(03-25-2015 12:01 PM)GeauxUL Wrote:  

(03-25-2015 10:14 AM)Usajags Wrote:  Personally, I don't care for the ESPN3 games. It's not available to everyone, only to specific providers, and my satellite internet does a horrible job of streaming video and eats up a lot of my available data allowance for each month.

Get our games on an actual TV so I can tune it in and watch.

I agree, don't like them. I'd rather rhem be on fs1 or cbs sports on the weekend any day of the week.

I like ESPN3 because it's better than nothing however I would have no problem with our games being on NBC Sports or CBS Sports. I know ESPN is the king of cable sports TV but they put so few of our games on that I think the cumulative effect of all of our games being broadcast on one of the lesser networks would be greater than the few bones ESPN throws our way.

(03-25-2015 09:59 AM)CrazyCajun Wrote:  

(03-25-2015 09:19 AM)Crump1 Wrote:  

(03-25-2015 09:12 AM)Buzz Lightyear Lite Wrote:  

(03-25-2015 08:34 AM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(03-25-2015 02:09 AM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  I'm not a Benson fan. But he hasn't done nearly as much damage as Waters did with his TV deal.

Not sure what was wrong with that deal. Same money as MAC had just signed with fewer games moved to weeknights.

We had a look-in period with ESPN to renegotiate last year and the current commissioner opted to not exercise that right presumably believing he could do no better.

I may be speaking for most....at least I think so....but those weeknight games are terrible for crowds, enthusiasm and for almost everyone.....the occasional prime time Thursday is one thing....but Tuesday and Wednesday are for the birds...

Nobody likes them but for exposure it is better than playing on a non-ESPN or network station on a weekend. For the fans that are already on board, ESPN3 games on a weekend are a better deal but lack the exposure for the time being.

Play on a weekend on ESPN3 or whatever channel it is that CUSA uses and you get no exposure but your fans are happy because the home fans can attend and the fans that seek out the game can still see it on TV.

Play a weeknight and get a LOT more eyeballs and attention from recruits but the home fans suffer.

And this is where mythology gets mixed in with percentage of viewers. While the number of households viewing CUSA's games Fox Sports is not great, their games can be found on television in prime on Saturday, in comparison to the Sun Belt Games in the internet. What does that mean? For one, many potential student athletes live in poverty and do not have access to Wi-Fi, or can't afford the cost. They can watch CUSA games on Satellite or cable. And many student athletes are not aware that the Sun Belt Conference games are viewable on the internet.

Secondly, many people watch games with family and friends at home or sports bars if not attending a game. They are the national games of the week or their favorite P5 teams. For the most part, the majority of fans watching SBC or CUSA football games are fans of those programs. The difference is I can sit in a sports bar and find CUSA games on television prime time on Saturday. While the viewing audience is not much greater, its still a competitive edge for their conference.

It isn't mythology. If you have Directv, Dish (I think they are included) or a major ISP then you have access to ESPN3 and I know a lot of very poor families who have wifi.

The vast majority of games are not being watched at bars but in homes and those homes are increasingly equipped with smart TVs and devices that allow streaming. Most younger people I know stream almost all of the TV they watch.

Playing a game on ESPN when there are few if any additional games is a competitive advantage. Kids are either not sitting around watching games or they are watching the big P5 games on weekends. The numbers for FS1 and CBS illustrate that greatly. Being on a station that nobody watches is not an advantage when it comes to exposure, just for the fans of the schools playing a particular game.

(03-25-2015 12:39 PM)Georgia_Power_Company Wrote:  

(03-25-2015 12:01 PM)GeauxUL Wrote:  

(03-25-2015 10:14 AM)Usajags Wrote:  Personally, I don't care for the ESPN3 games. It's not available to everyone, only to specific providers, and my satellite internet does a horrible job of streaming video and eats up a lot of my available data allowance for each month.

Get our games on an actual TV so I can tune it in and watch.

I agree, don't like them. I'd rather rhem be on fs1 or cbs sports on the weekend any day of the week.

I like ESPN3 because it's better than nothing however I would have no problem with our games being on NBC Sports or CBS Sports. I know ESPN is the king of cable sports TV but they put so few of our games on that I think the cumulative effect of all of our games being broadcast on one of the lesser networks would be greater than the few bones ESPN throws our way.

The best scenario we could have would be the weeknight games on ESPN and weekend games on a regional carrier that most if not all of our fans could access.

A typical weeknight ESPN2 Sun Belt game will draw more viewers than four FS1 CUSA games, a well watched game like UL-AState in 2012 or 2013 will draw more viewers than 7 or 8 CUSA telecasts.

The CUSA package just doesn't draw casual viewers because of the channel they are on.

For recruiting purposes being on the big show is to your advantage than being on channels that often aren't included in basic packages. For a fan if you are home and have cable or sat with the sports package the CUSA package is fantastic but it does little to brand build.

I watch much of my sports on Apple TV (last thing I watched was an NHL game last night).

Apple is expected to roll out a basic TV package similar to the Dish/Sling package with more channels in the fall this is the future my friends.

(03-25-2015 01:13 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  A typical weeknight ESPN2 Sun Belt game will draw more viewers than four FS1 CUSA games, a well watched game like UL-AState in 2012 or 2013 will draw more viewers than 7 or 8 CUSA telecasts.

The CUSA package just doesn't draw casual viewers because of the channel they are on.

For recruiting purposes being on the big show is to your advantage than being on channels that often aren't included in basic packages. For a fan if you are home and have cable or sat with the sports package the CUSA package is fantastic but it does little to brand build.

I watch much of my sports on Apple TV (last thing I watched was an NHL game last night).

Apple is expected to roll out a basic TV package similar to the Dish/Sling package with more channels in the fall this is the future my friends.

While a pain for fans of the home team, I think the weeknight games are great for exposure of the product. I'm sure every sports bar will have one or more TV's turned on to the weeknight Sun Belt game on ESPN or ESPN 2. I will turn on a Sun Belt game (I don't have a dog in the fight) on a weeknight, but it is doubtful I would watch a Sun Belt game on weekends if it is up against an SEC, Big 10, ACC game, etc.

(03-25-2015 02:21 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(03-25-2015 01:13 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  A typical weeknight ESPN2 Sun Belt game will draw more viewers than four FS1 CUSA games, a well watched game like UL-AState in 2012 or 2013 will draw more viewers than 7 or 8 CUSA telecasts.

The CUSA package just doesn't draw casual viewers because of the channel they are on.

For recruiting purposes being on the big show is to your advantage than being on channels that often aren't included in basic packages. For a fan if you are home and have cable or sat with the sports package the CUSA package is fantastic but it does little to brand build.

I watch much of my sports on Apple TV (last thing I watched was an NHL game last night).

Apple is expected to roll out a basic TV package similar to the Dish/Sling package with more channels in the fall this is the future my friends.

While a pain for fans of the home team, I think the weeknight games are great for exposure of the product. I'm sure every sports bar will have one or more TV's turned on to the weeknight Sun Belt game on ESPN or ESPN 2. I will turn on a Sun Belt game (I don't have a dog in the fight) on a weeknight, but it is doubtful I would watch a Sun Belt game on weekends if it is up against an SEC, Big 10, ACC game, etc.

I think that's the rationale behind weeknight games...

Sent from my HTC6500LVW using Tapatalk

(03-25-2015 08:34 AM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(03-25-2015 02:09 AM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  

(03-25-2015 12:30 AM)chiefsfan Wrote:  Benson tried to save the WAC when there were members of the WAC who didn't want to save the WAC.

His SBC Screw ups have been worse than anything that he ever did with the WAC if you honestly asked me.

I'm not a Benson fan. But he hasn't done nearly as much damage as Waters did with his TV deal.

Not sure what was wrong with that deal. Same money as MAC had just signed with fewer games moved to weeknights.

We had a look-in period with ESPN to renegotiate last year and the current commissioner opted to not exercise that right presumably believing he could do no better.

Interesting. Just curious, was that before or after the MAC announced an early extension resulting in a 10-fold increase in thier annual media revenue.

(03-25-2015 02:21 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(03-25-2015 01:13 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  A typical weeknight ESPN2 Sun Belt game will draw more viewers than four FS1 CUSA games, a well watched game like UL-AState in 2012 or 2013 will draw more viewers than 7 or 8 CUSA telecasts.

The CUSA package just doesn't draw casual viewers because of the channel they are on.

For recruiting purposes being on the big show is to your advantage than being on channels that often aren't included in basic packages. For a fan if you are home and have cable or sat with the sports package the CUSA package is fantastic but it does little to brand build.

I watch much of my sports on Apple TV (last thing I watched was an NHL game last night).

Apple is expected to roll out a basic TV package similar to the Dish/Sling package with more channels in the fall this is the future my friends.

While a pain for fans of the home team, I think the weeknight games are great for exposure of the product. I'm sure every sports bar will have one or more TV's turned on to the weeknight Sun Belt game on ESPN or ESPN 2. I will turn on a Sun Belt game (I don't have a dog in the fight) on a weeknight, but it is doubtful I would watch a Sun Belt game on weekends if it is up against an SEC, Big 10, ACC game, etc.

Last September I was in Charlottesville VA on a Thursday night. As soon as I got into town, I made a beeline to a nearby Buffalo Wild Wings to catch the App State - GaSo game. When got to my table and to my dismay, our game wasn't on. The Redskins TNF game was on, as was the Orioles game, and the ESPN game ( BYU or AFA.) Fortunately, they changed one of the TVs (smaller) to the Deuce so i could what our game. The point being here, most general sports fans were watching one of the other games I mentioned rather than the SBC match up.

(03-25-2015 04:52 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(03-25-2015 08:34 AM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(03-25-2015 02:09 AM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  

(03-25-2015 12:30 AM)chiefsfan Wrote:  Benson tried to save the WAC when there were members of the WAC who didn't want to save the WAC.

His SBC Screw ups have been worse than anything that he ever did with the WAC if you honestly asked me.

I'm not a Benson fan. But he hasn't done nearly as much damage as Waters did with his TV deal.

Not sure what was wrong with that deal. Same money as MAC had just signed with fewer games moved to weeknights.

We had a look-in period with ESPN to renegotiate last year and the current commissioner opted to not exercise that right presumably believing he could do no better.

Interesting. Just curious, was that before or after the MAC announced an early extension resulting in a 10-fold increase in thier annual media revenue.

3 1/2 years before the MAC opted to use the look-in to renegotiate.

(03-25-2015 04:52 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(03-25-2015 08:34 AM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(03-25-2015 02:09 AM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  

(03-25-2015 12:30 AM)chiefsfan Wrote:  Benson tried to save the WAC when there were members of the WAC who didn't want to save the WAC.

His SBC Screw ups have been worse than anything that he ever did with the WAC if you honestly asked me.

I'm not a Benson fan. But he hasn't done nearly as much damage as Waters did with his TV deal.

Not sure what was wrong with that deal. Same money as MAC had just signed with fewer games moved to weeknights.

We had a look-in period with ESPN to renegotiate last year and the current commissioner opted to not exercise that right presumably believing he could do no better.

Interesting. Just curious, was that before or after the MAC announced an early extension resulting in a 10-fold increase in thier annual media revenue.

And did we get out from under the prohibition on selling Sun Belt content nationally?

(03-23-2015 01:44 PM)Usajags Wrote:  You guys are right about attendance. The Bahamas Bowl was played in a stadium smaller then that aircraft hanger up in Idaho.

The crowd for the Potato Bowl in Boise this past December could have fit in that aircraft hangar.

(03-25-2015 11:34 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  

(03-25-2015 04:52 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(03-25-2015 08:34 AM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(03-25-2015 02:09 AM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  

(03-25-2015 12:30 AM)chiefsfan Wrote:  Benson tried to save the WAC when there were members of the WAC who didn't want to save the WAC.

His SBC Screw ups have been worse than anything that he ever did with the WAC if you honestly asked me.

I'm not a Benson fan. But he hasn't done nearly as much damage as Waters did with his TV deal.

Not sure what was wrong with that deal. Same money as MAC had just signed with fewer games moved to weeknights.

We had a look-in period with ESPN to renegotiate last year and the current commissioner opted to not exercise that right presumably believing he could do no better.

Interesting. Just curious, was that before or after the MAC announced an early extension resulting in a 10-fold increase in thier annual media revenue.

And did we get out from under the prohibition on selling Sun Belt content nationally?

Became a moot point. When Comcast SE folded Benson moved to ESPN3 basically became like the MAC deal without getting any more money.

If there is a LR Bowl, it likely will not be tied to ESPN. Though it appears more and more likely that the game will find a TV parter.

(03-27-2015 05:43 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  If there is a LR Bowl, it likely will not be tied to ESPN. Though it appears more and more likely that the game will find a TV parter.

I have always found it odd that NBC has shown little interest in getting into bowl games. Bowls have good ratings (even the crappy ones do better than the typical NCAA Tournament game) and NBC has a ton of open slots since they have no other bowl commitments. Last year, with all the new bowls coming on line, NBC could have made a real move into televising bowls if they wished.

(03-27-2015 05:59 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(03-27-2015 05:43 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  If there is a LR Bowl, it likely will not be tied to ESPN. Though it appears more and more likely that the game will find a TV parter.

I have always found it odd that NBC has shown little interest in getting into bowl games. Bowls have good ratings (even the crappy ones do better than the typical NCAA Tournament game) and NBC has a ton of open slots since they have no other bowl commitments. Last year, with all the new bowls coming on line, NBC could have made a real move into televising bowls if they wished.

Well the story is, the Bowl is a TV partner short of being ready, and ESPN isn't interested. That means we're negotiating with one of CBS, Fox, or NBC.

If I were a betting man, I say CBS since they already have the Cure Bowl

A potential hiccup. NCAA today announced that in response to Indiana's anti-Gay (or religious freedom) bill, that "if events need to be pulled, we will do it".

Arkansas is poised to enact a much stronger form of that legislation. This could cause problems for certification of the bowl.

Just bears watching.