SportsTime Ohio=Bush League RSN

[JayR]

I've watched STO off and on since I subscribed to DISH Network's Multi-Sport Pack. Their programming choices looked like they picked up scraps for pocket change, but tonight took the cake. I was channel surfing when I saw Go Tribe! Watch TBS on their program listing. When I selected STO to see what it was about, they had a pre-game show. When the game on TBS was ready to start, they went to a still image which stated the following:

Tune into the Conrad's Post Game Show immediately following the last out.

WTF?!?!?!?!

Most RSNs would air alternate programming...even paid programming/infomercials (easy money). But no, STO places a still image.

I am aware that the owner of STO is also the owner of the Indians, but this goes beyond ridiculous.

 

[Studio20]

Call it an experiment. I wonder how many people actually contacted them to complain. Was there really anything else up there someone would be interested in?

 

[azumanga]

Since STO is the home of the Indians, and the Indians are playing to a nationwide audience on TBS, STO thought that they couldn't compete with the game, and even booking infomercials would be money wasted on the advertisers' part, so they simply put a slide up, telling viewers to tune in after the game was over.

Not the first a network went dark during a high-ticket program on the competition -- I recall Comedy Central closing down during Johnny Carson's 1992 finale, as they thought they couldn't compete.

 

[JayR]

Since STO is the home of the Indians, and the Indians are playing to a nationwide audience on TBS, STO thought that they couldn't compete with the game, and even booking infomercials would be money wasted on the advertisers' part, so they simply put a slide up, telling viewers to tune in after the game was over.

What about infomercials airing during this time on other stations/networks in the Indians territory? Is that money wasted, too? Please clarify...

 

[icstephen]

quote]

What about infomercials airing during this time on other stations/networks in the Indians territory? Is that money wasted, too? Please clarify...

[/quote]

Yes

 

[StadiumMustard]

This is what happens when out-of-towners without a clue, comment. :

First of all, it is NOT ridiculous that STO decided not to program ANYTHING -- including informercials -- during the time the Indians were playing on TBS. They wanted any and all potential viewers to turn to TBS instead. It's actually good programming.

Secondly, this is the second year for STO -- and the first that it's broadcasting 24/7. Last year, it was programmed part-time. If you had just started your own network just two years ago, such as STO, and this year being the first it's on 24/7, your programming would look like this as well. It started to do alot of local Browns' programming and it also airs a good amount of high school football and other Ohio/regional sports programming. You need to make money to spend $$, which is why the Dolans created STO so they don't have to share the broadcast rights for the Indians with anyone else. Anyone with any common programming sense would know this. I guess you don't.

STOP is doing pretty good for itself right now. It's current cleaning the clock of FSN Ohio (for the most part).

 

[JeeperOne]

Hi eveyone:

This may true in Cleveland however let's not forget who owns Altitude Sports & Entrtainment here in Denver.

Stan Kronecke - Owner of the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche & (If I'm not mistaken) part owner of the Colorado Crush. He also (and obviously) owns the very parent company that owns Altitude.

Do you think they put up a still image while the Nuggets or Avalanche were on FOX, ESPN, TBS, VS, NBC, ABC or even WGN? No. They aired cheap alternate programming. Heck, Altitude even carries the CFL and stuff from ESPN Plus. They don't care as long it looks good and will keep at least a few people tuned in.

And let's also not forget who had the rights to the Nuggets and Avalanche games before Altitude came into the picture and took them over - FSN Rocky Mountain.

Just my $.02 worth

 

[JayR]

This is what happens when out-of-towners without a clue, comment. :

Actually[EDIT] I do have a clue. The only programming I don't get from STO are the Indians' games.

First of all, it is NOT ridiculous that STO decided not to program ANYTHING -- including informercials -- during the time the Indians were playing on TBS. They wanted any and all potential viewers to turn to TBS instead. It's actually good programming.

It was the most ridiculous thing they did.

Secondly, this is the second year for STO -- and the first that it's broadcasting 24/7. Last year, it was programmed part-time. If you had just started your own network just two years ago, such as STO, and this year being the first it's on 24/7, your programming would look like this as well. It started to do alot of local Browns' programming and it also airs a good amount of high school football and other Ohio/regional sports programming. You need to make money to spend $$, which is why the Dolans created STO so they don't have to share the broadcast rights for the Indians with anyone else. Anyone with any common programming sense would know this. I guess you don't.

Actually, I do know this. Look at MASN. They were smart to load up with regional college football and other sports programs. They run circles around this crap that passes as a regional sports net.


[EDIT-namecalling]

 

[JayR]

Hi eveyone:

Hey Pat...

This may be true in Cleveland however let's not forget who owns Altitude Sports & Entrtainment here in Denver.

Stan Kronecke - Owner of the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche & (If I'm not mistaken) part owner of the Colorado Crush. He also (and obviously) owns the very parent company that owns Altitude.

Do you think they put up a still image while the Nuggets or Avalanche were on FOX, ESPN, TBS, VS, NBC, ABC or even WGN? No. They aired cheap alternate programming. Heck, Altitude even carries the CFL and stuff from ESPN Plus. They don't care as long it looks good and will keep at least a few people tuned in.

Altitude is another example of how a RSN should be programmed.

You'll be amazed at how many out-of-region viewers tune in (via DBS) to Altitude for the CFL and regional college sports.

 

[bhayes1016]

Hi eveyone:

Hey Pat...

This may be true in Cleveland however let's not forget who owns Altitude Sports & Entrtainment here in Denver.

Stan Kronecke - Owner of the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche & (If I'm not mistaken) part owner of the Colorado Crush. He also (and obviously) owns the very parent company that owns Altitude.

Do you think they put up a still image while the Nuggets or Avalanche were on FOX, ESPN, TBS, VS, NBC, ABC or even WGN? No. They aired cheap alternate programming. Heck, Altitude even carries the CFL and stuff from ESPN Plus. They don't care as long it looks good and will keep at least a few people tuned in.

Altitude is another example of how a RSN should be programmed.

You'll be amazed at how many out-of-region viewers tune in (via DBS) to Altitude for the CFL and regional college sports.

I actually watch ESPN Plus' Big 12 basketball coverage on Altitude, since the picture on there is better than on the low-rent UHF station that shows the games where I live.

 

[StadiumMustard]

It was the most ridiculous thing they did.

And that is certainly your opinion, which means nothing since you clearly have no professional experience of this industry. There is nothing wrong with a channel like this for not counter-programming against its' own team and putting up a slide for 3 hours telling them to tune in for the game elsewhere. We're not talking about an ESPN network. I applaud them even more for not running paid programming. It makes sense, but I wouldn't expect you to see the bigger picture of their action. Nor am I going to school you on it either. Either get a pair and/or grow some tougher skin AND accept the criticism when you post your OPINION in a public forum. Or simply do not post at all if you can't handle it, which you obviously can not.

Let's not forget that many of the TV viewers are not that "smart" per se...many will assume that a specific team will be playing on that channel -- regardless of how many times they've been told. IN this case, people tuning into STO expecting to see the Tribe and they're not on.

Actually, I do know this. Look at MASN. They were smart to load up with regional college football and other sports programs. They run circles around this crap that passes as a regional sports net.

I can careless what another sports network airs. How old is this network you speak of? What kind of contracts do they have? Are you privvy to every single programming contract they have? No, you aren't. There are so many variables that can be taken into consideration for every single network. Again, those with KNOWLEDGE and EXPERIENCE know this stuff. A fraternity you are clearly not a part of. Unless you like feeling inferior attempting to arguing your uneducated opinion against those of us who DO know how it works.

Anyways...what the hell do you care what they program anyway? Were you jonesing from not getting enough Kevin Trudeau whoring out his various BS products? Who cares.

 

[JayR]

It was the most ridiculous thing they did.

And that is certainly your opinion...

It is my opinion.

Look at MASN. They were smart to load up with regional college football and other sports programs. They run circles around this crap that passes as a regional sports net.

I can care less what another sports network airs.

Good for you.

In my initial post, I was simply stating my opinion about STO and their programming choices, which is crappy compared to other RSNs.

It's my opinion.

The end.

 

[Mwd_711]

I think STO does a very good job, considering it is their first full year of programming.

For the record, STO rarely broadcasts any infomercials. They only air them during the early mornings from 8am-12pm. The rest of the day, they air regular programming. Granted, most of that are repeats but I would rather have that than infomercials non-stop.

STO had the option to air the CFL but decided to pass on it. For one, many of the CFL games would have conflicted with Indians games, and two, there isnt much interest here in the CFL. It should also be noted that low-power Channel 35 airs CFL games and that can be received on cable in portions of Northeast Ohio.

As far as ESPN Plus goes, there isn't much that they could show. There is no more Big 10 coverage available, and the MAC is on FSN Ohio. That leaves the Big East, which again has very little following in Northeast Ohio. In Cleveland, WUAB airs Big East sports most Sautrdays during the football/basketball season. STO does air Notre Dame football replays and Inside the Big East. Last year, STO showed some college hockey games that Comcast Local was airing in Michigan, Illinois and Indiana.

STO just won the rights to air OHSAA state tournaments. I do think STO needs to improve (more college sports IS desperately needed, Horizon league basketball games should be added) , but their local coverage is superior to FSN Ohio's. FSN Ohio has very little local programming, STO is virtually all local. That's not a bad thing. And STO is dominating FSN in ratings. FSN would not be competitive at all if it wasn't for the Cavs.

Pat Cook, maybe you are confused. STO does air regular programming when the Indians air on ESPN, WGN or anyplace else during the regular season. The reason they arent now is simply because it is the post-season. Anyone in Cleveland who cares about sports is watching the game. I find it sad that some would rather see infomercials than Indians rally songs being played with GO Tribe graphics.

 

[radiolives]

NESN the regional network for the Red Sox airs different local programs while Boston airs on TBS and FOX. And they do a very good job with airing local sport programing.

 

[JeeperOne]

Hi everyone:

First off, you need to LIGHTEN UP dude....

Pat Cook, maybe you are confused.

I'm not confused. I don't know where you got that idea from....

STO does air regular programming when the Indians air on ESPN, WGN or anyplace else during the regular season.

I never said they didn't.

The reason they arent now is simply because it is the post-season. Anyone in Cleveland who cares about sports is watching the game. I find it sad that some would rather see infomercials than Indians rally songs being played with GO Tribe graphics.

Same with the Rockies, who can be seen on FSN Rocky Mountain during the regular season. During the post-season, they were on TBS. FSN Rocky Mountain meanwhile focused on other sports events such as CU Buffaloes football for example.

Again...I don't know where you got the idea that I was somehow "confused", but such is not the case....

Cheers

 

[JayR]

I do think STO needs to improve (more college sports IS desperately needed, Horizon league basketball games should be added)...

That would be a step in the right direction.

 

[StadiumMustard]

And once they start making some money from it, they will start investing in other programming. It should also be noted for some of the out-of-market clueless folk (name withheld :), is that the "O" in "STO" stands for Ohio. So it's sports programming has an emphasis on Ohio. Hence, their locally produced Browns Again, that relate to the targeted viewers in OHIO. But then again, I wouldn't expect someone who's NOT in Ohio and who has not a clue about programming to know what in the hell they're talking about. Which goes back to the creation of this assinine thread to begin with. :

 

[JayR]

NESN the regional network for the Red Sox airs different local programs while Boston airs on TBS and FOX. And they do a very good job with airing local sports programing.

The same goes for Altitude and Comcast SportsNet...specifically CSN-West because they don't carry FSN programming.

 

[Mwd_711]

Hi eveyone:

This may true in Cleveland however let's not forget who owns Altitude Sports & Entrtainment here in Denver.

Stan Kronecke - Owner of the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche & (If I'm not mistaken) part owner of the Colorado Crush. He also (and obviously) owns the very parent company that owns Altitude.

Do you think they put up a still image while the Nuggets or Avalanche were on FOX, ESPN, TBS, VS, NBC, ABC or even WGN? No. They aired cheap alternate programming. Heck, Altitude even carries the CFL and stuff from ESPN Plus. They don't care as long it looks good and will keep at least a few people tuned in.

And let's also not forget who had the rights to the Nuggets and Avalanche games before Altitude came into the picture and took them over - FSN Rocky Mountain.

Just my $.02 worth

Pat, I didn't mean anything harsh by my comment directed towards you, but the statement above made it sound like you believed STO did go off the air when the Indians were playing on ESPN. I was under the impression that you thought STO was doing this during the regular season, especially since you added WGN to your list above, which obviously has never aired playoff games. If I offended, I apologize and I read your post the wrong way.

That being said, I do think Altitude is a strong RSN and wouldn't be a bad network for STO to emulate.