When ESPN, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery announced a joint venture to launch a sports streaming service, the predictable jokes ensued. It's called a cable. ”
I was one of those jokesters, and I don't think anyone will be writing late night talk show scripts any time soon. But behind the sarcastic words there is truth.
Let's back up first. On February 6th, three broadcasters who have been competing for sports rights for years made a surprising announcement. Details such as name and price are unknown, but the service is scheduled to start this fall. The list of included channels is detailed: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC, ACC, ESPNEWS, ABC, Fox, FS1, FS2, BTN, TNT, TBS, truTV. ESPN+ is also included.
But being thorough is not the same as being complete. What's missing from this new bundle is CBS and NBC, which have a pretty good menu of sports programming. This means that the “avid sports fan” for whom the service is targeted in the announcement will not be able to access his NFL games on these two networks. That's two-thirds of Sundays in the NFL. CBS' coverage of the NCAA Tournament is also missing.
League Network is also not included, and many games are distributed, some exclusively. You also won't find any local sports networks.
Do you know where I can get it all? Cable.
But the service isn't aimed at cable TV sports fans. It's aimed at sports fans who have never had cable TV or who have given up on cable TV. If you fall into either category, does an imperfect package sound appealing? Now, to rebuild what you already have through the likes of Hulu and YouTube, streaming services from Paramount+ and Peacock, CBS and NBC must be added. Don't forget your RSNs.
YouTube TV, the live TV streamer of choice for sports fans, costs $72.99 per month. Industry insiders expect the new service to cost between $40 and $50 per month. However, adding Paramount+ and Peacock increases the cost by $12, and RSNs can cost an additional $20. On the low end, you pay about the same as YouTube TV and get less.
(In the Chicago market, Marquee Sports Network is not included on YouTube TV, but is available on DirecTV Stream and Fubo. NBC Sports Chicago is available on all three, as is Hulu + Live TV.)
This cost would be a significant savings for cable subscribers who are overburdened with monthly fees for broadcast TV and regional sports that exceed $100 (currently $45 for Xfinity). But cable offers some ease of use that streaming doesn't, like channel surfing. Moving from one streamer to another, or even within the same streamer, can take time.
ESPN, FOX and WBD are already under pressure, but are continuing to move forward. The Department of Justice announced it would investigate the services upon completion of the deal, according to Bloomberg Law. Fubo sued the companies to stop them from creating the service, saying it would hurt competition. And the NFL resented the service after being left out of the picture by the triumvirate.
Further complicating matters, ESPN also plans to launch a direct-to-consumer service next year. First of all, does partnering with Fox and WBD devalue the product? Or will they offer even more service to customers who bought DTC and avoided the new service? ESPN, Fox, and WBD each launched a joint venture to recoup the money they're losing to cable bundle declines. He will own one-third of the venture.
If this is a company's effort to make watching sports more convenient, it's incomplete. Sure, more sports will be available on his one streaming service than ever before, but there will still be a lot of sports missing. We've gone from being a one-stop shop for cable to a combination of your favorite shows. That's the price we've been paying for years of having sports viewing subsidized by non-sports fans.
Perhaps this three-way deal is a step towards a one-stop streaming shop for sports. There may never be such a store in the future. That's all we know. ESPN, Fox, and WBD networks are already available elsewhere with significantly less hassle. For such a huge announcement, there's nothing to see here.
remote patrol
- Thanks to ESPN, tip-off for Friday night's Bucks-Bulls game is scheduled for the ridiculous time of 9:05 p.m. This is the third consecutive season that Bulls fans will be exposed to the local start time normally reserved for West Coast games. mark jones,Analyst Stephanie White and reporter katie george There is a national call. NBC Sports Chicago will also broadcast the game.
- Illinois football radio analyst Martin O'Donnell After nine years at Booth, he resigned. As his younger children became more involved in activities, O'Donnell's schedule no longer aligned with college football season. The University of Illinois hopes to name a replacement by the April 20 spring game, which is not a difficult deadline.
- The IHSA girls basketball state finals will be broadcast live from Normal on Saturday on The U (channels 26.2 and 48.1). Tip-off times are 11 a.m. for Class 1A, 1 p.m. for 2A, 5:30 for 3A, and 7:30 for 4A.
