Mystery Achiever
Footballguy
ESPN cable sports network is in talks to form a partnership with the National Football League's NFL Network, according to people familiar with the situation.
Steven Bornstein, chief executive of the NFL Network and previously chairman of ESPN and president of Disney's ABC network, has been holding high-level discussions with Disney executives in recent weeks, according to several people familiar with the situation. Some team owners have been briefed on the discussions, and Disney CEO Robert Iger and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell have been involved.
A deal would bring to a face-saving end an embarrassing episode for the NFL and a bitter stand-off between the lead and four of the nation's largest cable operators, a dispute which kept live pro football games on Thursday and Saturday nights out of many American homes.
An agreement would represent a big shift in strategy for the NFL—abandoning its effort to sidestep sports broadcasters like ESPN and take some of its valuable games directly to cable subscribers, who pay lucrative monthly fees. It would also send a message to sports organizations, which have enjoyed rising television fees for years, that even the biggest and most powerful sports league in the U.S. cannot launch a new channel without the consent of big cable operators such as Comcast Corp. and Time Warner Cable Inc.
One possible scenario could be a combination of the NFL Network with the ESPN Classic network, which has relatively low ratings but wide distribution on expanded basic tiers. ESPN would likely use its market weight and its eight additional games to seek higher subscription fees than the 16 or 17 cents it currently receives for ESPN Classic, boosting rates to something closer to what the NFL network has been seeking, according to Derek Baine, a senior analyst for SNL Kagan. Under such a scenario, ESPN and the NFL could form a joint venture and share revenue, or ESPN could take an equity stake in the channel.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1213995244...s_us_whats_news
Steven Bornstein, chief executive of the NFL Network and previously chairman of ESPN and president of Disney's ABC network, has been holding high-level discussions with Disney executives in recent weeks, according to several people familiar with the situation. Some team owners have been briefed on the discussions, and Disney CEO Robert Iger and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell have been involved.
A deal would bring to a face-saving end an embarrassing episode for the NFL and a bitter stand-off between the lead and four of the nation's largest cable operators, a dispute which kept live pro football games on Thursday and Saturday nights out of many American homes.
An agreement would represent a big shift in strategy for the NFL—abandoning its effort to sidestep sports broadcasters like ESPN and take some of its valuable games directly to cable subscribers, who pay lucrative monthly fees. It would also send a message to sports organizations, which have enjoyed rising television fees for years, that even the biggest and most powerful sports league in the U.S. cannot launch a new channel without the consent of big cable operators such as Comcast Corp. and Time Warner Cable Inc.
One possible scenario could be a combination of the NFL Network with the ESPN Classic network, which has relatively low ratings but wide distribution on expanded basic tiers. ESPN would likely use its market weight and its eight additional games to seek higher subscription fees than the 16 or 17 cents it currently receives for ESPN Classic, boosting rates to something closer to what the NFL network has been seeking, according to Derek Baine, a senior analyst for SNL Kagan. Under such a scenario, ESPN and the NFL could form a joint venture and share revenue, or ESPN could take an equity stake in the channel.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1213995244...s_us_whats_news
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Although NFLN shouldn't necessarily be praised for the way they've destroyed NFL Films either.
, i do remember a segment where Eisen spoke with the head of Officiating about specific plays. I dont remember Eisen ever pulling any punches as they went over some of the most controversial plays of the year. That was a very forthright and honest segment.I'd really like to see some major TV network offer a you choose, you pay option. Meaning you pay for the channels and/or shows you want. It could be online or standard feed, but i would be willing to pay $x/month for only the channels i want. Maybe the per channel cost is higher, but the per month cost would be lower. The viewer (i.e. me) gets what they want, and the channels get more money per viewer.
the vast majority of people can't get the NFL Network.If this makes it available to everyone i don't care how much ESPN butchers it, at least i'll be able to watch the games that were previously unavailable.
ANYONE can get NFLN right now. Its called DirecTV. Live in an apt or condo where you cant get a dish? Its called slingbox.If someone wants NFLN, they can get it right now. Stop letting major corp's make decisions for you.
the vast majority of people can't get the NFL Network.If this makes it available to everyone i don't care how much ESPN butchers it, at least i'll be able to watch the games that were previously unavailable.
ANYONE can get NFLN right now. Its called DirecTV. Live in an apt or condo where you cant get a dish? Its called slingbox.If someone wants NFLN, they can get it right now. Stop letting major corp's make decisions for you.
