FS1 anchors

[ChicosBailBonds]

The FS1 rollout is timed perfectly with the NFL starting back up, which will offer the best opportunity to market the new network on Fox (i.e. national TV). And I'm assuming they do just that. Hopefully lots of football-related programming early on will pull people in and make it a go-to channel for sports fans. I'm hopeful this could really work.

Hope they get distribution around NFL....right now, not so much.

[thatman32]

Their ratings are slipping even without a legitimate rival.  NBC Sports tried but they cheaped out on the rights fees so they were never able to build a base of anything.  I love the NHL and the Tour de France, but it's really not something you can build viewership around.

How did NBC drop the Ball they are picking up the premiere league(aka the EPL)?  They paid 250 Million to the premiere league for a three year deal.  Fox soccer is getting rolled into that new sporting network because they lost out on soccer to NBC.  They recognized a good thing and didn't drop anything while cutting out ESPN from showing games.  

[GGGG]

How did NBC drop the Ball they are picking up the premiere league(aka the EPL)?  They paid 250 Million to the premiere league for a three year deal.  Fox soccer is getting rolled into that new sporting network because they lost out on soccer to NBC.  They recognized a good thing and didn't drop anything while cutting out ESPN from showing games. 

Couple things.

First, they picked up the EPL well after they lost out on rights to a number of other properties including a number of college conference football packages. 

Second, at this point in its life, EPL is very much a niche sport in the US.  I watch it regularly, but it doesn't draw huge ratings.  Like the Tour de France, you can't build a viewership on niche sports.

[jefffla01]

To be fair Espn was a good vehicle for the BE and Marquette.

Their massive and wide ranging coverage has been a great asset for MU and to me that would hard to deny. Sometimes our wishes and dreams of grandeur are far greater than reality. Espn has been great for MU.

As far as espn------yes I agree that they have attempted to gear their programming toward the hip and cutting edge and I agree with some posters that they have become too much like mtv.

There is a massive amount of competition now-----not only from new cable and regional cable networks, but from online streaming. Sometimes I think espn competes against itself by the rapid growth of espn3 online----I think they are actually siphoning viewers away from espn cable.

I think maybe abc and espn would be better off away from the Disney umbrella-----my opinion is that maybe espn might regain some of the zeal and zest if they are sold.

[Coleman]

I think maybe abc and espn would be better off away from the Disney umbrella-----my opinion is that maybe espn might regain some of the zeal and zest if they are sold.

Probably true, but would never happen. ESPN is Disney's most valuable asset. They aren't letting it go anytime soon.

[Benny B]

These guys are awesome:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiIZpGZIKGM

No NHL games on Thursday because of... American Thanksgiving, or as we in Canada like to call American Thanksgiving... Thursday.

[Dawson Rental]

The FS1 rollout is timed perfectly with the NFL starting back up, which will offer the best opportunity to market the new network on Fox (i.e. national TV). And I'm assuming they do just that. Hopefully lots of football-related programming early on will pull people in and make it a go-to channel for sports fans. I'm hopeful this could really work.

And pro football will be in full swing when the college basketball season starts.

[Benny B]

And pro football will be in full swing when the college basketball season starts.

What's the over/under on the number of promos for the NYE Big East Conference Kick-Off (feat. Marquette vs. Creighton) during the Bears/Packers game on Jan 29th?  My guess is five - once per quarter plus one shameless plug by JB during the half.

Here's hoping that Davante and McDermott get more face time than Frank Caliendo on Week 17.

[Coleman]

What's the over/under on the number of promos for the NYE Big East Conference Kick-Off (feat. Marquette vs. Creighton) during the Bears/Packers game on Jan 29th?  My guess is five - once per quarter plus one shameless plug by JB during the half.

Here's hoping that Davante and McDermott get more face time than Frank Caliendo on Week 17.

I assume you mean December 29....Hopefully, at that point both teams are ranked. If that's the case I think they will be promoting it very hard.

[Brewtown Andy]

I assume you mean December 29....Hopefully, at that point both teams are ranked. If that's the case I think they will be promoting it very hard.

Not to mention the carpet bombing of ads during the NFC playoffs.

Oh, and Fox has the Super Bowl this year, too.

[Benny B]

I assume you mean December 29....Hopefully, at that point both teams are ranked. If that's the case I think they will be promoting it very hard.

Yep... my mistake.  And I too would hope both teams are ranked in the Top 15 by that point (I say that even though I'm surprised that MU is expected to enter the season ranked somewhere in the teens despite the departure of Vander).

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

The 8am live sportscenter is the worst show of television.

I'm serious.

Just to revisit this quickly:

Look at the "topics" they are discussing. WHAT. THE. unnatural carnal knowledge.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Just to revisit this quickly:

Look at the "topics" they are discussing. WHAT. THE. unnatural carnal knowledge.

"The Worst of the Worst"

[mileskishnish72]

I've got to agree, ESPN has become more and more annoying, but I guess I am missing something in the ratings. Yes, they are down from last year - but - it doesn't seem as if anyone else is really gaining on them - they still have the most viewers, especially if you add in those from the deuce.

[Coleman]

I agree with everything negative everyone here has said about ESPN, but it is still my go-to default channel when nothing else is on, or when I want to watch sports. I imagine this is true for about 90% of guys and it will be hard for FS1 or NBCSports or anyone else to change that mentality. Its just what happens after basically 30 years of a monopoly on sports cable programming.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I agree with everything negative everyone here has said about ESPN, but it is still my go-to default channel when nothing else is on, or when I want to watch sports. I imagine this is true for about 90% of guys and it will be hard for FS1 or NBCSports or anyone else to change that mentality. Its just what happens after basically 30 years of a monopoly on sports cable programming.

Let's not forget that they earned their way to the top and weren't always that way.  In 1979 people laughed when they launched.  Their content was brutal, production was brutal....but they persevered and built on it.  They got to be the WWL because of many successful moves as well as some not so great moves by their competitors.  It's a tough business, for someone to do as well as they have for as long as they have is almost unheard of in that business. 

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Let's not forget that they earned their way to the top and weren't always that way.  In 1979 people laughed when they launched.  Their content was brutal, production was brutal....but they persevered and built on it.  They got to be the WWL because of many successful moves as well as some not so great moves by their competitors.  It's a tough business, for someone to do as well as they have for as long as they have is almost unheard of in that business. 

Founded simply to televise Hartford Whalers games.

[Jet915]

Looks like they just released the 90 second commercial that will air tomorrow....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Q9aUGrlgzU0

[StillAWarrior]

Looks like they just released the 90 second commercial that will air tomorrow....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Q9aUGrlgzU0

Pretty nice. I wish they'd have given MU some love, but I guess I can understand why they're focusing on Georgetown and St. John's for the ad.  I really hope they do this right and challenge ESPN.

[BubbaWilliams]

They'll do their part. I just hope the BEAST does its part.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Olbermann coming back to ESPN....I've had a field day with my peers over there today.  LOL.   No one claiming credit and a lot of running for cover.  As I told one of them, if you're bringing back Olbermann do you plan on bringing back Limbaugh as well? 

[Pakuni]

Speaking of FS1, they announced today they'll have a daily futbol studio show, cleverly entitled Fox Soccer Daily.

http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/world/story/fox-soccer-daily-set-to-air-on-fox-sports-1-august-19-news-highlights-analysis-program-071713

[Coleman]

Olbermann coming back to ESPN....I've had a field day with my peers over there today.  LOL.   No one claiming credit and a lot of running for cover.  As I told one of them, if you're bringing back Olbermann do you plan on bringing back Limbaugh as well? 

I'll be watching. Guarantee you he has a bigger audience than Regis Philbin.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I'll be watching. Guarantee you he has a bigger audience than Regis Philbin.

He might...if I see him tonight at the ESPY's I might have to trip him, however.

[brandx]

Olbermann coming back to ESPN....I've had a field day with my peers over there today.  LOL.   No one claiming credit and a lot of running for cover.  As I told one of them, if you're bringing back Olbermann do you plan on bringing back Limbaugh as well? 

Didn't realize Keith used Sports Center to espouse his political views. An intelligent man is able to separate the two.