who at ESPN will get fired for LHN?

G

general35

5,000+ Posts
Poor ESPN, agreed to a 300 million deal and they cant get any cable companies to pick it up. All over their website and most sports related sited have ads for the LHN. Frankly, I can't believe they did this without reaching a deal first. Who would pick up what is basically a local market TV station as a national one to national providers and expect them to pay extra for it? Let's hope next season we can pick up some of these games on ppv or other stations.
 
Frankly, I can't believe they did this without reaching a deal first.

No kidding.

If LHN implodes but nobody hears it, does it make a sound?
 
This is a 20 year agreement. ESPN did not expect to make any money on this for the first few years. It will take time to ramp up just as BTN did but eventually will get distribution and then the revenue will start to come. Remember, once the guarantees are hit, UT gets a percentage of revenue. I believe it's 75%.

If the deal doesn't pan out after a few years, there may be some renegotiations but right now it is way too early to call this a mistake and certainly not one big enough for someone to get fired over.
 
The Big Ten Network basically went through the same thing.

Interesting, if true.

But the Big 10 is an entire conference, not one school. That seems to be a major distinction.
 
you're right to make a decision on long term viability of the network. it has been several months after all and you are never one to make knee jerk posts.
 
LHN will go throw lots of revamping and format changes before it gets scrapped. Like I said back in August, it's stuck in a "holding pattern" right now while they figure out what else they can do with it. Imagine the possibilities for non-revenue sports. All they do right now is the occasional volleyball and/or soccer game to supplement the 19 times they show "Longhorn Extra" and the football practices. But with basketball and baseball around the corner, I think LHN will finally find its groove.

Providers will pick it up at the $0.40/HH rate eventually. Especially once everyone else starts selling their 3rd tier rights.
 
The Big Ten Network basically went through the same thing.
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except it was operated by Fox which game it more immediate circulation and it was offered originally regionally. The LHN is being pushed nationally. if it was pushed regionally, we would have it in TX.
 
Directv had the B10 Network from the get go. It was around like 3 months when I could switch it on.

The LHN is a failure for ESPN, a $$ boon to us. Someone in CT will get shitcanned, no doubt.
 
Do any of us understand this industry well enough to say at this point?
I imagine they are negotiating and I doubt very seriously that any cable providers are really interested in signing up right now because 1) the main draw (football) is over (no more games on LHN) and 2) they have an opportunity to actually see it for a few months before signing on before next season.
I'd be surprised if at least one of the major cable providers in Texas is not on board by start of next season.
Just my guess and I admit I don't know jack about the industry.
 
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@ the OP

Start a new business and see if you make any money the first year, especially in this economy.

Open up and contribute to a 401K this year and see if you get a decent ROI
 
Looking at my mailer for basketball packages, here are the LHN games thus far (depending on changes I guess):

11/13, Sunday, Boston U.
11/26, Sat, Sam Houston State
11/29, Tue, North Texas
12/6, Tue, UT-Arlington
12/10, Sat. Texas State
12/31, Sat, Ok-State (conference game - 6 pm)
1/24, Tue, Iowa State (conference game - 8 pm)
2/4, Sat, Texas Tech (conference game 6 pm)

Get your $6 mezzanine seats while they last !!!!
 
"And that's what counts. "

It is to Dodds and Co., but I can't figure out why fans seem to care. It doesn't make my tickets any cheaper, put any money in my pocket or make games easier to watch on tv.
 
the pecking order bellmont , univ coffers,players, fans ..I am surprised they havent sold priority seating rights ooo wait longhorn foundation ...welcome to the nfl...
 
I don't think making it a premium channel was too smart. Probably should have had it as a part of the package, see what the response was, then later added a fee, and cut the cable folks some slack to check it out.
 
I am guessing no one gets fired for 3-4 years. Any new business venture is not judged on the first months.

I'm sure crack dealers even have a 2 year ROI.
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Another vote for Merril Hodge getting the axe for this.

ESPN is playing a waiting game, the same strategy that worked for them on ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNNews, Classic etc.

Sucks for us but they will make money on this as will Texas and knee jerk reactions by our fan base isnt going to change what for them has been a winning strategy time and time again.
 
All I know is that in north TEXAS my provider (U-verse) ponied up my money for the B10 network that I have not watched one game on, and watch lots of college football. Unless UT joins, I doubt there will ever be many in this part of the country that watch B10 football, yet it's on our bill. Why not LHN at least for the region?
 
Thanks God the people at ESPN operate the network and not Hornfans posters. Jesus.
I'll repeat what I said on another thread: I don't know how much I pay for: Oprah, WE, HGTV, Food Network, Planet Green, DIY Network, Big10 Network, Tennis Channel, Speed, Cartoon channel, CMT and several hundred others, but I'd much rather be watching the LHN.
 
No one will get "****-canned" over the LHN... as mentioned previously, the BTN took a while to catch on, as did the Yankees Network along with the NFL Channel! The OP is somewhat ignorant...

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