Rant - new single team sports networks!

[jrbdmb]

So the following teams have started / will start / are in the planning stages for new sports channels that will carry no other major pro sports other than their team:

Yankees / Nets (YES) - OK, I know this is two teams but NYC
already had two sports channels and has little reason to
have a third.
Orioles - rumors that they would like to start their own network.
Expos - if they move to D.C. the chairman of BET has stated he
would like to start a new network to carry them.
New Orleans Hornets (Cox) - started this year.
TrailBlazers (ASCN) - started last year (?).
Thrashers (Turner South).
Twins (Victory Network) - will start 2004 season.

... and I'm sure there are other examples I haven't heard about.

What use is there for a sports channel that has no programming to speak of for over half the year? In every case there are existing RSNs to show the teams. I know this is a money grab by the teams, but when will fans / cable companies / satellite companies say "I refuse to pay $2.00/mo./sub for a new channel with no programming half the year and a single mediocre sports team the other half of the year."?

[Pete K.]

Turner South was not created specifically
to carry Thrashers games.Thrashers OTA
games are broadcast on WUPA 69 in
Atlanta. Turner South is a regional net,
which also carries 20 or 30 Atlanta
Braves games every year.
BTW, the Thrashers are 0-8 as of this
writing. I doubt many people care which
station they're on.

[pmichael]

The proliferation of regional sports networks carrying only one or two teams will cause cable/satellite TV prices to go up while making it more likely the fan will not get to see his favorite local teams for every game. I was very much against the establishment of the YES network for the precedent it set. One thing is for sure. The sports fan will gain nothing from this trend.

[Karl Foster]

The Utah Jazz owns a station - KJZZ. They broadcast almost all away games and a very large percentage of home games as well.

The reason they did this was that Fox Sports Rocky Mountain has a thing for the Denver Nuggets and we were able to see about five games a year. It truly sucked.

This has been a good thing to allow everyone in Utah (OTA, cable, DBS) to be able to see Jazz games.

[Geronimo]

I started a thread in the other forum similar to this one when YES was first announced. In general I was told that the additional choice is good and that the existing RSNs will fade away if they cannot find a way to compete etc.

Personally I don't think that thsi particular type of "choice" is good for the consumer but I was in a distinct minority at the time.

So you never know.

[Ryan]

YES will also acquire Devils broadcasts when the current Devils contract expires. (I think it goes to 2005 or 06, so still years away).

[Unthinkable]

I heard it expired in 2003 for what its worth.

[HarryD]

Then Fox Sport NY will be left with the NY Islanders and ???

[hockeynut]

The Orioles started their own channel earlier this year. They were distributing their feed by C-band

The Boston Bruins/RedSox have had their own network (NESN) for over a decade now. I like their original programming such as FanAttic (re-run of old Sox/B's games) and Front Row, but it's pretty annoying to get 18 hours of ESPNews a day when the Sox/Bruins aren't playing (such as today... ahhhhhhhhhgggghh!!)


Antonio

[hockeynut]

HarryD.. probably spanish broadcasts of the Rangers (like they do with the Mets)


Antonio

[Fresco]

Nets, Yanks are on Yes. Now they want to take my Devils... Dam! Well at least Yes can’t take my Ny Giants away... Right?.. Man im getting tired of the whole Yes mess that’s going on in the NY metro area. I know so many people now that switch from Dish Network to DTV because of Yes. Soon I will be one of them. Ill give Dish Network a couple of months to get a deal done with the Yes Network before I switch.. How can Charlie keep ignoring the Ny market.... I just don’t get it.

[QualityIsJobOne]

Originally posted by jrbdmb
... and I'm sure there are other examples I haven't heard about.

Here ya go.......24/7 Raptors & Leafs....BTW I sub to RaptorsTV! :cool:

RaptorsTV....StarChoice Channel 463 (http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/raptorstv_intro.html)

LeafsTV....StarChoice Channel 466 (http://www.mapleleafs.com/leafstv/index.php) :hi: :cool:

[cnsf]

Originally posted by Fresco
Nets, Yanks are on Yes. Now they want to take my Devils... Dam! Well at least Yes can’t take my Ny Giants away... Right?.. Man im getting tired of the whole Yes mess that’s going on in the NY metro area. I know so many people now that switch from Dish Network to DTV because of Yes. Soon I will be one of them. Ill give Dish Network a couple of months to get a deal done with the Yes Network before I switch.. How can Charlie keep ignoring the Ny market.... I just don’t get it.

I hate to say it, but I agree. Welcome Fresco!

[ElJefe]

Originally posted by jrbdmb
TrailBlazers (ASCN) - started last year (?).


That channel has ceased operations just this last week. The main reason was that AT&T Cable wouldn't carry it in Portland.