Big 12 Network

[cymonw1980]

To me, the biggest question for the B12 is how to grow revenue. At some point the Big 12 will most likely need to expand to remain a part of the Power 5. But I don’t see any of the available candidates adding significantly to the B12 revenues.

To me, the Big 12 needs to beat out either the PAC 12 or ACC or both in revenue and revenue growth. This seems do-able if they can come up with a competitive Network. Then the Big 12 taking from the ACC/PAC12 might be possible.

Not an expert in TV deals or media rights… but to me the two articles below are the future. The ESPN article notes the appetite for large TV deals from the networks may be limited due to cord cutting (although if anything has a chance to land big money it is live content). The second, from Forbes, talks about Amazon taking aim at live content.

The Big 12 should look at how they can partner with Amazon (or Hulu, or Netflix – although Netflix does not seem to be interested in buying live content they do not control, including sports) to launch a network or at least start to partner with them for streaming some of their tier 3 content.

Am I crazy?

ESPN on B12 Network:
http://espn.go.com/college-football...-many-hurdles-big-12-tv-network-savior-league
Forbes on Amazon’s new Sports Group:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/greatsp...increasing-focus-on-live-sports/#f4ff0b54054a

 

[CYCLNST8]

Am I crazy?

In my experience, if you have to ask yourself that question...

To your point, though- live streaming definitely needs to figure prominently in any planning. Whatever the Big 12 comes up with it needs to be state-of-the-art.

 

[Mtowncyclone13]

what would a network do that we don't have already? every game is on TV, right? so what's the difference?

 

[Clonehomer]

At some point though we're going to get to the point that there's more channels than games. With the contracts in place I don't think there's really a need for a TV channel. I'd like the conference to focus on owning the online content on a Big12 channel and continue selling the TV content.

With the Big10 taking their content to Fox, ESPN should be paying more for content. Embrace that, don't run away.

 

[Nycclone]

networks are overrated because everyone is in the process of cutting the cord. The best bet is to grow mediums like cyclonetv. If we can make more money by creating a conference network with a similar interface, awesome. i just don't think anyone is willing to shell out the money for another conference network. Just ask the acc.

 

[KnappShack]

networks are overrated because everyone is in the process of cutting the cord. The best bet is to grow mediums like cyclonetv. If we can make more money by creating a conference network with a similar interface, awesome. i just don't think anyone is willing to shell out the money for another conference network. Just ask the acc.

Is there a chance that cord cutting could become less attractive as the Internet providers increase rates? Revenue from traditional cable falls while Cable USA earns a mint on the net?

 

[cymonw1980]

The only point I was trying to make on a potential B12 network is that they have to think outside the box. the b10 was the first to get the conf network up and running. They have been able to optimize their network platform and align it to their expansion strategy (new teams in new tv markets = new cable subscribers paying for the b10 network whether they watch or not).

This model may not be optimal in the future. As cable companies get challenged by competitors like Amazon/Netflix/etc. Fewer cable subscribers or cable subscribers that choose the channels they purchase will make this model less optimal (NJ/NY is a big media market but how many people tuning into rutgers athletics? b10 network is prob not at the to of the list for most of those subscribers).

If B12 gets to Amazon first and optimizes that model they could leverage that added revenue to pick up teams from other conferences.. who knows maybe colorado/neb/mizzou or some ACC schools would be interested if the money was right. Bottom line, Tex and OU are not going to be in a conf that generates $20M per year less than SEC/B10. This is not current gap but if nothing changes the gap will continue to grow. So, all is ok now. But as the rev gap grows, conf stability is at risk. B12 needs to be proactive in identifying a solution that generates more revenue than the current model.

 

[dtISU]

Something to think about...

For the most part, Big 12 campuses (campi?) are located in cities that do not have a professional league team (NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL). That has increased the focus on, and enthusiasm for those Big 12 teams.

Now, many of the schools that we're talking about are located in professional team cities (Houston, Cincy, etc). I think that generally that tempers the number of eyeballs on the college teams in those cities. I think the number of TV sets means less than it used to. It's going to come down to where are those sets.

 

[CYCLNST8]

It's going to come down to where are those sets.

Yes; by this logic we should add UCONN, UCF, Cincinnati, & Memphis and force the Big XIV on cable packages in those regions to emulate the B1G model. High population density. Not exactly sexy football.

 

[chuckd4735]

Yes; by this logic we should add UCONN, UCF, Cincinnati, & Memphis and force the Big XIV on cable packages in those regions to emulate the B1G model. High population density. Not exactly sexy football.

This is a fault that a lot of people have when it comes to expansion, IMO. I think basic cable will nearly be extinct come 2025. I look for packages to become more ala carte and on demand. Because of this, I think its very important to go after schools with large fanbases, which is why I think adding WV was a genius move.

 

[CYCLNST8]

This is a fault that a lot of people have when it comes to expansion, IMO. I think basic cable will nearly be extinct come 2025. I look for packages to become more ala carte and on demand. Because of this, I think its very important to go after schools with large fanbases, which is why I think adding WV was a genius move.

I hope you're right because UCF & UCONN would be stranger additions than Maryland & Rutgers. I would like to retain some sense of geographic sanity. I don't get all the BYU hate. If they came with Colorado State, we could split into East-West divisions and make it so they rarely ever have to cross paths with Cincy/WVU.

 

[cymonw1980]

Exactly. Fans not location would dictate revenues in the future (IMO). Hope the Big 12 is able to be more proactive this time around.

 

[cymonw1980]

Guess ESPN has been reading the discussion here.

http://espn.go.com/blog/big12/post/_/id/112293/streaming-could-be-the-answer-to-the-big-12s-woes

 

[chuckd4735]

Guess ESPN has been reading the discussion here.

http://espn.go.com/blog/big12/post/_/id/112293/streaming-could-be-the-answer-to-the-big-12s-woes

Its very forward thinking which is good. I still say the Big 12 choose WV knowing that someday the size of your viewership would be more important than where your schools are located. I think its something, in the very least, the Big 12 should launch ASAP. There really is no reason not to. The Big 12 could purchase select third tier games from schools, and they could air old games, show press conferences, etc. Then, if someday they want to turn it into a cable network, they have the platform there to do it with.

 

[SCNCY]

Guess ESPN has been reading the discussion here.

http://espn.go.com/blog/big12/post/_/id/112293/streaming-could-be-the-answer-to-the-big-12s-woes

One of the pros they missed is that younger generations are more tech savvy then be other generations. Getting video on mobile devices could be a recruiting advantage.