ESPN in bad shape

[monster]

Originally posted by maxim-1
I agree that's exactly what they're doing, but disagree at the benifit. How many people actually say, "Man, I really like MTV now that they don't show any videos, it's so much better." I understand with 500 channel satellite or cable systems it's easy to get MTV2 as well, but that's just more cost for the average consumer, something they undoubtably have in mind as well. Where I disagree is that it's good for niche sports. Until ESPN comes out with ESPN6, airing all sorts of niche sports including soccer, and the Bill Simmons Intern Contest this type of thing is nothing but bad imo. That's not to say that I don't enjoy The Life, or some of their other EOE shows, but all it does is take away from covering sports. That kinda pisses me off. Especially with the major networks deciding that sports isn't a profitable enough venture, ala the NBA on NBC. You're going to see more major sports, as we've seen with the NBA crowd out niche sports in an already dilluted time schedual. That's not to say that ESPN could stand to lose bass fishing, cheerleading, and strongest man competitions from 1978, but I just don't think it bodes very well for the quality and viewership of their network.

In regards to the Eisen thing, I know that they didn't reneaw his contract, didn't knwo that he wanted to be part of some new show. But also know that he just got married and I believe that had somethign to do with his or their decision.

What makes thigs even more muddled is that ESPN has a stake in BASS and rodeo, I think. They are partners in some of these niche sports and will give them lots of time for that reason.

The fishing shows get good ratings on their own, but have the extra boost by being owned in-house. The more they get into equity stakes of the sports they cover, the tougher the fight for time will become.

[worldsoccer-Jeff]

Rush on ESPN is a great move.

I know I will watch their pregame show more now that he's on it.

[Aaron Stollar]

I believe that ESPN is on a slope here of taking itself too seriously and eventually the core sports fan will revolt, this won't likely happen in the near future but it will eventually. Ratings will fall, and ESPN will get new management who will come back with a back to basics attitude that will eliminate much of EoE stuff like the reality shows.

It will happen eventually...

[TOTC]

Originally posted by MichaelR
ESPN is quite purposely moving away from its core programming to produce more and more "sports-related entertainment" aimed at its target demographic groups (and less and less actual sports).

MTV pioneered this years ago by producing more and more programming only tangentially related to music but most directly tied in to segments of its audienced.

That's what the ESPYs (an awards show designed to attract women), "The Life" (the urban sports fan) and those godawful made-for-ESPN movies (older audience segments, I guess) are for. For ESPN, it's a process that really begun with the X-Games -- those were, of course, "pseudosports entertainment" designed to acquaint a younger demographic with the network.


Coming soon: the return of pro wrestling and roller derby to ESPN.

[whirlwind]

Originally posted by TOTC
Coming soon: the return of pro wrestling and roller derby to ESPN.

No way, it's too big a money-maker for TNN!

[PZ]

Rush worked several years for the KC Royals in their marketing and promotions dept. He knows his sports. He could have easily gained fame on the radio broadcasting sports as he did politics.

great move by ESPN. Great move by Rush to reach a broader audience.

[PSU92]

Originally posted by Jasonma
I must be in the minority in this country, but I LIKED Dennis Miller doing MNF. OF course, I've always liked Dennis Miller, and I actually get most of his references.

I agree.

I thought Fouts was the problem in that booth.

[pething101]

Originally posted by TOTC
Coming soon: the return of pro wrestling and roller derby to ESPN.

I was a teenage T-Birds fan.

[SoccerApe]

I hope ESPN dies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They suck!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Frank Cunha]

Originally posted by worldsoccer-Jeff
Rush on ESPN is a great move.

I know I will watch their pregame show more now that he's on it.

Rush he hates all the Soccer Mom's and Soccer in general, he can join the Rome team, they both suck

[Jasonma]

Originally posted by PSU92
I agree.

I thought Fouts was the problem in that booth.

Yeah it was pretty obvious that he didn't get Miller's references and couldn't figure out what Dennis and Al were laughing about.

[locolos]

why are you guys even bothering talking about this crap?

[PSU92]

Originally posted by locolos
why are you guys even bothering talking about this crap?

Its Big Soccer.


We always talk about crap.

[Frank Cunha]

anybody the knocks my sport is crap, that's Rush for years been knock Soccer on his radio show

[kenntomasch]

Originally posted by Jasonma
I must be in the minority in this country, but I LIKED Dennis Miller doing MNF. OF course, I've always liked Dennis Miller, and I actually get most of his references.

I'm with you. I understood the reluctance of the masses to embrace that particular move, though. When you got past the Sylvia Plath references, Miller actually wasn't bad in his role, which wasn't to be the x and o expert (they had Fouts for that, who, by the way, was no great shakes).

But I've always liked Dennis, I think he's an intelligent guy who makes me laugh, and I'd rather hear whatever he has to say than John Madden saying "heckuva play" 50 times a game.

And I'm a Republican, but I'm particularly in favor of the Limbaugh thing. I'm willing to see how it works out, but I wonder if it'll be like when Larry King was on NFL Live back in the 80's. That was lame.

As to the general point, ESPN is a behemoth. I think they believe they've enjoyed success with the "I'm smarmier than you could ever be" brigade, and as they have no competition (and true competition is unlikely - it ain't FSW), their arrogance will likely continue unabated.

And I don't think any of these moves, even if they backfire horribly, will have any real drastic impact on ESPN's overall health. They're Godzilla, for better or worse.

ESPN has expanded into so much of a brand that's about more than a cable sports channel it's unreal. I'd say reports of their demise would be greatly exaggerated.

[The Double]

I like Sportscenter commercials.

[Fireball_Dan]

Originally posted by MattBurlew
ABC actually considered hiring Rush for MNF before they went with Miller.

There's a big difference between the two. I never understood the Miller hiring, because he's a comedian who specializes in references most people won't get, and that's exactly what they got. Plus, they're not hiring Rush to do games, just to be part of a countdown show. That's also a big difference.

Whether or not you agree with him, Rush is a very talented broadcaster who has the most successful radio show ever, and must get listeners from across the political spectrum given his ratings. He doesn't get $30+ million a year for nothing.

He's also a legit football fan. I think if ESPN uses him correctly (may take a few weeks to sort that out) he'll be excellent at it.

Miller was OK for the first year, but bombed in the second. It is a little extraordinary for Rush to be on ESPN, but I reserve judgement until I see it.

[kenntomasch]

And, oh, by the way, Rich Eisen is not a great loss.

[spike]

Rush Limbaugh is one of the biggest morons on the face of the earth. Smart fascists I can almost handle, but this guy is just plain stupid and reactionary.

Plus, he's a charlatan. Remember all the "I'm going blind" ************************e he promoted when his ratings stared flagging.

This is a shameful move on the part of ESPN, and I think a boycott needs to be organized.

Let's chalk up one more for the so-called "liberal media." What a joke.

[spike]

Originally posted by spike
Rush Limbaugh is one of the biggest morons on the face of the earth. Smart fascists I can almost handle, but this guy is just plain stupid and reactionary.

Plus, he's a charlatan. Remember all the "I'm going blind" ************************e he promoted when his ratings stared flagging.

This is a shameful move on the part of ESPN, and I think a boycott needs to be organized.

Let's chalk up one more for the so-called "liberal media." What a joke.

And my ************ing free speech rights are being violated by big soccer. Is there anyone here who can't handle the word "************************e?"

Fascism is everywhere!