Longhorn Network - why not streaming video?

[Chest Rockwell]

Forgive me if this topic has been discussed ad nauseum, but why isn't the Longhorn Network offered thru other vehicles (i.e. streaming devices like Roku) than the standard DTV, Dish, cable, etc?? It seems to me that ESPN could charge ~$3/month ($25/yr) for access to the LHN and get plenty of customers. Surely the major providers are somewhat worried already over the prospect of Roku (or other streaming devices) stealing some of their business. Why not play to this fear?

This seems like a game of chicken to me. The satellite/cable providers don't want to pay for an unproven product, and ESPN isn't ready to give the product away for nothing. (Although another option would be for ESPN to bite the bullet for a year - give it to everyone for free - then charge the providers next year. Consider that Drug Dealing 101.) But if ESPN were to develop a loyal customer base via Roku, wouldn't this also help them in their negotiations with the other providers? Isn't BYUTV available thru Roku?

 

[TheGallopinGoose]

I would love for the LHN to stream the Longhorn Band's pregame and halftime shows online.

 

[PecosBill]

Much like ESPN3 and HBO Go you have to pay somewhere for the content to get the free stream online.

 

[PecosBill]

Or ESPN waits until contract renewal with the cable and telcos and leverages LHN with ESPN renewal. Same things happened with TWC and BTN.

I live in Austin and get all the B10 network stuff as part of my cablie tier.

Watch what Fox does in the next two weeks with Fox Sports negotiations deadline with Direct TV and BELO stations as an example. They are already warning their viewers that they may miss TT @ UT 11am on FX.

Call your television provider now.

Same with ESPN just on bigger scale.

 

[FWHORN]

ESPN is following the same strategy they used with ESPN 2, ESPN News, ESPN Classic, ESPNU etc. They do it every time and every time it has worked in their favor. They will wait years if they have to as they did with the prior networks and then just bundle it all as an all or nothing for the hold outs. Why is everyone shocked when ESPN is using the same tried and true strategy they always have.

As for Texas the money is guaranteed and Deloss shares with no one.

 

[ViperHorn]

Danno, unfortunately ESPN will have no substantial leverage after the Kansas game. Those of us who are not fortunate enough to have the LHN now, will probably not have it until the first game on it next September (if then).

While it is hard to fault Texas for not forcing ESPN to wait until they had the big boys on board, we have to realize the money started with the contract execution. However, part of the contract negotiation should have been inclusion of the LHN games on ESPN3 until a certain percentage of cable and satellite sets had been obtained.