ESPN in awkward position of clinging to the past

[circus4u]

Disney's shift to streaming puts ESPN in awkward position of clinging to the past (msn.com)

 

[OKW Lover]

Pretty silly story. Lets think of all the silly things that might happen if Disney makes bad decisions. My money is on Disney. Literally.

 

[SteveH]

ESPN was the biggest drive for me to get away from Dish/DirecTV. The price they put on the value of ESPN is out of line with my viewing habits. The viewership decline of the NFL, NBA and other sports was a shot across the bow to ESPN and those leagues. Without going politcal, outside influences impacted ESPN in a big way - part of why they canned so many of their talking heads. But the article points out the two sides of the blade that ESPN is facing. The reality is the non-streaming services have depended on EPSN to bring viewers, but with people leaving sports it's starting to burst the bubble. While I might agree that Disney can prevail, I can also see ESPN taking the ship down with their over priced contracts to various leagues. Timing will have to be handled carefully to avoid the numerous pitfalls ahead of them.

 

[OKW Lover]

The viewership decline of the NFL, NBA and other sports was a shot across the bow to ESPN and those leagues.

Don't know about the others, but the NFL viewership is increasing.

 

[SteveH]

Don't know about the others, but the NFL viewership is increasing.

It is showing signs so far, up 9% by comparison of last year. Oddly enough when it should have been sky high over the past couple years sports was not. Broadcasters are doing all they can to keep the political agendas off of TV, that's what caused many to walk away from it.

 

[Tigger's ally]

Broadcasters are doing all they can to keep the political agendas off of TV, that's what caused many to walk away from it.

That's a Bingo Bob!

 

[Jrb1979]

It is showing signs so far, up 9% by comparison of last year. Oddly enough when it should have been sky high over the past couple years sports was not. Broadcasters are doing all they can to keep the political agendas off of TV, that's what caused many to walk away from it.

It's funny cause the NHL got a boost last season. Hopefully with it on ESPN it will help.

 

[MrBellatrixLestrange]

If it weren't for the Ocho ESPN would have gone under long ago.

 

[BrianL]

If it weren't for the Ocho ESPN would have gone under long ago.

"If it's kind of like a sport, it's on ESPN 8, the Ocho!"

 

[MrBellatrixLestrange]

"If it's kind of like a sport, it's on ESPN 8, the Ocho!"

I admit it would be nice if OSQ would be a little more critical in their coverage of the network.

 

[goofy4prez]

I wish ESPN would cling to the past; That is being a sports outlet. I don't need the windbag commentators, hosts, and analysts who think the sports world or life, in general, is all about them. Nor do I need the political rants, social issues, opinions, or commentary outside of sports. If I want that I'll turn to CNN, Fox, or MSNBC. There are many other problems within ESPN, but that is the big one with me. In my humble opinion (and perhaps it's flawed), ESPN is quickly becoming to sports what MTV became to music. I'll now put on my flame suit.

 

[Jrb1979]

I wish ESPN would cling to the past; That is being a sports outlet. I don't need the windbag commentators, hosts, and analysts who think the sports world or life, in general, is all about them. Nor do I need the political rants, social issues, opinions, or commentary outside of sports. If I want that I'll turn to CNN, Fox, or MSNBC. There are many other problems within ESPN, but that is the big one with me. In my humble opinion (and perhaps it's flawed), ESPN is quickly becoming to sports what MTV became to music. I'll now put on my flame suit.

I don't care about any of that. They have hockey back that's all that matters.

 

[SteveH]

Disney Shares Whipsaw as Report on ESPN Split Called Inaccurate
I generally find where there is smoke there is fire. Could be total bunk but could also be very true.

 

[OKW Lover]

This story says more about the stock market than the actual financial conditions of Disney/ESPN.

 

[MonkeyKnifeFight]

I wish ESPN would cling to the past; That is being a sports outlet. I don't need the windbag commentators, hosts, and analysts who think the sports world or life, in general, is all about them. Nor do I need the political rants, social issues, opinions, or commentary outside of sports. If I want that I'll turn to CNN, Fox, or MSNBC. There are many other problems within ESPN, but that is the big one with me. In my humble opinion (and perhaps it's flawed), ESPN is quickly becoming to sports what MTV became to music. I'll now put on my flame suit.

Me too. That’s why I never watch any espn show and I pretty much skip college game day and all pregame stuff these days. I just tune in for live broadcasts. I do watch some nfl pregame on fox, nbc, and cbs but ESPN has turned me off enough over the years I don’t watch them.

 

[SteveH]

Several years ago the talking dolts on EPSN/Fox and others had me pulling my hair out yelling at them to shut up and call the game. I can not stand the banter about themselves or about the food they just ate at halftime, I don't care one bit that you were you played peewee football when you were a kid. It got so bad I started to stream radio broadcasts and sync as best I could with the TV. I could finally enjoy watching football again.

 

[OKW Lover]

I started to stream radio broadcasts and sync as best I could with the TV. I could finally enjoy watching football again.

Sometimes I just mute the sound entirely.

 

[SteveH]

@OKW Lover me too, tried to watch the Oregon-Cal game last night. As soon as I saw that fingers on the chalkboard Beth Mowins in the booth my night was ruined. All it took was about 5 minutes to make me bail.

 

[Tigger's ally]

I don't care about any of that. They have hockey back that's all that matters.

And their coverage opening night was great! Hope they keep that focus on all the games they do. The four camera angles on that one goal was unreal.

 

[umichigan10]

I don't care about any of that. They have hockey back that's all that matters.

Yeah, the fact I can watch all out of market hurricanes games (which is pretty much every game unless they’re playing the bruins) included with my ESPN+ subscription is the biggest of all game changers.