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Bad news on the Pac-12 Network and DirecTV - Printable Version

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Re: Bad news on the Pac-12 Network and DirecTV - OutsiderFan - 06-04-2012

I find it hard to believe DirecTV can't have seven channels dedicated to the Pac-12.  They lard up their offering with so many garbage channels now that it defies belief they can't have as many as they want.  Maybe the DirecTV CEO is saying they won't pay rights fees for seven channels.  That seems reasonable.

If I was Larry Scott, I'd partner with DirecTV (and any other distributors) and tell them they can get a share of Pac-12 Network revenue based on how many viewers are watching the network on their platforms and/or subscribing to them.  Maybe the Pac-12 Network goes on all systems as part of the DirecTV subscriber package, and then the regional networks require subscription.  Give carriers a reason to promote the Pac-12 because they will get a share of its subscription revenue, and they will be happy to carrier the Pac-12 Networks, even promote them.

Truthfully, as long as the Pac-12 Networks are available online or mobile, streaming from a Pac-12 Network mother ship, so I can watch the games from my laptop or iPad, I'll be happy.  Does anyone know is this is the plan?

Re: Bad news on the Pac-12 Network and DirecTV - Farm93 - 06-04-2012

Satellites are old school anyway

Watched AMC last night as they begged viewers to tell Dish to keep them as a standard package option.  The politics are so silly when the future so clearly is going to be streaming content.

I would hope The Pac-12's main channel gets on Dish, Direct, FiOS and the cable networks.  That would be best for the conference's brand.  Then, much like ESPN3 or ESPN360, I would hope all of the other Pac-12 channels are available online.  The goal should be to make content available to an audience that would then go and find it, and pull it from the internet, presumably for a price.

During football seasons over the past 10 years, I would have paid $5 - $10 to stream a Stanford football game that was not on TV.  I watched Stanford Baseball on the net this weekend and that was fine.  Let's face it, how many casual fans would watch Stanford vs. UCB gymnastics anyway?

I would say no broadcaster would be dumb enough to broadcast any of these minor sports, but this weekend NBC was broadcasting a third place Rugby contest in a non-NCAA championship event between UCB and "Life University".  There is a network that needs help.  And yet, now that I think about it I believe ABC was broadcasting road crews literally repairing a road for an Indy Car event at the same time.

So if NBC and ABC think there choices were broadcast worthy, I might need to reassess my assumption that Pac-12 content is only internet worthy.

Re: Bad news on the Pac-12 Network and DirecTV - CrazedZooChimp - 06-04-2012

(06-04-2012, 09:18 AM)garvin link Wrote:At least, for those of us living outside Northern Californa. Michael Wright, DirecTV's CEO, says his plans to pick up the Pac-12 Network aren't settled yet, but adds: “We’re not going to have seven channels -- I can assure you of that.”

That means if you get DirecTV, the Pac-12 Network's Northern California channel -- on which most Stanford events will air -- won't be part of your lineup unless you live in Northern California. In fact, I'm not sure it will be available even there; I don't think DirecTV regionalizes signals for anything except local broadcast channels.

Either way, I hope all those people who think we had inadequate national exposure via the Fox Sports deals are watching this carefully. Wright's declaration means most Pac-12 games will not reach into the nation's sports bars, a virtual DirecTV monopoly. The supposed recruiting benefits of the channel look pretty ephemeral at this point.

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/176018/directv-ceo-says-blackouts-may-be-necessary-but-n.html#ixzz1wqEEdZac

I'm pretty sure all the Pac-12 football games are going on the main network, and currently our olympic sports (and most basketball) aren't televised period.  Sooo...I don't really see what you're worried about with less national exposure.  In fact, I don't think I ever expected to see the Northern California Regional network be standard outside of Norther California, that's the point of the regional network.  This also doesn't include all of the football and basketball that is on major networks.  While it sucks a little that people outside Northern California won't get to watch our soccer and softball games that air on the Pac-12 network, that doesn't seem like something anyone should be panicking over.

Re: Bad news on the Pac-12 Network and DirecTV - Hank 91 - 06-06-2012

At an alumni gathering down here in Southern California recently, we were told that we should be able to watch all Stanford football games live on our computers, tablets, and smart phones -- televisions were not mentioned. My memory tells me that when this whole thing was first announced the idea was that EVERY Pac-12 football and basketball game would be televised, and I took that to mean it would be televised in my house. It's possible that the actual term used was "broadcast", which wouldn't necessarily mean television. Even so, I'm guessing -- based on not much of anything -- that most Stanford games will be available. If we assume that at least four conference games will be featured on FOX, ESPN, ABC, and the PAC-10 Network, it's hard to imagine there will be too many weeks when Stanford isn't involved in one of those games.

Re: Bad news on the Pac-12 Network and DirecTV - OutsiderFan - 06-06-2012

All Stanford football games have been televised for the last two years, IIRC.  I don't think the issue is that games will be televised, or I guess available to be seen on a screen, to be precise.  All basketball and football games will be viewable on a screen.  The issue is how many games people will be able to see on the totality of platforms filling screens, be they TVs, computers, or mobile devices.

For example, if I am on the east coast and Stanford is playing Murray State in hoops, that game may be available to cable outlets but not DirecTV. Will I be able to see it online, or will the cable company ISP block the game from my computer?  Of course, the TV and satellite issue is important in terms of making the games the easiest to watch in places like bars and restaurants.  Not too many places are going to stream Internet video on to their TV screens, if any. 

There seem to be more questions about the Pac-12 Network than answers at this point, and frankly, this close to launching, that doesn't seem like a good thing for the conference or its fans.





Re: Bad news on the Pac-12 Network and DirecTV - washingtonismoney - 06-06-2012

(06-06-2012, 07:43 AM)garvin link Wrote:I'll admit, though, that my major concern is for myself. I live well outside the Pac-12 footprint and it appears unlikely that the regional channels that will carry most Stanford sports will be available here. And even if those games do become accessible on broadband, I'd much, much rather watch a game on my 39-inch TV screen than on a computer monitor. After 25 years in which the availability of Stanford sports to a national audience steadily increased, I think it's a shame that it's taking a giant step backward.

Just hook your computer up to your TV. Problem solved.

Re: Bad news on the Pac-12 Network and DirecTV - OutsiderFan - 06-06-2012

(06-06-2012, 09:11 AM)washingtonismoney link Wrote:[quote author=garvin link=topic=5970.msg44113#msg44113 date=1338993822]
I'll admit, though, that my major concern is for myself. I live well outside the Pac-12 footprint and it appears unlikely that the regional channels that will carry most Stanford sports will be available here. And even if those games do become accessible on broadband, I'd much, much rather watch a game on my 39-inch TV screen than on a computer monitor. After 25 years in which the availability of Stanford sports to a national audience steadily increased, I think it's a shame that it's taking a giant step backward.

Just hook your computer up to your TV. Problem solved.
[/quote]

I've connected my laptop to the TV to watch games on ESPN3.  It's nice to be able to see games I can't see on DirecTV, but watching online feeds is nothing like satellite quality.  It has improved, but there are still hiccups.  It really sucks when it stops in the middle of a play to buffer, especially on a long pass play that looks like it could be a catch or interception!

Re: Bad news on the Pac-12 Network and DirecTV - FarmBoy - 06-06-2012

When talking about exposure, the Pac12 network won't really catch the casual fans much better than an online streaming. It's going to be something like channel 550 on your Satellite channel guide and no one is going to just "browse" the channels until they come across the Stanford vs. WSU game and stop to watch. Perhaps the Pac12 channel will get fans of other Pac12 schools to watch a few more of our games, as they'll be in the habit of flipping to channel 550, but it's not going to get an SEC, ACC, or B1G fan in the way that ESPN, ABC and Fox drive casual fans.

Re: Bad news on the Pac-12 Network and DirecTV - Farm93 - 06-06-2012

(06-06-2012, 10:30 AM)OutsiderFan link Wrote:I've connected my laptop to the TV to watch games on ESPN3.  It's nice to be able to see games I can't see on DirecTV, but watching online feeds is nothing like satellite quality.  It has improved, but there are still hiccups.  It really sucks when it stops in the middle of a play to buffer, especially on a long pass play that looks like it could be a catch or interception!

Sounds like you need a faster internet connection.  Your commentary was right out of the cable and Verizon FiOS advertisements.  "DirecTV may be fine for television, but what kind of internet provider will you be bundled with?  Switch today and stop suffering the buffering blues!"

The Pac-12 and Stanford brands will only be strengthened with football and basketball on major TV channels.  I understand that few casual fans without a Pac-12 tie will start watching all of the other NCAA Pac-12 contests even if those events magically got prime ESPN time slots.  So whether it is DirecTV 550, Cox TV 1380 or the internet, it will only be watched by those with Pac-12 ties or serious passion about the sport of the day.

If the Pac-12 develops a set of internet-only programming, and that seems to be their plan, then I will just make sure I am getting the best possible internet connection.  But premium fee streaming seems more viable than pleading for a several channels from satellite providers.  Besides even if that beg and pray program was the plan, the companies seem to always discontinue coverage over their silly contract battles.

IMHO - just put the thing on the internet.  I would take slightly lower quality if it meant I did not have to worry about Dish vs. Comcast vs. DirecTV vs TimeWarner battles.

Re: Bad news on the Pac-12 Network and DirecTV - akiddoc - 06-06-2012

It is early in the negotiations. I wouldn't worry about public posturing just yet.

And within 2 years, internet streaming will be so much better that DirecTV and Dish will be in serious trouble. Everyone will be bypassing them. Comcast is lucky because they have the internet option. I have DirecTV right now but I also have Comcast internet at 50 MB download speed. Change is coming.

The Pac 12 will be able to bypass the traditional providers and stream everything at 1080p.

Re: Bad news on the Pac-12 Network and DirecTV - washingtonismoney - 06-06-2012

Yeah, cable's going to be in a bad way soon: http://www.businessinsider.com/tv-business-collapse-2012-6

Re: Bad news on the Pac-12 Network and DirecTV - oman - 06-06-2012

(06-06-2012, 10:43 AM)FarmBoy link Wrote:When talking about exposure, the Pac12 network won't really catch the casual fans much better than an online streaming. It's going to be something like channel 550 on your Satellite channel guide and no one is going to just "browse" the channels until they come across the Stanford vs. WSU game and stop to watch. Perhaps the Pac12 channel will get fans of other Pac12 schools to watch a few more of our games, as they'll be in the habit of flipping to channel 550, but it's not going to get an SEC, ACC, or B1G fan in the way that ESPN, ABC and Fox drive casual fans.

If you go to any of the SEC or Big12 boards during regular season, they usually are talking about at least one Pac12 game per week.  I know the Texas board is always interested in the night game(s). 

I've always thought of myself as a casual fan -- which to me means I watch at least one Pac12, one Big12 and most of an SEC contest every week.  I think most fans of at least one team in one of the power four conferences spend a good deal of time checking out all of those conferences.

So I have no idea what these networks will eventually look like but if they show "games of the week" at some regular time, that could be a desination stop for fans even outside the conference.

Re: Bad news on the Pac-12 Network and DirecTV - Hank 91 - 06-06-2012

(06-06-2012, 08:04 PM)akiddoc link Wrote:The Pac 12 will be able to bypass the traditional providers and stream everything at 1080p.
If they bypass the traditional providers, won't they be bypassing the traditional revenue stream as well? It would be one thing to stream a swim meet on GoStanford.com, but I don't think the Pac-12's ready to give away its premium products (football and basketball) for free. I realize that if there's someone smart enough to figure out how to stream at 1080p there will also be a hundred people smart enough to figure out how to make money at it, but I bet the networks, cable companies, and satellite companies hold on to sports for quite a while.

Re: Bad news on the Pac-12 Network and DirecTV - Farm93 - 06-07-2012

Just as we still have newspapers & radio we will still have content providers on TV.  No doubt.

But Pac-12 currently non-revenue sports are not exactly going to appeal to most in the USA.  And that mass appeal is the game for mass media content providers.  The Pac-12 and/or Stanford will sell access to the internet type channels because the people that will want to watch will PAY to watch.  And those that want it for free, honestly, will not really stay for to watch the ads anyway.

The Pac-12 will need to get its fans to understand that stealing the content will be bad for the conference and their schools.  Then it will just be a matter of pulling perhaps $5 month to watch a sport and perhaps $20 month for an all-access optoin.  The Pac-12 would still get $0.20, or whatever, from every household as they pump in football, basketball and weekly programs onto the widely distributed main channel.  But the conference and the schools would get additional money from those with some deep desire to follow volleyball, golf and/or tennis or a single school.

I suspect some on this board might be inclined to see how a Stanford athlete won the pole vault last night, for example, but that would not exactly appeal to the masses.  If one had an all access Pac-12 pass to Stanford then that person could enjoy a mini-documentary on the athlete and a recap of the "DRAMA" of pole vault, for example.

Re: Bad news on the Pac-12 Network and DirecTV - OutsiderFan - 06-14-2012

I may be naive, but I can't help but think DirecTV is playing hardball in negotiations with the Pac-12.  They have six more weeks before the Pac-12 Network starts, and more than that before football season kicks off. 

The issue is not whether DirecTV will carry the Pac-12 Network (including the six regionals), it is how much DirecTV pays in carriage fees for the Pac-12 Network because it is sensitive to escalating service fees.

My guess would be the Pac-12 Networks will find their way onto DirecTV.  The question is what kind of arrangement will be struck, and how much will the Pac-12 give up to get on DirecTV?  DirecTV thinks The Pac-12 will ultimately give up more than it has intimated it would to date. I have no idea what kind of lead time is required for DirecTV to properly bring the Pac-12 Network onto its lineup and promote it.

Re: Bad news on the Pac-12 Network and DirecTV - Farm93 - 06-14-2012

(06-14-2012, 09:56 AM)OutsiderFan link Wrote:I have no idea what kind of lead time is required for DirecTV to properly bring the Pac-12 Network onto its lineup and promote it.

History with other channels suggests they could power up a new channel in a matter of hours, if necessary.  I am sure some internal DirecTV document already has reserved space for Pac-12 national.  Pac-12 national will air all of the sports casual fans care about, so not sure about the 6 Pac-12 regionals getting space.  I suspect they might be serious about not airing all of them, if all of the football and major basketball games are on ESPN, Fox or Pac-12 National.

I will be seeking a new content provider in early September anyway, so I can wait until this is all squared away before making my call.  I probably will go with the content provider that gives me the best access to Pac-12 family of channels.

Re: Bad news on the Pac-12 Network and DirecTV - CowboyIndian - 06-14-2012

(06-14-2012, 10:18 AM)Farm93 link Wrote:I probably will go with the content provider that gives me the best access to Pac-12 family of channels.

Don't tell us.....

Re: Bad news on the Pac-12 Network and DirecTV - Farm93 - 06-14-2012

CI,

Best access is not so clear.  I personally would take all 7 (National and 6 Regionals) as internet only access over a provider that "only" gave Pac-12 National in HD, Pac-12 LA in SD and none of the rest, for example.

I am a little disappointed that the Pac-12 is not working harder to get this finalized before the CWS.  Since it has not been finalized, they have missed a great opportunity to promote the conference during the Pac-12s best season.  The WCWS should have been loaded with subscribe to the Pac-12 Network type of ads.  Oh well...I guess most Pac-12 fans will be able to switch providers after football season, if they want to see more of the Pac-12 in olympic sports.



Re: Bad news on the Pac-12 Network and DirecTV - yvonne - 06-15-2012

On the positive side, that will have a smaller impact on game times than trying to find time slots so that all could be televised live.

Re: Bad news on the Pac-12 Network and DirecTV - Farm93 - 06-15-2012

(06-15-2012, 10:50 AM)Yvonne link Wrote:On the positive side, that will have a smaller impact on game times than trying to find time slots so that all could be televised live.

It is a big positive actually.  With 10+ OOC games in each of the first few weekends, the options for achieving 100% live TV broadcasts was looking ridiculous.  Some schools would have needed to play on Friday (5PM & 8PM), Sunday (1, 4 & 7 PM) and/or morning games on Saturday.  I am all for greater TV exposure, but a 10PM kickoff or a 8AM kickoff would have been too much.  Stream all games live, and put them on the Pac-12 network as practical.  I realize there will be some group of Pac-12 fans that only get the Pac-12 national and will not have solid internet streaming abilities, but that should not force teams (and their fans) to odd game times just for that subset of potential Pac-12 fans.