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Frank The Tank Starting Rotation
Joined: 25 Dec 2013 Posts: 113
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Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2017 5:35 pm Post subject: |
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Aeneas Hunter wrote: |
Are overall viewership numbers dropping, when you including streaming and the like? The NFL took a hit, which in my opinion is primarily due to the fantasy football bubble bursting. Otherwise, it's hard to evaluate the numbers because of the rise of streaming. |
Yes, viewership is down overall even when you factor in streaming.
And, this viewership will continue to decline when you look at how millennials are less interested and watch less sports than previous generations.
Aeneas Hunter wrote: |
Anyway, I think what we are seeing is the reformatting of sports coverage. The challenge is to capture revenue from sports fans. It was one thing when sports fans watched ESPN on TV. It's another thing when a rising number of sports fans get their coverage on their phones, tablets, or whatever. |
They're already trying to monetize sports fans watching sports on platforms other than TV.
And, tens of millions of dollars from advertising on jerseys isn't going to make up for all the money sports leagues lose when its time to renew contracts.
The problem is that without non sports fans helping to subsidize the costs, sports fans will have to pay a lot more to continue watching those sports that sports networks have already committed billions of dollars to.
Aeneas Hunter wrote: |
Talking head shows are not going to capture that sort of revenue effectively. And ESPN had way too many talking heads.
I see this as ESPN trying to get back in front of the curve. Is there anyone on the layoff list that you're really going to miss? ESPN will let FoxSports1 invest their money in talking head shows. The talking heads just aren't worth as much as they used to be. Exhibit A is Bill Simmons. |
And, yet, that screaming carnival barker, Steven A Smith with his 3.5 million salary is still on air...
I don't know why you are focused on talking head shows, when the people let go weren't on the shouting and talking head shows like Steven A Smith.
Instead, the people let go were reporters, analysts, columnists, beat reporters, and sports journalists. And, two years ago, ESPN laid off hundreds of people that worked behind the cameras.
With who ESPN let go and who they kept, if anything, it seems ESPN is doubling down on personality opinion shows where they debate about sports topics they really don't know what they're talking about. |
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Aeneas Hunter Retired Number
Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 31763
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Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2017 6:06 pm Post subject: |
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^^^^
Again, there is not a linear relationship between viewership and advertising revenue. The DVR phenomenon has affected the value of live sports programming as an advertising platform.
As for millennials, we shall see. In a number of contexts, I've seen people make all sorts of assumptions about how the latest generation is going to behave. I've been alive long enough to become skeptical of this.
When I refer to talking head shows, I don't mean the drivel like First Take. I mean everything from SportsCenter to BBTN. ESPN has way too many talking heads on those shows. I liked Trent Dilfer, for example, but how many football analysts do you need? |
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venturalakersfan Retired Number
Joined: 14 Apr 2001 Posts: 144432 Location: The Gold Coast
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Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2017 6:15 pm Post subject: |
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There was a tweet today from RJ Bell that said the US Gaming Association expects Trump to reverse the ban on sports gambling. That might affect viewership. _________________ RIP mom. 11-21-1933 to 6-14-2023. |
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lakersken80 Retired Number
Joined: 12 Aug 2009 Posts: 38751
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Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2017 6:40 pm Post subject: |
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Like it or not, the next generation is changing what they watch in their free time. They are filling arenas watching e-sports, watching people play video games on twitch. ESPN has been trying to capture this segment but whether or not they can successfully capture this audience remains to be seen. They are less interested in watching traditional sports than watching stuff they have participated in their childhood which is playing video games. |
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Aeneas Hunter Retired Number
Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 31763
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Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2017 7:17 pm Post subject: |
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venturalakersfan wrote: | There was a tweet today from RJ Bell that said the US Gaming Association expects Trump to reverse the ban on sports gambling. That might affect viewership. |
Trump couldn't do it himself. I'm not sure how Congress feels about the issue. |
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Wilt LG Contributor
Joined: 29 Dec 2002 Posts: 13711
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Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2017 7:58 pm Post subject: |
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Aeneas Hunter wrote: | venturalakersfan wrote: | There was a tweet today from RJ Bell that said the US Gaming Association expects Trump to reverse the ban on sports gambling. That might affect viewership. |
Trump couldn't do it himself. I'm not sure how Congress feels about the issue. |
Nobody knew sports gambling was so complicated. _________________ ¡Hala Madrid! |
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DaMuleRules Retired Number
Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 52624 Location: Making a safety stop at 15 feet.
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Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2017 8:57 pm Post subject: |
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Wilt wrote: | Aeneas Hunter wrote: | venturalakersfan wrote: | There was a tweet today from RJ Bell that said the US Gaming Association expects Trump to reverse the ban on sports gambling. That might affect viewership. |
Trump couldn't do it himself. I'm not sure how Congress feels about the issue. |
Nobody knew sports gambling was so complicated. |
i find it comical that people continue to think that he can actually accomplish anything when all he has done during his 100 days is to prove his ineptitude in regards to getting anything done other than continuously proving what a foolish ass he is. _________________ You thought God was an architect, now you know
He’s something like a pipe bomb ready to blow
And everything you built that’s all for show
goes up in flames
In 24 frames
Jason Isbell
Man, do those lyrics resonate right now |
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RMurphy_22 Star Player
Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 4193
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Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2017 9:19 pm Post subject: |
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DaMuleRules wrote: | Wilt wrote: | Aeneas Hunter wrote: | venturalakersfan wrote: | There was a tweet today from RJ Bell that said the US Gaming Association expects Trump to reverse the ban on sports gambling. That might affect viewership. |
Trump couldn't do it himself. I'm not sure how Congress feels about the issue. |
Nobody knew sports gambling was so complicated. |
i find it comical that people continue to think that he can actually accomplish anything when all he has done during his 100 days is to prove his ineptitude in regards to getting anything done other than continuously proving what a foolish ass he is. |
Did you read the quotes from his interview with Reuters today?... misses his old life, thought job would be easier, likes to drive but can't drive this the way he wants. I dare say this guy is going to quit before his term is up! _________________ Back to Back Yeah, Yeah...and you know that!
- Magic |
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Frank The Tank Starting Rotation
Joined: 25 Dec 2013 Posts: 113
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Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2017 11:02 pm Post subject: |
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Aeneas Hunter wrote: |
Again, there is not a linear relationship between viewership and advertising revenue. The DVR phenomenon has affected the value of live sports programming as an advertising platform. |
What made ESPN so successful and so profitable was that it had 2 revenue streams from advertising and from cable subscribers.
If there's no cable money and you're only looking at advertising revenue, then that's a big loss for money. If ESPN had to depend only on advertising revenue, then they have a lot less money to go out and buy rights.
One of the reasons ESPN overpaid for rights to football and basketball even as their subscribers were declining was because of the perceived value of live sports in the DVR era as a way to keep viewers loyal to cable.
But, its clear that that didn't work as more and more cut the cord to cable every year. Instead, what happened was that ESPN had to pay so much for those rights which made the cable bill so much higher that more and more people left cable because the bill was too high. |
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Aeneas Hunter Retired Number
Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 31763
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Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2017 6:24 am Post subject: |
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Frank The Tank wrote: | Aeneas Hunter wrote: | Again, there is not a linear relationship between viewership and advertising revenue. The DVR phenomenon has affected the value of live sports programming as an advertising platform. |
What made ESPN so successful and so profitable was that it had 2 revenue streams from advertising and from cable subscribers.
If there's no cable money and you're only looking at advertising revenue, then that's a big loss for money. If ESPN had to depend only on advertising revenue, then they have a lot less money to go out and buy rights.
One of the reasons ESPN overpaid for rights to football and basketball even as their subscribers were declining was because of the perceived value of live sports in the DVR era as a way to keep viewers loyal to cable.
But, its clear that that didn't work as more and more cut the cord to cable every year. Instead, what happened was that ESPN had to pay so much for those rights which made the cable bill so much higher that more and more people left cable because the bill was too high. |
It's an exaggeration to say that there's no cable money, but sure, the direct cable money is diminished. ESPN is still quite profitable, though not as profitable as it was a few years ago. It may turn out that technological and social changes render cable television in general obsolete. This would not be the first time something like that happened. For now, ESPN is trying to get back ahead of the curve.
It is possible, and perhaps likely, that the next round of TV deals will not show the same rapid growth that we've seen over the last decade. There may even be a reduction, though this remains to be seen. However, by the time we get to that point, technology and social trends will have evolved further. Just the same, we're not seeing any evidence of this so far. |
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LakerLanny Retired Number
Joined: 24 Oct 2001 Posts: 47565
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Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2017 6:26 am Post subject: |
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Wilt wrote: | Aeneas Hunter wrote: | venturalakersfan wrote: | There was a tweet today from RJ Bell that said the US Gaming Association expects Trump to reverse the ban on sports gambling. That might affect viewership. |
Trump couldn't do it himself. I'm not sure how Congress feels about the issue. |
Nobody knew sports gambling was so complicated. |
If anyone can bring back online poker in the US, they have my vote.
That is a platform I can support. _________________ Love, Laker Lanny |
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Vishnu Franchise Player
Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 16558
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Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2017 1:49 pm Post subject: |
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Marc Stein too. Wow |
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ChefLinda Moderator
Joined: 20 Sep 2006 Posts: 24113 Location: Boston
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Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2017 2:07 pm Post subject: |
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Vishnu wrote: | Marc Stein too. Wow |
That one's a shocker. |
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angrypuppy Retired Number
Joined: 13 Apr 2001 Posts: 32730
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Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2017 2:09 pm Post subject: |
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ChefLinda wrote: | Vishnu wrote: | Marc Stein too. Wow |
That one's a shocker. |
Damn. I really like Marc Stein.
He'll quickly land on his feet. |
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jodeke Retired Number
Joined: 17 Nov 2007 Posts: 67317 Location: In a world where admitting to not knowing something is considered a great way to learn.
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Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2017 2:55 pm Post subject: |
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ESPN’s massive round of layoffs hit familiar faces, including Andy Katz and Britt McHenry
LINK
Well, they didn't fire my nephews, I can still watch, listen, to ESPN. If they'd fired Jemele Hill, Cari Champion, or especially Lisa Salters they would have lost a watcher, listener. _________________ Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves. |
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hoopschick29 Franchise Player
Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posts: 12898 Location: Los Angeles
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Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2017 3:17 pm Post subject: |
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ChefLinda wrote: | Vishnu wrote: | Marc Stein too. Wow |
That one's a shocker. |
Yikes!! _________________ So glad we gave you your flowers while you were here, Kobe. |
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Basketball Fan Franchise Player
Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Posts: 24744
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Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2017 3:32 pm Post subject: |
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You fire Marc Stein during the NBA playoffs and Ed Werder before the NFL Draft?!
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jodeke Retired Number
Joined: 17 Nov 2007 Posts: 67317 Location: In a world where admitting to not knowing something is considered a great way to learn.
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Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2017 3:42 pm Post subject: |
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I think ESPN is doing a salary dump. _________________ Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.
Last edited by jodeke on Fri Apr 28, 2017 8:54 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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lakersken80 Retired Number
Joined: 12 Aug 2009 Posts: 38751
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Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2017 3:45 pm Post subject: |
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ESPN basically paid top dollar for the most expensive TV sports rights. There was a time when they didn't have the NFL or NBA tv rights and they did fine. The problem is now they have rights to those events but can't keep the subscribers. They will probably have to let a property or two go the next time the rights are up for bidding. |
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eureca Franchise Player
Joined: 18 Jan 2004 Posts: 15798
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Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2017 3:58 pm Post subject: |
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Quote: | @AdamZagoria
Still more basketball fallout coming from ESPN, I'm told. |
I saw some twitter speculation of maybe Amin being in danger. It is sad so many are losing their jobs. Stein being fired was a shocker to me. |
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eureca Franchise Player
Joined: 18 Jan 2004 Posts: 15798
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Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2017 4:05 pm Post subject: |
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Also I remember when Woj tweeted this to Amin years ago.
Quote: | @WojVerticalNBA
@AminESPN You have 75 guys there. You really should break every story. I'd be more worried about that than me. |
If the rumors are true of ESPN hiring Woj. The joke of ESPN firing 75 people to hire Woj is too easy to make. |
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lakersken80 Retired Number
Joined: 12 Aug 2009 Posts: 38751
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Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2017 5:37 pm Post subject: |
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If you want to know why ESPN is in bad shape, this article pretty much explains how much they paid for NFL rights...
http://decider.com/2017/03/30/espn-nfl-hbo-game-of-thrones/
Last edited by lakersken80 on Fri Apr 28, 2017 8:46 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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LakerSanity Moderator
Joined: 30 Nov 2006 Posts: 33474 Location: Long Beach, California
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Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2017 7:12 pm Post subject: |
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Chad Ford is gone too.... so is David Thorpe and Henry Abbot. Stein should join Simmons. _________________ LakersGround's Terms of Service
Twitter: @DeleteThisPost |
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jonnybravo Retired Number
Joined: 21 Sep 2007 Posts: 30621
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Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2017 8:12 pm Post subject: |
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LakerSanity wrote: | Chad Ford is gone too.... so is David Thorpe and Henry Abbot. Stein should join Simmons. |
It's a bloodbath. What's even left? Box scores and Stephen A? _________________ KOBE |
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jodeke Retired Number
Joined: 17 Nov 2007 Posts: 67317 Location: In a world where admitting to not knowing something is considered a great way to learn.
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Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2017 9:01 pm Post subject: |
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jonnybravo wrote: | LakerSanity wrote: | Chad Ford is gone too.... so is David Thorpe and Henry Abbot. Stein should join Simmons. |
It's a bloodbath. What's even left? Box scores and Stephen A? |
SAS is safe. He just signed a new contract waging him between 3.1 and 3.5 million per. _________________ Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves. |
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