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Topic: The MAC TV deal's looking better
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Pataskala
5/5/2016 9:10 AM
Crain's Cleveland reports that the MAC TV deal with ESPN (which in 2014 was reworked to run through 2026-27 at a "much higher price" -- is looking sweet because the TV sports rights bubble is bursting. ESPN is laying off people to cover some of the $4 billion in annual rights costs. Fox is also cutting back on programs or shifting priorities. G5 conferences are taking a hit. According to Crain's:

"Conference USA is finalizing a new deal with CBS and ESPN that reportedly will result in an annual fee that will be a fraction of its previous agreement. Fox and CBS had been paying Conference USA about $14 million a year combined, but [Sports Business Journal writer John] Ourand says the new deal with CBS and ESPN will result in each network paying the conference about $1 million per year."

For 2017-27, the MAC will get about $10 million per year from ESPN. CUSA's rights fees will drop from $14 million down to $2 million annually.

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20160504/BLOGS06/1...
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BillyTheCat
5/5/2016 9:40 AM
I think we should still leave the MAC for a higher profile conference like CUSA ;-)
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OhioCatFan
5/5/2016 10:35 AM
Perhaps it's time to replace EMU with Marshall. You guys are always saying that Money talks. ;-)
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Jeff McKinney
5/5/2016 4:51 PM
Will the MAC be forced to renegotiate their deal? If not, the MAC may be in a better position than CUSA.

I'm guessing CUSA still is getting more revenue from the bowls than the MAC does. If not, wouldn't it make sense for Marshall to want out of CUSA?
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Pete Chouteau
5/5/2016 7:26 PM
I would not be surprised if there's an out for ESPN.

Very likely outcome is that the production and on air talent of our internet televised product devolves to public access quality.
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Alan Swank
5/5/2016 9:46 PM
Pete Chouteau wrote:expand_more
I would not be surprised if there's an out for ESPN.

Very likely outcome is that the production and on air talent of our internet televised product devolves to public access quality.
I'm generally available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights.
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OhioCatFan
5/6/2016 1:19 AM
Alan Swank wrote:expand_more
I would not be surprised if there's an out for ESPN.

Very likely outcome is that the production and on air talent of our internet televised product devolves to public access quality.
I'm generally available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights.
But do you have the ability to talk endless about things totally irrelevant to the game being played on the field and to, thereby, miss nearly every important play and make OHIO fans reach for the mute button, and turn on Russell and Co. for audio. If so, you are the man for the job! ;-)
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bobcatsquared
5/6/2016 6:10 AM
OhioCatFan wrote:expand_more
I would not be surprised if there's an out for ESPN.

Very likely outcome is that the production and on air talent of our internet televised product devolves to public access quality.
I'm generally available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights.
But do you have the ability to talk endless about things totally irrelevant to the game being played on the field and to, thereby, miss nearly every important play and make OHIO fans reach for the mute button, and turn on Russell and Co. for audio. If so, you are the man for the job! ;-)

Good one, OCF.

I'll try to be more specific. Can Alan ignore the MAC game on the field and focus almost entirely on the upcoming SEC or Big 10 game ESPN will be showing over the weekend? MACaction weeknight games tend to be not much more than a 4-hour commercial for the big boys' games on ESPN/ABC.
Last Edited: 5/6/2016 6:10:27 AM by bobcatsquared
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Jeff McKinney
5/6/2016 9:07 AM
OhioCatFan wrote:expand_more
I would not be surprised if there's an out for ESPN.

Very likely outcome is that the production and on air talent of our internet televised product devolves to public access quality.
I'm generally available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights.
But do you have the ability to talk endless about things totally irrelevant to the game being played on the field and to, thereby, miss nearly every important play and make OHIO fans reach for the mute button, and turn on Russell and Co. for audio. If so, you are the man for the job! ;-)
This will not be a problem for the Swankometer.
Last Edited: 5/6/2016 9:08:14 AM by Jeff McKinney
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OU_Country
5/6/2016 9:54 AM
OhioCatFan wrote:expand_more
Perhaps it's time to replace EMU with Marshall. You guys are always saying that Money talks. ;-)
Personally, I'd be all over that, assuming there is some way for it to actually happen. I think it would be better for everyone in the MAC (except EMU) to have Marshall on board instead. Of course this isn't going to happen.
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The Optimist
5/6/2016 11:05 AM
OU_Country wrote:expand_more
Perhaps it's time to replace EMU with Marshall. You guys are always saying that Money talks. ;-)
Personally, I'd be all over that, assuming there is some way for it to actually happen. I think it would be better for everyone in the MAC (except EMU) to have Marshall on board instead. Of course this isn't going to happen.
I've long argued that EMU is "holding back the MAC" and a common counter-argument has been that each school is responsible for their own success and failure. I agree, each school is largely responsible for themselves.

However, when we are negotiating multi-million dollar television deals based on the conference's overall appeal to ESPN, I don't understand how anyone could not acknowledge it is in our conference's best interests to provide the most compelling possible product.

The MAC is benefiting from these random time-slots. You know one reason ESPN has loved showing OHIO? Look at my avatar. We look good on TV. EMU? Nope.
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Pataskala
5/6/2016 12:16 PM
The Optimist wrote:expand_more
Perhaps it's time to replace EMU with Marshall. You guys are always saying that Money talks. ;-)
Personally, I'd be all over that, assuming there is some way for it to actually happen. I think it would be better for everyone in the MAC (except EMU) to have Marshall on board instead. Of course this isn't going to happen.
I've long argued that EMU is "holding back the MAC" and a common counter-argument has been that each school is responsible for their own success and failure. I agree, each school is largely responsible for themselves.

However, when we are negotiating multi-million dollar television deals based on the conference's overall appeal to ESPN, I don't understand how anyone could not acknowledge it is in our conference's best interests to provide the most compelling possible product.

The MAC is benefiting from these random time-slots. You know one reason ESPN has loved showing OHIO? Look at my avatar. We look good on TV. EMU? Nope.
Here's a head-scratcher,tho: CBSSN will air the Wyoming-EMU game at Ypsi on Friday 9/23: http://kowb1290.com/eight-wyoming-cowboy-football-games-o... /

Wyo was 2-10 last year; EMU was 1-11. CBSSN will need to have recorded crowd noise like they used to use on studio wrestling. Maybe EMU will rent out its parking lot to tailgaters for the 9/24 PSU-Mich game, let them campout in the parking lot and give them tix for the Wyo game.
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OUcats82
5/6/2016 12:25 PM
Pataskala wrote:expand_more
Perhaps it's time to replace EMU with Marshall. You guys are always saying that Money talks. ;-)
Personally, I'd be all over that, assuming there is some way for it to actually happen. I think it would be better for everyone in the MAC (except EMU) to have Marshall on board instead. Of course this isn't going to happen.
I've long argued that EMU is "holding back the MAC" and a common counter-argument has been that each school is responsible for their own success and failure. I agree, each school is largely responsible for themselves.

However, when we are negotiating multi-million dollar television deals based on the conference's overall appeal to ESPN, I don't understand how anyone could not acknowledge it is in our conference's best interests to provide the most compelling possible product.

The MAC is benefiting from these random time-slots. You know one reason ESPN has loved showing OHIO? Look at my avatar. We look good on TV. EMU? Nope.
Here's a head-scratcher,tho: CBSSN will air the Wyoming-EMU game at Ypsi on Friday 9/23: http://kowb1290.com/eight-wyoming-cowboy-football-games-o... /

Wyo was 2-10 last year; EMU was 1-11. CBSSN will need to have recorded crowd noise like they used to use on studio wrestling. Maybe EMU will rent out its parking lot to tailgaters for the 9/24 PSU-Mich game, let them campout in the parking lot and give them tix for the Wyo game.
Maybe if CBS can angle the cameras correctly, avoiding the stands, they can bill the game as a parking lot match and make it seem as though they are actually squaring off on cement given the field's gray hue?!

Would it be possible that there would be more people in the stands than watching that game on TV?
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The Optimist
5/6/2016 1:13 PM
OUcats82 wrote:expand_more
Perhaps it's time to replace EMU with Marshall. You guys are always saying that Money talks. ;-)
Personally, I'd be all over that, assuming there is some way for it to actually happen. I think it would be better for everyone in the MAC (except EMU) to have Marshall on board instead. Of course this isn't going to happen.
I've long argued that EMU is "holding back the MAC" and a common counter-argument has been that each school is responsible for their own success and failure. I agree, each school is largely responsible for themselves.

However, when we are negotiating multi-million dollar television deals based on the conference's overall appeal to ESPN, I don't understand how anyone could not acknowledge it is in our conference's best interests to provide the most compelling possible product.

The MAC is benefiting from these random time-slots. You know one reason ESPN has loved showing OHIO? Look at my avatar. We look good on TV. EMU? Nope.
Here's a head-scratcher,tho: CBSSN will air the Wyoming-EMU game at Ypsi on Friday 9/23: http://kowb1290.com/eight-wyoming-cowboy-football-games-o... /

Wyo was 2-10 last year; EMU was 1-11. CBSSN will need to have recorded crowd noise like they used to use on studio wrestling. Maybe EMU will rent out its parking lot to tailgaters for the 9/24 PSU-Mich game, let them campout in the parking lot and give them tix for the Wyo game.
Maybe if CBS can angle the cameras correctly, avoiding the stands, they can bill the game as a parking lot match and make it seem as though they are actually squaring off on cement given the field's gray hue?!

Would it be possible that there would be more people in the stands than watching that game on TV?
I like this. When EMU makes the return trip to Wyoming, have the game in a rural Wyoming field. This series can become known for playing games in the "wild."
City vs country.
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OU_Country
5/6/2016 1:50 PM
The Optimist wrote:expand_more
The MAC is benefiting from these random time-slots. You know one reason ESPN has loved showing OHIO? Look at my avatar. We look good on TV. EMU? Nope.

I've long held the opinion that EMU, and any other school that can't get 10k into it's stadium shouldn't be given a single "good" TV slot in terms of the conference TV deal. Sell the best programs in your conference, not the worst. The B1G doesn't air IU football in primetime, they air OSU, MSU, or Michigan. The MAC should be doing the same.
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Bobcatbob
5/6/2016 4:27 PM
OU_Country wrote:expand_more
The MAC is benefiting from these random time-slots. You know one reason ESPN has loved showing OHIO? Look at my avatar. We look good on TV. EMU? Nope.

I've long held the opinion that EMU, and any other school that can't get 10k into it's stadium shouldn't be given a single "good" TV slot in terms of the conference TV deal. Sell the best programs in your conference, not the worst. The B1G doesn't air IU football in primetime, they air OSU, MSU, or Michigan. The MAC should be doing the same.
But the B1G is not making that call. Nor is A&M. Makes it harder to understand EMU - unless every conference member is guaranteed a TV game on some cyclical basis.
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MedinaCat
5/6/2016 4:49 PM
OU_Country wrote:expand_more
Perhaps it's time to replace EMU with Marshall. You guys are always saying that Money talks. ;-)
Personally, I'd be all over that, assuming there is some way for it to actually happen. I think it would be better for everyone in the MAC (except EMU) to have Marshall on board instead. Of course this isn't going to happen.
Here is a taste of what they are saying on the Herdistan message board...this is in response to speculation that they can move to the AAC if/when UC and Memphis move to the Big 12:

"This would possibly be the last chance for us to stay relavant. CUSA is a joke and no one cares if you beat Charlotte, FIU, and UTSA, among others. Sure we are not in the same league when it comes to budgets, but part of the reason we aren't growing the fan base while we are on this win streak is that we are expected to win and losing even 1 game in this %^&*ty conference hurts us more than winning 11 games helps us. However if we are in the AAC with Houston, UCF, Navy, ECU, UConn, SMU, Temple, and USF then people will care when we win and a couple losses won't scare away the fans."

They thought the grass was greener, but they figured out it was a septic field. (insert joke)
Last Edited: 5/6/2016 4:50:36 PM by MedinaCat
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Monroe Slavin
5/6/2016 5:55 PM
OUcats82 wrote:expand_more
Perhaps it's time to replace EMU with Marshall. You guys are always saying that Money talks. ;-)
Personally, I'd be all over that, assuming there is some way for it to actually happen. I think it would be better for everyone in the MAC (except EMU) to have Marshall on board instead. Of course this isn't going to happen.
I've long argued that EMU is "holding back the MAC" and a common counter-argument has been that each school is responsible for their own success and failure. I agree, each school is largely responsible for themselves.

However, when we are negotiating multi-million dollar television deals based on the conference's overall appeal to ESPN, I don't understand how anyone could not acknowledge it is in our conference's best interests to provide the most compelling possible product.

The MAC is benefiting from these random time-slots. You know one reason ESPN has loved showing OHIO? Look at my avatar. We look good on TV. EMU? Nope.
Here's a head-scratcher,tho: CBSSN will air the Wyoming-EMU game at Ypsi on Friday 9/23: http://kowb1290.com/eight-wyoming-cowboy-football-games-o... /

Wyo was 2-10 last year; EMU was 1-11. CBSSN will need to have recorded crowd noise like they used to use on studio wrestling. Maybe EMU will rent out its parking lot to tailgaters for the 9/24 PSU-Mich game, let them campout in the parking lot and give them tix for the Wyo game.
Maybe if CBS can angle the cameras correctly, avoiding the stands, they can bill the game as a parking lot match and make it seem as though they are actually squaring off on cement given the field's gray hue?!

Would it be possible that there would be more people in the stands than watching that game on TV?

Isn't # of people in the stands about a total non-factor for broadcasters?

Don't they want good games...and/or games with great action/theatrics?!
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El Gato Roberto
5/6/2016 7:41 PM
Monroe Slavin wrote:expand_more
Perhaps it's time to replace EMU with Marshall. You guys are always saying that Money talks. ;-)
Personally, I'd be all over that, assuming there is some way for it to actually happen. I think it would be better for everyone in the MAC (except EMU) to have Marshall on board instead. Of course this isn't going to happen.
I've long argued that EMU is "holding back the MAC" and a common counter-argument has been that each school is responsible for their own success and failure. I agree, each school is largely responsible for themselves.

However, when we are negotiating multi-million dollar television deals based on the conference's overall appeal to ESPN, I don't understand how anyone could not acknowledge it is in our conference's best interests to provide the most compelling possible product.

The MAC is benefiting from these random time-slots. You know one reason ESPN has loved showing OHIO? Look at my avatar. We look good on TV. EMU? Nope.
Here's a head-scratcher,tho: CBSSN will air the Wyoming-EMU game at Ypsi on Friday 9/23: http://kowb1290.com/eight-wyoming-cowboy-football-games-o... /

Wyo was 2-10 last year; EMU was 1-11. CBSSN will need to have recorded crowd noise like they used to use on studio wrestling. Maybe EMU will rent out its parking lot to tailgaters for the 9/24 PSU-Mich game, let them campout in the parking lot and give them tix for the Wyo game.
Maybe if CBS can angle the cameras correctly, avoiding the stands, they can bill the game as a parking lot match and make it seem as though they are actually squaring off on cement given the field's gray hue?!

Would it be possible that there would be more people in the stands than watching that game on TV?

Isn't # of people in the stands about a total non-factor for broadcasters?

Don't they want good games...and/or games with great action/theatrics?!
what the broadcasters want is hardly the point. Fans in the stands is about marketing. The reason to have televised football games is to market the school and the conference.
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L.C.
5/6/2016 8:14 PM
Monroe Slavin wrote:expand_more
..
Isn't # of people in the stands about a total non-factor for broadcasters?

Don't they want good games...and/or games with great action/theatrics?!

If your theory was correct, why to TV broadcasters often show tight shots of the small areas where there are a lot of fans, and avoid shots of the entire stadium that reveal how few are there? yes, the number of fans matter, and what matters even more is how excited they are. They indeed want great action and theatrics, but they also what the game to appear to have a high level of excitement about it.
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Monroe Slavin
5/7/2016 1:12 AM
What the broadcasters want would seem to matter, would seem to get us on TV or, at least, make us much considered for being on TV. TV likes excitement, drama.

Being on TV is rather substantial marketing..likely to lead to fans in the stands...much more so than fans in the stands is likely to lead to televised games.



Crowd shots or not are after that. First, ya gotta get on TV by having or creating what TV wants to show, be that winning or a style of play or achievements/milestones or controversy, etc.
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The Optimist
5/7/2016 8:00 AM
Monroe Slavin wrote:expand_more
Perhaps it's time to replace EMU with Marshall. You guys are always saying that Money talks. ;-)
Personally, I'd be all over that, assuming there is some way for it to actually happen. I think it would be better for everyone in the MAC (except EMU) to have Marshall on board instead. Of course this isn't going to happen.
I've long argued that EMU is "holding back the MAC" and a common counter-argument has been that each school is responsible for their own success and failure. I agree, each school is largely responsible for themselves.

However, when we are negotiating multi-million dollar television deals based on the conference's overall appeal to ESPN, I don't understand how anyone could not acknowledge it is in our conference's best interests to provide the most compelling possible product.

The MAC is benefiting from these random time-slots. You know one reason ESPN has loved showing OHIO? Look at my avatar. We look good on TV. EMU? Nope.
Here's a head-scratcher,tho: CBSSN will air the Wyoming-EMU game at Ypsi on Friday 9/23: http://kowb1290.com/eight-wyoming-cowboy-football-games-o... /

Wyo was 2-10 last year; EMU was 1-11. CBSSN will need to have recorded crowd noise like they used to use on studio wrestling. Maybe EMU will rent out its parking lot to tailgaters for the 9/24 PSU-Mich game, let them campout in the parking lot and give them tix for the Wyo game.
Maybe if CBS can angle the cameras correctly, avoiding the stands, they can bill the game as a parking lot match and make it seem as though they are actually squaring off on cement given the field's gray hue?!

Would it be possible that there would be more people in the stands than watching that game on TV?

Isn't # of people in the stands about a total non-factor for broadcasters?

Don't they want good games...and/or games with great action/theatrics?!
Crowd plays a significant factor in game atmosphere... Even on TV.

When I turn on a game, when anyone turns on a game. You can almost instantly sense crowd excitement.

I recall turning on the Ohio State at Virginia Tech game early last season. It was impossible not to appreciate the crowd factor instantly.
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Pataskala
5/7/2016 1:53 PM
It always makes for better TV when there's a huge crowd at the game. It adds to the atmosphere and probably makes viewers want to stick around and watch. A large, noisy crowd grabs viewers' attention.
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Monroe Slavin
5/8/2016 2:32 AM
Yes, huge crowd is nice.

But if that crowd is not excited, you'll feel it as you watch your screen.


Would you rather watch huge crowd, unexciting game....or exciting game with small/no crowd.


Hint: MACtion made its mark when it was exciting irrespective of crowd size. And huge crowd won't save lousy ball.

When we got totally demolished by Louisville, I bet they had a huge crowd...and the game was dull as hell on TV after about one quarter.
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Ted Thompson
5/25/2016 11:19 AM

According to this article, Conference USA goes with ESPN and TV rights drop from $14M to $5M. Their deal with ESPN looks exactly like the deal the MAC has (other than the dollars).

Conference USA reaches landmark deal with ESPN

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