Why Isn't MLS Cup in HD?

[Pathogen]

Why, in 2006, is the MLS Cup not in HD? Does the league not want to be taken seriously as a major sports entity in this country?

[joebloe888]

Why, in 2006, is the MLS Cup not in HD? Does the league not want to be taken seriously as a major sports entity in this country?

Because the NFL and NASCAR are using most (if not all) of the HD mobile production trucks available for rent in the U.S. on a Sunday in the Autumn.

Even with heavy promotion on ESPN during SportsCenter and PTI, an MLS Cup final is not expected to produce much more than a 1.0% TV rating (if at all), which is about 1/5 what NASCAR gets and less than 1/10 what the NFL gets.

[MasterShake29]

How in the world there aren't more HD production trucks in this day and age is beyond me.

But then again, how there are still NFL games not in HD is beyond me too.

[jammybastard]

How in the world there aren't more HD production trucks in this day and age is beyond me.

But then again, how there are still NFL games not in HD is beyond me too.

I'm working on building a new one right now!
I won't have it ready by tomorrow though.

[wcharriscpa]

Even with heavy promotion on ESPN during SportsCenter and PTI, an MLS Cup final is not expected to produce much more than a 1.0% TV rating (if at all), which is about 1/5 what NASCAR gets and less than 1/10 what the NFL gets.

Looks like that'll change for next season, eh? Every espn game in hd and all that...

[joebloe888]

Looks like that'll change for next season, eh? Every espn game in hd and all that...

I would NOT bet on significant TV ratings increase for MLS on ESPN2 and ABC in 2007 or 2008.

John Skipper reportedly wants to see MLS on ESPN2 go from an 0.2% ratings average in 2006 to 1.0% ratings average in 2014.

I just can't see that happening even with the "Beckham Rule" in place and with HD telecasts.

MLS will be a tough sell on TV, even on Thursday nights.

The effort required to get MLS on ESPN2 even to an 0.5% ratings average by 2014 will be Herculean.

[Pathogen]

This is the Cup final, though. Not a regular season game. It's bullshit that they don't broadcast it in HD. I'm not expecting any other game in HD except this one.

[kebzach]

This is the Cup final, though. Not a regular season game. It's bullshit that they don't broadcast it in HD. I'm not expecting any other game in HD except this one.

So basically, no amount of common sense reasoning is going to ever sink into your head?

[joebloe888]

This is the Cup final, though. Not a regular season game. It's bullshit that they don't broadcast it in HD. I'm not expecting any other game in HD except this one.

MLS Cup 2006 is the LAST GAME in SUM's 5-year time-buy/barter agreement with ESPN, Inc.

MLS and its subsidiary SUM did what it was supposed to do in 2001: to prop up MLS through a very rough patch after the 1998 World Cup, the 1999 Women's World Cup, and the launch of the WUSA in 2001, all of which took the media and marketing "mindshare" of pro soccer in the U.S. away from the men's game and from MLS.

One of the things that MLS/SUM did that was absolutely necessary was to cut operating costs. That meant cut-rate TV production.

Paying ESPN (and its outside contractors) moble HDTV production was obviously NOT an option during the 5-year period.

MLS didn't start getting attention again from media and marketing people until after the 2002 World Cup. By that time, WUSA was running on fumes and the media and marketing "mindshare" pendulum had swung back toward the men's game in the U.S.

--

The new TV deals are obviously different, as ESPN and HDNet are both paying rights fees and are paying their production costs.

Coupled with ESPN's new mandate to produce as many live events in HD as possible, and you can see why MLS will be on ESPN2 HD and ABC HD in 2007.

However, will HDTV significantly increase MLS TV ratings over time?

I am one of the skeptics who do NOT believe that Thursday night MLS on ESPN2 will ever draw 1 million households between now and 2014, even with the Beckham rule in place (Remember the "Luis Hernandez" effect? It lasted all of 1 game in LA. The "Freddy Adu" effect lasted a little longer than that, but it was over in about half a season.) Growing from 200,000 to 500,000 households will be difficult enough.

[mbar]

I would NOT bet on significant TV ratings increase for MLS on ESPN2 and ABC in 2007 or 2008.

John Skipper reportedly wants to see MLS on ESPN2 go from an 0.2% ratings average in 2006 to 1.0% ratings average in 2014.

I just can't see that happening even with the "Beckham Rule" in place and with HD telecasts.

MLS will be a tough sell on TV, even on Thursday nights.

The effort required to get MLS on ESPN2 even to an 0.5% ratings average by 2014 will be Herculean.

I'm very worried, especially because of how accurate all you MLS predictions for the last 12 years have been.

[geordienation]

I'm very worried, especially because of how accurate all you MLS predictions for the last 12 years have been.



Shhhhhhhhhhh.

Can you keep it down?

I'm trying to watch the NASCAR channel over here.

[Sachin]

Shhhhhhhhhhh.

Can you keep it down?

I'm trying to watch the NASCAR channel over here.
I'm busy rooting for the Liga Mexicana team in LA.

Sachin