Like others have said, NBC was the weaker bid financially. However, NBC offered them things that Fox wouldn't. They are actively trying to build the brand and will use cross-promotion with other programs (something Fox never did). They will use the Olympics to lead into some games (plus do some promotion during the Olympics which is huge) and will also show some games on network tv (another thing Fox wouldn't do). Essentially MLS went with less money upfront in the hopes that their partnership with NBC leads to better ratings and more exposure and that they can make more money in the future. I think they also see the opportunity to become an important part of NBC Sports properties (like the NHL has) and really have NBC try to push MLS, something that neither Fox or ESPN has any desire to do (FSC pushes their UCL and EPL content while ESPN has all sorts of other properties).
187 000 is a great number considering its just for the French Sports channel. I wonder if the TSN ratings will be able to match this.
500,000 viewers for an MLS game in Canada would be the equivalent of over 4 million viewers in the USA.........assuming no other variables.
I've been looking around at some of the NHL ratings on NBCSN. It's pretty funny because the initial ratings for the NHL on NBCSN weren't that good but they have been steadily increasing. Also the bump we saw coincided with a bump in viewership of the NHL. http://puckthemedia.wordpress.com/2...-for-nbcsn-crosby-return-down-from-last-time/
Yeah, from what I understand, the difference wasn't much, not nearly enough to balance off the couple million (judging by NBCSN ratings so far, assuming they don't go up) extra cumulative match views that the league will get over the course of the season. Easy call, really, and if Fox had wanted to do something about it they easily could have, back in 2011 when MLS asked for $10M/yr for a long-term extension, and Fox could only come up with 7. The league gave them a one-year deal, betting that Comcast's purchase of NBC would result in another serious bidder, and in more exposure for the league. So far the league has come out distinct winners on that bet.
I would have to upgrade 3 plans on DirectTV to just get NBC Sports channel. I would pay a few $ month for it but not $20.
It's really weird. I don't understand why NBC Sports is in most of the "basic" cable packages but relegated so far back in the dish TV packages.
MLS struggles on NBC Sports, while Real Salt Lake on ABC 4 is a hit RSL SoapBox Interesting read........
Why is it not on the sports pack that I already pay for each month? So I will be streaming those games on NBC Sports for free although I'm willing to pay a reasonable price for that content but refuse to get jammed up for 200+ channels I don't want.
Ask your provider. Everyone I know gets NBC Sports in their basic package. Its in roughly 80 million homes (compared to ESPN's 100 million homes).
It was more of a question to the content overlords in general and Direct TV specifically. (1st world problems rant over) Excuse me now why I polish my SAIGA 12 and prepare for the subscriber revolution.
Why do people keep on insisting that the NBCS ratings be compared with ESPNs? How is nearly doubling the viewers of FSCs broadcasts "struggling"?
Because on NBCSN, ratings for MLS can be directly compared to those of NHL. I think a lot of people were hoping for ratings closer to the NHL (300K-400K). If that could be achieved, then MLS might have a shot at getting a $100-200 million/year exclusive deal like the NHL.
If the MLS gets ratings similar to the NHL on NBC Sports....I'll do a cartwheel. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26yO_yHPlzg"]Creed Bratton - New Year's Resolution - YouTube[/ame]
The first two games numbers were released two days later so we may see something tomorrow on twitter.
So not compared with ESPN (Should be ESPN2) but they can be compared with FSC? If we do by available TVs then NBCS is just about the level of FSC around 170-180K.
How are you figuring that? FSC averaged 68k viewers last year. FSC was in approx 40 million households NBCSN is in approx 78 million households. An equivalent audiance on NBCSN would be 132k Also there is so much more to ratings than just household penetration. Just look at MLS on ESPN vs ESPN2. MLS does significantly better on ESPN but the household reach of ESPN2 is nearly identical.
Sport networks CBS Sports - reach 38 million (wiki) NBC Sports - 75 million (as VS) ESPN - <100 million Soccer networks FSC 40 million Gol TV ????
Yes I was using the old number from some article where they said 32 million households for FSC. http://brandedcontent.adage.com/cableguide08/vendor.php?id=14 The updated # is 40 million. https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showpost.php?p=24631041&postcount=3 70K / 40 = 1.75 1.75 times 75 (NBCS) = 131K So anything avobe 131K is a gain per available household on FSC. Compared to ESPN2 267K with 100 households. = 2.67 2.67 times 75 (NBCS) = 200K Obviously some differences to keep in mind. FSC is a soccer channel and NBCS is not. ESPN2 shares a name and usually is right next door on the TV dial to ESPN. NBCS is a "new/re-branded" network.