(10-18-2014 12:44 PM)GaStPanthers Wrote:  The American Sports Network is airing a SoCon game this afternoon. Why didn't the Sun Belt join this "network" again?

ESPN may prevent it.

(10-18-2014 12:44 PM)GaStPanthers Wrote:  The American Sports Network is airing a SoCon game this afternoon. Why didn't the Sun Belt join this "network" again?

Cannot see the American Sports Network in Charlotte or Atlanta. Do not want to pay them to telecast our
games, but if the SBC could without violating our ESPN contract would be all for it for additional telecasts.

(10-18-2014 12:44 PM)GaStPanthers Wrote:  The American Sports Network is airing a SoCon game this afternoon. Why didn't the Sun Belt join this "network" again?

It would violate our contract with ESPN. Our secondary deal cannot broadcast game outside of Sun Belt States or bordering states. They also must be made available to ESPN3. We gave ESPN exclusive National rights in exchange for assuring every football game will be available on ESPN3 at worst.

That being said, there is no American Affiliate in Jonesboro, so it doesn't help us any.

(10-20-2014 10:59 AM)GoApps70 Wrote:  

(10-18-2014 12:44 PM)GaStPanthers Wrote:  The American Sports Network is airing a SoCon game this afternoon. Why didn't the Sun Belt join this "network" again?

Cannot see the American Sports Network in Charlotte or Atlanta. Do not want to pay them to telecast our
games, but if the SBC could without violating our ESPN contract would be all for it for additional telecasts.

It is available in Atlanta.

(10-20-2014 11:07 AM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(10-18-2014 12:44 PM)GaStPanthers Wrote:  The American Sports Network is airing a SoCon game this afternoon. Why didn't the Sun Belt join this "network" again?

It would violate our contract with ESPN. Our secondary deal cannot broadcast game outside of Sun Belt States or bordering states. They also must be made available to ESPN3. We gave ESPN exclusive National rights in exchange for assuring every football game will be available on ESPN3 at worst.

That being said, there is no American Affiliate in Jonesboro, so it doesn't help us any.

I figured that was the issue, but if every American Sports Network affiliate doesn't show the same games they might be able to show a Sun Belt game in Sun Belt states, but a Conference-USA or SoCon game in other states. Regardless, that is something that could easily be worked around in the agreement between the Sun Belt and the American Sports Network.

I'm not seeing how this is any different that WKU games being broadcast on the Hilltopper Sports Network (which had affiliates throughout Kentucky) last season but was still shown on ESPN3.

(10-20-2014 02:35 PM)GaStPanthers Wrote:  

(10-20-2014 10:59 AM)GoApps70 Wrote:  

(10-18-2014 12:44 PM)GaStPanthers Wrote:  The American Sports Network is airing a SoCon game this afternoon. Why didn't the Sun Belt join this "network" again?

Cannot see the American Sports Network in Charlotte or Atlanta. Do not want to pay them to telecast our
games, but if the SBC could without violating our ESPN contract would be all for it for additional telecasts.

It is available in Atlanta.

(10-20-2014 11:07 AM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(10-18-2014 12:44 PM)GaStPanthers Wrote:  The American Sports Network is airing a SoCon game this afternoon. Why didn't the Sun Belt join this "network" again?

It would violate our contract with ESPN. Our secondary deal cannot broadcast game outside of Sun Belt States or bordering states. They also must be made available to ESPN3. We gave ESPN exclusive National rights in exchange for assuring every football game will be available on ESPN3 at worst.

That being said, there is no American Affiliate in Jonesboro, so it doesn't help us any.

I figured that was the issue, but if every American Sports Network affiliate doesn't show the same games they might be able to show a Sun Belt game in Sun Belt states, but a Conference-USA or SoCon game in other states. Regardless, that is something that could easily be worked around in the agreement between the Sun Belt and the American Sports Network.

I'm not seeing how this is any different that WKU games being broadcast on the Hilltopper Sports Network (which had affiliates throughout Kentucky) last season but was still shown on ESPN3.

Keep in mind Western had to drop their coverage levels significantly when we signed the new deal with ESPN. It was a constant complaint out of Bowling Green. They couldn't sign near the stations they wanted because rules said they couldn't.

Regarding the American Sports Network. These guys have to be willing to show the games. There were some issues this week that markets dropped certain games and showed ACC games instead. There is also a serious concern with Ad content.

Its a deal that might have worked. But it would have been very complex and hard to police (What happens if a NY station picked up our games by accident) Its also not guaranteed. Many SBC Cities don't have access to CW Channels, so games would have to be sold to cable access channels which is fraught with difficulties.

Not to mention they have to be willing to offer to ESPN3. At last check, many networks were not willing to do that because of the prices ESPN charges.

I still don't think this American Sports Network lasts very long. I'm not sure the ad sales will allow many stations to keep the games.

The Atlanta station is only picking up some ASN games. They showed UNT at UAB. I have a sneaky feeling that C-USA is paying for the privilege of being aired. C-USA broadcasts on ASN have sometimes used the tagline "Our Network. Our Teams.".

(10-20-2014 11:07 AM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(10-18-2014 12:44 PM)GaStPanthers Wrote:  The American Sports Network is airing a SoCon game this afternoon. Why didn't the Sun Belt join this "network" again?

It would violate our contract with ESPN. Our secondary deal cannot broadcast game outside of Sun Belt States or bordering states. They also must be made available to ESPN3. We gave ESPN exclusive National rights in exchange for assuring every football game will be available on ESPN3 at worst.

That being said, there is no American Affiliate in Jonesboro, so it doesn't help us any.

There is no affiliate in Charlotte either, but we have a local station that picks some of those games up.

[/quote]

There is also a serious concern with Ad content.

[/quote]

Is the issue with having enough ad content to continue ($) or the ads are very off-putting to some and driving away viewers?

(10-20-2014 02:42 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(10-20-2014 02:35 PM)GaStPanthers Wrote:  

(10-20-2014 10:59 AM)GoApps70 Wrote:  

(10-18-2014 12:44 PM)GaStPanthers Wrote:  The American Sports Network is airing a SoCon game this afternoon. Why didn't the Sun Belt join this "network" again?

Cannot see the American Sports Network in Charlotte or Atlanta. Do not want to pay them to telecast our
games, but if the SBC could without violating our ESPN contract would be all for it for additional telecasts.

It is available in Atlanta.

(10-20-2014 11:07 AM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(10-18-2014 12:44 PM)GaStPanthers Wrote:  The American Sports Network is airing a SoCon game this afternoon. Why didn't the Sun Belt join this "network" again?

It would violate our contract with ESPN. Our secondary deal cannot broadcast game outside of Sun Belt States or bordering states. They also must be made available to ESPN3. We gave ESPN exclusive National rights in exchange for assuring every football game will be available on ESPN3 at worst.

That being said, there is no American Affiliate in Jonesboro, so it doesn't help us any.

I figured that was the issue, but if every American Sports Network affiliate doesn't show the same games they might be able to show a Sun Belt game in Sun Belt states, but a Conference-USA or SoCon game in other states. Regardless, that is something that could easily be worked around in the agreement between the Sun Belt and the American Sports Network.

I'm not seeing how this is any different that WKU games being broadcast on the Hilltopper Sports Network (which had affiliates throughout Kentucky) last season but was still shown on ESPN3.

I still don't think this American Sports Network lasts very long. I'm not sure the ad sales will allow many stations to keep the games.

Sinclair owns a bunch of stations that need programming on Saturday afternoons. That's why they started this syndicated network. They own a syndicated wrestling program as well.

(10-20-2014 04:51 PM)MissouriStateBears Wrote:  

(10-20-2014 02:42 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(10-20-2014 02:35 PM)GaStPanthers Wrote:  

(10-20-2014 10:59 AM)GoApps70 Wrote:  

(10-18-2014 12:44 PM)GaStPanthers Wrote:  The American Sports Network is airing a SoCon game this afternoon. Why didn't the Sun Belt join this "network" again?

Cannot see the American Sports Network in Charlotte or Atlanta. Do not want to pay them to telecast our
games, but if the SBC could without violating our ESPN contract would be all for it for additional telecasts.

It is available in Atlanta.

(10-20-2014 11:07 AM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(10-18-2014 12:44 PM)GaStPanthers Wrote:  The American Sports Network is airing a SoCon game this afternoon. Why didn't the Sun Belt join this "network" again?

It would violate our contract with ESPN. Our secondary deal cannot broadcast game outside of Sun Belt States or bordering states. They also must be made available to ESPN3. We gave ESPN exclusive National rights in exchange for assuring every football game will be available on ESPN3 at worst.

That being said, there is no American Affiliate in Jonesboro, so it doesn't help us any.

I figured that was the issue, but if every American Sports Network affiliate doesn't show the same games they might be able to show a Sun Belt game in Sun Belt states, but a Conference-USA or SoCon game in other states. Regardless, that is something that could easily be worked around in the agreement between the Sun Belt and the American Sports Network.

I'm not seeing how this is any different that WKU games being broadcast on the Hilltopper Sports Network (which had affiliates throughout Kentucky) last season but was still shown on ESPN3.

I still don't think this American Sports Network lasts very long. I'm not sure the ad sales will allow many stations to keep the games.

Sinclair owns a bunch of stations that need programming on Saturday afternoons. That's why they started this syndicated network. They own a syndicated wrestling program as well.

Essentially, they are throwing a bunch of things at a wall and seeing what sticks. But if the nasty rumors are true and CUSA is actually paying for the privilege of using the network, then we're probably better off with ESPN agreeing to pick up our games on ESPN3 as part of our contract.

Nice win for you guys Saturday by the way.

(10-20-2014 04:46 PM)McLeansvilleAppFan Wrote:  Is the issue with having enough ad content to continue ($) or the ads are very off-putting to some and driving away viewers?

I cant prove this without watching their games, but I do know that a couple stations chose to air an infomercial rather than show the WKU/FAU game this past week.

If a Station is choosing to air a paid program spot like an infomercial, it makes sense to me that they are having trouble selling advertising for the games. If they are indeed having that issue, my guess is they don't continue next season.

(10-20-2014 06:18 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(10-20-2014 04:46 PM)McLeansvilleAppFan Wrote:  Is the issue with having enough ad content to continue ($) or the ads are very off-putting to some and driving away viewers?

I cant prove this without watching their games, but I do know that a couple stations chose to air an infomercial rather than show the WKU/FAU game this past week.

If a Station is choosing to air a paid program spot like an infomercial, it makes sense to me that they are having trouble selling advertising for the games. If they are indeed having that issue, my guess is they don't continue next season.

Is this a Sincair owned or at least controlled station or a station that is willing to show ASN games but can't be forced to do so since that are not owned by Sinclair? The ASN may be scaled back to Sinclair only stations, but even if not a ratings success if they can produce the game for low enough costs and sell some ads they might still be ahead of showing an afternoon movie that has low viewership and ad sales. Especially if some of the conferences are footing the bill or at least part of the bill.

I would imagine the cost of the license to show a movie or two would not be that much compared to showing live events with camera, techs running everything and then the cost of the talent, but is no one is watching the movies being shown instead of an ASN game the the numbers may work in the favor of ASN.

(10-20-2014 07:08 PM)McLeansvilleAppFan Wrote:  

(10-20-2014 06:18 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(10-20-2014 04:46 PM)McLeansvilleAppFan Wrote:  Is the issue with having enough ad content to continue ($) or the ads are very off-putting to some and driving away viewers?

I cant prove this without watching their games, but I do know that a couple stations chose to air an infomercial rather than show the WKU/FAU game this past week.

If a Station is choosing to air a paid program spot like an infomercial, it makes sense to me that they are having trouble selling advertising for the games. If they are indeed having that issue, my guess is they don't continue next season.

Is this a Sincair owned or at least controlled station or a station that is willing to show ASN games but can't be forced to do so since that are not owned by Sinclair? The ASN may be scaled back to Sinclair only stations, but even if not a ratings success if they can produce the game for low enough costs and sell some ads they might still be ahead of showing an afternoon movie that has low viewership and ad sales. Especially if some of the conferences are footing the bill or at least part of the bill.

I would imagine the cost of the license to show a movie or two would not be that much compared to showing live events with camera, techs running everything and then the cost of the talent, but is no one is watching the movies being shown instead of an ASN game the the numbers may work in the favor of ASN.

Games are CUSA produced, so its really more about filling advertising slots. I think that's where the issue lies, some stations will have more success than others.

My guess is it scales back significantly next year.

(10-20-2014 07:11 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(10-20-2014 07:08 PM)McLeansvilleAppFan Wrote:  

(10-20-2014 06:18 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(10-20-2014 04:46 PM)McLeansvilleAppFan Wrote:  Is the issue with having enough ad content to continue ($) or the ads are very off-putting to some and driving away viewers?

I cant prove this without watching their games, but I do know that a couple stations chose to air an infomercial rather than show the WKU/FAU game this past week.

If a Station is choosing to air a paid program spot like an infomercial, it makes sense to me that they are having trouble selling advertising for the games. If they are indeed having that issue, my guess is they don't continue next season.

Is this a Sincair owned or at least controlled station or a station that is willing to show ASN games but can't be forced to do so since that are not owned by Sinclair? The ASN may be scaled back to Sinclair only stations, but even if not a ratings success if they can produce the game for low enough costs and sell some ads they might still be ahead of showing an afternoon movie that has low viewership and ad sales. Especially if some of the conferences are footing the bill or at least part of the bill.

I would imagine the cost of the license to show a movie or two would not be that much compared to showing live events with camera, techs running everything and then the cost of the talent, but is no one is watching the movies being shown instead of an ASN game the the numbers may work in the favor of ASN.

Games are CUSA produced, so its really more about filling advertising slots. I think that's where the issue lies, some stations will have more success than others.

My guess is it scales back significantly next year.

Sinclair family seems to be one of the ALEC type conservatives. A few years ago Sinclair Broadcasting was on the AFL-CIO boycott list over some bargaining agreements around the country. The boycott is over now for what it is worth. I did notice a good many of the ads in a game I watched were from Koch industries. Whether one agrees with the Koch brothers politics or not I think the two families have similar political views. No telling how much support Sinclair could be getting from a few sources. Not trying to sound all conspiracy like but Sinclair may be getting some revenue help that is a bit disproportionate to the actual ratings. That is one reason I asked about the ad content a few posts earlier.

Establishing a national mini-ESPN would seem to have huge financial potential.
Not sure that is possible but those connections you mentioned would give it a shot.

(10-20-2014 08:03 PM)GoApps70 Wrote:  Establishing a national mini-ESPN would seem to have huge financial potential.
Not sure that is possible but those connections you mentioned would give it a shot.

I remember two things about the game I watched. OK-three.

ODU was playing a MEAC team.

Every CUSA team had an ad before the game was over, and not just the two schools that were playing. That makes sense if the CUSA was footing the bill. I don't know if the MEAC team had an ad, but I assume so.

The third thing is that it seems every commercial break had a Koch Industries ad. That may be a bit hyperbole, but there were a lot of Koch ads during the game. Enough that I remember and it is nearly two months later.

(10-20-2014 08:09 PM)McLeansvilleAppFan Wrote:  

(10-20-2014 08:03 PM)GoApps70 Wrote:  Establishing a national mini-ESPN would seem to have huge financial potential.
Not sure that is possible but those connections you mentioned would give it a shot.

I remember two things about the game I watched. OK-three.

ODU was playing a MEAC team.

Every CUSA team had an ad before the game was over, and not just the two schools that were playing. That makes sense if the CUSA was footing the bill. I don't know if the MEAC team had an ad, but I assume so.

The third thing is that it seems every commercial break had a Koch Industries ad. That may be a bit hyperbole, but there were a lot of Koch ads during the game. Enough that I remember and it is nearly two months later.

They may just be in the middle of a large ad-buy, I have noticed a lot of their commercials on ESPN this year as well which I never remember seeing before. Since it's almost election time, maybe they are just running positive advertising to try and offset the fact that their name is/will be dragged through the mud during debates and political advertising.

I don't know, I have the DirecTV sports package and I can get pretty much any game I want...Including the Belt games...Sinclair is going to do some pretty good things in the future I think...

(10-20-2014 06:18 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(10-20-2014 04:46 PM)McLeansvilleAppFan Wrote:  Is the issue with having enough ad content to continue ($) or the ads are very off-putting to some and driving away viewers?

I cant prove this without watching their games, but I do know that a couple stations chose to air an infomercial rather than show the WKU/FAU game this past week.

If a Station is choosing to air a paid program spot like an infomercial, it makes sense to me that they are having trouble selling advertising for the games. If they are indeed having that issue, my guess is they don't continue next season.

If CUSA is really footing the bill for production then I can't see them stopping entirely. I could maybe see them cutting out the FCS games though.

I think it'd be great to see CUSA, MAC, and SBC team up to sure up funding for the American Sports Network. I know that's not really feasible because of ESPN contracts, but it'd be a better form of advertising than a lot of the things our conferences do.

The FAU-WKU game was on in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale (No. 16) and West Palm Beach (No. 38) markets and had millions of potential viewers there alone. It turned out to be a great game to watch.