The ACC is exploring the formation of an ACC Network.

Link: www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Jo...lleges/ACC.aspx

Some excerpts from the article:

"ESPN would represent a major voice in any channel launch and it is believed to be lukewarm on forming one, according to sources close to the discussions. ESPN currently has a contract to pay the ACC $3.6 billion over 15 years — averaging $240 million a year — for the conference’s media rights. It then sublicenses a syndication package to Raycom Sports, which, in turn, sublicenses some rights to Fox Sports Net."

My comment: To that I say to heck with ESPN.

"Another reason for ESPN’s reluctance to move forward is that it is preparing to launch an SEC channel in August 2014, sources said, which would make it difficult to launch an ACC channel in many of those same markets, like Florida, Georgia and South Carolina where the SEC and ACC footprints overlap."

My comment: Repeat above sentiment.

"Plus, ESPN’s experience with branded college channels has been difficult in Texas, where it has had problems getting significant distribution for Longhorn Network."

My comment: A network for one university is going to be more difficult to get traction on than a network for an entire conference. If an ACC Network is available, I think most people would find it surprising how many people would subscribe (dependant on cost and whether it was packaged with other premium options).

"The outlier among the big five conferences is the Big 12. Commissioner Bob Bowlsby confirmed last week that the Big 12 will not be launching its own channel since all of the conference’s game inventory is tied up in deals with ESPN and Fox. Most of the 10 schools in the Big 12 have sold their third-tier TV games to Fox as part of separate deals, while Texas partnered with ESPN on the Longhorn Network."

My comment: Ha ha.

"Wasserman Media Group was brought on board to consult with the ACC’s athletic directors on future plans. Dean Jordan in WMG’s Raleigh, N.C., office will lead the agency’s relationship with the conference. He also consulted with the ACC when it renegotiated its TV contract with ESPN last year."

My comment: Given the lackluster TV contract, this worries me.

I don't believe you at all. Link or it isn't real.

it's quite simple to other folks, Notre Dame just joins and everything is magically fixed......but seriously yeah, ESPN is already working on the SEC network, the ACC network is uh, well not a primary concern to them.

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--- CharlotteTarHeel wrote:

The ACC is exploring the formation of an ACC Network.

Link: www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Jo...lleges/ACC.aspx

Some excerpts from the article:

"ESPN would represent a major voice in any channel launch and it is believed to be lukewarm on forming one, according to sources close to the discussions. ESPN currently has a contract to pay the ACC $3.6 billion over 15 years — averaging $240 million a year — for the conference’s media rights. It then sublicenses a syndication package to Raycom Sports, which, in turn, sublicenses some rights to Fox Sports Net."

My comment: To that I say to heck with ESPN.

"Another reason for ESPN’s reluctance to move forward is that it is preparing to launch an SEC channel in August 2014, sources said, which would make it difficult to launch an ACC channel in many of those same markets, like Florida, Georgia and South Carolina where the SEC and ACC footprints overlap."

My comment: Repeat above sentiment.

"Plus, ESPN’s experience with branded college channels has been difficult in Texas, where it has had problems getting significant distribution for Longhorn Network."

My comment: A network for one university is going to be more difficult to get traction on than a network for an entire conference. If an ACC Network is available, I think most people would find it surprising how many people would subscribe (dependant on cost and whether it was packaged with other premium options).

"The outlier among the big five conferences is the Big 12. Commissioner Bob Bowlsby confirmed last week that the Big 12 will not be launching its own channel since all of the conference’s game inventory is tied up in deals with ESPN and Fox. Most of the 10 schools in the Big 12 have sold their third-tier TV games to Fox as part of separate deals, while Texas partnered with ESPN on the Longhorn Network."

My comment: Ha ha.

"Wasserman Media Group was brought on board to consult with the ACC’s athletic directors on future plans. Dean Jordan in WMG’s Raleigh, N.C., office will lead the agency’s relationship with the conference. He also consulted with the ACC when it renegotiated its TV contract with ESPN last year."

My comment: Given the lackluster TV contract, this worries me.

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Huh? I included a link.

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--- skinnyb309 wrote:

I don't believe you at all. Link or it isn't real.

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mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=78&...&t=11174788

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--- CharlotteTarHeel wrote:

Huh? I included a link.

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--- skinnyb309 wrote:

I don't believe you at all. Link or it isn't real.

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Well I'd say that is proof positive that the Gboro Mafia is clueless when it comes to media distro.

They have absolutely no clue why Delany is minting his own coin and they never will so long as they keep Disney in the driver's seat.

The thing to watch is the Big 12. Should its approach start to payoff, the ACC will be in serious trouble.

It will be interesting to see what comes of this.... We would have gotten the inside track on the ND linebacker Hoax.

Think outside the box; piggyback on the PAC-12 network.

Reports are it has been less successful than envisioned. The basic formation of a network is in place, so that heavy lifting is finished. Add major markets up and down the East Coast and more than double the content. Leverage the two advantages the ACC has over any other major conference: East Coast Markets and a three hour difference in time zones. Weekly prime time on the PAC/ACC Network just expanded by three hours as did weekend time slots.

Because it is their network, gIve the PAC-12 an initial premium; add options on the back end to continue the alliance depending on where all these networks take us during the next few years.

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--- tdfon wrote:

Think outside the box; piggyback on the PAC-12 network.

Reports are it has been less successful than envisioned. The basic formation of a network is in place, so that heavy lifting is finished. Add major markets up and down the East Coast and more than double the content. Leverage the two advantages the ACC has over any other major conference: East Coast Markets and a three hour difference in time zones. Weekly prime time on the PAC/ACC Network just expanded by three hours as did weekend time slots.

Because it is their network, gIve the PAC-12 an initial premium; add options on the back end to continue the alliance depending on where all these networks take us during the next few years.

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hmmmmmm not a bad idea...

^Only one problem -- PAC-12 officials would NEVER even consider that at this point. The ACC had its chance to partner up with the PAC some years back and didn't make it happen. But now the PAC doesn't need the ACC or even U of Texas anymore. They're all fat and happy with what they've got.

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--- Soulbrothernumber1 wrote:

^Only one problem -- PAC-12 officials would NEVER even consider that at this point. The ACC had its chance to partner up with the PAC some years back and didn't make it happen. But now the PAC doesn't need the ACC or even U of Texas anymore. They're all fat and happy with what they've got.

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Fine bring Texas to the ACC and partner ACC / Longhorn.
Then get ND to go full member & good bye Big 12.

This is an easy fix.

Take it to NBC. They just launched NBCSN (what used to be Versus), and need programming to go with hockey and MLS. Bob Costas, Gus Johnson, and Dan Patrick here we come.

Related benefit? This makes Notre Dame's inclusion into the ACC that much easier; they're already negotiating with NBC about extending their deal. Swofford and Swarbrick get together, negotiate a deal that puts both the ACC and Notre Dame in a good spot, and when the time comes Notre Dame doesn't have to worry about their independence or getting in front of more people - their deal with NBC gets lumped in with the ACC's, and it's all gravy.

If NBC is willing to make the ACCN, give Notre Dame their extra considerations, and create a quality product that rivals what ESPN/Raycom can push out, then it's a no brainer.

Now, since Swofford's son works for Raycom, this will never happen…but it's interesting to think about.

Somebody's "sources" are wrong.

In this Sports Business Daily article, on January 14, it says that ESPN is preparing to launch an SEC channel in August 2014. However, two days later, on January 16, USA Today reports sources as saying that the new SEC Network will be a 100%, fully owned separate entity, with ESPN having no ownership interest at all.

In other words, according to USA Today, the SEC will be using the Pac 12 Network model where they take on ALL the risk, as opposed to the Big Ten Network model where there is NO risk.

The Big Ten's separate entity, the Big Ten Network, is a 49/51% Partnership with FOX where Fox owns 51% of the separate entity. The entity is backed by News Corp with a guaranteed annual increasing rights fee to each of the separate Universities in the Conference. In return for that annually increasing rights guarantee from News Corp, there is a 30/70% profit sharing split above the guarantee, with FOX getting the 70% and the Big Ten Conference getting the 30%. If there is no profit, or the Big Ten Network actually loses money, News Corp guarantees the annually increasing rights payout until 2032.

The Big Ten Network's revenue and profit has grown every year of its existence. In 2011, it had revenues of $242 million and showed a profit of $79.2 million.

This is just one of MANY reasons your administration prefers the Big Ten over the SEC if it ever came to that. The established Conference Network revenue backed by News Corp, along with an "unofficial" OPENING bid by FOX of between $25 and $30 million per Big Ten school for their 1st tier television rights which expire in 2017, is hard to pass up.

Remember, as opposed to everyone else, the Big Ten won't just be renegotiating their 1st tier contract rights with an existing Network. Their 1st tier rights with ESPN will actually expire all together. Those 1st tier rights will be thrown out onto the open market where there will be an all out bidding war.

Since FOX is an actual partner with the Big Ten through their association with the Big Ten Network, they have been working with Delany every step of the way. The Big 10 is in a unique (and extremely advantagous) financial situation because of their contract calendar, their close association with FOX, and the fact that they are the only Conference that has their own actual over the air Network that is actually turning increasing profits every year.


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--- buckeye4573 wrote:

it's quite simple to other folks, Notre Dame just joins and everything is magically fixed......but seriously yeah, ESPN is already working on the SEC network, the ACC network is uh, well not a primary concern to them.

---------------------------------------------
--- CharlotteTarHeel wrote:

The ACC is exploring the formation of an ACC Network.

Link: www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Jo...lleges/ACC.aspx

Some excerpts from the article:

"ESPN would represent a major voice in any channel launch and it is believed to be lukewarm on forming one, according to sources close to the discussions. ESPN currently has a contract to pay the ACC $3.6 billion over 15 years — averaging $240 million a year — for the conference’s media rights. It then sublicenses a syndication package to Raycom Sports, which, in turn, sublicenses some rights to Fox Sports Net."

My comment: To that I say to heck with ESPN.

"Another reason for ESPN’s reluctance to move forward is that it is preparing to launch an SEC channel in August 2014, sources said, which would make it difficult to launch an ACC channel in many of those same markets, like Florida, Georgia and South Carolina where the SEC and ACC footprints overlap."

My comment: Repeat above sentiment.

"Plus, ESPN’s experience with branded college channels has been difficult in Texas, where it has had problems getting significant distribution for Longhorn Network."

My comment: A network for one university is going to be more difficult to get traction on than a network for an entire conference. If an ACC Network is available, I think most people would find it surprising how many people would subscribe (dependant on cost and whether it was packaged with other premium options).

"The outlier among the big five conferences is the Big 12. Commissioner Bob Bowlsby confirmed last week that the Big 12 will not be launching its own channel since all of the conference’s game inventory is tied up in deals with ESPN and Fox. Most of the 10 schools in the Big 12 have sold their third-tier TV games to Fox as part of separate deals, while Texas partnered with ESPN on the Longhorn Network."

My comment: Ha ha.

"Wasserman Media Group was brought on board to consult with the ACC’s athletic directors on future plans. Dean Jordan in WMG’s Raleigh, N.C., office will lead the agency’s relationship with the conference. He also consulted with the ACC when it renegotiated its TV contract with ESPN last year."

My comment: Given the lackluster TV contract, this worries me.

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