This article is about the Pac12 Network cutting costs this spring. Im posting it because we constantly get the same question regarding productions costs--"If it costs the Pac-12 "X" dollars for each football game---then how is it possible that the AAC schools can do it for any less." Well, apparently it is possible and the Pac12 Network itself will be using different production methods with smaller crews in order to slash costs.


The spring production schedule for the Pac-12 Networks was distributed to staff last week and it created a buzz among longtime production staff. Particularly, because it comes with a jarring change. There is only one traditionally produced, fully staffed, on-site broadcast event on the schedule -- the Oregon Ducks’ spring football game.

It’s not that the Pac-12′s owned and operated media company won’t broadcast as many live sporting events. It just won’t utilize the usual number of experienced on-site broadcasters, producers, unit managers, technical directors, camera people, audio technicians and graphics editors.

The Pac-12 is going on the cheap.

Andrew Walker, the conference’s vice president of communications, said in a statement on Tuesday:

“Pac-12 Networks will be producing the same amount of live events this Spring at the same high quality that we have in prior years. Pac-12 Networks has been a leader in pioneering efficient remote production over the past years, and every year we have become more efficient in our production while maintaining high quality for our fans and schools. This includes increasing each year the number of events in which we use best-in-class emerging technologies to ensure the most efficient, and high-quality, production possible."




https://www.oregonlive.com/sports/2020/0...ssion=true

I don't know if the left coast has full-fledged "teamsters" like the Northeast, but like the Northeast, labor rates are ridiculous, as is cost-of-living (actually BECAUSE of labor rates). In the South, you can produce a boxoffice buster movie for a toothpick and a napkin. We won't have near the problems they have.

Dont really know for sure---but I have to think that educational institutions must enjoy some sort of exemption from some of the union rules because I know Radio/TV students are doing many of the jobs that would typically be union jobs on these ESPN+ productions. That includes everything from cameramen to operating the production boards.

You get over 20mil per team and you're nickel and dimeing the local production?. Shows you the greed of the presidents shortchanging the fans to make their own pockets fatter. And here we are making magic with bologne and cheese sandwiches.

(01-18-2020 12:06 AM)geosnooker2000 Wrote:  I don't know if the left coast has full-fledged "teamsters" like the Northeast, but like the Northeast, labor rates are ridiculous, as is cost-of-living (actually BECAUSE of labor rates). In the South, you can produce a boxoffice buster movie for a toothpick and a napkin. We won't have near the problems they have.

Disagree with this post, geo. Simply compare cost of living between Houston, Memphis, and Orlando shows around 30% difference. Up north, the difference between Philadelphia and NYC is a large one. Check out differences between towns in Texas alone. As for your attitude well I’m going to assume you’re just another redneck who’s happy to have an old truck and a shack to live in. I mean if your going to make sweeping assumptions based on where folks live I guess I can as well.

(01-18-2020 12:06 AM)geosnooker2000 Wrote:  I don't know if the left coast has full-fledged "teamsters" like the Northeast, but like the Northeast, labor rates are ridiculous, as is cost-of-living (actually BECAUSE of labor rates). In the South, you can produce a boxoffice buster movie for a toothpick and a napkin. We won't have near the problems they have.

any major production anywhere in the USA has unions involved ESPECIALLY the teamsters

TV shows and movies especially and same with sports productions

(01-18-2020 03:07 AM)Attackcoog Wrote:  Dont really know for sure---but I have to think that educational institutions must enjoy some sort of exemption from some of the union rules because I know Radio/TV students are doing many of the jobs that would typically be union jobs on these ESPN+ productions. That includes everything from cameramen to operating the production boards.

Grad students have been traditionally used and abused for decades by the academic system. Educational institutions are not exempt from labor laws, they just fight it tooth and nail. "Liberal" Harvard just succeeded in busting up a grad student union.

(01-19-2020 02:53 PM)vick mike Wrote:  

(01-18-2020 12:06 AM)geosnooker2000 Wrote:  I don't know if the left coast has full-fledged "teamsters" like the Northeast, but like the Northeast, labor rates are ridiculous, as is cost-of-living (actually BECAUSE of labor rates). In the South, you can produce a boxoffice buster movie for a toothpick and a napkin. We won't have near the problems they have.

Disagree with this post, geo. Simply compare cost of living between Houston, Memphis, and Orlando shows around 30% difference. Up north, the difference between Philadelphia and NYC is a large one. Check out differences between towns in Texas alone. As for your attitude well I’m going to assume you’re just another redneck who’s happy to have an old truck and a shack to live in. I mean if your going to make sweeping assumptions based on where folks live I guess I can as well.

Okay, I may not be in the business side of TV production, so your point about me being ignorant is taken, although taken begrudgingly. I fancy myself as pretty informed about political/economy type subjects, and I think in general I'm right. I'll say this much. I spent a month living in NYC about 4 years ago, and got pretty well acquainted with the cost of living there. As far as COL in other regions, especially the South, I have done my fair share of travel. I'm not getting my COL info off of a government website. I'm all "boots on the ground".

(01-19-2020 11:45 PM)geosnooker2000 Wrote:  

(01-19-2020 02:53 PM)vick mike Wrote:  

(01-18-2020 12:06 AM)geosnooker2000 Wrote:  I don't know if the left coast has full-fledged "teamsters" like the Northeast, but like the Northeast, labor rates are ridiculous, as is cost-of-living (actually BECAUSE of labor rates). In the South, you can produce a boxoffice buster movie for a toothpick and a napkin. We won't have near the problems they have.

Disagree with this post, geo. Simply compare cost of living between Houston, Memphis, and Orlando shows around 30% difference. Up north, the difference between Philadelphia and NYC is a large one. Check out differences between towns in Texas alone. As for your attitude well I’m going to assume you’re just another redneck who’s happy to have an old truck and a shack to live in. I mean if your going to make sweeping assumptions based on where folks live I guess I can as well.

Okay, I may not be in the business side of TV production, so your point about me being ignorant is taken, although taken begrudgingly. I fancy myself as pretty informed about political/economy type subjects, and I think in general I'm right. I'll say this much. I spent a month living in NYC about 4 years ago, and got pretty well acquainted with the cost of living there. As far as COL in other regions, especially the South, I have done my fair share of travel. I'm not getting my COL info off of a government website. I'm all "boots on the ground".

Fair enough. NYC(along with SF) are true outliers in COL. Maybe our wages make COL higher or maybe it’s the other way around. Either way seems to work out for most.

Yeah side note because who gives a fug about the PAC...

ESPN should give us a little incentive to produce/broadcast our Spring games to get everyone on ESPN+ a few months early. That might be a can of worms considering the deal doesn't technically start until the 2020-2021 academic year starts. With that being said, I'd subscribe to Plus before August in the Spring games were on. Just sayin...

(01-20-2020 01:44 PM)CoastalJuan Wrote:  Yeah side note because who gives a fug about the PAC...

ESPN should give us a little incentive to produce/broadcast our Spring games to get everyone on ESPN+ a few months early. That might be a can of worms considering the deal doesn't technically start until the 2020-2021 academic year starts. With that being said, I'd subscribe to Plus before August in the Spring games were on. Just sayin...

OOOooo.... EXCELLENT point.