News Round Up 2020

[rteetz]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1238665150082748416

 

[CastAStone]

This got my cruise. We had already mentally cancelled, but I told my wife that this exact thing would likely happen, so we waited to cancel.

We both got an email and text message from them asking us to reply acknowledging we had received it. I assume they are going to start calling people they don't hear back from.

Trying to decide on the 125% FCC or cash. I know they really need the cash, but I have to trust they'll still be a company by the time I want to cruise again if I take the FCC. I like that they will let you change your mind until the end of 2021. Very fair offer and they are obviously hoping everyone defers the refund.

I think RCI would be very likely to be sold or restructured before it went chapter 7. It’s a very attractive company in most years. In most scenarios the new company would be obligated or would willingly assume obligation for any credit or gift card you’d have.

 

[Farro]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1238665150082748416

Almost what I wanted! Kind of the story of my life really...

 

[afan]

I was talking to my wife about this. I think E-sports will get a lot of attention. There are also a lot of sports you can show replies of that people will watch and not know the outcome like boxing, UFC, CrossFit, cricket, South American soccer, etc.

ESPN made poker popular after the NBA went on strike, I'm sure they can do it again.

It may also be possible for some sports like tennis to pick a city, like Miami, have everyone come and stay, then just play the weekly tournaments in the same place with no fans. Golf could do the same in a city like Phoenix. Even baseball. If they stayed near their spring training areas, you could redo the schedule so the teams could stay in one spot for weeks at a time, again no fans so you could it anywhere.

Indian Wells was one of the first things cancelled this week. I don't see the ATP or WTA getting together any more than any other sport at this time. Even Nascar and Indycar are postponing after saying they'd run without fans.

I think a big reason is when NBA players etc start testing positive it becomes not just the fans all together but everyone together. No way you can have a dugout full of players all 6 feet apart when the team's up to bat etc. Sure it sucks, I was looking forward to watching spring training games and the races this weekend, but I've got books to read and lots of stuff on the dvr. It's going to hurt the cable stations, NBCSN was replaying Phoenix this afternoon instead of the practice they'd had planned. I'm sure they can find stuff. Put on some classics, like the 1980 USA v Soviet Union or Billie Jean King vs Bobby Riggs. They've got so much stuff they can put on and if they do it right and advertise it in the right places people would watch. I've seen highlights of the miracle on ice and I've seen the movie but I'd watch the game.

Or heck bring back old repeats of thsi week in baseball simply for the bloopers I miss TWIB. Hopefully there are some creative thinkers at the sports networks or at least people that put some thought into it.

 

[The Pho]

How about Landry's locations, like the Pleasure Peir? And other small time parks like Mission Beach or the place in FLL with the funny woodie? Or the Circus Circus park?

Thought I saw that Belmont Park (on mission beach next to SeaWorld), Pleasure Pier and Circus Circus were closing, but they seem to still be up for now.
Uncle Bernies is the one in FLL and they are open as well. Probably overlooked a few other minor parks scattered around.

 

[OSUZorba]

I think RCI would be very likely to be sold or restructured before it went chapter 7. It’s a very attractive company in most years. In most scenarios the new company would be obligated or would willingly assume obligation for any credit or gift card you’d have.

Yeah, that is what I'm thinking. I think they could discharge FCCs in chapter 11, but I really doubt they would. I really don't see them going chapter 7.

 

[OSUZorba]

Indian Wells was one of the first things cancelled this week. I don't see the ATP or WTA getting together any more than any other sport at this time. Even Nascar and Indycar are postponing after saying they'd run without fans.

I think a big reason is when NBA players etc start testing positive it becomes not just the fans all together but everyone together. No way you can have a dugout full of players all 6 feet apart when the team's up to bat etc. Sure it sucks, I was looking forward to watching spring training games and the races this weekend, but I've got books to read and lots of stuff on the dvr. It's going to hurt the cable stations, NBCSN was replaying Phoenix this afternoon instead of the practice they'd had planned. I'm sure they can find stuff. Put on some classics, like the 1980 USA v Soviet Union or Billie Jean King vs Bobby Riggs. They've got so much stuff they can put on and if they do it right and advertise it in the right places people would watch. I've seen highlights of the miracle on ice and I've seen the movie but I'd watch the game.

Or heck bring back old repeats of thsi week in baseball simply for the bloopers I miss TWIB. Hopefully there are some creative thinkers at the sports networks or at least people that put some thought into it.

I was thinking if you got all the players in one city, waited a couple of weeks, then had health screening before each game/match. It would be odd and require a lot of cooperation with the players, but they might be able to pull it off.

Regardless, ESPN will find some content, and in the absence of other sports, people will watch. Fox Sports was play high school football reruns tonight while I was eating out, it was interesting because I had no idea who had won.

 

[afan]

I was thinking if you got all the players in one city, waited a couple of weeks, then had health screening before each game/match. It would be odd and require a lot of cooperation with the players, but they might be able to pull it off.

Regardless, ESPN will find some content, and in the absence of other sports, people will watch. Fox Sports was play high school football reruns tonight while I was eating out, it was interesting because I had no idea who won.

The unions would have to agree to it and that might be a tough one at the moment. For now, almost all the mariners remained in the Peoria area but a few went home as they were allowed to do per MLB. I think it also said the facility was closed tomorrow for cleaning and then they might be able to do workouts on Sunday.

And they were having a hard enough time trying to figure out how to start the season with our no gatherings over 250. They were looking at getting the Dbacks permission so they could do the two opening series in Peoria as a possibility since the rangers stadium wouldn't be ready by the 26th and they didn't want to go to Minneapolis due to potential weather issues. It seemed like even if they didn't do it at Peoria, as the Padres would have also had to approve since it's a shared facility, it was going to be hard to get it all worked out or approved to do there or another location. So while I do think they'll have a mini camp before starting the season, I just don't see them actually playing games just for tv that doesn't lead to actual games in stadiums. I think the teams want their fans there and want to provide for them. Plus unless your the Yankee's or Red Sox, you need gate, concession etc not just the tv revenue. I imagine they'll lose less money not playing than they would to an empty stadium/arena.

I think the nba and nfl are the only leagues that could get away with playing the games solely for tv and really only the nfl because there aren't enough national nba games to make it work out. But at least in the nfl they are getting big tv money. I can't imagine most of them would be ok with giving up sold out games though either. Sports aren't trying to make money but they should at least break even and I don't see any league/team being able to renew or get new sponsorship deals at an increased rate right now and for some it'll be hard to find new/keep sponsors.

 

[OSUZorba]

The unions would have to agree to it and that might be a tough one at the moment. For now, almost all the mariners remained in the Peoria area but a few went home as they were allowed to do per MLB. I think it also said the facility was closed tomorrow for cleaning and then they might be able to do workouts on Sunday.

And they were having a hard enough time trying to figure out how to start the season with our no gatherings over 250. They were looking at getting the Dbacks permission so they could do the two opening series in Peoria as a possibility since the rangers stadium wouldn't be ready by the 26th and they didn't want to go to Minneapolis due to potential weather issues. It seemed like even if they didn't do it at Peoria, as the Padres would have also had to approve since it's a shared facility, it was going to be hard to get it all worked out or approved to do there or another location. So while I do think they'll have a mini camp before starting the season, I just don't see them actually playing games just for tv that doesn't lead to actual games in stadiums. I think the teams want their fans there and want to provide for them. Plus unless your the Yankee's or Red Sox, you need gate, concession etc not just the tv revenue. I imagine they'll lose less money not playing than they would to an empty stadium/arena.

I think the nba and nfl are the only leagues that could get away with playing the games solely for tv and really only the nfl because there aren't enough national nba games to make it work out. But at least in the nfl they are getting big tv money. I can't imagine most of them would be ok with giving up sold out games though either. Sports aren't trying to make money but they should at least break even and I don't see any league/team being able to renew or get new sponsorship deals at an increased rate right now and for some it'll be hard to find new/keep sponsors.

I am thinking more long term. This virus isn't going to go away in a month. So I was trying to think of a way baseball could attempt to play the regular season, assuming we don't get to point of everyone deciding the risk of getting the virus is just a fact of life. Unfortunately, unless the virus is severally impacted by warmer weather (some non-peer reviewed research suggests it might be) and an effective treatment comes out by September, life isn't going to be normal for quite awhile.

 

[Brianstl]

A little sad

 

[TomServo27]

I am thinking more long term. This virus isn't going to go away in a month. So I was trying to think of a way baseball could attempt to play the regular season, assuming we don't get to point of everyone deciding the risk of getting the virus is just a fact of life. Unfortunately, unless the virus is severally impacted by warmer weather (some non-peer reviewed research suggests it might be) and an effective treatment comes out by September, life isn't going to be normal for quite awhile.

I’ve been trying to find out and can’t seem to find any info on it. I assume they would at least be able to quit paying rights fees while everything is shut down. So as long as there is not lots of people cutting the cord they would still be getting subscriber fees without paying rights fees. Not sure if that would make up for the loss of advertising income or not.

 

[scrappinginontario]

News

https://deadline.com/2020/03/amc-th...-states-movie-theaters-box-office-1202882609/

Can you see what seats are taken? Because if people are purposely choosing seats near other people, it's kind of on them at this point, no?

I decided to take a look at our local Canadian Landmark theatre. This is what is being displayed as options for this afternoon’s Onward showing. Social distancing being practiced here too and many people working from home for the next 3 weeks.

Note: all seats are recliners so about 3’ wide.

 

[Fantasia79]

@rteetz any word on construction/refurbs being amped up due to park closing? I’m sure many people can’t come to work with school closings and child care.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I decided to take a look at our local Canadian Landmark theatre. This is what is being displayed as options for this afternoon’s Onward showing. Social distancing being practiced here too and many people working from home for the next 3 weeks.

Note: all seats are recliners so about 3’ wide.

View attachment 480835

I checked for AMC doesn't have seats blocked out like that. I'm assuming that's what your picture is showing that there normally would be seats where there is black space in between each group of two seats.

 

[scrappinginontario]

I checked for AMC doesn't have seats blocked out like that. I'm assuming that's what your picture is showing that there normally would be seats where there is black space in between each group of two seats.

Yes, all of the blacked out places are also seats. All seats are pre-assigned when tickets are purchased so the theatre can somewhat help with keeping people apart.

we aren’t going to the movie theatre anytime soon due to social distancing but it’s good to see they’re doing what they can to help. It appears we’re not the only ones being cautious as normally this theatre would be nearly sold out the second weekend (and first day of March Break) of a new Disney animated movie!!

 

[Tigger's ally]

A little sad

Mickey and all his friends will probably use this time for a long overdue vacation!
Wonder where they will go?

 

[rteetz]

@rteetz any word on construction/refurbs being amped up due to park closing? I’m sure many people can’t come to work with school closings and child care.

My expectation as of right now is things move as planned. If anything I expect slowdowns. Disney isn’t going to throw more money at projects when no money is coming in.

 

[NYDisneyKid]

News

https://deadline.com/2020/03/amc-th...-states-movie-theaters-box-office-1202882609/

And what are they going to do with big groups? Make them sit apart from each other? NOT!!!!

 

[scrappinginontario]

And what are they going to do with big groups? Make them sit apart from each other? NOT!!!!

Good question. I tried it out and our theatre forces them to sit apart, at least while ordering tickets. Not sure if/how this would be enforced in the theatre.

Doesn’t really seem like it will be a problem though as people are just not going out of their homes if they don’t have to. 2 hours before the showing and not a single ticket sold in the theatre. Normally this theatre is extremely busy and would be almost full!!

 

[rteetz]

My theater looks normal but nobody wants to go apparently