’s basketball, as well?
MIKE ARESCO: There is an increase in terms of the priority networks, yes. There is. It basically doubles in terms of the minimums.
Q: Do you have any idea what the minimums were?
MIKE ARESCO: They were around 32, and now we’ll go to 65. So there’s a significant increase there. ...

https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-relea...ghts-call/


So, both Football and MBB INCREASE on ABC/ESPN/ESPN2 (the "three main networks" in the MBB question. the 40 football also includes ESPNU)

Yet Aresco still refuses to release the actual contract...(Sports Business Daily writer most likely got key information from an upset employee...either be at the AAC HQ level or from a school level).

I think we all know why Aresco has kept the contract under lock and key. (Probably more holes in it then swiss cheese...and how ESPN has to right to move any game to ESPN+ as they wish).

Nobody releases their contract. You won’t find the SEC deal or the Sunbelt deal out either. No conference has released their tv contract that I’m aware of. They do a press conference and usually release the coverage highlights—-but they don’t give out the actual contract—nor do they get too specific about the financials.

As I said before, this debate basically boils down to games on CBS-Sports. Right now some of our content is on ESPN3---this includes basketball and football games. So, all the stuff we current have on ESPN3 moves to ESPN+---who cares? Its the same. The number of games on ESPN linear networks is INCREASING. That increase is coming from games that used to be on CBS-Sports Network. However, that increase is not enough to cover ALL the games that were on CBS-Sports Network. So, the remaining games from CBS-Sports Network that didn't get shifted to an ESPN linear network---will go to ESPN+. Therefore, the net loss of exposure is something less than half of the games that used to be on CBS-Sports.

Now, while CBS-Sports has around 50 million subscribers---the issue is it's not available to everyone. There is no stand alone streaming version of CBS-Sports (Ive always been shocked that they dont throw that in with a membership to CBS-All Access). So, if CBSSN wasnt offered by your cable company---you were out of luck. Thus, while it has far fewer subscribers, ESPN+ IS at least available to anyone who wants it and has high speed internet service. In other words---at least everyone now has access to the games. Yes--we lost a bit of exposure, but I think its largely offset by roughly half or so of the CBS-Sports games being moved to much more visible ESPN linear networks with larger subscriber numbers (70-83 million). Additionally, a crap load of stuff that was NEVER available will now be available on ESPN+....So---thats a gain in exposure as well.

Personally, I prefer the current deal to the new one in terms of exposure--but its not really much different. If that relatively insignificant change is what it took to get an extra 5 million per school--then Im good with it.

(02-16-2020 11:36 AM)KnightLight Wrote:  

(02-16-2020 10:51 AM)slhNavy91 Wrote:  

(02-16-2020 10:18 AM)KnightLight Wrote:  

(02-16-2020 08:32 AM)goodknightfl Wrote:  ESPN+ is simply tier 3 AAC stuff. Not a big deal. Most of it isn't even aired now. The fact it can easily be watched is more important then the money. We still have all the better stuff on ABC/ESPN platforms just like now.

Incorrect...as they stated approx 40%-50% of all AAC MENS Hoop Games will be on ESPN+...when 85% of current conf games are show on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, etc....

From the Sports Business Daily's cover of this new contract:
"Football and men’s basketball are mostly on today at ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU, but the majority of basketball games and about half of the football games will go to ESPN+. Other live sports including baseball, softball and soccer also will air on ESPN+."

ESPN+ will also never published "watch" rates of future AAC Games...as it will be a HUGE drop off from even so-so TV ratings. (ESPN will only push "subscriber" numbers...and most of them are from "families" that purchased ESPN+ and probably have ZERO interest in AAC Sports.

Its sad that some thought this ESPN+ deal was just for volleyball, softball or baseball games....NO...this will impact the EXPOSURE of mostly Men's Basketball and much of football too.

From the press conference with Aresco and ESPN Executive VP BUrke Magnus:

Q: Mike, the press release noted that there were going to be 40 football games on various ESPN television platforms, which is an increase. I was curious if you happened to know what the current numbers are.
MIKE ARESCO: Yes, the current is 26.

and later...

Q: This is for either of you guys. You mentioned the increase from 26 to 40 in football games on the three main networks. Will there be an increase in men’s basketball, as well?
MIKE ARESCO: There is an increase in terms of the priority networks, yes. There is. It basically doubles in terms of the minimums.
Q: Do you have any idea what the minimums were?
MIKE ARESCO: They were around 32, and now we’ll go to 65. So there’s a significant increase there. ...

https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-relea...ghts-call/


So, both Football and MBB INCREASE on ABC/ESPN/ESPN2 (the "three main networks" in the MBB question. the 40 football also includes ESPNU)

Yet Aresco still refuses to release the actual contract...(Sports Business Daily writer most likely got key information from an upset employee...either be at the AAC HQ level or from a school level).

I think we all know why Aresco has kept the contract under lock and key. (Probably more holes in it then swiss cheese...and how ESPN has to right to move any game to ESPN+ as they wish).

OR...and hear me out, this is a little crazy...OR maybe the SBJ piece you're quoting was sourced from early leak (and quite possibly intentional leaking to get press buzz before official announcements), and it PREdates the Aresco-Magnus presser, AND your "ESPN has to right to move any game to ESPN+ as they wish" is supported by ZERO evidence

Actually, this could really prove the value of the AAC if people are paying ESPN+ to watch key games. Just a thought.

No one here really knows the inside outs of the contract. The only info we have is what M. A. told us, and if true more games are guaranteed being on the networks than before. Basically ESPN 3 stuff got moved to ESPN+ and we more than Tripled our $$$. The vast majority of tier 3 stuff, was not purchased before, and was not on anything other than the AAC Stream from AAC web site. Now it will be on +.

Back to the topic---It looks like the 6.6 million subscriber number is already out of date. Its already up another million.....7.6 million subscribers. Apparently its picked up another million just since Dec of 2019.

https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/espn-rea...bscribers/

https://www.si.com/johnwallstreet/sports...er-decline

(02-17-2020 08:05 AM)goodknightfl Wrote:  No one here really knows the inside outs of the contract. The only info we have is what M. A. told us, and if true more games are guaranteed being on the networks than before. Basically ESPN 3 stuff got moved to ESPN+ and we more than Tripled our $$$. The vast majority of tier 3 stuff, was not purchased before, and was not on anything other than the AAC Stream from AAC web site. Now it will be on +.

IMO, the biggest thing is going to be access. For instance, right now you can open the ESPN app on your Apple TV/Roku/ whatever, and it just lists all the games that are on. I really can't tell which games are on ESPN/ESPN2 vs ESPN3 most of the time.

If the interface will be exactly the same, with our + games coming up on the list, and whether you can watch them just depends on your subscription level, then I don't think much will change.

If, however, there is some special ESPN+ app, or even an ESPN+ section of the app (rather than just seeing ALL baseball/basketball games on), then that will stink.

(02-17-2020 02:31 PM)CoastalJuan Wrote:  

(02-17-2020 08:05 AM)goodknightfl Wrote:  No one here really knows the inside outs of the contract. The only info we have is what M. A. told us, and if true more games are guaranteed being on the networks than before. Basically ESPN 3 stuff got moved to ESPN+ and we more than Tripled our $$$. The vast majority of tier 3 stuff, was not purchased before, and was not on anything other than the AAC Stream from AAC web site. Now it will be on +.

IMO, the biggest thing is going to be access. For instance, right now you can open the ESPN app on your Apple TV/Roku/ whatever, and it just lists all the games that are on. I really can't tell which games are on ESPN/ESPN2 vs ESPN3 most of the time.

If the interface will be exactly the same, with our + games coming up on the list, and whether you can watch them just depends on your subscription level, then I don't think much will change.

If, however, there is some special ESPN+ app, or even an ESPN+ section of the app (rather than just seeing ALL baseball/basketball games on), then that will stink.

You probably aren't going to like it then because, although ESPN+ is included with the regular ESPN app, there is a separate section to view the ESPN+ programming. The subscription is separate from the rest of the App which is accesses using your ESPN subscriber credentials (Cable/Satellite/Streaming).

I don't hate ESPN+ but the quality of the productions varies widely because the hosting facility is responsible for the production. Some schools do much better than others. I'm sure the AAC programs will do a better job than some of the stuff I'm watched so I doubt that is a problem for the most part.

On the "up" side, it provides much broader coverage of sports that I've never had the chance to watch much (at least since I was actually in school...a LONG time ago). I now get to see almost all basketball games (men and women), baseball, softball, etc. I wish I could say I take full advantage but I don't have time to watch all the stuff that's available. That's a good problem to have!

I think a good comparison right now would be comparing Tier 3 subscribers to CBSSN vs ESPN+. Which will result in more eyeballs in the conference now or in the future? For now, I'd presume (without seeing the numbers) that CBSSN is in more households, in 5-10 yrs though, it may be possible that ESPN+ reaches more than CBSSN will at that time.

(02-18-2020 01:54 PM)Yosef84 Wrote:  

(02-17-2020 02:31 PM)CoastalJuan Wrote:  

(02-17-2020 08:05 AM)goodknightfl Wrote:  No one here really knows the inside outs of the contract. The only info we have is what M. A. told us, and if true more games are guaranteed being on the networks than before. Basically ESPN 3 stuff got moved to ESPN+ and we more than Tripled our $$$. The vast majority of tier 3 stuff, was not purchased before, and was not on anything other than the AAC Stream from AAC web site. Now it will be on +.

IMO, the biggest thing is going to be access. For instance, right now you can open the ESPN app on your Apple TV/Roku/ whatever, and it just lists all the games that are on. I really can't tell which games are on ESPN/ESPN2 vs ESPN3 most of the time.

If the interface will be exactly the same, with our + games coming up on the list, and whether you can watch them just depends on your subscription level, then I don't think much will change.

If, however, there is some special ESPN+ app, or even an ESPN+ section of the app (rather than just seeing ALL baseball/basketball games on), then that will stink.

You probably aren't going to like it then because, although ESPN+ is included with the regular ESPN app, there is a separate section to view the ESPN+ programming. The subscription is separate from the rest of the App which is accesses using your ESPN subscriber credentials (Cable/Satellite/Streaming).

I don't hate ESPN+ but the quality of the productions varies widely because the hosting facility is responsible for the production. Some schools do much better than others. I'm sure the AAC programs will do a better job than some of the stuff I'm watched so I doubt that is a problem for the most part.

On the "up" side, it provides much broader coverage of sports that I've never had the chance to watch much (at least since I was actually in school...a LONG time ago). I now get to see almost all basketball games (men and women), baseball, softball, etc. I wish I could say I take full advantage but I don't have time to watch all the stuff that's available. That's a good problem to have!

See that sucks. I'd like it much better if everything was on the same menu. Like, for instance, you see ACC games but it says something like "your subscription doesn't support this content" when you click on it. Same thing for Longhorn network games, games that are OTA in your area, etc.

(02-18-2020 03:10 PM)Once a Knight... Wrote:  I think a good comparison right now would be comparing Tier 3 subscribers to CBSSN vs ESPN+. Which will result in more eyeballs in the conference now or in the future? For now, I'd presume (without seeing the numbers) that CBSSN is in more households, in 5-10 yrs though, it may be possible that ESPN+ reaches more than CBSSN will at that time.

CBSSN is definitely in more households than ESPN+ subscribers. However, CBSSN doesn't release ratings data, and if their CFB numbers are anything like the NFL Network's CUSA numbers then less than 20k would be watching anyway. ESPN+ at least gives you a lot of "extra" in terms of all sport coverage.

(02-13-2020 01:59 PM)Nevadanatural Wrote:  I got it to watch the TU at KSU game. Since I figured most of Tulsa’s football and basketball games would be there next year I went ahead and got the one year subscription figuring I could watch some of the content (30 for 30) in the off season.

I'm a sucker for those 30 for 30 docs. The original ones were consistently good, but some of the newer ones are good too. It just isn't guaranteed, like when they first came out for ESPN's 30th anniversary.

Anyone remember the top 25 "Who's Number 1" countdown shows they did for the 25th anniversary of the mothership?

(02-18-2020 03:44 PM)Yosef Himself Wrote:  

(02-18-2020 03:10 PM)Once a Knight... Wrote:  I think a good comparison right now would be comparing Tier 3 subscribers to CBSSN vs ESPN+. Which will result in more eyeballs in the conference now or in the future? For now, I'd presume (without seeing the numbers) that CBSSN is in more households, in 5-10 yrs though, it may be possible that ESPN+ reaches more than CBSSN will at that time.

CBSSN is definitely in more households than ESPN+ subscribers. However, CBSSN doesn't release ratings data, and if their CFB numbers are anything like the NFL Network's CUSA numbers then less than 20k would be watching anyway. ESPN+ at least gives you a lot of "extra" in terms of all sport coverage.

I would agree, seeing that younger people seem to be the push for cord cutting. ESPiN is looking at the future of sports broadcasting and streaming looks like the wave of the future. The Big 12-2 bought into it. Who will be next.

I've read some speculation that the SEC may end up with some football games on ESPN+ after they sign their new T1 contract. If that ends up being true, your exposure will skyrocket because more people will sign up.

(02-20-2020 05:24 AM)sierrajip Wrote:  

(02-18-2020 03:44 PM)Yosef Himself Wrote:  

(02-18-2020 03:10 PM)Once a Knight... Wrote:  I think a good comparison right now would be comparing Tier 3 subscribers to CBSSN vs ESPN+. Which will result in more eyeballs in the conference now or in the future? For now, I'd presume (without seeing the numbers) that CBSSN is in more households, in 5-10 yrs though, it may be possible that ESPN+ reaches more than CBSSN will at that time.

CBSSN is definitely in more households than ESPN+ subscribers. However, CBSSN doesn't release ratings data, and if their CFB numbers are anything like the NFL Network's CUSA numbers then less than 20k would be watching anyway. ESPN+ at least gives you a lot of "extra" in terms of all sport coverage.

I would agree, seeing that younger people seem to be the push for cord cutting. ESPiN is looking at the future of sports broadcasting and streaming looks like the wave of the future. The Big 12-2 bought into it. Who will be next.

I know MW fans have been very critical of the AAC having 20 footballs games or so on ESPN+ and more than half of all basketball games on ESPN+. The reality is its better than what they were doing when the had a contract with CBS-Sports (50 million subscribers) and the rest of their stuff was on their conference network ("The Mountain") that never had more than 13 million subscribers. When "The Mountain" was shut down in 2012, that switched to about 1/3 of their stuff on CBS-Sports, a third on ESPN networks, and the rest on their own streaming Digital Network. Basketball has always had a higher percentage of stuff OFF linear TV than foobtall for both conferences. We're going with about 40 of our football games on ESPN linear platforms with more subscribers than anything the MW will be on---and the rest on ESPN+ which is nearing 8 million subscribers (and growing) and is available to anyone with internet. Basketball will have about 65 games on ESPN linear networks with the rest on ESPN+. The MW actually has 39 guaranteed football games on linear TV and 64 basketball games on linear TV. So--basically--no difference in the number iOS games on linear television---except the AAC linear coverage is largely on bigger, more well known, networks (ESPN networks vs FS-1 and CBS-Sports).

Im far less concerned with the platform's we selected than I am concerned about the length deal (12 years).

(02-18-2020 03:40 PM)CoastalJuan Wrote:  

(02-18-2020 01:54 PM)Yosef84 Wrote:  

(02-17-2020 02:31 PM)CoastalJuan Wrote:  

(02-17-2020 08:05 AM)goodknightfl Wrote:  No one here really knows the inside outs of the contract. The only info we have is what M. A. told us, and if true more games are guaranteed being on the networks than before. Basically ESPN 3 stuff got moved to ESPN+ and we more than Tripled our $$$. The vast majority of tier 3 stuff, was not purchased before, and was not on anything other than the AAC Stream from AAC web site. Now it will be on +.

IMO, the biggest thing is going to be access. For instance, right now you can open the ESPN app on your Apple TV/Roku/ whatever, and it just lists all the games that are on. I really can't tell which games are on ESPN/ESPN2 vs ESPN3 most of the time.

If the interface will be exactly the same, with our + games coming up on the list, and whether you can watch them just depends on your subscription level, then I don't think much will change.

If, however, there is some special ESPN+ app, or even an ESPN+ section of the app (rather than just seeing ALL baseball/basketball games on), then that will stink.

You probably aren't going to like it then because, although ESPN+ is included with the regular ESPN app, there is a separate section to view the ESPN+ programming. The subscription is separate from the rest of the App which is accesses using your ESPN subscriber credentials (Cable/Satellite/Streaming).

I don't hate ESPN+ but the quality of the productions varies widely because the hosting facility is responsible for the production. Some schools do much better than others. I'm sure the AAC programs will do a better job than some of the stuff I'm watched so I doubt that is a problem for the most part.

On the "up" side, it provides much broader coverage of sports that I've never had the chance to watch much (at least since I was actually in school...a LONG time ago). I now get to see almost all basketball games (men and women), baseball, softball, etc. I wish I could say I take full advantage but I don't have time to watch all the stuff that's available. That's a good problem to have!

See that sucks. I'd like it much better if everything was on the same menu. Like, for instance, you see ACC games but it says something like "your subscription doesn't support this content" when you click on it. Same thing for Longhorn network games, games that are OTA in your area, etc.

The ESPN app on my phone and my Firestick has ESPN+ content on the menu with games and shows on ESPN/2/3/U/News. If you want to filter out the linear ESPN channels you can go to the ESPN+ section.

Also if you pick 'Favorites' on your ESPN.com profile, games featuring those teams will show up first on the menu page of the ESPN app. Whether they be on ESPN linear channels or ESPN+.

For example, I have Marshall Football and Marshall Basketball as my favorites so they're always the first game listed on the ESPN app menu.