Johnny Bear said:

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We are a solid Top 25 team that is about to play our third straight game on ESPN Plus - and this one is a Top 25 matchup against BYU. What gives? Are the ESPN Plus games pre-determined before the start of the season with no flexibility for games like this (that prolly didn't look like a Top 25 matchup at that point in time)?

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I completely share your frustration! Unfortunately, if I read the numbers right, ESPN and DIsney are taking in more than $200mm monthly from ESPN+ in subscriptions alone. I can see a path where all games could be subscription.

They leave several games like that. Assume those will be on National TV.
The espn+ schedule lightens up after next weeks KSU game. The game in Orlando at the end of the month is also on espn +

All good points. Here is another: it's all about maximizing their ratings and thus their revenue.

$$$$$

blackie said:

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I would think you also need to understand that there is more quality inventory in MBB basketball than with football. You also have to understand that ESPN promotes WBB also. Obviously there is no women's competition against football. There is in basketball. And in MBB they are going to have more mid-major on their actual "TV" networks for football because there are many mid-majors that are good.....just ask the P5s that have gotten bounced in the tournament by mid-majors.

Bottom line there is a whole lot more quality inventory during basketball season than in football.....and the slots for TV is still the same as for football season.

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Also, ESPN keeps Wednesday and Friday primetime for NBA. And occasionally shows NHL too. I'm no less likely to watch ice fishing that either of those.

historian said:

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All good points. Here is another: it's all about maximizing their ratings and thus their revenue.

$$$$$

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And there are also mid-majors that are in major metropolitan centers, while a lot of P5s are relatively in the middle of nowhere and not in major metro areas. There may also be the thought that they want a variety and not just show the P5s over and over again. And unless a team is cemented in the top-25 historically, recent ratings are not far enough in advance to actually plan for it, i.e., BYU. I think bottom line for whatever reason, it is an inventory glut that is the problem, especially when you throw in WBB.

Just glad we have the streaming option. It wasn't too long ago when a lot of Baylor games could only be found on the radio. So if you were outside Waco, you were out of luck.

Exactly. We need to be grateful for what we have.

Byu was picked to not be good this year. They came out of nowhere. Nobody thought this would be a ranked match up when they picked the networks preseason

I'm likely in the minority, but as long as the games are available on a platform I have, I don't really care where our games are broadcast.

TV ratings are something conference commissioners, TV execs and ADs need to worry about, but I only care about watching the game.

And while there is certainly a dropoff in the quality of commentary from network or cable to streaming, that doesn't really bother me either because I don't really pay all that much attention to the play-by-play/analysis anyway.

Maybe it's from having to listen to so many games on the radio or the internet as a youngster, but as long as I can watch the game on a professional feed without paying more than I already am for it, I'm happy.

Hulu (also House of Mouse) actively pushes you to ESPN+ broadcasts of games that are on ESPN and/or ABC. I think they are trying to prepare their streaming platform for the day (next year or so) when ESPN is available as a full standalone streaming platform with no cable component. Its coming.

Watching on ESPiN + just means having to listen to John ( Wah'd you see down there, Ricky) Morris.

Remember the days when Baylor would have around 5 games a season on TV? If that?

Anybody know why it's at 8?

gobears20 said:

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Anybody know why it's at 8?

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probably because BYU is in a different time zone. Beats having it at 9:00 or 10:00.

Johnny Bear said:

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What gives?

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Are you frustrated because of the lack of exposure for the program? or because you don't want to fork over the subscription price for ESPN+?

I wish we would add some big east teams for basketball and get a deal not only with espn but FS1 also. Stay away from Gonzaga and get teams in the east where more eyeballs are.

The Mouse hates the Bears!