ESPN actively planning to offer linear feed directly to consumers, has deals with two leagues

[SamCdbs]

Well, ESPN is now trying a "triple distribution model". Truly strange:

ESPN Announces Theatrical Distribution Agreement with Theater Sports Network for ACC Regular Season and College Football Playoff Games

ESPN has entered into a theatrical distribution agreement with Theater Sports Network to televise Atlantic Coast Conference college football games at movie theaters. Additionally, the agreement covers the New Year’s Six Bowl games including the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, the Goodyear Cotton Bowl...

espnpressroom.com

ESPN has entered into a theatrical distribution agreement with Theater Sports Network to televise Atlantic Coast Conference college football games at movie theaters

ACC games that air on ESPN platforms are available for Theater Sports Network distribution in the away team markets – or in both home and away markets for neutral site games.

Apparently never heard of Buffalo Wild Wings?

 

[Jimbo]

Well, ESPN is now trying a "triple distribution model". Truly strange:

ESPN Announces Theatrical Distribution Agreement with Theater Sports Network for ACC Regular Season and College Football Playoff Games

ESPN has entered into a theatrical distribution agreement with Theater Sports Network to televise Atlantic Coast Conference college football games at movie theaters. Additionally, the agreement covers the New Year’s Six Bowl games including the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, the Goodyear Cotton Bowl...

espnpressroom.com

Apparently never heard of Buffalo Wild Wings?

Except now your on a Theatre size screen ...

 

[Juan]

Except now your on a Theatre size screen ...

Remember WWF closed circuit TV in the 80s and 90s?

 

[Jimbo]

Remember WWF closed circuit TV in the 80s and 90s?

Except, it won't be Exclusive to anyone.

 

[savarese04]

Except now your on a Theatre size screen ...

I feel like this is actually kinda brilliant. Theaters are about to run out of content due to the strikes. Many theaters now feature real food and beer now. So why not? Seems like a great way for both parties to make a little money. This really isn't that different than the setup at Vegas sportsbooks and as a fan, I might consider it if the price is right. Most bars by me charge cover to get in for Sunday football or major events like fights or bowl games. If I'm paying cover, better to have a nice chair.

 

[Juan]

I feel like this is actually kinda brilliant. Theaters are about to run out of content due to the strikes. Many theaters now feature real food and beer now. So why not? Seems like a great way for both parties to make a little money. This really isn't that different than the setup at Vegas sportsbooks and as a fan, I might consider it if the price is right. Most bars by me charge cover to get in for Sunday football or major events like fights or bowl games. If I'm paying cover, better to have a nice chair.

Not if ESPN is already available at bars and restaraunts

 

[Bruce]

Not if ESPN is already available at bars and restaurants

He is posting that since a lot of theaters have alcohol beverages and food of course, then the added benefit of a giant screen, which bars and restaurants do not have.

And I agree, I have a 165” screen in my outdoor theater, it is a more immersive experience with a screen that big.

I cannot wait for it to start getting dark again at 6pm, so I can use it more often.

 

[Juan]

He is posting that since a lot of theaters have alcohol beverages and food of course, then the added benefit of a giant screen, which bars and restaurants do not have.

And I agree, I have a 165” screen in my outdoor theater, it is a more immersive experience with a screen that big.

I cannot wait for it to start getting dark again at 6pm, so I can use it more often.

You didn't figure in the ticket charge...plus it's not exclusive.thats not gonna work

 

[Yespage]

You didn't figure in the ticket charge...plus it's not exclusive.thats not gonna work

What does "gonna work" even mean. It is another avenue to watch the game. Huge screen, loud speakers, potentially larger group of people. The issue would be the food and drink and ability to eat comfortably. Some theaters are better prepped for that than others.

 

[Juan]

What does "gonna work" even mean. It is another avenue to watch the game. Huge screen, loud speakers, potentially larger group of people. The issue would be the food and drink and ability to eat comfortably. Some theaters are better prepped for that than others.

Would you pay $30 to watch a game in a theater...or would you just go to a bar instead? WWE was exclusive back in the day..no other choice...most people have access already to ESPN...its doomed to fail in a theater

 

[Yespage]

Would you pay $30 to watch a game in a theater...or would you just go to a bar instead?

I don't smoke, drink, or watch college football. So, probably not. But other people might. College football to some is a religion, so a larger setting could work as a location for their service.

WWE was exclusive back in the day..no other choice...most people have access already to ESPN...its doomed to fail in a theater

You were pretty certain ST wasn't going to just streaming (consumer wise)... among countless other things that weren't correct. I'm not saying this will be a game changer, I'm just saying it could potentially work as an alternative, especially in light of the issue of the Hollywood strike drying out new releases.

 

[Bruce]

You didn't figure in the ticket charge...plus it's not exclusive.thats not gonna work

What about a cover charge for a bar.

And I never brought up price, last time I was in a bar was when I was in the army on duty, so I have no idea what the costs are.

You must not know the impact of watching things on a big screen, a movie theater screen typically ranges from 70 feet to 40 feet wide, that would be incredible to watch the College Football Championship on.

Most Bars/Restaurants TVs are around the 40” -55” size ( i google’d it), yech.

You can go to a bar, watch and try to interact with a bunch of people on their phone or go to a theater, watch on a massive screen.

By the way, ESPN did this last season to great success, that is why they are expanding it this season.

 

[Juan]

I don't smoke, drink, or watch college football. So, probably not. But other people might. College football to some is a religion, so a larger setting could work as a location for their service.

You were pretty certain ST wasn't going to just streaming (consumer wise)... among countless other things that weren't correct. I'm not saying this will be a game changer, I'm just saying it could potentially work as an alternative, especially in light of the issue of the Hollywood strike drying out new releases.

Most people would go to a game but let's lay off the personal attacks...this isn't the pit you know

 

[dishdude]

Most people would go to a game but let's lay off the personal attacks...this isn't the pit you know

Tell me you don't know what a personal attack is without telling me you don't know what a personal attack is.

 

[Juan]

Tell me you don't know what a personal attack is without telling me you don't know what a personal attack is.

Yet another personal post

 

[Yespage]

What about a cover charge for a bar.

And I never brought up price, last time I was in a bar was when I was in the army on duty, so I have no idea what the costs are.

You must not know the impact of watching things on a big screen, a movie theater screen typically ranges from 70 feet to 40 feet wide, that would be incredible to watch the College Football Championship on.

Most Bars/Restaurants TVs are around the 40” -55” size ( i google’d it), yech.

You can go to a bar, watch and try to interact with a bunch of people on their phone or go to a theater, watch on a massive screen.

By the way, ESPN did this last season to great success, that is why they are expanding it this season.

I'd imagine this would work in any big football area, especially away games. Home games would probably be restricted to sell outs.

 

[Juan]

I'd imagine this would work in any big football area, especially away games. Home games would probably be restricted to sell outs.

Probably work great for Soccer

 

[Jimbo]

I don't smoke, drink, or watch college football. So, probably not. But other people might. College football to some is a religion, so a larger setting could work as a location for their service.

You were pretty certain ST wasn't going to just streaming (consumer wise)... among countless other things that weren't correct. I'm not saying this will be a game changer, I'm just saying it could potentially work as an alternative, especially in light of the issue of the Hollywood strike drying out new releases.

I think its a good way to use that opportunity (with the writers strike) and could be a lot of fun ...

I might do that once in a while .... I wouldn't do it every week, but once in a while would be interesting ...

I can't wait for the College Football IMAX version ...

 

[Jimbo]

What about a cover charge for a bar.

And I never brought up price, last time I was in a bar was when I was in the army on duty, so I have no idea what the costs are.

You must not know the impact of watching things on a big screen, a movie theater screen typically ranges from 70 feet to 40 feet wide, that would be incredible to watch the College Football Championship on.

Most Bars/Restaurants TVs are around the 40” -55” size ( i google’d it), yech.

You can go to a bar, watch and try to interact with a bunch of people on their phone or go to a theater, watch on a massive screen.

By the way, ESPN did this last season to great success, that is why they are expanding it this season.

There are plenty of Theatres that have been Closed Down ...

What a great way to reuse them, they could even lay out seating differently if they decided to go to the extreme route !

 

[Yespage]

I think its a good way to use that opportunity (with the writers strike) and could be a lot of fun ...

I might do that once in a while .... I wouldn't do it every week, but once in a while would be interesting ...

I can't wait for the College Football IMAX version ...

I think some theaters would be better than others. Adjustable seating would be nice, and food options would need to be a thing, mainly stadium fare. But for college towns and the suburbs, for away games, it could really work. So more a regional thing. New England? Probably not. But the South, parts of the Midwest, yeah.