SMF....you probably follow....
But does anyone know if the ACC network games are going to regulated here and force people to pay more for ESPN?
From what I understand the ESPN watch app will still exist, but I hope the ACC network games stay here, especially for OCC basketball games.
The only affect at all this will have on people who currently get the ESPN channels through cable or satellite is that SOME lesser-watched sporting events like G5 college football and mid-major college basketball will be ESPN+ only. I expect that to be very very few games. So if you wanted to watch the Coastal Carolina/South Alabama football game, that MIGHT be ESPN+ only.
This is an entry into the cord-cutting market. ESPN is just dipping their feet in, charging $5/month for niche sports programming. The popular leagues are not included for the most part. That would be MLB, NBA, NFL, major college conferences. So basically, any sporting event that is actually televised on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, ACCN, or SECN will not be available on ESPN+.
The 1 nice benefit you do get with this is because ESPN bought the out-of-market PPV rights for the local broadcasts of MLB, NHL, and MLS (I dont think NBA), they are going to air 1 MLB and 1 NHL regular season game per day. So, you may get to watch the Reds take on the Brewers on a Tuesday night using the local Cincy broadcasters. The next night it might be the Padres and Diamondbacks using the local SD announcers.
There will also be a ton of niche stuff like rugby, cricket, etc but that's just stuff on watchESPN anyway.
I'd expect that in a couple years, ESPN will add ALL their content to ESPN+ and charge something like $30/month for people that want that option
