Watching the Lightning (Bally, Streaming, TV, etc.)

[Felonious Python]

I'm not sure if it's the NBA as much as it's having only 2-3 games of that league per week.

 

[Felonious Python]

 

[Felonious Python]

 

[Felonious Python]

Disney/ESPN recently announced a partnership with Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery for a “skinny bundle” of direct-to-consumer sports programming in the fall that is expected to be priced at $40-$50 per month, according to network executives briefed on the plans.

Meanwhile, ESPN will take its standalone direct-to-consumer product to the market in 2025 at $25-30 per month, according to executives briefed on the discussions.

If ESPN fails to partner with the NFL and/or NBA, then MLB and the NHL are viewed as next in line as equity partners. Iger has also said that ESPN could go to market with no partners.

Meanwhile, ESPN wants to be the solution for MLB, NBA and NHL in regional sports, hoping to offer them as part of its direct-to-consumer strategy, as add-on channels for an extra fee, so fans can watch their favorite teams. Many regional sports networks are struggling due to the dwindling of the cable bundle.

The current model guarantees franchises a multi-million-dollar upfront fee. ESPN has been more inclined to share the rewards and risks on regional sports, according to officials briefed on the discussions, and isn’t looking to write big checks on speculation.

 

[Felonious Python]

Starting this week, subscribers to NESN, which carries Boston sports teams including the Red Sox and Bruins, will be able to tune into games by tapping a dedicated link on ESPN’s app or on ESPN.com. In May, timed to the start of the WNBA season, a route to Washington, D.C.’s Monumental Sports Network will also be established on ESPN’s platforms. SportsNet Pittsburgh, which is operated by NESN, is also part of the agreement, though its telecasts will be added down the line.

The offering will be geotargeted so that only those located in specific areas of the U.S. will see the option to watch their local games. The streams will not be housed within the ESPN app, which is merely serving as a portal to the RSN telecast, and viewers also will still need to pay for access to the RSNs.

 

[Felonious Python]

 

[Felonious Python]

I haven't watched an ESPN studio show in years, but everything I see on Twitter is that ESPN is "woke". Whatever that actually means, there's a perception that the studio shows are political.

 

[Felonious Python]

Bally will stay on Spectrum.

media release: Diamond Sports Group Reaches Multi-Year Distribution Agreement with Charter

Nothing new, just an extension.

 

[Felonious Python]

 

[Felonious Python]

No RSN concerns in Canada, then.

 

[Outl4w]

I haven't watched an ESPN studio show in years, but everything I see on Twitter is that ESPN is "woke". Whatever that actually means, there's a perception that the studio shows are political.

They do push social and political talking points. Less sports more social Commentary.

 

[Felonious Python]

Notice for Comcast customers, their deal with Diamond/Bally Sports Networks ends tomorrow.

 

[Felonious Python]

per the article, WBD are currently paying an average of $1.2b a year. ESPN renewed for $2.6b/year.

If the NBA goes to NBC/ABC/ESPN, and TNT are on the outside, then the NHL would probably get more games.

Who would get custody of Shaq and Barkley?

 

[Felonious Python]

 

[Felonious Python]

Probably a sign that Bally ratings will help determine future Lightning schedules.

 

[Felonious Python]

“One of the funniest things ever is that we’re all pretending that the TV deal wasn’t done like a week and a half ago,” Simmons said. “I think it’s done. I think Warner [Bros. Discovery] already lost it. And I don’t know why we’re waiting until after the playoffs, maybe that’s how they have to do it. But it’s a wrap. NBC’s getting it. I’m just telling you.”

 

[Felonious Python]

The dam seems to be breaking on ESPN's big market bias.


When you get former ESPN people like Dan Le Batard and Dan Patrick, and current ESPN host Pat McAfee calling the network out publicly, you know it's bad.

 

[Felonious Python]

A potential preview of the Stanley Cup Final on ESPN.


I don't think hockey fans will mind as much. We're sort of used to getting the short end, and it's not like Messier and Subban are must watch TV.

 

[Felonious Python]

 

[Felonious Python]

Another defection from Bally Sports.

Dallas is doing it a bit different. Free regional streaming.

Both Dallas and Houston are very common VPN server locations as well.

 

[bigdaddio]

We need a TV station here to step up and do what they did in South Florida. Get away from Ballys.

 

[Felonious Python]

We need a TV station here to step up and do what they did in South Florida. Get away from Ballys.

TB has a more complex media situation. The Lightning have the rest of Florida as their territory. That would mean a deal in TB, a deal in Orlando, a deal in Jacksonville, a deal in Pensacola, etc.

We'll probably stay on Bally for as long as we can. The payments aren't what they used to be, but transitioning to anything else would give up on that entirely.


Spectrum has also been a long-time sponsor, and might not like the team moving away from cable.

 

[Flat Ronnie]

TB has a more complex media situation. The Lightning have the rest of Florida as their territory. That would mean a deal in TB, a deal in Orlando, a deal in Jacksonville, a deal in Pensacola, etc.

We'll probably stay on Bally for as long as we can. The payments aren't what they used to be, but transitioning to anything else would give up on that entirely.


Spectrum has also been a long-time sponsor, and might not like the team moving away from cable.

They're prob not worried about the Spectrum sponsorship. You're right about the Florida market though. They're probably getting pitched by Scripps Sports to move to ION (broadcast), but I'm not sure if ION can be accessed through all those other markets? I know Scripps owns ION, but idk how the distribution of the games works.

 

[Felonious Python]

They're prob not worried about the Spectrum sponsorship. You're right about the Florida market though. They're probably getting pitched by Scripps Sports to move to ION (broadcast), but I'm not sure if ION can be accessed through all those other markets? I know Scripps owns ION, but idk how the distribution of the games works.

The issue with going on to Ion, or any network, is that the stations can have different owners.

List of Ion Television affiliates - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Felonious Python]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1816202086704619883

NHLN operates out of the MLB Network studio.

The NBA is leaving TNT Sports

https://x.com/i/web/status/1816208866142499276