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ESPN's future and the SEC Network money
Posted on 6/30/23 at 12:49 pm
Posted on 6/30/23 at 12:49 pm
Curious of everyone's thoughts on the future of ESPN/the SEC Network contract and its effects on the athletic departments that have grown dependent on the money.
ESPN is no doubt in trouble, trying to cut costs and laying people off. Cable TV is shrinking faster and faster. There is talk of ESPN offering the full ESPN channel in its own streaming package. Several of the regional sports networks have declared bankruptcy or are in serious financial trouble. Hell look at how many on this board use “alternative means” to watch games. Most people that are subscriber seem to hate ESPN and only subscribe out of necessity. I'm sure the "alternative means" group grows larger by the day.
On top of this Disney is in general disarray. Do you think it will end up in a situation where ESPN is spunoff or ends up being forced to lower contract amounts in the future or even ends up in bankruptcy? I’m sure the financial problems were why ESPN didn’t want to pay extra for more conference games.
There will of course always be a market for SEC games but I wonder what the situation will be like in 5 years. The SEC Network money is the life blood of the schools’ athletic departments and any reduction /interruption would be painful. Hopefully the athletic department can build up a little cushion just in case.
ESPN is no doubt in trouble, trying to cut costs and laying people off. Cable TV is shrinking faster and faster. There is talk of ESPN offering the full ESPN channel in its own streaming package. Several of the regional sports networks have declared bankruptcy or are in serious financial trouble. Hell look at how many on this board use “alternative means” to watch games. Most people that are subscriber seem to hate ESPN and only subscribe out of necessity. I'm sure the "alternative means" group grows larger by the day.
On top of this Disney is in general disarray. Do you think it will end up in a situation where ESPN is spunoff or ends up being forced to lower contract amounts in the future or even ends up in bankruptcy? I’m sure the financial problems were why ESPN didn’t want to pay extra for more conference games.
There will of course always be a market for SEC games but I wonder what the situation will be like in 5 years. The SEC Network money is the life blood of the schools’ athletic departments and any reduction /interruption would be painful. Hopefully the athletic department can build up a little cushion just in case.
12
Posted on 6/30/23 at 1:06 pm to SpartanSoul
I think if anything, a new conference network would emerge, leaving ESPN behind and starting their own TV network for the SEC and other sports.
Of course all it would take is for a real CEO or manager to come through ESPN and cut heads. Bring it back to its former self and stop being a network broadcasting political issues. Clean that part up and become a network for all peoples opinions on sports and sports only and it would survive. Might even rise to new ranks. If not, it will fail.
Of course all it would take is for a real CEO or manager to come through ESPN and cut heads. Bring it back to its former self and stop being a network broadcasting political issues. Clean that part up and become a network for all peoples opinions on sports and sports only and it would survive. Might even rise to new ranks. If not, it will fail.
Posted on 6/30/23 at 1:34 pm to SpartanSoul
ESPN live events makes money. Their non live programming doesn't. Disney can't afford to lose or sell ESPN, because it makes money. Several of their other holdings do not. If they went straight to streaming, they would make money, but not what they make from cable, who charges for it, even if you don't want it. I for one would drop Sling in a heartbeat if I could only stream live sports. I think they may offer a streaming option, but with only sports that wouldn't effect cable.
Posted on 6/30/23 at 1:45 pm to SpartanSoul
The revenues from tv seemed to have peaked. The SEC may be late to the party. The Big Ten may have beat them to the punch.
Posted on 6/30/23 at 2:17 pm to SpartanSoul
I just love being able to see so many LSU games televised. Growing up, it was a rare thing.
Posted on 6/30/23 at 2:34 pm to SpartanSoul
In the second quarter of 2023, The Walt Disney Company generated about 21.82 billion U.S. dollars in revenue, up 13 percent from the same quarter of the previous year.
Posted on 6/30/23 at 3:49 pm to SpartanSoul
Live sports is the most sought after product on television right now. Networks will continue fighting for those rights if they continue to bring in the numbers.
The more interesting question is what happens with the next NCAA Championships contract that covers all sports except football and men's basketball. The numbers from the women's basketball tournament and the baseball tournament have increased a lot over the past few years so ESPN is getting a huge discount on them right now.
The more interesting question is what happens with the next NCAA Championships contract that covers all sports except football and men's basketball. The numbers from the women's basketball tournament and the baseball tournament have increased a lot over the past few years so ESPN is getting a huge discount on them right now.
Posted on 6/30/23 at 4:58 pm to SpartanSoul
ESPN is in trouble everywhere but the live sports market. Especially football. Live sports is the one thing that people still watch live so advertising money is and will always be there.
Even if espn went away there will be something that would scoop up the SEC and the SEC network in 2 seconds.
Even if espn went away there will be something that would scoop up the SEC and the SEC network in 2 seconds.
Posted on 6/30/23 at 5:39 pm to SpartanSoul
ESPN is the one thing at Disney that is making money. They had to lay off some people as a shared pain being a part of Disney. But they were ordered to lay off people to make the bottom line look better, not because they were in financial trouble. They just gave Pat McAfee a ton of money to bring his show to ESPN.
They may be more selective in which rights they pick up. That’s why they didn’t go all out to get the Big Ten and why it’s been crickets on the PAC-12. But they’re still profitable. They’ll just be more strategic.
And having the best college conference under contract is part of that strategy. Imagine touting yourself as the home of college sports and not having any SEC football. So the SEC schools should be fine. Live sports is one of the few things that still gets good ratings, especially football.
They may be more selective in which rights they pick up. That’s why they didn’t go all out to get the Big Ten and why it’s been crickets on the PAC-12. But they’re still profitable. They’ll just be more strategic.
And having the best college conference under contract is part of that strategy. Imagine touting yourself as the home of college sports and not having any SEC football. So the SEC schools should be fine. Live sports is one of the few things that still gets good ratings, especially football.
This post was edited on 6/30/23 at 5:44 pm
Posted on 6/30/23 at 6:42 pm to SpartanSoul
Yes I can't stand ESPN and the loud mouth Steven arse Smith. He's their biggest loser and they celebrate him.
Posted on 6/30/23 at 6:51 pm to SpartanSoul
I can’t believe it was 9 years ago that SECN released to incredible hype and was the biggest cable channel launch of all time I’m pretty sure.
It was in 90 million homes on day 1.
It was in 90 million homes on day 1.
Posted on 6/30/23 at 7:15 pm to SpartanSoul
I do not watch any of their daily talk shows. All racist. Stephen A Smith needs to go. He a big mouth who knows nothing.
Posted on 6/30/23 at 8:57 pm to SpartanSoul
Go Woke, Go Broke is all I know.
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