A few more details on ACCN from SBJ/SBD

[PittMan 72]

Here's an excerpt:

"When the linear channel launches in '19, it will carry at least 400 events, including 40 football and 150 men’s and women’s basketball games each year."

So the contractual details are in place.

http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2016/07/19/ESPN-ACC.aspx

 

[mvk112]

So that's basically 3 football games per week plus one, and 9 basketball games per week (hopefully with at least a 6 men's to 3 women's or better split).

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

So that's basically 3 football games per week plus one, and 9 basketball games per week (hopefully with at least a 6 men's to 3 women's or better split).

There's 14 weeks so that's 12 tripleheaders and 2 doubleheaders. There's a lot more content than that though......so maybe that means Raycom and FSS will still do some syndicated games.

 

[Jpripper88]

So that's basically 3 football games per week plus one, and 9 basketball games per week (hopefully with at least a 6 men's to 3 women's or better split).

14-15 weeks in the football season, so less than 3.

Agree on the mens/womens split. Hope for more mens, but that would be ok.

 

[mvk112]

There's 14 weeks so that's 12 tripleheaders and 2 doubleheaders. There's a lot more content than that though......so maybe that means Raycom and FSS will still do some syndicated games.

Not sure there is a lot more content. There is currently 56 conference games plus 56 OOC games, though they don't own all 56 as some are away games. So, let's say roughly 100 games in inventory total. 40 on the network leaves 60 to be broadcast on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and ABC. That's like 4 or 5 games per week, which they will most likely use up on those channels.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Not sure there is a lot more content. There is currently 56 conference games plus 56 OOC games, though they don't own all 56 as some are away games. So, let's say roughly 100 games in inventory total. 40 on the network leaves 60 to be broadcast on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and ABC. That's like 4 or 5 games per week, which they will most likely use up on those channels.

Last year there were 49 conference-controlled games not televised by an ESPN TV channel (not counting ESPN3). 2 years ago there was 47.

So, perhaps those extra games just get moved to another ESPN channel (more room since they lost half the Big Ten) or the digital channel......or they still can probably have the Raycom game of the week. We'll see.

 

[yourhired]

Raycon isn't going anywhere so you will continue to see the ACC Game of the week probably doubleheaders for football and triple header for basketball. I expect the smaller sports will be on the ACC Network with an occasional Football/Basketball game. ESPN 3 will go away

 

[mvk112]

Last year there were 49 conference-controlled games not televised by an ESPN TV channel (not counting ESPN3). 2 years ago there was 47.

So, perhaps those extra games just get moved to another ESPN channel (more room since they lost half the Big Ten) or the digital channel......or they still can probably have the Raycom game of the week. We'll see.

So 7 to 9 games, that isn't exactly a ton of content. I would guess ESPNU or ESPN3 for those games.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

So 7 to 9 games, that isn't exactly a ton of content. I would guess ESPNU or ESPN3 for those games.

Yea, I thought there was more.

Either ESPNU, ACCN Plus, or Raycom I guess

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

If they are doing tripleheaders, I hope they can avoid noon starts. I know noon, 3:30 and 7 is the traditional way to go but so many games start at those times. Why not do 1, 4:30, and 8? I never understood why ESPN doesnt stagger their start times across networks. As a casual fan of other conferences, I would watch Ark vs Miss if the 4th quarter was going up against the start of some other game.

 

[topdecktiger]

Last year there were 49 conference-controlled games not televised by an ESPN TV channel (not counting ESPN3). 2 years ago there was 47.

So, perhaps those extra games just get moved to another ESPN channel (more room since they lost half the Big Ten) or the digital channel......or they still can probably have the Raycom game of the week. We'll see.

I'm not clear on this. There aren't any conference controlled games. ESPN owns all the ACC's games, and syndicated some to Raycom. The ACC has 112 total football games. A few are OOC road games, so let's say 100, like the other poster did. Raycom gets 35, so that ~65 games left. If ESPN didn't televise 49, then that means only ~16 games ESPN televised, which I doubt is accurate. Point being, I don't think there are any extra games, per se. It seems to me that the games coming back from Raycom are going to make up most of the network content.

Raycon isn't going anywhere so you will continue to see the ACC Game of the week probably doubleheaders for football and triple header for basketball. I expect the smaller sports will be on the ACC Network with an occasional Football/Basketball game. ESPN 3 will go away

No you won't. When the ACC network starts in 2019, it's going to show 40 football games and 150 basketball games a year. Raycom is dead.

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

"topdecktiger, post: 1417360, member: 3806"]I'm not clear on this. There aren't any conference controlled games. ESPN owns all the ACC's games, and syndicated some to Raycom. The ACC has 112 total football games. A few are OOC road games, so let's say 100, like the other poster did. Raycom gets 35, so that ~65 games left. If ESPN didn't televise 49, then that means only ~16 games ESPN televised, which I doubt is accurate. Point being, I don't think there are any extra games, per se. It seems to me that the games coming back from Raycom are going to make up most of the network content.
No you won't. When the ACC network starts in 2019, it's going to show 40 football games and 150 basketball games a year. Raycom is dead.
Raycom R.I.P., Good to see they followed SEC lead finally dumping Raycom too!

YOUR LINK:
"Modeled on the SEC’s digital offering that ESPN launched two years ago, ACC Network Plus will be fully owned by ESPN and available to authenticated subscribers through WatchESPN and the ESPN app. ACC games that appear on ESPN3 will move to the digital ACC Network Plus."

Topdecktiger,
1. Do you think they bought Raycom out or there was a clause when this would happen Raycom would be out with notice?

2. Do you think Swofford will still be the ACC Commissioner at Age 71 in 2019?
Any thoughts?

3. Also, will ESPN absorb some Raycom Employees?

4. How much do you think ACCN will give per school in your estimate?

Thanks!

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I'm not clear on this. There aren't any conference controlled games. ESPN owns all the ACC's games, and syndicated some to Raycom. The ACC has 112 total football games. A few are OOC road games, so let's say 100, like the other poster did. Raycom gets 35, so that ~65 games left. If ESPN didn't televise 49, then that means only ~16 games ESPN televised, which I doubt is accurate. Point being, I don't think there are any extra games, per se. It seems to me that the games coming back from Raycom are going to make up most of the network content.



No you won't. When the ACC network starts in 2019, it's going to show 40 football games and 150 basketball games a year. Raycom is dead.

I'll try to be more clear. In 2015, there were 49 games that were "conference controlled" (meaning an ACC team was the home team making it an ACC game for TV contract purposes) that did not air on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, or ABC. These 49 games aired on Raycom, FSS, and/or ESPN3.

The remaining games were either picked up by one of those networks, or were the property of another confetence's TV contract (ex: Pitt @ Iowa, Pitt @ Akron).

I have the list. I actually posted it a few weeks ago.

 

[topdecktiger]

"topdecktiger, post: 1417360, member: 3806"]I'm not clear on this. There aren't any conference controlled games. ESPN owns all the ACC's games, and syndicated some to Raycom. The ACC has 112 total football games. A few are OOC road games, so let's say 100, like the other poster did. Raycom gets 35, so that ~65 games left. If ESPN didn't televise 49, then that means only ~16 games ESPN televised, which I doubt is accurate. Point being, I don't think there are any extra games, per se. It seems to me that the games coming back from Raycom are going to make up most of the network content.
No you won't. When the ACC network starts in 2019, it's going to show 40 football games and 150 basketball games a year. Raycom is dead.
Raycom R.I.P., Good to see they followed SEC lead finally dumping Raycom too!

YOUR LINK:
"Modeled on the SEC’s digital offering that ESPN launched two years ago, ACC Network Plus will be fully owned by ESPN and available to authenticated subscribers through WatchESPN and the ESPN app. ACC games that appear on ESPN3 will move to the digital ACC Network Plus."

Topdecktiger,
1. Do you think they bought Raycom out or there was a clause when this would happen Raycom would be out with notice?

2. Do you think Swofford will still be the ACC Commissioner at Age 71 in 2019?
Any thoughts?

3. Also, will ESPN absorb some Raycom Employees?

4. How much do you think ACCN will give per school in your estimate?

Thanks!

I'm assuming ESPN bought out Raycom. I'm not sure about a clause, because it was Raycom that actually owned the "ACC Network." That doesn't suggest a clause existing to me. Raycom also had all of the ACC's digital rights. Now the digital network is starting this fall, which ESPN now completely owns. If the bought out the digital rights, it seems reasonable to assume they bought out the TV rights as well. It sounds to me like it was just a buyout.

I'm guessing Swofford probably sticks around another 5-6 years at least. It just doesn't seem like there are any health issues or anything else to make him leave in the near future.

I think Raycom is just screwed. ESPN already has the studios in Charlotte, so I don't see why they would need to hire anyone from Raycom. It looks like ESPN already has everything they need. I think Raycom was just a dead man walking. If they played hardball and kept the ACC from getting a network, then the ACC would have dumped Raycom at the end of the contract. Raycom was just in a no-win situation. It was probably their best option to take the buyout from ESPN and use it as a parachute to get out.

The estimate is pure spitball. If the network brings in about $200 million a year (barely a third of the SEC and barely half of the Big Ten), the schools would get about $4 million. The big question now is the TV contract. It's been extended to 20 years, so there is a question if the payout stayed the same or not. If the payout went up, and that estimate is correct (which is questionable) it would be a significant increase.

I'll try to be more clear. In 2015, there were 49 games that were "conference controlled" (meaning an ACC team was the home team making it an ACC game for TV contract purposes) that did not air on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, or ACC. These 49 games aired on Raycom, FSS, and/or ESPN3.

The remaining games were either picked up by one of those networks, or were the property of another confetence's TV contract (ex: Pitt @ Iowa, Pitt @ Akron).

I have the list. I actually posted it a few weeks ago.

Ok, that's what I didn't get. The 49 games are the ones that weren't on regular ESPN channels. According to the SBD article, the network is going to show 40 football games, so it sounds like the Raycom and ESPN3 games are making up the difference. The article also mentioned that on the digital network, content from ESPN3 is moving over, which I assume means football games as well.

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

I'm assuming ESPN bought out Raycom. I'm not sure about a clause, because it was Raycom that actually owned the "ACC Network." That doesn't suggest a clause existing to me. Raycom also had all of the ACC's digital rights. Now the digital network is starting this fall, which ESPN now completely owns. If the bought out the digital rights, it seems reasonable to assume they bought out the TV rights as well. It sounds to me like it was just a buyout.

I'm guessing Swofford probably sticks around another 5-6 years at least. It just doesn't seem like there are any health issues or anything else to make him leave in the near future.

I think Raycom is just screwed. ESPN already has the studios in Charlotte, so I don't see why they would need to hire anyone from Raycom. It looks like ESPN already has everything they need. I think Raycom was just a dead man walking. If they played hardball and kept the ACC from getting a network, then the ACC would have dumped Raycom at the end of the contract. Raycom was just in a no-win situation. It was probably their best option to take the buyout from ESPN and use it as a parachute to get out.

The estimate is pure spitball. If the network brings in about $200 million a year (barely a third of the SEC and barely half of the Big Ten), the schools would get about $4 million. The big question now is the TV contract. It's been extended to 20 years, so there is a question if the payout stayed the same or not. If the payout went up, and that estimate is correct (which is questionable) it would be a significant increase.

Ok, that's what I didn't get. The 49 games are the ones that weren't on regular ESPN channels. According to the SBD article, the network is going to show 40 football games, so it sounds like the Raycom and ESPN3 games are making up the difference. The article also mentioned that on the digital network, content from ESPN3 is moving over, which I assume means football games as well.

Thanks always good insight from you! I'll see if I can find some more Links later this week and post them on same subjects you answered and addressed!

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I'm assuming ESPN bought out Raycom. I'm not sure about a clause, because it was Raycom that actually owned the "ACC Network." That doesn't suggest a clause existing to me. Raycom also had all of the ACC's digital rights. Now the digital network is starting this fall, which ESPN now completely owns. If the bought out the digital rights, it seems reasonable to assume they bought out the TV rights as well. It sounds to me like it was just a buyout.

I'm guessing Swofford probably sticks around another 5-6 years at least. It just doesn't seem like there are any health issues or anything else to make him leave in the near future.

I think Raycom is just screwed. ESPN already has the studios in Charlotte, so I don't see why they would need to hire anyone from Raycom. It looks like ESPN already has everything they need. I think Raycom was just a dead man walking. If they played hardball and kept the ACC from getting a network, then the ACC would have dumped Raycom at the end of the contract. Raycom was just in a no-win situation. It was probably their best option to take the buyout from ESPN and use it as a parachute to get out.

The estimate is pure spitball. If the network brings in about $200 million a year (barely a third of the SEC and barely half of the Big Ten), the schools would get about $4 million. The big question now is the TV contract. It's been extended to 20 years, so there is a question if the payout stayed the same or not. If the payout went up, and that estimate is correct (which is questionable) it would be a significant increase.



Ok, that's what I didn't get. The 49 games are the ones that weren't on regular ESPN channels. According to the SBD article, the network is going to show 40 football games, so it sounds like the Raycom and ESPN3 games are making up the difference. The article also mentioned that on the digital network, content from ESPN3 is moving over, which I assume means football games as well.

Or the games that dont "fit" on ACCN could get pushed to ESPNU since ESPN has more room, losing half the Big Ten.

I also dont think its out of the realm of possibility that Raycom still does their GOTW until their contract ends in 2023......but its probably more likely they either were bought out or ESPN exercises some clause.

In any event, I'd exoect expect every single football game and every single basketball game to be on TV.

 

[TIGER-PAUL]

Agree, I'm assuming they were or are being bought out for the most part.

 

[topdecktiger]

Or the games that dont "fit" on ACCN could get pushed to ESPNU since ESPN has more room, losing half the Big Ten.

I also dont think its out of the realm of possibility that Raycom still does their GOTW until their contract ends in 2023......but its probably more likely they either were bought out or ESPN exercises some clause.

In any event, I'd exoect expect every single football game and every single basketball game to be on TV.

I actually didn't think of that. Raycom could do a game of the week, sort of how CBS does a game of the week with the SEC. That would get back a majority of the games from Raycom for the network, but still leave Raycom something.

 

[Jpripper88]

Interesting take on turning ESPNU into the ACCN in 2019.

http://www.outkickthecoverage.com/what-s-the-acc-network-worth-071916

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Interesting take on turning ESPNU into the ACCN in 2019.

http://www.outkickthecoverage.com/what-s-the-acc-network-worth-071916

ESPN is going to bundle these so they can almost name the price they assign to these channels.

Currently, ESPN and ESPN2 are about $7.50 per month combined. ESPNU is only 22 cents. SECN is $1 in footprint.

I think ESPN may just say to any provider in footprint, "give us $12 for ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPN Deportes, etc and assign a value of around $1 to ACCN.

The big question will be, what will be considered in footprint:

Philly?
Maryland?
DC?
NYC?
Chicago (ND bball but thats a stretch)

Will ESPN strong-arm those area into paying for ACCN as part of the bundle?

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

I actually didn't think of that. Raycom could do a game of the week, sort of how CBS does a game of the week with the SEC. That would get back a majority of the games from Raycom for the network, but still leave Raycom something.

Notre Dame Info:
The deal will also include an extension of the conference's grant rights through 2036, which means if Notre Dame becomes a football member of a conference, it has to be the ACC. It also means it would be nearly impossible for any current conference member to leave.
LINK:
http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-fo...k-2019-digital-2016/lzmg3fzaw3wf12uiy0olqmm8i

Another Excerpt Link:
On The Audible with Bruce Feldman and Stewart Mandel, FS1's Tim Brando explained why he thinks Notre Dame will eventually end up joining the ACC:

"I believe it will happen when Notre Dame understands it's in their financial best interests to be in a conference, because they cannot command the same dollar from NBC or any other network by simply having seven home games televised. If you look at the revenues generated by both the Big Ten and the SEC and the ACC without a network, as a conference member full-time [Notre Dame] would do much better than they are doing with their current arrangement ... In three years, I believe you'll be looking right down the pike at an ACC Network, and I think the reason will be Notre Dame elected to become a full-time member.

"Talk to the coaches about preparing for a schedule that is off-the-charts as theirs is year in and year out. I don't think there's any doubt [head coach Brian Kelly] would prefer being in a conference. Both publicly and privately I've spoken to him about it, and that's his true belief. But the major reason why you do it, fellas, is not because the coach wants it. It's because it makes economic sense. It will make even more sense as these [TV] rights fees continue to move upward. A lot of things about the television business are being compressed, but rights fees are not.

"Notre Dame as an individual institution, maybe a few years ago a deal like the one they have with NBC was a seminal moment in broadcasting and sports for a school to have its own network television deal. That's not true anymore. That was before the SEC was raking in all of this cash, and before [Big Ten commissioner] Jim Delaney was able to put a deal together like the one he did with FOX and still has a looming second tier to negotiate. As a conference, you are stronger than any one institution, and yes that does include the great Notre Dame."
http://www.foxsports.com/college-fo...sh-join-acc-tim-brando-audible-podcast-060216

http://collegespun.com/acc/syracuse...otball-is-key-to-conference-launching-network

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

ACC closes in on network deal with ESPN LINK:
The ACC’s current deal with ESPN runs through 2026-27 but has since been substantially eclipsed by the Big 10 and the Southeastern Conference. In May, ACC Commissioner John Swofford said launching an ACC cable channel would likely be necessary to close that financial gap........................

.............In 2010, when the ACC forged its current deal with ESPN, it chose to forgo a cable network in favor of a continued agreement with Raycom in what was branded as an “ACC Network” but was really a continuation of the conference’s decades-long syndication deal that puts ACC games on local affiliates. Discussions over an ACC channel have been ongoing ever since, gathering pace after the 2012 addition of Notre Dame in all sports but football and the 2013 grant-of-rights agreement that essentially prevented any further defections after Maryland’s departure.

Conference-specific channels have proven a mixed blessing after an initial rush of enthusiasm. The Big 10 Network, a joint venture with Fox, has been an unqualified success; the revenue it generates, about $8 million per school per year, was a major factor in Maryland’s exodus from the ACC. ESPN’s SEC Network was basically an extension of ESPN’s existing SEC programming and would be the model for an ACC partnership.

Conversely, the Pac-12 Network has no established network partner and has struggled to find carriage (it’s still not available on DirecTV) as well as viewers, while Texas’ Longhorn Network, another ESPN partnership, has been such a nonfactor that ESPN recently cut back on staff and programming.

http://herald-review.com/ap/sports/...cle_aa467df2-7e66-5792-92bc-b7030bf84590.html

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

Raycom Media and Scripps Form Creative Programming Development Partnership
Raycom Media and The E.W. Scripps Company (NYSE: SSP) are forming a development partnership that brings the strengths of their respected local broadcast operations together to create and grow new and original programming across daytime, early fringe and access dayparts. The partnership also will develop content for the companies' vast digital products to attract multiple audiences who crave content when they want it across any of their devices..................................."As the broadcasting industry continues to evolve, we must continue to explore new opportunities to deliver compelling content to our audiences," said Brian Lawlor, senior vice president of the Scripps broadcast division. "We envision a flourishing partnership with Raycom Media that will lead to relevant content with mass appeal across diverging demographics. Partnering with other broadcast groups rather than competing against them is a dynamic new way to succeed in this industry, and Scripps and Raycom Media are leading the way."
LINK:
http://www.raycommedia.com/news/160222.htm