The Rise and Fall of ESPN (1 Viewer)

[Mr Anonymous]

ESPN's strategy of catering to big markets has them hemorrhaging money and subscribers and they've never had the chance to plot their strategy around the likes of a Lebron/Lakers pair. This would be the equivalent of Tom Brady going to the Dallas Cowboys. Millions of lost viewers grew tired of ESPN's imbalances and somehow Capella thinks 24/7 Lebron coverage is going to help them? Instead of mere small and mid market cities like Kansas City, Milwaukee, Jacksonville, Charlotte, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Buffalo, etc. tuning out, places like New York, Chicago, and Houston are going to start feeling like they have no need to watch. If ESPN couldn't even take 2 hours off in July from Lebron coverage during the most frantic trade deadline any sport has to offer, how bearable do you think it's going to be come November?

It's odd to see someone look at the current state of things at ESPN and think doubling down on their approach will be a good thing.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

If by "final nail" we're talking about me watching anything on ESPNBA other than college football, then yes.

Them making a bajillion dollars doesn't matter much to me; what counts is do they have programming that interests me. If they make mad money, that's OK with me.

ESPN has been hemorrhaging money with this approach, it won't make them bajillion dollars. Alienating the entire country for the Los Angeles sports market is a losing strategy. That's not even a good fanbase.

 

[irish eyes]

Hey, did you all see the Lebron interview LOL. I think they may only show it 2 or 3,000 more times before tomorrow so you better make some time in your day to catch it. 

 

[Doug B]

I knew they were a lost cause once they cancelled a classic show like Sports Reporters, while awful crap like Highly Questionable remains on the air. 

These kind of comments make me wonder:

Could ESPN just have aimed to stay exactly the same as they were in the early-to-mid-1990s and still thrived as a network? Or was it a necessity for them to turn stuff over and try things out over and over again? Seems like they had a great formula, but ditched it for reasons unknown.

For instance: was keeping both Dan Patrick and Keith Olberman as anchors ever a realistic option, or were they just going to cost way too much and itch to move on no matter what?

 

[Da Guru]

Lmfao. Final nail by making them millions of dollars? Lebron in LA is a windfall for them. 

Maybe in LA for sure..but it seems elsewhere fans are suffering from LeBron fatigue.

 

[Doug B]

It's like they are trying to appeal to a demographic that doesn't watch a lot of ESPN anyway ...

 

 

[Doug B]

Most people hate him here (or the SP?) but I'll take Berman making stupid nicknames and being a caricature of himself over some hot take race baiting agenda dealing dooshnozzle trying to drum interest up under the guise of sports. 

I guess he ran his course for some viewers ... but Chris Berman between 1987-1992 was so  on baseball & football highlights. Maybe tired and used up by the late 90s ... OK, I can go with that. But by then, he felt nostalgic (to me at least).

 

[grateful zed]

they could start showing music videos. 

 

[Tom Servo]

ESPN has been hemorrhaging money with this approach, it won't make them bajillion dollars. Alienating the entire country for the Los Angeles sports market is a losing strategy. That's not even a good fanbase.

They lose money because people like me don't tune in to their crappy non-live sports programming. I'd rather be waterboarded than watch any of their debate shows. Golic and Wingo is fairly harmless, but I'm at work when it's on.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

They lose money because people like me don't tune in to their crappy non-live sports programming. I'd rather be waterboarded than watch any of their debate shows. Golic and Wingo is fairly harmless, but I'm at work when it's on.

People used to leave their TV on tuned to ESPN for hours during multiple morning Sportscenters, including myself. Now I can't even bring myself to watch the 6pm Sportscenter. And from the looks of things, neither can anyone else. Yesterday's MLB Trade Deadline Special was the first time I turned ESPN in months and 5 minutes in they start a 20 minute Lebron segment. They essentially told me that I never have any reason to tune in.

 

[Tom Servo]

People used to leave their TV on tuned to ESPN for hours during multiple morning Sportscenters, including myself. Now I can't even bring myself to watch the 6pm Sportscenter. And from the looks of things, neither can anyone else. Yesterday's MLB Trade Deadline Special was the first time I turned ESPN in months and 5 minutes in they start a 20 minute Lebron segment. They essentially told me that I never have any reason to tune in.

MLB Network for the win.

 

[Eephus]

I guess he ran his course for some viewers ... but Chris Berman between 1987-1992 was so  on baseball & football highlights. Maybe tired and used up by the late 90s ... OK, I can go with that. But by then, he felt nostalgic (to me at least).

Highlights were killed by instant accessibility.  They're as dead as Cosell's MNF halftime recaps of the previous day's games.

It's tough to fill 7 x 24 x however many sub-channels with programming.  Broadcast rights for live sports are a lot more expensive than when ESPN was the only bidder.  The need for original programming to fill airtime led direction to requirements for manufactured personalities and controversy.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

MLB Network for the win.

It's a shame that I have to pay Comcast extra to get the MLB-NHL-NBA-NFL-Redzone channels, but they really are better than the ESPNs.

 

[culdeus]

It's a shame that I have to pay Comcast extra to get the MLB-NHL-NBA-NFL-Redzone channels, but they really are better than the ESPNs.

ESPN probably messed up not launching a NFL specific channel before the NFL did it on their own.  I mean they launched a channel focused on nothing other than the University of Texas!    In hindsight, more than anything people now expect to see content specific to their interest.  We are simply too ADD to be focused on multiple sports 24x7.  

 

[Mr Anonymous]

MLB Network for the win.

Absolutely. And I would've tuned in to them from the get-go if that wasn't one of the few channels I don't have. It pained me to turn on ESPN as I did it. Even through clenched teeth, I never expected a 20-minute Lebron segment while trades were flying fast and furious.

 

[Capella]

Absolutely. And I would've tuned in to them from the get-go if that wasn't one of the few channels I don't have. It pained me to turn on ESPN as I did it. Even through clenched teeth, I never expected a 20-minute Lebron segment while trades were flying fast and furious.

I mean you’re leaving out the part where the Lebron segment was about how he opened a school for at-risk kids that guarantees their college tuition if they graduate and gives jobs to low-income and low-education people. You act like they were just showing clips of him dunking. 

 

[Cowboysfan8]

I mean you’re leaving out the part where the Lebron segment was about how he opened a school for at-risk kids that guarantees their college tuition if they graduate and gives jobs to low-income and low-education people. You act like they were just showing clips of him dunking. 

Well that's wonderful.

But noone wants to hear about it 20 minutes before the MLB trade deadline. 

 

[NotSmart]

ESPN is pathetic and has been for a long time. It's apparent they have instructed every person/show to talk about nothing but the NBA, which is easily the worst sport on earth. Did they really spend that much on the NBA to make it this cringeworthy? I'm surprised they haven't changed the name of the network to espnba.

Beautiful, ESPNBA sums the current state up well.

I thought  it would be a great addition to UrbanDictionary, but someone beat us by a month:

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=ESPNBA

 

[Capella]

Well that's wonderful.

But noone wants to hear about it 20 minutes before the MLB trade deadline. 

So flip the f’ing channel.

 

[GregR]

This time of year I tend to have the TV on to NFL Network unless there is something else on.  Whenever I notice NFL Live on ESPN I'll tune into that instead.  Shows like that are still fine to me.  PTI is decent, I've never really tuned into the other talk shows.

I'd say the biggest part of the demise for me with Sports Center wasn't so much what they said or did but that MLB and the NBA lost my interest for a long stretch. After they lost or gave up the NHL package then NFL and college football were the only reasons to watch Sports Center.  Also should mention the internet being around for news at hand.  I'd generally much rather be able to skim an article quickly for my news than I would sit through a video whether it's on TV or the web.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

So flip the f’ing channel.

Amazing, you finally got it! So tell me again how you conclude ESPN is about to make gazillions with round the clock Lebron coverage? 

 

[Capella]

Amazing, you finally got it! So tell me again how you conclude ESPN is about to make gazillions with round the clock Lebron coverage? 

Because you deciding not to watch it doesn’t matter? 

If showing Lebron/NBA wasn’t making them money, they wouldn’t show it as much. This is pretty basic stuff tbh. 

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Because you deciding not to watch it doesn’t matter? 

If showing Lebron/NBA wasn’t making them money, they wouldn’t show it as much. This is pretty basic stuff tbh. 

Yeah that's the whole point - their ratings, viewership, and subscribers are going in the wrong direction. You're the one who came in here all contrarian trying to tell us that ESPN knows what they're doing. The last decade tells us they've made mostly poor choices. This thread isn't a good look for you.

I think you're looking for the "Amazing Continued Rise of ESPN" thread. HTH

 

[Cowboysfan8]

So flip the f’ing channel.

Exactly

 

[Tom Servo]

So flip the f’ing channel.

So All LBJ all the time doesn't get a break at the MLB trade deadline?

You're outing yourself as an ESPN homer.

 

[shadyridr]

So flip the f’ing channel.

Isn't that his point?

 

[Capella]

So All LBJ all the time doesn't get a break at the MLB trade deadline?

You're outing yourself as an ESPN homer.

I haven’t watched espn except for live sports in probably 15 years. I just think you all sound really dumb complaining about it.  

 

[Capella]

Yeah that's the whole point - their ratings, viewership, and subscribers are going in the wrong direction. You're the one who came in here all contrarian trying to tell us that ESPN knows what they're doing. The last decade tells us they've made mostly poor choices. This thread isn't a good look for you.

I think you're looking for the "Amazing Continued Rise of ESPN" thread. HTH

I came in here talking about Lebron. I don’t know what you are talking about with the last decade. 

“Overall, ESPN’s 2018 NBA Playoffs metered market ratings are up 10 percent from last year.”

the NBA is red-hot; therefore they show it. Don’t know what else to tell you. 

 

[Exit 1]

Any eye candy on ESPN these days?

Is that Nolan girl still there?

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

Any eye candy on ESPN these days?

Don't think we're allowed to talk about that any more.

 

[Eephus]

Any eye candy on ESPN these days?

Is that Nolan girl still there?

Nolan has been under contract with ESPN since late 2017 but has been very low profile.  The only ESPN I watch during hoops off-season is Formula One but if she had a show, she'd occasionally have a bit that went viral.  I'm afraid ESPN has no better idea how to use Nolan's talent than Fox did.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Nolan has been under contract with ESPN since late 2017 but has been very low profile.  The only ESPN I watch during hoops off-season is Formula One but if she had a show, she'd occasionally have a bit that went viral.  I'm afraid ESPN has no better idea how to use Nolan's talent than Fox did.

She's mostly been a guest host spotting for Bomani on Highly Questionable, I believe.  And she has a podcast.  

 

[pantherclub]

She's mostly been a guest host spotting for Bomani on Highly Questionable, I believe.  And she has a podcast.  

and from what i have is utterly terrible 

 

[culdeus]

Any eye candy on ESPN these days?

Is that Nolan girl still there?

The one they have covering Alabama football is a smokeshow, and has a lazy eye, which is a turn-on.  (Kaylee Hartung or something)

 

[bigmarc27]

The one they have covering Alabama football is a smokeshow, and has a lazy eye, which is a turn-on.  (Kaylee Hartung or something)

I thought she went to CNN?  She was smoking. 

 

[Ghost Rider]

Any eye candy on ESPN these days?

Is that Nolan girl still there?

Romana Shelbourne should be right up your alley. 

 

[Galileo]

ESPN2 is in the midst of some sort of marathon fantasy football programming.  This is some of the most awful programming I have ever seen, and I'm a fantasy football fan.  

 

[Good Posting Judge]

ESPN2 is in the midst of some sort of marathon fantasy football programming.  This is some of the most awful programming I have ever seen, and I'm a fantasy football fan.  

Fantasy football is for children fyi.

 

[Short Corner]

Romana Shelbourne should be right up your alley. 

Christo alias?

 

[Tom Servo]

Fantasy football is for children losers fyi.

 

[saintfool]

Any eye candy on ESPN these days?

Is that Nolan girl still there?

Molly Qerim, newly married to Jalen Rose, looks pretty good now. She won't in a few years but congrats to JR!

 

[TheFanatic]

Because you deciding not to watch it doesn’t matter? 

If showing Lebron/NBA wasn’t making them money, they wouldn’t show it as much. This is pretty basic stuff tbh. 

So you're saying every decision ESPN makes turns into a money maker? Oh, OK. I wonder why all the layoffs then...

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

Jemele Hill voted most annoying in sports media.

 

Jemele Hill out at ESPN at end of next week

 

[TheFanatic]

Jemele Hill out at ESPN at end of next week

Link to article

There is a lesson in this for all those who are in the trenches in the political forum. This person lost a $2.5 million a year contract in order to argue about politics. And guess what. Not a single person has said to her, "You know what. You're right. I see the light now. I'm switching sides." After all this, the best she can hope for is a pay cut to be a pundit on CNN or MSNBC, But how sustainable is that? Once someone less divisive is in the White House, will she be needed. Without Trump to spar with, will anyone pay to see Hill spar?

 

[Epic Problem]

Link to article

There is a lesson in this for all those who are in the trenches in the political forum. This person lost a $2.5 million a year contract in order to argue about politics. And guess what. Not a single person has said to her, "You know what. You're right. I see the light now. I'm switching sides." After all this, the best she can hope for is a pay cut to be a pundit on CNN or MSNBC, But how sustainable is that? Once someone less divisive is in the White House, will she be needed. Without Trump to spar with, will anyone pay to see Hill spar?

Do you know what the word "buyout" means?

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Jemele Hill out at ESPN at end of next week

I never understood why people liked her or how she rose in thr espn ranks. I couldn’t stand her when she was just an espn page 2 contributor many years ago. 

 

[pantherclub]

Link to article

There is a lesson in this for all those who are in the trenches in the political forum. This person lost a $2.5 million a year contract in order to argue about politics. And guess what. Not a single person has said to her, "You know what. You're right. I see the light now. I'm switching sides." After all this, the best she can hope for is a pay cut to be a pundit on CNN or MSNBC, But how sustainable is that? Once someone less divisive is in the White House, will she be needed. Without Trump to spar with, will anyone pay to see Hill spar?

She lost her contract?  You may need to read the article again.

I cannot stand her but holy hell she played ESPN like a fiddle

 

[TheFanatic]

Do you know what the word "buyout" means?

Sure, they probably paid her through the end of the year or maybe even a full 12 months, but after that, she doesn't rake in 2.5 million ever year. So maybe she gets $2.5 million over the next 12 months, but she blew $10 million over the four years after that. 

 

[fantasycurse42]

Whoever negotiated her contract needs to be fired as well. 

 

[TheFanatic]

She lost her contract?  You may need to read the article again.

I cannot stand her but holy hell she played ESPN like a fiddle

Yeah, she lost her contract. She was bought out. They have some cause to fire her, so ESPN and Hill split the contract at some point and she goes away with less than the entire contact, but gets paid more than if she were outright fired. I doubt they paid her contract in full. But then again, ESPN doesn't make the best decisions lately.