We already knew NBC Sports Network was shutting down soon. ESPN Classic will join them.

Hollywood Reporter with the report

What's interesting to me is that a cable channel that couldn't possibly cost very much to operate is just going to be done away with. It's obviously a cost-cutting measure, but it's another indicator that cable is waning.

ESPN can probably get more bang for their buck out of moving the same content to ESPN+ anyway.

(11-04-2021 05:04 PM)AllTideUp Wrote:  We already knew NBC Sports Network was shutting down soon. ESPN Classic will join them.

Hollywood Reporter with the report

What's interesting to me is that a cable channel that couldn't possibly cost very much to operate is just going to be done away with. It's obviously a cost-cutting measure, but it's another indicator that cable is waning.

ESPN can probably get more bang for their buck out of moving the same content to ESPN+ anyway.

What is on Classic that isn’t already on ESPN+?

There are some very dated Classic shows from the 1990s that (IIRC) are not on ESPN+, but that might be all.

(11-04-2021 06:25 PM)Wedge Wrote:  

(11-04-2021 05:04 PM)AllTideUp Wrote:  We already knew NBC Sports Network was shutting down soon. ESPN Classic will join them.

Hollywood Reporter with the report

What's interesting to me is that a cable channel that couldn't possibly cost very much to operate is just going to be done away with. It's obviously a cost-cutting measure, but it's another indicator that cable is waning.

ESPN can probably get more bang for their buck out of moving the same content to ESPN+ anyway.

What is on Classic that isn’t already on ESPN+?

There are some very dated Classic shows from the 1990s that (IIRC) are not on ESPN+, but that might be all.

No, there's special on ESPN Classic, but that's also why its overhead must be lower than most ESPN networks. Nonetheless, it isn't worth the money.

There are still numerous channels out there with content that hardly anyone watches. This just goes to show they're all on the chopping block. There isn't an abundance of money in the cable industry anymore.

ESPN will streamline their offerings more in the coming years and I bet the conference networks aren't going to last into the distant future.

Cheap Seats was peak ESPN Classic.

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ESPN Classic became the ACC Network. It was already big news a few years back.

ESPN should consider having a suite of streaming channels on ESPN+ similar to something like Pluto TV or Tubi, a handful of streams that run on schedule so you can flip it on and leave it in the background if you want a particular type of programming without hunting for specific games or programs. An old basketball games channel, old baseball, old Classic shows, an ESPN8 stream, that sort of thing. Not sure what rebroadcast rights they have for pro sports games they showed live, but I'd guess the colleges are more free and clear on that end.

There is little to no money in old sports programming.

Also, as long as conference networks exist, they'll be able to effectively serve the same function for hours when live programming is not available. The same applies to the big four pro leagues' networks. ESPNU can fill in the gaps for college conferences without their own networks.