Random Thoughts on Television Coverage
8 comments so far
June 10, 2009 by
Since the Nebraska at Virginia Tech game has finally been picked up by ABC (regionally and ESPN2 elsewhere), I started to think about the value of the various exposure opportunities that the Husker will have this year. So far, we've got a national spotlight when we take on Missouri on a Thursday night and also the day after Thanksgiving when we roll into Boulder. Most fans are hoping for pay-per-view on the rest of the non-conference games, but that is the highest expectation considering what is nationally thought of the level of opponent we are facing those games. As for the rest of the Big 12 games this year, it always seems to be hit or miss when it comes to seeing the Huskers (in my case) outside of the state of Nebraska.
This got me thinking, what exactly does the Big 12 have in place for ensuring that I get to see my Huskers play every game possible? I visited Big12sports.com and found that the Big 12 really has little, if any, easy to understand agreement or format with the major networks to provide as many games as possible to the fans.
This not so descriptive page basically points to all the power being placed in the hands of the networks to fill in whatever slots they desire. And if you look at the sheer madness that is last year's Big 12 Television schedule you have to wonder if there's not an easier way to make it all work.
An easier way? Look no further than the existing television arrangement with the Big 12 basketball teams to see a method that works for multiple schools in many markets. The only problem is football is still mostly played on one day of the week and in overlapping time slots. There are plenty of people willing to change this idea, and it's a step in the right direction to get every school possible as much air time as possible.
It's all well and good, but this method is outdated. Sure, the Big 10 has their own network, and the SEC has some great deal with CBS, but if the Big 12 were the first to stream games online for a fee, they would be at the cutting edge and stand to make a nice profit. If Netflix can stream DVD quality video to an Xbox 360, why can't I watch the Husker game on my laptop? It's not like it hasn't been done. Just look at CBS Sport XXL who already has something in place doing the same thing. And I know just how many people already watch the basketball bracket games live on the internet when March swings around every year, so I don't want to hear a single complaint about the technical feasibility of it. ESPN360.com is a resource when there isn't a regional game available on my local providers. I could even watch the MU/NU game from last year on there right now if I wanted to torture myself.
Maybe it's because the schools and networks know that Nebraska fans are more than willing to shell out $30 or more just to watch their beloved team take on a team that only they would want to watch. To which I ask, is it more valuable to take a chunk out of your fan's collective wallets than to gain the exposure that a national audience provides? People were originally complaining that the Big 10 would be charging cable companies and subscribers whether someone selected the station in a package or not. So its easy to see why a conference would want to do this - guaranteed revenue instead of the unknowns that a PPV would bring.
Then what is the true value of having the game on pay-per-view other than the monetary benefit of the school? Sticking with the status quo of the current television agreement is going to hurt the Nebraska and the rest of the Big 12 in the long run. In terms of recruiting, future non-athlete students, and potential donor dollars, getting your product in front of eyeballs is the only way to keep alive. The internet is the best of both worlds, the flexibility of PPV with the exposure of television. The Big 12 could charge per game, or even provide a total season package Of course, this would just be for the games that aren't picked up by major networks. It's still the best coverage and best money maker for the schools.
We'll gladly keep our traditions on the field, but fans have to push this to their schools: get online or get left behind by a conference that beats them to it.
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caveman99 Jun 10 09
As someone living on the East Coast, I agree with you. It is really frustrating to me that I can't even get access to the Pay-per-view games like the NE residents can. I don't understand why the University or the Big XII doesn't offer an option to by a season long online pass or a per game pass? The MLB does this and if I were out of market from the NYY, I would definately buy it. I listen to the games online and I enjoy them, but getting to see the Huskers play is definately better. As you pointed out, online radio feeds don't help recruiting either.
edreas Jun 10 09
The largest issue is authentication. Once authentication systems become more robust you will see much more PPV content accessible through the Internet.
Also once cable systems go all digital there will be much more channel availability to have PPV access to more sports content.
HuskerGBR Jun 10 09
I think Nebraska sticks with PPV, because I don't think any of that money goes to the Big XII. If they are on FSN, ESPN, or some other network then I believe that a portion of that money the university gets will go to the Big XII. I could be wrong, but I am pretty sure that is how it goes in the Big XII. So really there is no need to get national exposure for a game like Neb Vs. San Jose St. since all the PPV money goes to the university. And I think only Husker fans would want to watch that game anyways. I feel for you guys out of region though and hope one day they will provide a way for you guys to see all the games. Also if someone wants to look into my claim just post what you find, because I could be wrong.
tom Jun 10 09
@edreas - I work pretty extensively in Data Security, a large part of which is authentication. There is no problem with being able to authenticate users through a browser in such a way that only one person is paying for one viewing of an event. Even in financial institutions, online authentication is only about 15% of the cost of running services online. Compared to the costs of running video services and the potential revenue, it's well worth it to have a state of the art authentication system.
@HuskerGBR - You're right, more of the money goes to the schools. But what I'm saying is that if there were an easier way to access the games on a national scale that costs less for fans, would you have a problem with it? I would never say that "there is no need to get national exposure" on anything related to Husker football! ;-)
HuskerGBR Jun 10 09
@Tom - Well said. I guess the only way I would have an issue with it is if the NCAA or the Big XII got their hands in on some of the money. Now if the University had this set up and it went straight to the athletic department for UNL then I am all for it. Well played by the "no need for national exposure" comment by the way. Reading back on it that was a poor choice of words on my account. Thanks for the insight and keep up the good work. Love reading your guys' views on the Huskers.
tom Jun 11 09
I understood what you were going for, and sometimes I've got to wonder if all the effort to get on the national scene is worth it. But I keep coming to the conclusion that being nationally recognized is a by-product of winning, so we can either win games (like Brandon pointed out in his TV analysis last week) or we can get the exposure first and be ready for the spotlight.
Isaac Jun 11 09
2 things
1. Exposure is definitely a big deal. I could tell you more about those teams that play on random weeknights, than I could about, say, Indiana or Stanford or Mississippi. Sure, winning is the best medicine, but getting on TV certainly helps.
2. I'm not sold on streaming yet. There were plenty of issues with the march madness streams during higher usage (daytime on work days). And if Time Warner can't even get PPV working half of the time, I have no confidence in streaming. Time Warner Cable - where terrible happens.
caveman99 Jun 13 09
I sent in an email to Huskers.com asking why they don't offer online pay-per-view video feeds. Randy York sent back an email saying thank you for the suggestion and that he was forwarding it for review. Not sure anything will come of it right away, but hopefully others are doing the same as I did and the seed gets firmly planted.