01-16-2020, 08:10 AM
Why the Pac-12 Nets are not doing well has a lot more to do with trends in broadcasting than an individual. Ironic, that if anything, these moves suggest Scott and his various associates are capable of doing the right thing. Cut costs rather than raise fees do as much as possible to allow the Pac-12 nets to continue to broadcast the very sports where the Pac-12 member schools thrive.
The Olympic sports ratings are all awful. They have always been awful. That's not just a Pac-12 issue BTW. Most other conferences sell monthly access passes because they know the audiences are small, but very loyal.
Whether access fee restricted, or not, those audiences don't really need talking talent that just flew in for the game, doesn't know the teams or the sport. Loads of VERY high profile sports have commentators in a centralized facility. In many sports the crew at HQ or in the truck are able to track the action much easier than the talking talent court-side or in the booth.
For a number of our Olympic sports the venue based talent still can't see all of the action even if they bother to travel to the venue (golf, rowing, tennis and cross-country). Others sports really don't have a dynamic on-site environment that would add anything to the coverage (Men's volleyball, track & field, lacrosse, field hockey). Lower costs. Smart move.
BTW - Even if Larry Scott leaves this is a smart approach for the next commissioner. The Pac-12 should do EVERYTHING possible to keep an open broadcasting model of Olympic sports because excellence in these sports is "What makes us The Conference of Champions"
The Olympic sports ratings are all awful. They have always been awful. That's not just a Pac-12 issue BTW. Most other conferences sell monthly access passes because they know the audiences are small, but very loyal.
Whether access fee restricted, or not, those audiences don't really need talking talent that just flew in for the game, doesn't know the teams or the sport. Loads of VERY high profile sports have commentators in a centralized facility. In many sports the crew at HQ or in the truck are able to track the action much easier than the talking talent court-side or in the booth.
For a number of our Olympic sports the venue based talent still can't see all of the action even if they bother to travel to the venue (golf, rowing, tennis and cross-country). Others sports really don't have a dynamic on-site environment that would add anything to the coverage (Men's volleyball, track & field, lacrosse, field hockey). Lower costs. Smart move.
BTW - Even if Larry Scott leaves this is a smart approach for the next commissioner. The Pac-12 should do EVERYTHING possible to keep an open broadcasting model of Olympic sports because excellence in these sports is "What makes us The Conference of Champions"