Hope for the Pac

[GrayOnGray]

Apparently this isn't new, but I don't remember seeing it here. Apologies if it's already been discussed, but it beats arguing about a virus.

Possibility of Apple, Netflix or Amazon purchasing rights to the Pac-12.

 

[COUGinNCW]

Just read that Netflix has a higher market cap than ExxonMobil. Who would have thunk it?!

 

[Flatlandcoug]

Apparently this isn't new, but I don't remember seeing it here. Apologies if it's already been discussed, but it beats arguing about a virus.

Possibility of Apple, Netflix or Amazon purchasing rights to the Pac-12.

In general, I hate the idea of the Pac-12 losing further contact with ESPN and ABC. If ESPN isn't covering our games, will the Pac-12 even exist in the eyes of ESPN and will it harm our ability to compete for national championships down the road?

Plus, I'm not signing up for Apple's TV programming, so I don't want them to have a deal that forces that. If that's the case, I'll be watching a lot of sports on crackstreams.

 

[dgibbons]

Apparently this isn't new, but I don't remember seeing it here. Apologies if it's already been discussed, but it beats arguing about a virus.

Possibility of Apple, Netflix or Amazon purchasing rights to the Pac-12.

This would render the Pac-12 irrelevant.

 

[GrayOnGray]

Wow. Two guys who never seem to agree, agreeing. What's next: Trump/Biden 2020? Or is it Biden/Trump?

 

[AncientCoug]

This would render the Pac-12 irrelevant.

The article I read said that nothing will change until 2024 at the earliest but the streaming services are starting to explore their options now. So who knows, maybe nothing changes or maybe you will need to subscribe to Apple TV for the PAC 12, Netflix for the Big 10, Amazon for the SEC, Hulu for the Big 12, etc. Or it’s possible the conferences set up their own streaming channels. I’ve heard several wanted to do that once but then found out it was more expensive and difficult than they thought.

 

[GrayOnGray]

The article I read said that nothing will change until 2024 at the earliest but the streaming services are starting to explore their options now. So who knows, maybe nothing changes or maybe you will need to subscribe to Apple TV for the PAC 12, Netflix for the Big 10, Amazon for the SEC, Hulu for the Big 12, etc. Or it’s possible the conferences set up their own streaming channels. I’ve heard several wanted to do that once but then found out it was more expensive and difficult than they thought.

I couldn't find the article I read this morning with my coffee, but it pointed out ESPN and Fox are both hemorrhaging viewers, with the C19 thing. I don't know how this will play out, but I do know we could easily find ourselves on the outside of P5 football, unless rules of the TV dollar game change dramatically.

 

[BiggsCoug]

I feel like the trend is moving towards streaming tv. Might as well sign on with Netflix or Amazon.

It is mind numbing to me why the Pac 12 is trying to gain eyes on the East Coast when there are so many eyes on the West Coast they don't reach.

 

[dgibbons]

The article I read said that nothing will change until 2024 at the earliest but the streaming services are starting to explore their options now. So who knows, maybe nothing changes or maybe you will need to subscribe to Apple TV for the PAC 12, Netflix for the Big 10, Amazon for the SEC, Hulu for the Big 12, etc. Or it’s possible the conferences set up their own streaming channels. I’ve heard several wanted to do that once but then found out it was more expensive and difficult than they thought.

I don't expect it to happen. The Pac-12 is using this to show interest in its product. Games aired by the Pac-12 networks are streamed through pac-12.com or the Pac-12 app. I've only done it when there was a prior game that didn't end of on time. I imagine it would be a terrible viewing with cellular or something less than blazing fast WiFi.

 

[metprof]

Well if my conference was experiencing exposure difficulties the obvious solution would be to contract with a pay TV service to broadcast our games.

#tar&featherlarryscott

 

[Suudy]

I don't expect it to happen. The Pac-12 is using this to show interest in its product. Games aired by the Pac-12 networks are streamed through pac-12.com or the Pac-12 app. I've only done it when there was a prior game that didn't end of on time. I imagine it would be a terrible viewing with cellular or something less than blazing fast WiFi.

I've used it on my boat with cellular, and it streamed just fine with LTE. I've also used it at a friend's house to watch games (they are a DirectTV family).

But you still have to have some sort of subscription in order to use the app or website. The real tragedy is that we can't subscribe a la carte, and pick and choose. I hate that I have to subscribe to QVC, Lifetime, and Hallmark just to get Pac-12.

 

[95coug]

The ESPN/Fox model was already in trouble before COVID. With so many streaming options, viewers aren't paying for the old-style cable packages like they used to be forced to, there's a greater ability to just subscribe to what they want. That's been discussed here before.

ESPN is trapped in their current high-dollar contracts and isn't getting the revenue that will allow those to continue. COVID may just be solidifying and speeding the death spiral of that model (if not the whole network). Streaming is going to take over, the only variable left is if ESPN can figure out a way to capitalize and remain relevant, or if they're going to be usurped by conference networks making deals with other platforms. Amazon, Netflix, and Apple certainly have a leg up already. Maybe Disney is gaining it and will be able to rescue ESPN.

I think the conferences should be tapping their own resources and finding ways to run their own streaming platforms. Partnering with any of the corporate streaming channels really just dilutes their revenue stream. If they can figure out how to run it themselves, they set their own price - subscription and/or PPV - and they keep all the cash. This would be an even better idea for the Pac-12, because without the corporate partner they can (theoretically) charge less without reducing revenue.

 

[Suudy]

ESPN is trapped in their current high-dollar contracts and isn't getting the revenue that will allow those to continue. COVID may just be solidifying and speeding the death spiral of that model (if not the whole network). Streaming is going to take over, the only variable left is if ESPN can figure out a way to capitalize and remain relevant, or if they're going to be usurped by conference networks making deals with other platforms. Amazon, Netflix, and Apple certainly have a leg up already. Maybe Disney is gaining it and will be able to rescue ESPN.

Maybe Disney needs to add ABC and ESPN (and whatever else they own) to their Disney+ platform.

Though I admit, with the plethora of streaming options, I'm worried about the fragmentation and the requirement to subscribe to multiple streaming options just to get the same programming one could get through a single provider (i.e. cable or satellite). It might end up just about the same amount anyway, when you add in Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, CBS All Access, then add the internet plan with sufficient data to stream constantly. It might still sit at ~$150/mo. Yet now you have to deal with 5+ companies, rather than a single one.

Shrug. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. (And yes, I have Neil Peart to thank for introducing me to that aphorism.)

 

[95coug]

Maybe Disney needs to add ABC and ESPN (and whatever else they own) to their Disney+ platform.

Though I admit, with the plethora of streaming options, I'm worried about the fragmentation and the requirement to subscribe to multiple streaming options just to get the same programming one could get through a single provider (i.e. cable or satellite). It might end up just about the same amount anyway, when you add in Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, CBS All Access, then add the internet plan with sufficient data to stream constantly. It might still sit at ~$150/mo. Yet now you have to deal with 5+ companies, rather than a single one.

Shrug. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même. (And yes, I have Neil Peart to thank for introducing me to that aphorism.)

That's where you see things like Sling TV coming in, bundling channels for a lower price.

However this works out, I think in the end, the next round of TV contracts for all conferences are going to be much smaller. The best way for them to maximize is to do it internally...and do it better than the Pac-12 did.

 

[etowncoug]

I went with Sling a few years back and regret nothing. I don't get Mariners games but I get every channel the Cougs are on. Worth it for me. I don't get the big 10 network, but don't care.

I'm reluctant to get a service that doesn't get the Pac-12 network. I'm sure I'm not the only one. The problem is there aren't as many of us as there are die hards for the SEC, ACC, Big-10, or Big-12.

 

[BSpike76]

Maybe Disney needs to add ABC and ESPN (and whatever else they own) to their Disney+ platform.

Though I admit, with the plethora of streaming options, I'm worried about the fragmentation and the requirement to subscribe to multiple streaming options just to get the same programming one could get through a single provider (i.e. cable or satellite). It might end up just about the same amount anyway, when you add in Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, CBS All Access, then add the internet plan with sufficient data to stream constantly. It might still sit at ~$150/mo. Yet now you have to deal with 5+ companies, rather than a single one.

Shrug. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même. (And yes, I have Neil Peart to thank for introducing me to that aphorism.)

Not trying to be a...French Nazi? I thought that had a chose(thing) at the end.

 

[sellas]

F#*k Apple though.....and Amazon

 

[ttowncoug]

Likely this is a support Larry leak.

We need a bundle and apple isn’t in that space.

 

[cr8zyncalif]

What TV does Larry have in the back of the Limo?

 

[Suudy]

Not trying to be a...French Nazi? I thought that had a chose(thing) at the end.

Oh, I don't know French. But I do know the lyrics to Circumstances and I know what it means. So I did a search and cut and paste here.



Edit: Doh! I get your point. I accidentally removed the final word when editing the copied text. The original is fixed!

 

[Suudy]

That's where you see things like Sling TV coming in, bundling channels for a lower price.

But this really hasn't changed the nature of the beast. There will still be content owners forcing providers to take on channels unrelated. So now instead of just getting ESPN, I now have to also have LMN. Or if I don't have kids, I'm still forced to get Nick Jr. There's still no true single source of a la carte programming. That's the dream.