The same applies to all cable delivered content.
Perkins TD! : 9:44 am : link : reply
Politics has nothing to do with it. Technology is creating lower cost options. This is no different than people dropping land lines for cell phones or overnight shipping for email.
If you look at ESPN's viewership, it has been in decline for the past few years, and is timed closely to the Roku, FireStick, AppleTV, etc all that made cord cutting possible. This also correlates to decline for HBO, Showtime and other cable outlets.
Cord cutting is the main reason. As UConn points out, it probably isn't the only reason - but it is the core reason.
I think it is a huge reach to mention these side issues Â
How many posters on this site 40+ years old have cut ESPN?
And why did you?
I think the numbers would be shockingly low.
ESPN sucks
Bundling sucks
Content is virtually freee whether it is a book, video, college course, movie, or live TV.
I'm very non tech-savvy for my age group and the cost benefit to owning a TV (let alone paying for content) in the future at this point makes little sense. I can view everything through my phone or tablet.
I would really like to know how all the posters talking about this PC bullshit and stuff they hate on ESPN know what ESPN puts on tv... Aren't you among the subscribers they are losing?
but there is just so much content and so many vehicles for leisure nowadays that less people watch sports. Many of my friends would rather play a video game than watch a secondary-interest sport on TV. Maybe they have a favorite team or sport, but it's not that they'd watch, say, non-playoff basketball just because it's on.
RE: I think it is a huge reach to mention these side issues Â
How many posters on this site 40+ years old have cut ESPN?
And why did you?
I think the numbers would be shockingly low.
ESPN sucks
Bundling sucks
Content is virtually freee whether it is a book, video, college course, movie, or live TV.
I'm very non tech-savvy for my age group and the cost benefit to owning a TV (let alone paying for content) in the future at this point makes little sense. I can view everything through my phone or tablet.
I would really like to know how all the posters talking about this PC bullshit and stuff they hate on ESPN know what ESPN puts on tv... Aren't you among the subscribers they are losing?
Much of the worst stuff finds its way to the internet in short clips, like SAS or Bayless' idiocy-fests. I never watch ESPN (I cut the cord), but I still know what's going on.
It occurs to me that there is also a different sports sensibility... Â
among some millenials that might have something to do with fantasy sports. My son and my nephew watch games with their laptops so that they can keep track of stats for their fantasy leagues. That seems to be their primary interest in sports, rather than the actual event. ESPN is definitely not their source of choice for sports information because it doesn't offer the info they're looking for. Not sure if this is much of a factor, but I think it may be somewhat significant in understanding why ESPN is lagging.
I've changed my football viewing habits and sports viewing habits in the past few years.
Where I used to sit glued to the TV watching whatever sport it was, now I'm watching with my laptop on either doing work, emailing or on Sundays when the Giants aren't playing, I'm checking fantasy scores and watching the Red Zone. I very rarely put it on one game and keep it there. When the Rangers are on, I'm usually doing work while having the game on. I haven't cut the cord, but my multi-tasking and attention is usually in high gear.
I cut my cable back to lower the cost and pay for what I was actually watching. ESPN is one of the many channels not included in my current package. Thus, they lost me as a viewer.
Thanks for the reminder about Australian Rules Football Â
Sports networks are the most expensive channels on cable due to the rights fees they have to pay to leagues or teams to show the games. ESPN is the most expensive at around $7 per household.
The sports networks: ESPN, NFL, locals like YES and MSG -- have been able to use the demands of fans to force cable systems to broadcast their networks to every household as part of their basic package. So every household they serve has to pay for the channel.
The problem is this; While sports fans by definition are fanatical about sports, they are not the majority of the population. They are getting their sports payed for on the backs of people who don't care. Those people now have the option of something else: various internet services and over the air broadcasts. That's knocked the chair out from under the sports networks.
believes or is saying that its the main factor, he's simply saying its part of the problem. Its one of the many problems with mainstream sports and its coverage.
and ABC were being boycotted due to the "political revolution", it should not be limited to sports, yet ABC's primetime shows are still doing well, especially ones like Modern Family, Blackish and Goldberg's.
Unless political enthusiasts somehow hold ESPN solely responsible.
haven't watched SportsCenter in years, or any other similar program on any network. I tune in for the game, and tune out as soon as its over. My guess is many people do the same. During halftime of Giants games, I put the TV on mute, and get up to walk around, get something to eat, go to the bathroom, etc.
haven't watched SportsCenter in years, or any other similar program on any network. I tune in for the game, and tune out as soon as its over. My guess is many people do the same. During halftime of Giants games, I put the TV on mute, and get up to walk around, get something to eat, go to the bathroom, etc.
But again: the bigger problem is the people who don't even care about watching the game. For years they've had to pay for it so you can watch. They now have options and don't have to subsidize you.
Speaking for myself, I watch much less ESPN than I used to... Â
- Getting older, more responsibilities, less free time
- Most programming (outside of the occasional 30 for 30) sucks
- Too many loudmouth, look at me personalities instead of sober analysts
- Too much left-wing politics (the celebration of Bruce Jenner and Colin Kaepernick, the absolutely insufferable Jemele Hill and other quasi political commentators whose views all seem to go in one direction)
haven't watched SportsCenter in years, or any other similar program on any network. I tune in for the game, and tune out as soon as its over. My guess is many people do the same. During halftime of Giants games, I put the TV on mute, and get up to walk around, get something to eat, go to the bathroom, etc.
But again: the bigger problem is the people who don't even care about watching the game. For years they've had to pay for it so you can watch. They now have options and don't have to subsidize you.
Agreed. As I said, FiOS now allows subscribers to have cable packages with no sports channels. Forcing everyone to pay for sports seems to be dwindling.
ESPN should be making huge investments in changing the way we watch Â
sports. They have stubbornly clung to the linear cable model.
Where is ESPN-VR? AR? Where are the digital platforms? Where is the new content? Who in Bristol is thinking about the next big idea in consuming sports media?
ESPN is dead on its feet, it just doesn't know it yet.
I have yet to hear one person (other than Eric from BBI) Â
Attribute the decline to politics. I don't follow the Alt Right stuff but I'm guessing that's their theory.
I'm sure some of their views alienated more than a few people.
It's just that I don't think it's a deliberate political movement, rather, an attempt to bring in or create interest in different viewer bases.
Most of these large multinational corporations couldn't give a hairy shit about politics, they're just interested in money, and they'll say or do anything that they think will maximize profits. That's what they're there for.
Disagree completely on Disney's political agenda Â
That is flat wrong. Everyone still visits Disney and they have jacked the prices at at that place.
It's the worst family vacation I have ever had but what can I say? The people love Disney. And you meet people from all over America there so I don't believe for one minute that Disney's 'political agenda' is hurting it. Disney is swimming in money.
is clearly an alt-right sympathizer even if he'd never admit it and it's a bit sad to see. looking forward to seeing more 8th grade-level conspiracy theory from you eric! you a big mike cernovich fan? LMAO
doesn't seem to jibe with things. Wouldn't it also be a reaction that would hurt NBC, CBS and CNN if we are looking to hold networks responsible for coverage of politics?
Seems to me that political reasons would be a tertiary or even lesser factor in people not watching ESPN.
But then again, I don't really look at things as a Political Revolution happening. what I saw was a rejection of one candidate in favor of another one, albeit in a contentious manner.
RE: ESPN should be making huge investments in changing the way we watch Â
sports. They have stubbornly clung to the linear cable model.
Where is ESPN-VR? AR? Where are the digital platforms? Where is the new content? Who in Bristol is thinking about the next big idea in consuming sports media?
ESPN is dead on its feet, it just doesn't know it yet.
Why would ESPN develop their own virtual or augmented reality platform instead of attaching their content to someone else's application after it reaches viability. Also, ESPN has had a digital platform for several years now.
The original hosts were mostly straight forward and solid. They did not try to be funny or hip. The ones that were funny kept it in check and made it work.
Today's hosts all try to be funny and hip. It is forced and boring since most of them are not true "personalities."
Made worse by them going overboard on diversity hiring at the expense of simply hiring good people.
Add the constant cross-promotions where we are lucky enough to hear actors or rappers add nothing - while the hosts seem eager to get their autograph when it ends so they can brag about meeting a star like Wale - and ESPN is hard to watch (other than the Top Ten plays that include 2 half court shots, a couple of home clips from friends of the staff, etc - ugh).
I don't think Eric
UConn4523 : 9:29 am : link
believes or is saying that its the main factor
To be honest I'm taken aback about a lot of the shit that the Erics in the world believe.
I haven't paid enough attention so I have no idea what his beliefs are. I'm guessing asking what they are would result in a bannable reply, but I am genuinely curious.
Because people are tired of paying $150+/mo to watch TV. As alternatives sprung up like Netflix and Hulu...people cut the cable cord. Some of those make it back into the fold using slingtv or playstation Vue...but most simply don't bother.
ESPN is in decline because people are changing how they pay and view TV. Economics is the main problem. Cable TV simply got too expensive.
I don't think Eric
UConn4523 : 9:29 am : link
believes or is saying that its the main factor
To be honest I'm taken aback about a lot of the shit that the Erics in the world believe.
It's horrifying.
From the "Welcome to the Corner Forum" sticky:
Most importantly, don't make things personal. If someone disagrees with you, be the bigger person. Don't launch into personal attacks and don't respond to personal attacks. This is one of the easiest ways to get into trouble around here.
Disney's WABC is sure a bastion of left-wingism (Savage, Mark Levin, formerly Hannity & Rush).
You're seeing what you want to see, and it's wrong. Wildly so. They're $150 Billion public company. They care above all about profit, period. (Or perhaps they bought Lucas Film to protest Wookiee bias...)
Just as ESPN - like much of traditional TV - is facing the harsh consequences of the Netflix et al era. Period.
Just an absurd thing to attach to your petty soapbox. Unreal.
...is evident in some of the posts on here. Socio-political reasons? Boycotting Disney? Just because there is absolutely no evidence to support this nonsense doesn't stop people from believing, because they choose not to confront/engage with any information outside of their bubble. But enough about that...evolution exists in all facets of life, including media conglomerates. ESPN has evolved into something many find unwatchable, and therefore people are choosing to not watch it. It seems likely if a la carte cable packaging was more common these numbers would be shocking as to how few actually want ESPN (and honestly many cable channels). I believe we are supposed to leave politics out of our BBI lives, yet thinly disguised posts from the site operator are apparently OK...good to know.
"As it turns out, ESPN is far from immune from the political fever that has afflicted so much of the country over the past year. Internally, there’s a feeling among many staffers -- both liberal and conservative -- that the company’s perceived move leftward has had a stifling effect on discourse inside the company and has affected its public-facing products. Consumers have sensed that same leftward movement, alienating some."
"Many ESPN employees I talked to -- including liberals and conservatives, most of whom preferred to speak on background -- worry that the company’s politics have become a little too obvious, empowering those who feel as if they’re in line with the company’s position and driving underground those who don’t.
“If you’re a Republican or conservative, you feel the need to talk in whispers,” one conservative ESPN employee said. “There’s even a fear of putting Fox News on a TV [in the office].”
"104 individual political contributions from ESPN employees to identifiable partisan entities. Of those, 80 percent went to Democratic candidates, committees or PACs. Only 20 percent went to Republican candidates, committees or PACs." Inside and out, ESPN dealing with changing political dynamics - ( New Window )
nobody really gives a shit what witty eleven seconds of crap Shia LeBoeuf is going to say about an NBA game in order to pitch his latest piece of shit movie, but agglomeration and the fetish for cross-promotion say otherwise.
As to the politics, people who want to be assailed with politics when they tune in for entertainment and think that other people feel likewise, or should be made to feel likewise, are the ones living in a bubble, no matter what the site operator's perspective is on a given candidate or issue.
Do you know how to follow a link?? Thats directly from an editor at espn. Right from the horses mouth that the company internally and externally is perceived as left wing and it has "alienated" some viewers due to their politically leaning.
ESPN may be liberal as far as politics and whatnot Â
But Disney is all about profits as posters have said.
I wish people would boycott Disney since it is a nefarious company the way they treat workers and how much they have raised prices. But there's no evidence of this at all. Make no mistake about it, that mouse is evil. Lol.
The fact is consumers have a greater choice of activities than ever before. That siphons off people who used to do the same things. There's less commonality in our population than ever before. And the NFL and ESPN used to be those things.
I know people who are solely into esports and not sports. That seems insane to me but it's a sign of the times. I can't name one esports personality but this is a huge deal in this day and age.
Here's ESPN head John Skipper's comment from that article. Â
You decide whether this is 'political' or not. I say it's just typical corporate mumbo jumbo.
“It is accurate that the Walt Disney Company and ESPN are committed to diversity and inclusion,” Skipper said. “These are long-standing values that drive fundamental fairness while providing us with the widest possible pool of talent to create the smartest and most creative staff. We do not view this as a political stance but as a human stance. We do not think tolerance is the domain of a particular political philosophy.”
People under 30 do not put a priority on bundles Â
The younger viewers with purchasing power do not think having a TV package ($100 to $300 per month) or a landline as critical. People Stream what they specifically want and gather socially for major events. My sons and their contemporaries barely watch sports on TV (Won't invest the hours per game unless they are actually there). Their isn't value for time spent. The future of networks have to involve internet access/ phone access otherwise they will not be pertinent for the next generation of viewers. The counter to this is when that generation (currently adults under 30) get older they may be a desire to have access to bundles, if technological advances haven't killed it already.
This is also applicable to news networks and programming. Young people are downloading content linked to blogs, etc. MSNBC, CNBC, Fox, ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN are for people brought up before the advent of the internet. Young adults can't sit through that crap, they have 'stuff to do.
with the rise over the last 10 years of DVRs, high cost of monopolistic cable subscriptions, streaming services, watch atf with no commercials for relatively low cost - there is no surprise that live sports is suffering a setback, and the 24/7 coverage of, and the insufferable meta coverage of the coverage that goes along with it, it deserves some time on the bottom so they can find themselves. Why should ANYONE tune in to ESPN today. Think about it.
Perkins TD! : 9:44 am : link : reply
Politics has nothing to do with it. Technology is creating lower cost options. This is no different than people dropping land lines for cell phones or overnight shipping for email.
If you look at ESPN's viewership, it has been in decline for the past few years, and is timed closely to the Roku, FireStick, AppleTV, etc all that made cord cutting possible. This also correlates to decline for HBO, Showtime and other cable outlets.
Cord cutting is the main reason. As UConn points out, it probably isn't the only reason - but it is the core reason.
And why did you?
I think the numbers would be shockingly low.
ESPN sucks
Bundling sucks
Content is virtually freee whether it is a book, video, college course, movie, or live TV.
I'm very non tech-savvy for my age group and the cost benefit to owning a TV (let alone paying for content) in the future at this point makes little sense. I can view everything through my phone or tablet.
I would really like to know how all the posters talking about this PC bullshit and stuff they hate on ESPN know what ESPN puts on tv... Aren't you among the subscribers they are losing?
And why did you?
I think the numbers would be shockingly low.
ESPN sucks
Bundling sucks
Content is virtually freee whether it is a book, video, college course, movie, or live TV.
I'm very non tech-savvy for my age group and the cost benefit to owning a TV (let alone paying for content) in the future at this point makes little sense. I can view everything through my phone or tablet.
I would really like to know how all the posters talking about this PC bullshit and stuff they hate on ESPN know what ESPN puts on tv... Aren't you among the subscribers they are losing?
Much of the worst stuff finds its way to the internet in short clips, like SAS or Bayless' idiocy-fests. I never watch ESPN (I cut the cord), but I still know what's going on.
Where I used to sit glued to the TV watching whatever sport it was, now I'm watching with my laptop on either doing work, emailing or on Sundays when the Giants aren't playing, I'm checking fantasy scores and watching the Red Zone. I very rarely put it on one game and keep it there. When the Rangers are on, I'm usually doing work while having the game on. I haven't cut the cord, but my multi-tasking and attention is usually in high gear.
C'mon share, we are a community!!!!! LOL
I cut my cable back to lower the cost and pay for what I was actually watching. ESPN is one of the many channels not included in my current package. Thus, they lost me as a viewer.
Ha, mine too. I still do that at the bowling alley whenever someone throws the ball in the middle of a split.
The sports networks: ESPN, NFL, locals like YES and MSG -- have been able to use the demands of fans to force cable systems to broadcast their networks to every household as part of their basic package. So every household they serve has to pay for the channel.
The problem is this; While sports fans by definition are fanatical about sports, they are not the majority of the population. They are getting their sports payed for on the backs of people who don't care. Those people now have the option of something else: various internet services and over the air broadcasts. That's knocked the chair out from under the sports networks.
This.
Unless political enthusiasts somehow hold ESPN solely responsible.
But again: the bigger problem is the people who don't even care about watching the game. For years they've had to pay for it so you can watch. They now have options and don't have to subsidize you.
- Getting older, more responsibilities, less free time
- Most programming (outside of the occasional 30 for 30) sucks
- Too many loudmouth, look at me personalities instead of sober analysts
- Too much left-wing politics (the celebration of Bruce Jenner and Colin Kaepernick, the absolutely insufferable Jemele Hill and other quasi political commentators whose views all seem to go in one direction)
Quote:
haven't watched SportsCenter in years, or any other similar program on any network. I tune in for the game, and tune out as soon as its over. My guess is many people do the same. During halftime of Giants games, I put the TV on mute, and get up to walk around, get something to eat, go to the bathroom, etc.
But again: the bigger problem is the people who don't even care about watching the game. For years they've had to pay for it so you can watch. They now have options and don't have to subsidize you.
Agreed. As I said, FiOS now allows subscribers to have cable packages with no sports channels. Forcing everyone to pay for sports seems to be dwindling.
Where is ESPN-VR? AR? Where are the digital platforms? Where is the new content? Who in Bristol is thinking about the next big idea in consuming sports media?
ESPN is dead on its feet, it just doesn't know it yet.
Is that Johnny Perkins TD? :-)
Look 4 posts above!
Again, for me it's not politics, but it's just bad business to alienate many possible consumers of your product.
I'm sure some of their views alienated more than a few people.
It's just that I don't think it's a deliberate political movement, rather, an attempt to bring in or create interest in different viewer bases.
Most of these large multinational corporations couldn't give a hairy shit about politics, they're just interested in money, and they'll say or do anything that they think will maximize profits. That's what they're there for.
It's the worst family vacation I have ever had but what can I say? The people love Disney. And you meet people from all over America there so I don't believe for one minute that Disney's 'political agenda' is hurting it. Disney is swimming in money.
Seems to me that political reasons would be a tertiary or even lesser factor in people not watching ESPN.
But then again, I don't really look at things as a Political Revolution happening. what I saw was a rejection of one candidate in favor of another one, albeit in a contentious manner.
Where is ESPN-VR? AR? Where are the digital platforms? Where is the new content? Who in Bristol is thinking about the next big idea in consuming sports media?
ESPN is dead on its feet, it just doesn't know it yet.
Why would ESPN develop their own virtual or augmented reality platform instead of attaching their content to someone else's application after it reaches viability. Also, ESPN has had a digital platform for several years now.
I despise ESPN programming but I love MNF, college sports, etc. I don't care who owns them.
UConn4523 : 9:29 am : link
believes or is saying that its the main factor
To be honest I'm taken aback about a lot of the shit that the Erics in the world believe.
Today's hosts all try to be funny and hip. It is forced and boring since most of them are not true "personalities."
Made worse by them going overboard on diversity hiring at the expense of simply hiring good people.
Add the constant cross-promotions where we are lucky enough to hear actors or rappers add nothing - while the hosts seem eager to get their autograph when it ends so they can brag about meeting a star like Wale - and ESPN is hard to watch (other than the Top Ten plays that include 2 half court shots, a couple of home clips from friends of the staff, etc - ugh).
Yes - I have become my father.
Quote:
I don't think Eric
UConn4523 : 9:29 am : link
believes or is saying that its the main factor
To be honest I'm taken aback about a lot of the shit that the Erics in the world believe.
It's horrifying.
Quote:
I don't think Eric
UConn4523 : 9:29 am : link
believes or is saying that its the main factor
To be honest I'm taken aback about a lot of the shit that the Erics in the world believe.
I haven't paid enough attention so I have no idea what his beliefs are. I'm guessing asking what they are would result in a bannable reply, but I am genuinely curious.
ESPN is in decline because people are changing how they pay and view TV. Economics is the main problem. Cable TV simply got too expensive.
All the other excuses are just noise.
Quote:
Quote:
I don't think Eric
UConn4523 : 9:29 am : link
believes or is saying that its the main factor
To be honest I'm taken aback about a lot of the shit that the Erics in the world believe.
It's horrifying.
Like MAGA, drop ESPN?
Quote:
Quote:
I don't think Eric
UConn4523 : 9:29 am : link
believes or is saying that its the main factor
To be honest I'm taken aback about a lot of the shit that the Erics in the world believe.
It's horrifying.
From the "Welcome to the Corner Forum" sticky:
Most importantly, don't make things personal. If someone disagrees with you, be the bigger person. Don't launch into personal attacks and don't respond to personal attacks. This is one of the easiest ways to get into trouble around here.
Disney's WABC is sure a bastion of left-wingism (Savage, Mark Levin, formerly Hannity & Rush).
You're seeing what you want to see, and it's wrong. Wildly so. They're $150 Billion public company. They care above all about profit, period. (Or perhaps they bought Lucas Film to protest Wookiee bias...)
Just as ESPN - like much of traditional TV - is facing the harsh consequences of the Netflix et al era. Period.
Just an absurd thing to attach to your petty soapbox. Unreal.
"Many ESPN employees I talked to -- including liberals and conservatives, most of whom preferred to speak on background -- worry that the company’s politics have become a little too obvious, empowering those who feel as if they’re in line with the company’s position and driving underground those who don’t.
“If you’re a Republican or conservative, you feel the need to talk in whispers,” one conservative ESPN employee said. “There’s even a fear of putting Fox News on a TV [in the office].”
"104 individual political contributions from ESPN employees to identifiable partisan entities. Of those, 80 percent went to Democratic candidates, committees or PACs. Only 20 percent went to Republican candidates, committees or PACs."
Inside and out, ESPN dealing with changing political dynamics - ( New Window )
As to the politics, people who want to be assailed with politics when they tune in for entertainment and think that other people feel likewise, or should be made to feel likewise, are the ones living in a bubble, no matter what the site operator's perspective is on a given candidate or issue.
Alt-right or are they more like the new mainstream? The new alt right will be the Westboro Baptist weekly.
Apparently some want a revolution, what they willl get is more of the same.
It's the god damn Disney PC illuminati George Soros cabal we gotta stop.
Do you know how to follow a link?? Thats directly from an editor at espn. Right from the horses mouth that the company internally and externally is perceived as left wing and it has "alienated" some viewers due to their politically leaning.
I wish people would boycott Disney since it is a nefarious company the way they treat workers and how much they have raised prices. But there's no evidence of this at all. Make no mistake about it, that mouse is evil. Lol.
Most businesses are in the business of growing or getting revenue, where does ESPNs revenue come from? Rural Montana?
The fact is consumers have a greater choice of activities than ever before. That siphons off people who used to do the same things. There's less commonality in our population than ever before. And the NFL and ESPN used to be those things.
I know people who are solely into esports and not sports. That seems insane to me but it's a sign of the times. I can't name one esports personality but this is a huge deal in this day and age.
“It is accurate that the Walt Disney Company and ESPN are committed to diversity and inclusion,” Skipper said. “These are long-standing values that drive fundamental fairness while providing us with the widest possible pool of talent to create the smartest and most creative staff. We do not view this as a political stance but as a human stance. We do not think tolerance is the domain of a particular political philosophy.”
This is also applicable to news networks and programming. Young people are downloading content linked to blogs, etc. MSNBC, CNBC, Fox, ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN are for people brought up before the advent of the internet. Young adults can't sit through that crap, they have 'stuff to do.
with the rise over the last 10 years of DVRs, high cost of monopolistic cable subscriptions, streaming services, watch atf with no commercials for relatively low cost - there is no surprise that live sports is suffering a setback, and the 24/7 coverage of, and the insufferable meta coverage of the coverage that goes along with it, it deserves some time on the bottom so they can find themselves. Why should ANYONE tune in to ESPN today. Think about it.