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OLN vs. Everyone

Re: MSG/Buffalo Sabres (Was: Re: OLN vs. Everyone)

> Although MSG shows Buffalo Sabres' games "in upstate New
> York", I suspect they are seen only in the Buffalo and
> Rochester markets. I would think that Syracuse, Utica,
> Albany, and northern New York State get the New York
> Rangers.
>

The MSG web site doesn't even mention the Sabres, so you're probably right.
 
Re: NHL vs Comcast: Judge Alex Presiding

> It was my understanding that Viacom withheld programming
> from DISH because of a money issue. Viacom wanted DISH to
> carry some new Nicklelodeon channel and charge more for some
> of the other channels.

That whole Viacom affair was tied into a CBS retransmission consent renewal, and that truly was a big deal. CBS was out in over a dozen markets, and a number of Viacom channels were blocked. Within a few days (I think three) it was resolved much to everyone's relief.

This OLN thing, meanwhile, is total idiocy on Comcast's part. They've paid too much for the NHL and making others bow to their demands even if valid contracts are already in force won't change that. The hockey-hungry already have Center Ice - or can get it. The loss of OLN's games mean little to them (rooting interests notwithstanding).

Comcast will come to their senses shortly, if they're smart. dish or Cablevision don't have to.
 
Re: The NHL And OLN

> ESPN dropped the NHL this past Summer.
>
> The network probably believed that the interest in the
> league had waned significantly thanks to the lockout that
> cancelled the entire 2004/2005 season. And most of the
> programming that replaced the NHL either got the same number
> of viewers, or even more viewers, than the NHL.
>
> OLN was the only national cable network that had any
> interest in the league.

That's a foolish statement. ESPN was interested too and had a live
offer on the table. NHL grabbed the money and a carrier that no
one seems to find in their line-up, of course.

> Were it not for OLN, the NHL would not have a national
> cable-TV deal and it's only national-TV exposure in the U.S.
> would have been six weekend-afternoon games, six early-round
> playoff games on weekend-afternoons, and games three through
> seven of the Stanley Cup Finals (although it might have been
> amended to include the entire Finals) on NBC. The NBC/NHL
> deal does not have any upfront rights fees. NBC will take-in
> the first "X" number of dollars for production and promotion
> costs and the NHL would get the rest, which probably would
> not be much.
>

Another Gallant flub : NHL and NBC are both splitting production costs,
marketing and profits. Everything is being split right down to the middle
50/50. That's what revenue sharing is all about.

> The league will make some money out of the NBC deal, but I'd
> be surprised if it's more than a million dollars, or
> slightly more than $30,000 per team.
>

They lost a few big-name beer and car sponsors after the strike.
Their proejction is in $5-$7 million range.
 
> The NFL is considering selling a package of a handful of
> late-season games (on Thursday and/or Saturday nights) to a
> national cable network.
>
> OLN is said to be agressively pursuing this package.
>
> If OLN does land the Thursday/Saturday NFL late-season cable
> package, the entire dynamics of OLN's relationships with
> cable and satellite operators will change.
>
> OLN's getting a few late-season NFL games would likely be
> the way that the disputes with some cable and satellite
> operators would end. Were some cable/satellite companies to
> play "hardball" with OLN were it to get the NFL
> Thursday/Saturday package, and not show those games, it
> would create complaints so loud it would make the disputes
> over the NHL seem like a whisper in comparison.
>
Why would the NFL even consider OLN anyway? Even though they've beefed up their programming considerably, they're still a marginal network. Yanking NHL games off the air on non-Comcast providers doesn't exactly help their image either. And now, they've gotten themselves pulled off of Dish, which is probably the source of most of their viewership. Yeah, that really makes them look like the sort of top-shelf network the NFL would want to partner with.
 
Re: MSG/Buffalo Sabres (Was: Re: OLN vs. Everyone)

In the New York City area only the Rangers are shown.


> > Although MSG shows Buffalo Sabres' games "in upstate New
> > York", I suspect they are seen only in the Buffalo and
> > Rochester markets. I would think that Syracuse, Utica,
> > Albany, and northern New York State get the New York
> > Rangers.
> >
>
> The MSG web site doesn't even mention the Sabres, so you're
> probably right.
>
 
A moderator comment

I would have to suggest to Joseph that he check his facts in the future before posting.

There was a comment on the Off The Air board, in response to a question as to who has been here the longest and who has the most posts, that "Joseph Gallant has the record on number of posts with over 6400 but thats only because he posts and responds to pretty much everything regardless of whether he has any actual insight or not."

That's not a great reputation to have, especially considering that the #2 and #3 posters -- David Eduardo and myself -- do actually know what we are talking about.<P ID="signature">______________


</P>
 
Hi everyone:

> > The NFL is considering selling a package of a handful of
> > late-season games (on Thursday and/or Saturday nights) to
> a
> > national cable network.
> >
> > OLN is said to be agressively pursuing this package.

[snip...]

> Why would the NFL even consider OLN anyway? Even though
> they've beefed up their programming considerably, they're
> still a marginal network. Yanking NHL games off the air on
> non-Comcast providers doesn't exactly help their image
> either. And now, they've gotten themselves pulled off of
> Dish, which is probably the source of most of their
> viewership. Yeah, that really makes them look like the sort
> of top-shelf network the NFL would want to partner with.

My thoughts EXACTLY!!

Why WOULD the NFL be interested in OLN considering that...

A). They (will have HAD by the time this actually comes to pass) a partnership with OTA network ABC who'd be MOST interested (especially if it's a Saturday game).

B). They've had a past with TNT Sports, who'd LOVE to get back into televising the NFL (look what they've done with the NBA). OLN could learn a few things from these guys.

C). Last, but certainly far from least (and perhaps most important), THEY HAVE THEIR OWN NETWORK!! I can just see it now. Paul Burmeister & the gang from "Playbook" doing the pre-game and halftime show at the studio while Lincoln Kennedy and Rod Woodson (the Rod Woodson that's retired BTW) teaming up with ohh..say (for the sake of discussion) Ian Eagle (from CBS) at the game.

Can you see it now?

Thoughts anyone? :)

Cheers for now :)

Pat<P ID="signature">______________
patspodcast03a.jpg

http://nuke102.blogspot.com/
Radio? Uhh.....What's THAT?? :)</P>
 
Re: Comcast (OLN) vs. Everyone

Hi everyone:

> > Comcast pulls this crap in the Philly area. They won't
> let
> > DirecTv or Dish Network carry Comcast SprotsNet Philly.
> > Comcast said they'd be willing to talk to DirecTv if
> DirecTv
> > would be willing to share the NFL Sunday Ticket.
> >
> But DirecTV doesn't share Sunday Ticket, so they have an
> advantage on that front. Sounds to me more like DirecTV
> wants to have their cake and eat it too.

They don't share it with any other cable company or satellite provider, so why should they share it with Comcast?

That said though, I think the NFL (who I might add has the final say in the matter with respects to NFL Sunday Ticket) is shooting itself in the foot by NOT making Sunday Ticket available TO EVERYONE via SPORTS IN-DEMAND. I mean, think of THE FREAKIN' MINT they could make!!! :)

Thoughts anyone?

Cheers for now :)

Pat<P ID="signature">______________
patspodcast03a.jpg

http://patspodcast.blogspot.com/
Radio? Uhh.....What's THAT?? :)</P>
 
Re: I Too Am Surprised

Hi everyone:

> I was surprised the NHL agreed to put their games on OLN to
> beging with, knowing that OLN does not have anywhere near
> the coverage of the larger networks like ESPN.

Yeah I too was surprised when I saw the announcement on this board about that.

What the NHL *should've* done (but didn't!) is simply settle for the REGIONAL coverage it got from FSN and all the other REGIONAL nets out there like it and TAKE THEIR TIME in crafting a lucrative national deal (which ESPN reluctantly, but utlimately, signed) which they could've proposed to ANY one of the national networks, who would by THAT time, been all too happy to sign.

But did the NHL do that? NNNNNNoooooooo!!!!! They *had* to work in a panic as if there was no tomorrow. As a result, they RUSHED together a deal and proposed it to ANY SUCKER WILLING TO SIGN!!! Well NHL - THE EGG IS ON YOU 'cause Comcast JUST MADE A SUCKER OUT OF OUT **YOU**!!!

NHL - You made you bed. NOW YOU SLEEP IN IT.

COMCAST - QUIT ACTING LIKE A SPOILED BRAT.

'Nuff said.

Cheers for now :)

Pat (who is a Comcast customer BTW)<P ID="signature">______________
patspodcast03a.jpg

http://patspodcast.blogspot.com/
Radio? Uhh.....What's THAT?? :)</P>
 
Re: Cablevision

Hi everyone:

> I find it interesting that DISH Network pulled the plug on
> Comcast owned OLN,HOWEVER they still air other comcast owned
> nets...
> when they did this to Viacom, the whole Viacom owned
> networks also were unplugged from Dish Network

That's because the other Comcast-owned channels (namely G4 as that's the only other one I know of) don't call enough attention to themselves to make it worth DISH Network's time and trouble.

As for Viacom, I think the name speaks for itself.

Just my opinion :)

Cheers for now :)

Pat
<P ID="signature">______________
patspodcast03a.jpg

http://patspodcast.blogspot.com/
Radio? Uhh.....What's THAT?? :)</P>
 
OLN And The NFL?? (Was: Re: OLN vs. Everyone)

Podcaster Pete asked:

> Why WOULD the NFL be interested in OLN(?)...

One word: Money.

OLN's parent company, Comcast, has the financial resources to present a bid for the proposed Thursday/Saturday late-season NFL package (if they want to make a bid, which I think they will) which would be so big that it will drawf bids from ESPN, TNT, USA, or anyone else who makes a bid.

Despite OLN's problems with distributing the NHL, the NFL would be foolish to reject a bid from OLN for the Thursday/Saturday package if it offered at least 50% more money than the next highest bid.
 
Re: OLN And The NFL?? (Was: Re: OLN vs. Everyone)

> Podcaster Pete asked:
>
> > Why WOULD the NFL be interested in OLN(?)...
>
> One word: Money.
>
> OLN's parent company, Comcast, has the financial resources
> to present a bid for the proposed Thursday/Saturday
> late-season NFL package (if they want to make a bid, which I
> think they will) which would be so big that it will drawf
> bids from ESPN, TNT, USA, or anyone else who makes a bid.
>
> Despite OLN's problems with distributing the NHL, the NFL
> would be foolish to reject a bid from OLN for the
> Thursday/Saturday package if it offered at least 50% more
> money than the next highest bid.

There you go again, Joseph, chiming in with an opinion devoid of any relationship to reality ...

ESPN = Disney $$$
TNT = Time Warner $$$
USA = NBC $$$

Comcast can't outbid them, despite what you think: And even if Comcast could come close, all it would take is any two of the three splitting the games and they're out of the running.

What timeline in the space-time continuum do you get these theories from?<P ID="signature">______________


</P>
 
Re: Comcast (OLN) vs. Everyone

> That said though, I think the NFL (who I might add has the
> final say in the matter with respects to NFL Sunday Ticket)
> is shooting itself in the foot by NOT making Sunday Ticket
> available TO EVERYONE via SPORTS IN-DEMAND. I mean, think
> of THE FREAKIN' MINT they could make!!! :)
>
> Thoughts anyone?

My guess is that there is a clause in the contract with News Corp. prohibiting pay-per-view or on-demand access to the games in the Direct Ticket package.<P ID="signature">______________


</P>
 
Re: Comcast (OLN) vs. Everyone

> > That said though, I think the NFL (who I might add has the
>
> > final say in the matter with respects to NFL Sunday
> Ticket)
> > is shooting itself in the foot by NOT making Sunday Ticket
>
> > available TO EVERYONE via SPORTS IN-DEMAND. I mean, think
>
> > of THE FREAKIN' MINT they could make!!! :)
> >
> > Thoughts anyone?
>
> My guess is that there is a clause in the contract with News
> Corp. prohibiting pay-per-view or on-demand access to the
> games in the Direct Ticket package.
>
News Corp/DirecTv paid $2 Billion for 5 years to keep it exclusive. Comcast/InDemand could have forked over $2 Billion as well to carry Sunday Ticket. My original point is that Comcast SportsNet Philly is the only regional sports network not carried on the DirecTv and Dish Network (Comcast's competition. Will they do it to Verizon too?
 
Re: OLN And The NFL?? (Was: Re: OLN vs. Everyone)

>
> There you go again, Joseph, chiming in with an opinion
> devoid of any relationship to reality ...
>
> ESPN = Disney $$$
> TNT = Time Warner $$$
> USA = NBC $$$
>
> Comcast can't outbid them, despite what you think: And even
> if Comcast could come close, all it would take is any two of
> the three splitting the games and they're out of the
> running.
>
> What timeline in the space-time continuum do you get these
> theories from?
>

I heard a couple of weeks ago that the NFL wasn't entertaining bids from OLN because of their limited distribution and the threats and witholding of broadcasts that they have done with the NHL. Their handeling of that situation may have doomed any future bids Comcast makes on major sports properties. NASCAR laughed at their offer. The NFL will do the same.

Besides, if anybody at the NFL has seen how awful the production quality is on the NHL telecasts and pregame shows, they would certainly think twice about even mentioning that OLN was in the running.

Best guess from what people have told me is that ESPN will pick up the package for 2-3 Thursday night games and 4 Saturday night games for less money than most people have predicted. Mike Patrick will return for these telecasts in addition to the college basketball work he recently agreed to.
 
Re: OLN And The NFL?? (Was: Re: OLN vs. Everyone)

Hi everyone:

> Podcaster Pete asked:
>
> > Why WOULD the NFL be interested in OLN(?)...
>
> One word: Money.
>
> OLN's parent company, Comcast, has the financial resources
> to present a bid for the proposed Thursday/Saturday
> late-season NFL package (if they want to make a bid, which I
> think they will) which would be so big that it will drawf
> bids from ESPN, TNT, USA, or anyone else who makes a bid.

Boy Josesh, your reputation according to a certain moderator befits you, doesn't it. You have found a way to top yourself.

There is NO way - REPEAT: NO WAY - the NFL will *ever* sign a deal with ANY Comcast-owned property ESPECIALLY given the way the NHL is currently being treated.

I think that if ESPN doesn't take it (which they probably won't), it'd end up on TNT, though NBC Universal could also make a bid for its USA Network as well (I didn't even think about them in my earlier post).

> Despite OLN's problems with distributing the NHL, the NFL
> would be foolish to reject a bid from OLN for the
> Thursday/Saturday package if it offered at least 50% more
> money than the next highest bid.

I think the NFL would be foolish if they DIDN'T reject a bid from OLN and Comcast REGARDLESS of who the next highest bidder was.

Just my opinion (based on at least *some* facts) :)

Cheers for now :)

Pat<P ID="signature">______________
patspodcast03a.jpg

http://patspodcast.blogspot.com/
Radio? Uhh.....What's THAT?? :)</P>
 
Re: OLN And The NFL?? (Was: Re: OLN vs. Everyone)

Hi everyone:

> Best guess from what people have told me is that ESPN will
> pick up the package for 2-3 Thursday night games and 4
> Saturday night games for less money than most people have
> predicted. Mike Patrick will return for these telecasts in
> addition to the college basketball work he recently agreed
> to.

I don't think ESPN will because they already have Monday Night Football beginning next year (which Mike Patrick will undoudbtedly be the play-by-play man for as I don't see Al Michaels fitting in).

If ANYONE picks up Thursday/Saturday, it would most likely be TNT and any of the NBC Universal entertainment networks (Can you imagine the NFL on Telemundo for Latin viewers?). My guess is that it'll be TNT and USA.

Viacom could also chime in for UPN (Hey if anyone has any recent experience in quickly thrown together broadcasts, not to mention broadcasting in bad weather, it's UPN's sister network CBS).

But I think one think is clear. The Collective Bargaining Agreement the league has with its players would have to be ratified to accomondate such a package first.

Just my opinion :)<P ID="signature">______________
patspodcast03a.jpg

http://patspodcast.blogspot.com/
Radio? Uhh.....What's THAT?? :)</P>
 
Re: OLN And The NFL?? (Was: Re: OLN vs. Everyone)

>
> There you go again, Joseph, chiming in with an opinion
> devoid of any relationship to reality ...
>
> ESPN = Disney $$$
> TNT = Time Warner $$$
> USA = NBC $$$
>
> Comcast can't outbid them, despite what you think: And even
> if Comcast could come close, all it would take is any two of
> the three splitting the games and they're out of the
> running.


But what if the companies mentioned aren't willing to outbid Comcast? ESPN walked away from the NHL, and OLN's gamble will be worth it if hockey fans return. And Comcast ain't exactly pennyless--they did try to take over the Worldwide Leader's parent company, after all.

One name nobody's mentioned: SpikeTV. Probably wouldn't be a big problem getting a CBS crew to handle those games. They might not be in the running, however. <P ID="signature">______________
"Not fixing [New Orleans'] levees before Katrina struck will now cost us untold billions. Not resolving the nation's issues of race and class has and will cost us so much more."
--Wynton Marsalis
</P>
 
Re: A moderator comment

> I would have to suggest to Joseph that he check his facts in
> the future before posting.
>
> There was a comment on the Off The Air board, in response to
> a question as to who has been here the longest and who has
> the most posts, that "Joseph Gallant has the record on
> number of posts with over 6400 but thats only because he
> posts and responds to pretty much everything regardless of
> whether he has any actual insight or not."
>
> That's not a great reputation to have, especially
> considering that the #2 and #3 posters -- David Eduardo and
> myself -- do actually know what we are talking about.
>
...and everybody else is just dumb, right?<P ID="signature">______________
"Not fixing [New Orleans'] levees before Katrina struck will now cost us untold billions. Not resolving the nation's issues of race and class has and will cost us so much more."
--Wynton Marsalis
</P>
 
Re: A moderator comment

> ...and everybody else is just dumb, right?

Well, that response certainly makes YOU look dumb since you completely missed the point.
 
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