Move Over ESPN, FOX To Launch A 24 Hour Sports Network - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 03-28-2012, 05:18 PM

Sources tell Bloomberg that News Corp is working to obtain rights from pay TV outlets and sports leagues to launch a national cable network that could begin service by year’s end. No final decision has been made, but the plan would involve converting the company’s action sports network Fuel (36 million subs) into a new national offering, which would compete against fellow cablers Disney/ABC’s ESPN, Comcast’s new NBC Sports Network and the CBS Sports Network. Like those entities, News Corp is attracted to the juicy affiliate fees a national sports network can command; SNL Kagan estimates ESPN will collect $5.06 per subscriber each month in 2012, more than any other cable channel. Other ESPN channels — including ESPN Classic, ESPN2 and ESPNews — collectively generate an additional $4.13 per sub per month. By contrast, Fuel collects about 15 cents per sub each month. Additional money would come in handy to offset the growing costs of sports rights these days, and it might not be a coincidence that this news comes a day after the Dodgers chose new owners who will be very interested in selling TV rights to the team’s games in the nation’s second-largest TV market – it’s a price tag that could go as high as $3 billion (or even $4 billion if you believe the LA Times). Fox Sports is the current owner of Dodgers rights but will need the extra cash in a likely bidding war.

http://www.deadline.com/2012/03/news...g/#more-250105

TVFactFan · 03-28-2012, 05:56 PM

These are the only sports networks that can compete with ESPN

NBATV
NFL Network
MLB TV

lol

Fox would have a lot of work to do

Brian Damage · 03-28-2012, 07:52 PM

I happen to agree. CNN tried it a few years ago and failed miserably.

AKA · 03-31-2012, 01:49 PM

ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, NBC Sports Network, CBS Sports Network, the regional Comcast/Root/Fox Sports Networks... not to mention the aforementioned NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL Networks.

The cable sports market is way too saturated as it is. I think the only one that even has a remote chance right now to compete with the juggernaut that is ESPN is NBC Sports Network.

TVFactFan · 03-31-2012, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKA

ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, NBC Sports Network, CBS Sports Network, the regional Comcast/Root/Fox Sports Networks... not to mention the aforementioned NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL Networks.

The cable sports market is way too saturated as it is. I think the only one that even has a remote chance right now to compete with the juggernaut that is ESPN is NBC Sports Network.

I never saw the purpose of ESPNU

03-28-2012, 05:18 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Move Over ESPN, FOX To Launch A 24 Hour Sports Network Sources tell Bloomberg that News Corp is working to obtain rights from pay TV outlets and sports leagues to launch a national cable network that could begin service by year’s end. No final decision has been made, but the plan would involve converting the company’s action sports network Fuel (36 million subs) into a new national offering, which would compete against fellow cablers Disney/ABC’s ESPN, Comcast’s new NBC Sports Network and the CBS Sports Network. Like those entities, News Corp is attracted to the juicy affiliate fees a national sports network can command; SNL Kagan estimates ESPN will collect $5.06 per subscriber each month in 2012, more than any other cable channel. Other ESPN channels — including ESPN Classic, ESPN2 and ESPNews — collectively generate an additional $4.13 per sub per month. By contrast, Fuel collects about 15 cents per sub each month. Additional money would come in handy to offset the growing costs of sports rights these days, and it might not be a coincidence that this news comes a day after the Dodgers chose new owners who will be very interested in selling TV rights to the team’s games in the nation’s second-largest TV market – it’s a price tag that could go as high as $3 billion (or even $4 billion if you believe the LA Times). Fox Sports is the current owner of Dodgers rights but will need the extra cash in a likely bidding war. http://www.deadline.com/2012/03/news...g/#more-250105
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

03-28-2012, 05:56 PM	#2
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,125	These are the only sports networks that can compete with ESPN NBATV NFL Network MLB TV lol Fox would have a lot of work to do

03-28-2012, 07:52 PM	#3
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	I happen to agree. CNN tried it a few years ago and failed miserably.

03-31-2012, 01:49 PM	#4
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, NBC Sports Network, CBS Sports Network, the regional Comcast/Root/Fox Sports Networks... not to mention the aforementioned NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL Networks. The cable sports market is way too saturated as it is. I think the only one that even has a remote chance right now to compete with the juggernaut that is ESPN is NBC Sports Network.