ESPN+?

[LivntheCyLife]

Only P5 on the platform

Sharing space with mid majors

Does this ultimately hurt the brand?

I think I'd rather see this than the risk of something like the Pac-12 or ACC Network. The only question to me is if the Big 12 could have made a go of it with an independent streaming network.

-Going from individual schools to a conference is a no brainer to draw more fans with road conference games and has very little change in production costs. And I doubt there are many people who subscribed to two schools services so very little loss in revenue.
-For better or worse, ESPN is the dominant player in controlling sports media narratives. I'm hopeful the potential for extra promotion of ESPN+ and more eyeballs from casual fans is worth it.
-If ESPN+ is successful, it definitely flips what media executives are looking for, passionate fans who subscribe and quality content with not too many schools to divide the pie among.
-Streaming is the future, the question is whether it will be this or forcing linear networks onto Sling, Playstation Vue, YouTube.tv, Hulu tc.

 

[Jer]

ESPN Plus does a fair amount of MLB and NHL also.

Hey, were talking about sports. Stay on topic.



/s

 

[Cyclonepride]

Well, it looks like I'll have ESPN+ rather than Cyclones TV starting next fall. It's a good thing overall, and while ESPN+ may be slightly more expensive, you'll get quite a bit more content for the money.

 

[ianoconnor]

Well, it looks like I'll have ESPN+ rather than Cyclones TV starting next fall. It's a good thing overall, and while ESPN+ may be slightly more expensive, you'll get quite a bit more content for the money.

Cyclones.tv is $80/year and ESPN+ is $50. So more content for less. It's a win-win in my book.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Cyclones.tv is $80/year and ESPN+ is $50. So more content for less. It's a win-win in my book.

I was thinking it was cheaper than that if you bought longer packages, so good deal!!

 

[Cardinal and Gold]

Cyclones.tv is $80/year and ESPN+ is $50. So more content for less. It's a win-win in my book.

Not to mention there seemed to be issues streaming cyclones.tv for every first football game. Cyclones.tv/Sidearm Sports simply over promised and under delivered during their highest volume event. It was very frustrating paying a single game pass and not being able to catch the first 15 minutes because of streaming issues on their end. I would think ESPN+ doesn’t have that problem, and that is worth the switch to me.

 

[TheHelgo]

This is actually a great deal. if you sign up for a full year, it is $50. Not only do you get all the extra content, but you get the ESPN Insider access as well. I will definitely be signing up.

 

[GrappleCy]

Do you have to already have ESPN to sign up for ESPN+ or is it truly a standalone?

 

[ArgentCy]

I was thinking it was cheaper than that if you bought longer packages, so good deal!!

I bought the subscription right when it came out and have paid $59.95 / year I think. But I have found myself watching it less as they don't have as much content. Will probably have to drop it to add ESPN+. I just liked the fact that 100% of that money was going to ISU and I know that won't be the case with the ESPN subscription.

 

[huntt26]

Do you have to already have ESPN to sign up for ESPN+ or is it truly a standalone?

Standalone service.

 

[cymonw1980]

It will be interesting to get more detail... not clear to me based on the articles but it sounds like this is an extra $40M per year or about $4M/school/year. Each year the conference has been increasing the payouts... so, was hoping before this announcement we would be at around $40M/School this year... I hope this helps us get to mid to high $40's for FY 2019/20 payouts. That would likely put us on par with per school payouts in the SEC and not far behind the $50M+ payouts from the b10... obviously, this is before any school T3 network income is counted (like lhn, CTV). Not that we make a lot from that...

 

[surly]

If $40 million/year, that would be nice. But I don't think so. And this suggests Texas and OU get full shares.

According to Sports Business Journal Daily, ESPN will pay the conference about $40 million for these new rights from 2019-24 in addition to what it pays for existing deals. A source confirmed the dollar amount to The Star. The schools will equally share the distribution, as they do with Tier 1 and Tier 2 — network and cable — rights. KCStar

 

[ArgentCy]

Why does OU get to keep their one Tier 3 football game?

 

[knowlesjam]

Why does OU get to keep their one Tier 3 football game?

Their contract with home events runs through 2021 I believe. Once that is done then they move onto the same ESPN+ platform as us for their home events. Believe we get to keep our football game this year (2019)...then move to the ESPN+ platform in 2020.

 

[derpyherky]

With ESPN paying extra $, I would expect that ESPN+ will increase in cost to help pay for it. Wouldn’t be surprised if they do some type of deal with Hulu live or increase the cost to 8-10/month.

 

[shagcarpetjesus]

This is great. I picture it like a Cyclones Television Network for the modern age.

Sorry but cyclones.tv is amateur hour in every way except Jon Walters. Hopefully now I’ll be able to watch the soccer games.

If you’re a soccer fan as well as a Cyclone fan, signing up for ESPN+ is a no brainer. They’ve got rights to Serie A, MLS, the Championship, UEFA Nations League as well as other stuff I’m sure.

 

[Clonehomer]

Their contract with home events runs through 2021 I believe. Once that is done then they move onto the same ESPN+ platform as us for their home events. Believe we get to keep our football game this year (2019)...then move to the ESPN+ platform in 2020.

And Texas? Why would they receive money from the tier 3 deal when they won't provide content to ESPN+ and make a **** ton off of their tier 3 already?

 

[derpyherky]

And Texas? Why would they receive money from the tier 3 deal when they won't provide content to ESPN+ and make a **** ton off of their tier 3 already?

Because they’re Texas. They’re entitled to everything.

 

[Rogue52]

While I wouldn't be surprised, I'm not convinced that Texas and OU get a share of this. Yes, it will be equally distributed, but does that mean to all conference schools or only those participating.

I've always wondered if ISU gets a mildly smaller TV share because we don't participate in baseball which is a highly televised spring sport.

The answers to these questions we will likely never know because all we ever hear is "The Big 12 conference is distributing approximately $XX million to each member school for 20XX-20XX sports year."

 

[surly]

I'm told this is setting the stage for renegotiation of B12 rights down the road and that there's little financially in it for conference members.