An interview with Swofford below. I pulled out discussion of a possible ACC network as that is what I'm interested in. Overriding theme is if they do go that route, the timing of distribution is key. They can launch earlier and take a financial hit, or wait for the timing to be right and be a success from the start like the SEC network. Also pretty much confirms that while it may not be identical, it will be similar to the SEC network if it goes that route.
http://www.greensboro.com/sports/accxtra/q-a-john-swofford-acc-commissioner/article_de51963f-d09a-533d-b73d-ccae3b9341bd.html
Q: Is the league still considering starting its own ACC network for TV?
A: “We’re in continuous discussions with our television partners on our path. Until we reach a point of having a more definitive path to share with people, you won’t hear much from us about it. … I will say the discussions are productive and going well. It’s an important part of the league’s future, and therefore you want to be very thorough thinking about it. It’s a long-term decision, whatever the path is. You want to get it right. Because you’re also dealing with ever-changing technology.”
Q: How closely do you watch what’s happening with the other college conference’s TV networks?
A: “There’s something to be learned from all of them. The circumstances for each were different, so what you learn from each is different. If you go that route, the timing is very important. Distribution determines the financial implications of it. … The Big 10 really struggled in its early years and met a lot of challenges. But it’s matured and gotten well. The Pac-12 is a totally different approach, and several years into it is struggling. The SEC timed it really well – whether by design or circumstantial – and it’s been the most successful coming out of the chute. Their situation is probably most similar to what ours would be simply because they have the same partner in ESPN.”
Q: Has the ESPN deal been all the league hoped for?
A: “It’s been good for both of us, and that’s the way a partnership should be. It’s certainly worked well for us from an exposure standpoint and from a financial standpoint. And it’s helped them as well from the very beginning. You look back to the days when they were launching ESPN2, and they put a Duke-Carolina basketball game on ESPN2 to entice people to subscribe.”
http://www.greensboro.com/sports/accxtra/q-a-john-swofford-acc-commissioner/article_de51963f-d09a-533d-b73d-ccae3b9341bd.html
Q: Is the league still considering starting its own ACC network for TV?
A: “We’re in continuous discussions with our television partners on our path. Until we reach a point of having a more definitive path to share with people, you won’t hear much from us about it. … I will say the discussions are productive and going well. It’s an important part of the league’s future, and therefore you want to be very thorough thinking about it. It’s a long-term decision, whatever the path is. You want to get it right. Because you’re also dealing with ever-changing technology.”
Q: How closely do you watch what’s happening with the other college conference’s TV networks?
A: “There’s something to be learned from all of them. The circumstances for each were different, so what you learn from each is different. If you go that route, the timing is very important. Distribution determines the financial implications of it. … The Big 10 really struggled in its early years and met a lot of challenges. But it’s matured and gotten well. The Pac-12 is a totally different approach, and several years into it is struggling. The SEC timed it really well – whether by design or circumstantial – and it’s been the most successful coming out of the chute. Their situation is probably most similar to what ours would be simply because they have the same partner in ESPN.”
Q: Has the ESPN deal been all the league hoped for?
A: “It’s been good for both of us, and that’s the way a partnership should be. It’s certainly worked well for us from an exposure standpoint and from a financial standpoint. And it’s helped them as well from the very beginning. You look back to the days when they were launching ESPN2, and they put a Duke-Carolina basketball game on ESPN2 to entice people to subscribe.”
