OT - New network to launch -- ESPNU

[JonInMiddleGA]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=1876435

ESPN will launch a new multimedia college sports initiative in March 2005 that includes a new 24-hour television network and content from ESPN.com and ESPN The Magazine.

ESPNU will also include information from ESPN Radio, ESPN Mobile (wireless) and ESPN Broadband, George Bodenheimer, the president of ESPN and ABC Sports, said in making the announcement Tuesday.

Tuesday was also the 25th anniversary of the launch of ESPN.

"The college sports fan and ESPN have built a passionate bond that's 25 years strong," Bodenheimer said. "ESPNU will offer a broad variety of ESPN-branded college product across all of our entities, which will enhance our relationship with fans and colleges, and provide value to our affiliates and advertisers."

The highest-profile facet of the new initiative will be the ESPNU television network, which will carry approximately 300 games live -- primarily Division I football and men's and women's basketball -- in the first year. The network will also cover baseball, softball, volleyball, lacrosse, hockey, wrestling, spring football and select high school football games.

It will also carry regular-season and NCAA championships, along with replays of games on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC and the company's regional networks.

Also Tuesday, ESPN announced that ESPN2 HD, the company's second high-definition service, will launch in January.

[cthomer5000]

Good. Let's get those pesky college sports off of ESPN to make room for more musical guests and original movies.

[sooner333]

I like it if its part of basic cable, otherwise I don't.

[FBPro]

Sounds good to me, chances are it'll be part of Directv :)

[ISiddiqui]

Sounds nice... with my TV package, I'll get it even if it ain't on basic cable.

[digamma]

There was speculation for a while that ESPN might be interested in acquiring the College Sports Network, which, if I'm not mistaken, was started by the same guys who started the Classic Sports Network. I guess they've opted to be a competitor instead.

I'll be a viewer.

[Lathum]

Mabye this means they will show more poker on ESPN

[JeeberD]

I like it if its part of basic cable, otherwise I don't.

I kinds feel the same way, except that even if it's not on basic cable it'll give me a better shot at seeing UTEP games at bars...

[sabotai]

Mabye this means they will show more poker on ESPN

In a couple of months, I wouldn't be surprised to see an ESPN Poker Network. Not that I would mind, really. :D

[PsychoCop]

What does the acronym ESPN stand for, again?

[General Mike]

What does the acronym ESPN stand for, again?

Entertainment and Sports Programming Network

[lynchjm24]

I heard some speculation today that ESPNU comes from the Justice Department's investigation with ESPN and the way they negotiate contracts with the conferences. Offering more exposure for the college conferences might be a way to diffuse some pressure.

[SuburbanPimp]

We have to look at the bright side of this.

This brings us one step closer to ESPN 8: THE OCHO!!!

[Tekneek]

It's their way to cut off CSTV at the pass, and increase the chances they will be able to absorb CSTV at some later date to get back any/all contracts ESPN may lose to them.

[Tekneek]

Entertainment and Sports Programming Network

They say it doesn't stand for anything anymore, but that in the beginning it meant that.

[henry296]

An interesting tidbit from Chris Berman during the 25 year special, is that they wanted to call in SPN, which makes more sense. However there was a Spanish channel with those letters so they went with ESPN instead.

Todd

[digamma]

I'm not sure if this has been posted elsewhere on the board, but apparently, ESPN has signed up Mike Hall (the Dream Job Season One winner) to be the "face" of ESPNU. He supposedly has a two-year deal.

[ice4277]

It's their way to cut off CSTV at the pass, and increase the chances they will be able to absorb CSTV at some later date to get back any/all contracts ESPN may lose to them.
Not only CSTV; also the new Fox Digital packages, along with a new slate of Comcast regional sports networks that have started to pop up in the last 12 months.

[Ksyrup]

There was speculation for a while that ESPN might be interested in acquiring the College Sports Network, which, if I'm not mistaken, was started by the same guys who started the Classic Sports Network. I guess they've opted to be a competitor instead.

I'll be a viewer.
Too bad they can't get it started up now for those of us looking for sports viewing alternatives in the midst of the hockey lockout. Aside from basketball, that is.

[Tekneek]

Not only CSTV; also the new Fox Digital packages, along with a new slate of Comcast regional sports networks that have started to pop up in the last 12 months.

The Comcast networks are generally just replacing FSN ones that were on the verge of folding up. The "Fox Digital Packages" are only repeating programs that are on various regional sports networks. Cable companies don't carry all those channels, so it is a way to get some of the satellite-only out-of-market programming to cable customers.

[ice4277]

The Comcast networks are generally just replacing FSN ones that were on the verge of folding up. The "Fox Digital Packages" are only repeating programs that are on various regional sports networks. Cable companies don't carry all those channels, so it is a way to get some of the satellite-only out-of-market programming to cable customers.
Actually some of the Comcasts are moving into areas where Fox Sports is still the primary local cable sports outlet (I should know, I work for the one in Detroit).

[Ksyrup]

This channel starts tonight, I think. I know it's going to be channel 609 on DirecTV, but does anyone know if it is included with Total Choice or Total Choice Plus, or whether it is part of the Sports Pack?

[Butter]

The DirecTV web site says ESPNU is part of the Sports Pack.

[Ksyrup]

Fuck.

Excuse my french.

[Ksyrup]

That website is confusing, because I just got notice that they are making changes to their programming plans and prices, but they only show up when I attempt to change my current plan. I'm having a hard time understanding what I have and how it translates to the new packages without calling them, which I don't really want to do.

I think I'm going to have to drop HBO and pick up the Sports Pack, plus switch over to a package with local channels.

[Ksyrup]

FYI, from ESPN:

TV Network Programming: Event programming will be the cornerstone, highlighted by approximately 300 live events (regular season and NCAA Championships) in the network's first year. Action will include a variety of top Division I football and men's and women's basketball mixed with baseball, softball, volleyball, lacrosse, hockey, wrestling and more. ESPNU will also offer comprehensive studio programming, replays of ABC Sports, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Regional Television games, plus specials and more.


Highlights of the ESPNU syllabus include:



March:
NCAA Women's Basketball Championship
Championship Week conference tournament games
NCAA Hockey and Wrestling Championships




April:
Inside-out coverage of the NFL draft [how much more coverage could they possibly give this?!?!?]
Live spring football
Baseball, softball, lacrosse



May:
Women's College World Series
Baseball, softball, lacrosse
NCAA Lacrosse Championship




June:
NCAA Baseball Championship
Women's College World Series
College World Series re-airs and stunts




July/August:
Conference themed programming blocks featuring multiple sports [i.e., nothing - just waiting for football to start!]



September/October:
College football
Women's volleyball game-of-the-week
College football re-airs from ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Regional Television (ERT)
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) football game-of-the-week



November:
College football
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) football game-of-the-week
College basketball
Women's volleyball game-of-the-week



December:
Division I-AA, II and III football playoffs
Bowl game re-airs
College basketball




January/February:
College basketball: Monday - Saturday
Women's college basketball game-of-the-week
HBCU college basketball game-of-the-week
College football signing day

[rkmsuf]

No college bowling? This is bs.

[Tekneek]

Live spring football? Yippee.

Event programming will be the cornerstone...

Should that even need to be stated? Wouldn't you EXPECT that?

[henry296]

Live spring football? Yippee.



Should that even need to be stated? Wouldn't you EXPECT that?

Contrasting that with CSTV that shows lots and lots of repeats, I think ESPN wants to emphasize the live programming.

Todd

[Tekneek]

For what it is worth, I don't really mind the repeats on CSTV. It gives me a chance to catch games that had TiVo conflicts when it was live. It gives me more options. Of course, I don't watch too much live TV except late at nights when I am working/playing on the computer...and all the sports channels are showing miscellaneous shows or repeats.

[Honolulu_Blue]

That website is confusing, because I just got notice that they are making changes to their programming plans and prices, but they only show up when I attempt to change my current plan. I'm having a hard time understanding what I have and how it translates to the new packages without calling them, which I don't really want to do.

I think I'm going to have to drop HBO and pick up the Sports Pack, plus switch over to a package with local channels.
Hrmm... I may have to do the same. I guess I will wait and see what games are on ESPNU as opposed to ESPN and ESPN2.

[sooner333]

Well, as opposed to when I made my first post in this thread, I have digital cable now, so I hope Cox will pick it up. They are going to "evaluate" the programming before making a decision, they said in the paper.

[General Mike]

The DirecTV web site says ESPNU is part of the Sports Pack.

Bastards. I just signed up for DirecTV too :(

[LloydLungs]

lThey are going to "evaluate" the programming before making a decision, they said in the paper.

That drives me nuts. It's an ESPN station -- it has the namebrand. It's going to be successful. They're going to add it eventually, you know it, I know it, everyone knows it. But no, I guess they have to dick around for a period of time before they give in to the inevitable. In the meantime, I have to miss games. Ah well.

[Tekneek]

Bastards. I just signed up for DirecTV too :(

Then you should be able to get the Sports Pack if you want it. For me, I will have it now for as long as I can afford it. Almost everything sports related that I am going to watch/TiVo will probably come from Fox Soccer Channel, Gol TV, CSTV, and ESPNU. If the NHL ever does return, I think I will cancel Centre Ice so I can keep the Sports Pack.

[Tekneek]

That drives me nuts. It's an ESPN station -- it has the namebrand. It's going to be successful. They're going to add it eventually, you know it, I know it, everyone knows it. But no, I guess they have to dick around for a period of time before they give in to the inevitable. In the meantime, I have to miss games. Ah well.

"Evaluating the programming" has always been code for 'we're waiting for customers to leave over it before we shell out the carriage fees.'

[wade moore]

I'm a bit dissapointed by this... I have Cox also, so I will not get ESPNU.... The William and Mary vs. ODU game of the CAA tournament will be on ESNU and I can't TiVO it (going to the game live)... but more importantly, I'm imagining the other games of the CAA tournament will be on ESPNU and I can't watch those from the comfort of my living room...

Maybe Hooters has it ;)

[HomerJSimpson]

Does comcast have plans to carry it? Can't find anything on it.

[Ksyrup]

Hrmm... I may have to do the same. I guess I will wait and see what games are on ESPNU as opposed to ESPN and ESPN2.
What they've done is change their packages and pricing, but it apparently doesn't effect you until you want to make a change. Well, they did up my package $2, but I can't get the Total Choice + HBO/Cinemax + Family Pack for $61.99 anymore, since the new deal would come out to $66.99 for the same thing. So I got TC Plus with locals and all of the Family Pack channels ($46), dropped HBO/Cinemax (which we never watch anyway), and added Sports Pack for $12. And, since I have a satellite with only one LMB (?), they're coming out on Monday and replacing my old satellite with a new one that has 3 LMBs (???) for no cost so that I can actually get the local channels, which are on a different satellite than I am currently linked to.

Sounds fine to me.

[sooner333]

Well, Cox may not grab it no matter what...they had a spat with ESPN over their fees last time they negotiated their contract. They almost told ESPN no thanks and threatened to not carry the network. I think they realized that people such as my dad would go to DirecTV. However, basically they've picked up nothing ESPN since...so no ESPN2 HD.

[Tekneek]

And, since I have a satellite with only one LMB (?), they're coming out on Monday and replacing my old satellite with a new one that has 3 LMBs (???) for no cost so that I can actually get the local channels, which are on a different satellite than I am currently linked to.

LNB = low-noise blocker

More than likely they are sending you a Phase III dish, which can then see all 3 of their current satellites.

[digamma]

There was speculation for a while that ESPN might be interested in acquiring the College Sports Network, which, if I'm not mistaken, was started by the same guys who started the Classic Sports Network. I guess they've opted to be a competitor instead.

I'll be a viewer. So, CBS ends up being the acquiror of CSTV.

http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=ap-cstv&prov=ap&type=lgns




<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr><td class="yspsctnhdln">CBS to buy college sports network CSTV</td> </tr> <tr> <td height="7"><spacer type="block" height="1" width="1"></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> By SETH SUTEL, AP Business Writer
November 3, 2005 NEW YORK (AP) -- CBS, which is about to split away from the Viacom Inc. media conglomerate, has already made its first acquisition deal, agreeing to pay $325 million for a two-year-old college sports network called CSTV Networks Inc.

CBS plans to pay for the company, which was founded by sports programming entrepreneur Brian Bedol, with stock in CBS Corp., one of the two companies to be created by the end of the year when Viacom splits itself up.

Bedol was also a co-founder of The Classic Sports Network, a cable channel that became popular with non-game sports programming such as documentaries and nostalgia shows. That channel was sold in 1997 to Walt Disney Co.'s ESPN and is now known as ESPN Classic.

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<embed src="http://us.a1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/a/ya/yahoo_overture/piggybank1_300x250_100505.swf?clickTAG=javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:LRECopenWindow%281%29" loop="false" wmode="opaque" quality="high" swliveconnect="FALSE" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash" height="250" width="300"></object> <noscript>http://us.a1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/a/ya/yahoo_overture/piggybank1_300x250_100505.gif (http://us.ard.yahoo.com/SIG=12h0c67so/M=355005.7130705.8199906.1414694/D=sports/S=95861170:LREC/Y=YAHOO/EXP=1131138212/A=3064286/R=2/id=noscript/SIG=13edo4ra4/*http://searchmarketing.yahoo.com/arp/srch.php?o=US1672&cmp=Yahoo_banners&ctv=pb1_300x250&s=Y&s2=NO&s3=B&b=50)</noscript> </td></tr></tbody></table><script type="text/javascript"> if (window.yzq_a == null) document.write("<scr\\" + \\"ipt type=text/javascript src=""http://us.js2.yimg.com/us.js.yimg.com/lib/bc/bc_1.7.2.js></scr" + "ipt>"); </script><script type="text/javascript"> if (window.yzq_a) { yzq_a('p', 'P=0UVkvELaR9GD0Y7IQWqqJwD_BCYo_kNrsIQAAM0o&T=13rethrjj%2fX%3d1131131012%2fE%3d95861170%2fR%3dsports%2fK%3d5%2fV%3d1.1%2fW%3d8%2fY%3dYAHOO%2fF%3d3531020502%2fS%3d1%2fJ%3d084ADA42'); yzq_a('a', '&U=139senfh4%2fN%3dvCZ2DkLaRYc-%2fC%3d355005.7130705.8199906.1414694%2fD%3dLREC%2fB%3d3064286'); } </script><noscript>http://bc.us.yahoo.com/b?P=0UVkvELaR9GD0Y7IQWqqJwD_BCYo_kNrsIQAAM0o&T=14006a5i8%2fX%3d1131131012%2fE%3d95861170%2fR%3dsports%2fK%3d5%2fV%3d2.1%2fW%3d8%2fY%3dYAHOO%2fF%3d2099096784%2fQ%3d-1%2fS%3d1%2fJ%3d084ADA42&U=139senfh4%2fN%3dvCZ2DkLaRYc-%2fC%3d355005.7130705.8199906.1414694%2fD%3dLREC%2fB%3d3064286</noscript> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> Under the deal announced Wednesday, Bedol will continue to operate CSTV and report to Leslie Moonves, who will run CBS following its breakup from Viacom.

CSTV was founded in 2003 and currently has 15 million subscribers, offering a variety of sports such as tennis to lacrosse that might not otherwise get big programming deals. Bedol, in an interview, likened college sports to ``a year-round Olympics.''

The deal also includes a network of more than 250 official college sports Web sites that are operated for their respective schools by CSTV, as well as CSTV's own Web site, www.CSTV.com (http://www.CSTV.com).

Unlike the Classic Sports Network, which was folded into ESPN's existing group of sports channels, CSTV retain its unique blend of college sports programming even after it becomes part of the giant CBS organization, Bedol said.

Bedol said he planned to stay on at CSTV and continue to build the company, taking advantage of the added heft and resources now at his disposal as part of CBS, already a major sports broadcaster.

``This was not born of the idea of building something and later selling it,'' Bedol said. ``It was recognizing that the college sports category had been underserved.''

Bedol and Moonves said their talks about the deal began over a round of golf in Sun Valley, Idaho, at an annual retreat for investors and media executives sponsored by the well-connected investment banking firm Allen & Co.

Viacom expects its breakup plan to be completed by the end of the year, pending regulatory approvals. Assuming it does, the newly created CBS Corp. will own the TV network, a major radio broadcaster, a group of TV stations and other properties. The new Viacom Inc. will own MTV and a stable of other cable networks as well as the Paramount movie studio.