This is for games announced so far. Dates include away and home games. The Big 12 is promoting ESPN+ as its conference network similar to SEC Network and B1G Network. With the new in-house production facilities, I think of ESPN+ similar to Longhorn Network which has both sports plus specialized programs like coach and player interviews, and academic topics. I am looking forward to ESPN+ to check out the production quality. Also, I think all AAC games televised on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and ESPN+ will be archived for a year for replay. I hope I have that correct. I consider ESPN+ with its enhanced capabilities a game changer that helps close the exposure gap between AAC and P5.

Sept 2 (Thursday):
UC Davis @Tulsa

Sept 4 (Saturday):
Nicholls @Memphis
Miami of Ohio @Cincinnati
Abilene Christian @SMU

Sept 11 (Saturday):
Murray State @Cincinnati
Temple @Akron
Bethune-Cookman @UCF
North Texas @SMU
Morgan State@Tulane
Memphis @Arkansas State

Sept 18 (Saturday):
Florida A&M @USF
Grambling State @Houston

Sept25 (Saturday):
Wagoner @Temple
Charleston Southern @ECU

looks like a bunch of garbage games, i hope they include inner leagues games jezz...

(06-02-2021 12:03 PM)Tulsa Guy Wrote:  This is for games announced so far. Dates include away and home games.

Sept 2 (Thursday):
UC Davis @Tulsa

Sept 4 (Saturday):
Nicholls @Memphis
Miami of Ohio @Cincinnati
Abilene Christian @SMU

Sept 11 (Saturday):
Murray State @Cincinnati
Temple @Akron
Bethune-Cookman @UCF
North Texas @SMU
Morgan State@Tulane
Memphis @Arkansas State

Sept 18 (Saturday):
Florida A&M @USF
Grambling State @Houston

Sept25 (Saturday):
Wagoner @Temple
Charleston Southern @ECU

I know this has likely been beat to death, but does it seem like we're producing more ESPN+ inventory than the original agreement required?

I thought I remember, after we did the math, that each team could 100% expect their garbage FCS game to go to ESPN+, plus 1 or 2 garbage G4 home games if either you/your opponent/both were having a garbage season. I think it was 30 games per year, or an average of 2.7 per team. How does Cindy, the conference champs last year, already have two?

I get that size of fanbases also matters, but you'd think that a ranked Cincy team would draw a few casual eyeballs as well if they were on a network. Hasn't the MOH game been played for like 100 years?

(06-02-2021 12:59 PM)CoastalJuan Wrote:  

(06-02-2021 12:03 PM)Tulsa Guy Wrote:  This is for games announced so far. Dates include away and home games.

Sept 2 (Thursday):
UC Davis @Tulsa

Sept 4 (Saturday):
Nicholls @Memphis
Miami of Ohio @Cincinnati
Abilene Christian @SMU

Sept 11 (Saturday):
Murray State @Cincinnati
Temple @Akron
Bethune-Cookman @UCF
North Texas @SMU
Morgan State@Tulane
Memphis @Arkansas State

Sept 18 (Saturday):
Florida A&M @USF
Grambling State @Houston

Sept25 (Saturday):
Wagoner @Temple
Charleston Southern @ECU

I know this has likely been beat to death, but does it seem like we're producing more ESPN+ inventory than the original agreement required?

I thought I remember, after we did the math, that each team could 100% expect their garbage FCS game to go to ESPN+, plus 1 or 2 garbage G4 home games if either you/your opponent/both were having a garbage season. I think it was 30 games per year, or an average of 2.7 per team. How does Cindy, the conference champs last year, already have two?

I get that size of fanbases also matters, but you'd think that a ranked Cincy team would draw a few casual eyeballs as well if they were on a network. Hasn't the MOH game been played for like 100 years?

I doubt they will have another on unless they tank. Their schedule kind of sets up for these two games. Little surprised that Miami (OH) and to a lesser extent North Texas on, almost all the other schools make sense. A lot of games on 9/11 on the plus, Navy will have the spotlight as they should anyway so solid schedule but hopefully we can keep the choice games spread out to offer a good match up every week to lead AAC coverage.

(06-02-2021 12:03 PM)Tulsa Guy Wrote:  This is for games announced so far. Dates include away and home games.

Sept 2 (Thursday):
UC Davis @Tulsa

Sept 4 (Saturday):
Nicholls @Memphis
Miami of Ohio @Cincinnati
Abilene Christian @SMU

Sept 11 (Saturday):
Murray State @Cincinnati
Temple @Akron
Bethune-Cookman @UCF
North Texas @SMU
Morgan State@Tulane
Memphis @Arkansas State

Sept 18 (Saturday):
Florida A&M @USF
Grambling State @Houston

Sept25 (Saturday):
Wagoner @Temple
Charleston Southern @ECU

Nothing new. Its basically the same kind of games that typically got stuck on ESPN-3 in our previous deal. When its all said and done, we basically lost 10-12 football games on CBS-Sports Network. About half of those CBSSN games got moved to a more attractive slot on ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU and the rest got moved to ESPN+. Its really not that big a deal. Its pretty much a wash on football exposure. Its more noticeable in basketball---but thats because we always had a crap load of basketball games on ESPN-3 and CBS-Sports...In reality---the ESPN+ thing is not really the big deal some make it out to be.

(06-02-2021 02:19 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(06-02-2021 12:03 PM)Tulsa Guy Wrote:  This is for games announced so far. Dates include away and home games.

Sept 2 (Thursday):
UC Davis @Tulsa

Sept 4 (Saturday):
Nicholls @Memphis
Miami of Ohio @Cincinnati
Abilene Christian @SMU

Sept 11 (Saturday):
Murray State @Cincinnati
Temple @Akron
Bethune-Cookman @UCF
North Texas @SMU
Morgan State@Tulane
Memphis @Arkansas State

Sept 18 (Saturday):
Florida A&M @USF
Grambling State @Houston

Sept25 (Saturday):
Wagoner @Temple
Charleston Southern @ECU

Nothing new. Its basically the same kind of games that typically got stuck on ESPN-3 in our previous deal. When its all said and done, we basically lost 10-12 football games on CBS-Sports Network. About half of those CBSSN games got moved to a more attractive slot on ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU and the rest got moved to ESPN+. Its really not that big a deal. Its pretty much a wash on football exposure. Its more noticeable in basketball---but thats because we always had a crap load of basketball games on ESPN-3 and CBS-Sports...In reality---the ESPN+ thing is not really the big deal some make it out to be.

AC, are you saying that there are going to be a lot fewer televised AAC games with the 12-year broadcasting deal than there were before?

If so, why did the conference agree to it?

(06-02-2021 02:23 PM)jedclampett Wrote:  

(06-02-2021 02:19 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(06-02-2021 12:03 PM)Tulsa Guy Wrote:  This is for games announced so far. Dates include away and home games.

Sept 2 (Thursday):
UC Davis @Tulsa

Sept 4 (Saturday):
Nicholls @Memphis
Miami of Ohio @Cincinnati
Abilene Christian @SMU

Sept 11 (Saturday):
Murray State @Cincinnati
Temple @Akron
Bethune-Cookman @UCF
North Texas @SMU
Morgan State@Tulane
Memphis @Arkansas State

Sept 18 (Saturday):
Florida A&M @USF
Grambling State @Houston

Sept25 (Saturday):
Wagoner @Temple
Charleston Southern @ECU

Nothing new. Its basically the same kind of games that typically got stuck on ESPN-3 in our previous deal. When its all said and done, we basically lost 10-12 football games on CBS-Sports Network. About half of those CBSSN games got moved to a more attractive slot on ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU and the rest got moved to ESPN+. Its really not that big a deal. Its pretty much a wash on football exposure. Its more noticeable in basketball---but thats because we always had a crap load of basketball games on ESPN-3 and CBS-Sports...In reality---the ESPN+ thing is not really the big deal some make it out to be.

AC, are you saying that there are going to be a lot fewer televised AAC games with the 12-year broadcasting deal than there were before?

If so, why did the conference agree to it?

more money and if that’s the case we were totally under paid before, i think we’re still under valued

I would have expected to see the Miami of Ohio @Cincinnati game to be on another network. This seems like the only interesting game on the list.

Edit: North Texas @SMU could also be somewhat interesting as well.

(06-02-2021 02:23 PM)jedclampett Wrote:  

(06-02-2021 02:19 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(06-02-2021 12:03 PM)Tulsa Guy Wrote:  This is for games announced so far. Dates include away and home games.

Sept 2 (Thursday):
UC Davis @Tulsa

Sept 4 (Saturday):
Nicholls @Memphis
Miami of Ohio @Cincinnati
Abilene Christian @SMU

Sept 11 (Saturday):
Murray State @Cincinnati
Temple @Akron
Bethune-Cookman @UCF
North Texas @SMU
Morgan State@Tulane
Memphis @Arkansas State

Sept 18 (Saturday):
Florida A&M @USF
Grambling State @Houston

Sept25 (Saturday):
Wagoner @Temple
Charleston Southern @ECU

Nothing new. Its basically the same kind of games that typically got stuck on ESPN-3 in our previous deal. When its all said and done, we basically lost 10-12 football games on CBS-Sports Network. About half of those CBSSN games got moved to a more attractive slot on ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU and the rest got moved to ESPN+. Its really not that big a deal. Its pretty much a wash on football exposure. Its more noticeable in basketball---but thats because we always had a crap load of basketball games on ESPN-3 and CBS-Sports...In reality---the ESPN+ thing is not really the big deal some make it out to be.

AC, are you saying that there are going to be a lot fewer televised AAC games with the 12-year broadcasting deal than there were before?

If so, why did the conference agree to it?

I think he was saying that ESPN3/CBSSN has been an even swap with ESPN+. We got more money, and more exposure for football, which actually matters.

Has anybody looked at the schedule to see why this is the case?

First, ESPN2 is booked that weekend because of the US Open (tennis). That's 3 slots that might have otherwise been available.

ABC has Alabama/Miami and Georgia/Clemson

ESPN has W. Michigan/Michigan, WVU/Maryland and Texas Tech/Houston

Maybe it's just me, but I don't think that's some kind of insult to Cincinnati or anything...

USFFan

(06-02-2021 03:19 PM)fade2blac Wrote:  I would have expected to see the Miami of Ohio @Cincinnati game to be on another network. This seems like the only interesting game on the list.

Edit: North Texas @SMU could also be somewhat interesting as well.

Florida A&M has had FBS aspirations, and they might be sky-high when they play USF.

(06-02-2021 04:34 PM)usffan Wrote:  Has anybody looked at the schedule to see why this is the case?

First, ESPN2 is booked that weekend because of the US Open (tennis). That's 3 slots that might have otherwise been available.

ABC has Alabama/Miami and Georgia/Clemson

ESPN has W. Michigan/Michigan, WVU/Maryland and Texas Tech/Houston

Maybe it's just me, but I don't think that's some kind of insult to Cincinnati or anything...

USFFan

I was just using that game as an example, but... what about Army-Ga State - ESPNU - 12pm. That slot seems like a no-brainer to slot in Cindy. Also don't see any games on ESPNU on Friday.

(06-02-2021 02:23 PM)jedclampett Wrote:  

(06-02-2021 02:19 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(06-02-2021 12:03 PM)Tulsa Guy Wrote:  This is for games announced so far. Dates include away and home games.

Sept 2 (Thursday):
UC Davis @Tulsa

Sept 4 (Saturday):
Nicholls @Memphis
Miami of Ohio @Cincinnati
Abilene Christian @SMU

Sept 11 (Saturday):
Murray State @Cincinnati
Temple @Akron
Bethune-Cookman @UCF
North Texas @SMU
Morgan State@Tulane
Memphis @Arkansas State

Sept 18 (Saturday):
Florida A&M @USF
Grambling State @Houston

Sept25 (Saturday):
Wagoner @Temple
Charleston Southern @ECU

Nothing new. Its basically the same kind of games that typically got stuck on ESPN-3 in our previous deal. When its all said and done, we basically lost 10-12 football games on CBS-Sports Network. About half of those CBSSN games got moved to a more attractive slot on ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU and the rest got moved to ESPN+. Its really not that big a deal. Its pretty much a wash on football exposure. Its more noticeable in basketball---but thats because we always had a crap load of basketball games on ESPN-3 and CBS-Sports...In reality---the ESPN+ thing is not really the big deal some make it out to be.

AC, are you saying that there are going to be a lot fewer televised AAC games with the 12-year broadcasting deal than there were before?

If so, why did the conference agree to it?

A lot fewer? No. Fewer? Yes. However, there are a few caveats.

In some cases we are swapping CBS-Sports Network games for ESPN/ESPN2/ESPN-U games. Any CBS Sports Network slot that becomes a window on a ESPN platform represents a substantial upgrade in exposure. Overall---its important to note that we have MORE games on traditional linear ABC/ESPN networks under the new deal than we had under the old deal.


I'd also add that ESPN+ as of May 2021 had 13.18 million US subscribers. Thats almost like having those games televised on the Pac-12 Network. Why do I say that? I say that because as of Dec of 2020, the Pac-12 Network had 14.8 subscribers. There's virtually no difference in the reach between the two networks at this point. I would also add that ESPN+ gives us MUCH more exposure for our lesser olympic sports than we had when they were being shown only on the AAC Digital Network or Total Access networks for the individual schools .

Finally---the number of broadcast windows quoted in the ESPN deal represent minimums. For the most part, linear ESPN networks have generally picked up more of our games than they were required to--so---I dont think there is really going to be any significant change in our overall level of exposure.

(06-02-2021 10:39 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(06-02-2021 02:23 PM)jedclampett Wrote:  

(06-02-2021 02:19 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(06-02-2021 12:03 PM)Tulsa Guy Wrote:  This is for games announced so far. Dates include away and home games.

Sept 2 (Thursday):
UC Davis @Tulsa

Sept 4 (Saturday):
Nicholls @Memphis
Miami of Ohio @Cincinnati
Abilene Christian @SMU

Sept 11 (Saturday):
Murray State @Cincinnati
Temple @Akron
Bethune-Cookman @UCF
North Texas @SMU
Morgan State@Tulane
Memphis @Arkansas State

Sept 18 (Saturday):
Florida A&M @USF
Grambling State @Houston

Sept25 (Saturday):
Wagoner @Temple
Charleston Southern @ECU

Nothing new. Its basically the same kind of games that typically got stuck on ESPN-3 in our previous deal. When its all said and done, we basically lost 10-12 football games on CBS-Sports Network. About half of those CBSSN games got moved to a more attractive slot on ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU and the rest got moved to ESPN+. Its really not that big a deal. Its pretty much a wash on football exposure. Its more noticeable in basketball---but thats because we always had a crap load of basketball games on ESPN-3 and CBS-Sports...In reality---the ESPN+ thing is not really the big deal some make it out to be.

AC, are you saying that there are going to be a lot fewer televised AAC games with the 12-year broadcasting deal than there were before?

If so, why did the conference agree to it?

A lot fewer? No. Fewer? Yes. However, there are a few caveats.

In some cases we are swapping CBS-Sports Network games for ESPN/ESPN2/ESPN-U games. Any CBS Sports Network slot that becomes a window on a ESPN platform represents a substantial upgrade in exposure. Overall---its important to note that we have MORE games on traditional linear ABC/ESPN networks under the new deal than we had under the old deal.


I'd also add that ESPN+ as of May 2021 had 13.18 million US subscribers. Thats almost like having those games televised on the Pac-12 Network. Why do I say that? I say that because as of Dec of 2020, the Pac-12 Network had 14.8 subscribers. There's virtually no difference in the reach between the two networks at this point. I would also add that ESPN+ gives us MUCH more exposure for our lesser olympic sports than we had when they were being shown only on the AAC Digital Network or Total Access networks for the individual schools .

Finally---the number of broadcast windows quoted in the ESPN deal represent minimums. For the most part, linear ESPN networks have generally picked up more of our games than they were required to--so---I dont think there is really going to be any significant change in our overall level of exposure.

I wouldn't agree with that completely. My understanding is that, if a viewer is watching a game via their cable/satellite/Hulu/Youtube TV/etc subscription, they can flip from one channel (ESPN/FS1/ABC/whatever) over to the PAC-12 network. With ESPN+, they need to close out of whatever they are watching, open the ESPN app, and cruise around there. Not the end of the world, but a barrier to the casual viewer.

From personal experience, I watch most of my football directly from the ESPN app. Via a borrowed cable login and my ESPN+ subscription, I can see most of what's on. I'd guess, however, that I'm in the minority. I'd bet the vast majority of ESPN+ subscribers jump on just to see whatever specific game they are looking for, and jump off after.

Again, not the end of the world, but a streaming platform that incorporated ESPN+ as a channel in the lineup would do wonders for exposure.

I'm very disappointed that we're not on FB live.

(06-02-2021 07:02 PM)CoastalJuan Wrote:  

(06-02-2021 04:34 PM)usffan Wrote:  Has anybody looked at the schedule to see why this is the case?

First, ESPN2 is booked that weekend because of the US Open (tennis). That's 3 slots that might have otherwise been available.

ABC has Alabama/Miami and Georgia/Clemson

ESPN has W. Michigan/Michigan, WVU/Maryland and Texas Tech/Houston

Maybe it's just me, but I don't think that's some kind of insult to Cincinnati or anything...

USFFan

I was just using that game as an example, but... what about Army-Ga State - ESPNU - 12pm. That slot seems like a no-brainer to slot in Cindy. Also don't see any games on ESPNU on Friday.

I guess...

Let me ask you (or, probably more importantly, Cincinnati fans) this. What do you think you'd prefer or would have a bigger impact on your program - having the game on ESPNU, but locked into a noon kickoff, or having the game on ESPN+ and having the flexibility to have kickoff at whatever time you prefer? If this were USF, I would argue the latter. On September 4, a noon kickoff without a particularly compelling opponent is going to keep casual fans away. Make it a 7:30 kickoff (with a full day of tailgating, cooler temperatures and not having to be slathered in sunscreen) and more of those fans are likely to show up. Contrast that with having the game broadcast on cable and thus available to ~60 million subscribers nationally vs. ~ 12 million ESPN+ subscribers. How many of those people with cable only are going to watch the game on TV? Is it worth the prospective lost gate and other revenues?

In 2021, if you want to watch your team on TV, you can. So to me, games on ESPNU, or CBSSN, or even conference networks like BTN, ACCN or Pac-12 Network, aren't a whole lot better than having them on ESPN+. Especially when having it on streaming gives me considerably more flexibility with respect to kickoff times.

USFFan

(06-03-2021 08:59 AM)usffan Wrote:  

(06-02-2021 07:02 PM)CoastalJuan Wrote:  

(06-02-2021 04:34 PM)usffan Wrote:  Has anybody looked at the schedule to see why this is the case?

First, ESPN2 is booked that weekend because of the US Open (tennis). That's 3 slots that might have otherwise been available.

ABC has Alabama/Miami and Georgia/Clemson

ESPN has W. Michigan/Michigan, WVU/Maryland and Texas Tech/Houston

Maybe it's just me, but I don't think that's some kind of insult to Cincinnati or anything...

USFFan

I was just using that game as an example, but... what about Army-Ga State - ESPNU - 12pm. That slot seems like a no-brainer to slot in Cindy. Also don't see any games on ESPNU on Friday.

I guess...

Let me ask you (or, probably more importantly, Cincinnati fans) this. What do you think you'd prefer or would have a bigger impact on your program - having the game on ESPNU, but locked into a noon kickoff, or having the game on ESPN+ and having the flexibility to have kickoff at whatever time you prefer? If this were USF, I would argue the latter. On September 4, a noon kickoff without a particularly compelling opponent is going to keep casual fans away. Make it a 7:30 kickoff (with a full day of tailgating, cooler temperatures and not having to be slathered in sunscreen) and more of those fans are likely to show up. Contrast that with having the game broadcast on cable and thus available to ~60 million subscribers nationally vs. ~ 12 million ESPN+ subscribers. How many of those people with cable only are going to watch the game on TV? Is it worth the prospective lost gate and other revenues?

In 2021, if you want to watch your team on TV, you can. So to me, games on ESPNU, or CBSSN, or even conference networks like BTN, ACCN or Pac-12 Network, aren't a whole lot better than having them on ESPN+. Especially when having it on streaming gives me considerably more flexibility with respect to kickoff times.

USFFan

I guess my thing is, Cincy fans, or USF fans, are going to find their game on whatever it's on. I'm more saying, if other games are on in the same timeslot, or the timeslots before and after, how easy is it for that fan to flip over to your game after theirs, or at halftime.

I personally always want to be on the most accessible channel to the most people. I'd, for instance, rather be on ESPNU at noon than ESPN+ at 3:30/7:30.

I do get the argument against weeknight games for those attending the game. You don't always get the same turnout for a Thursday night game than a noon Saturday game, but I think I'd still take the weeknight game if it meant being on ESPN/ESPN2/ABC.