WBD's executives saying they didn't need the NBA a few years ago are something Adam Silver won't forget as part of this whole process.

5 hours ago, cubbymark said:

WBD's executives saying they didn't need the NBA a few years ago are something Adam Silver won't forget as part of this whole process.

He learned a lot from David stern and holding a grudge is probably one of them.

WBD is, predictably, suing the NBA about the matching rights.

Given the short time frames and WBD's money troubles I'm guessing they settle for a relative pittance.

TNT becomes the network of AEW, Impractical Jokers, and Big Bang Theory

My pal Jeff Marek leaving Sportsnet.

Venu Sports (which is the streaming service including all the ESPN networks, ABC, Fox [Sports], TBS/TNT/TruTV, and ESPN+) had their price announced today as $42.99 a month. It does not yet have regulatory approval, though.

2 hours ago, Stefanie Sparkleface said:

Venu Sports (which is the streaming service including all the ESPN networks, ABC, Fox [Sports], TBS/TNT/TruTV, and ESPN+) had their price announced today as $42.99 a month. It does not yet have regulatory approval, though.

I really feel like ESPN+ is 89% of that bundle and that shit don't cost no damn $34.39.

Rumor people on Twitter are saying is that Rogers got rid of Marek is that he was tipping draft pics, which seems like something many reporters do in the modern era. 

38 minutes ago, supremebve said:

I really feel like ESPN+ is 89% of that bundle and that shit don't cost no damn $34.39.

The exact lineup is ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPN News, ABC, Fox, FS1, FS2, Big Ten Network, TNT, TBS, TruTV, and ESPN+. The college networks are my guess about what's chewing up the costs there.

The only way the $34.39 actually makes sense is if you cancel the basic cable service that allows you to get channels like ESPN networks (well the main 2), ABC, Fox [Sports],  and TBS/TNT.   I am not sure if most areas have gotten to the point where you can literally pick and choice what your basic cable is.   And if that was it, you have to pay for other streams to deal with the other channels that you aren't getting  because you cancel basic cable.  Why I have always been skeptical of the "cutting the cord" concept

4 hours ago, hammerva said:

The only way the $34.39 actually makes sense is if you cancel the basic cable service that allows you to get channels like ESPN networks (well the main 2), ABC, Fox [Sports],  and TBS/TNT.   I am not sure if most areas have gotten to the point where you can literally pick and choice what your basic cable is.   And if that was it, you have to pay for other streams to deal with the other channels that you aren't getting  because you cancel basic cable.  Why I have always been skeptical of the "cutting the cord" concept

Yep, my point is basically if you get basic cable you get most of that already.  If you get ESPN+ you get most of the value for this bundle for a far lower price.  I don't watch that many college sports, but it can't possibly be worth $42.99 a month to get the conference networks.  TNT and TBS just lost their biggest sports contract, you have to pay for Amazon to get half of the NBA games.  

1 hour ago, supremebve said:

Yep, my point is basically if you get basic cable you get most of that already.  If you get ESPN+ you get most of the value for this bundle for a far lower price.  I don't watch that many college sports, but it can't possibly be worth $42.99 a month to get the conference networks.  TNT and TBS just lost their biggest sports contract, you have to pay for Amazon to get half of the NBA games.  

Yeah, the value on this is a little off. If you get Hulu Live TV, for example, that's $77 a month, but has everything in this package, plus NFL Network, MLB Network, local channels (in most cases), CBS Sports Network, and sometimes RSNs. That doesn't factor in other things like the Disney Bundle and other cable channels. It's not really worth it at $43 just for the sports considering what it's missing.

Aren't even the ACC and SEC networks included in ESPN+? 

Sorta sports related and this post is directly aimed at New Yorkers

WCBS (880 AM) will end its all news format

Beginning on August 26 the station is flipping to ESPN Radio and the WCBS station letters are being retired

https://www.audacy.com/wcbs880/news/local/wcbs-880-to-end-all-news-format-after-nearly-60-years

From getting their asses kicked by 1010 WINS to getting their asses kicked by The FAN. 

That being said, they were a dinosaur in a field of dinosaurs, so something probably had to be done.

 

ESPN has also fired Samantha Ponder, citing "budget cuts."

Doesn't seem like a great idea to fire two of your more prominent NFL voices a few weeks before the NFL season starts but what do I know?

Judge blocks joint sports streaming venture from Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, Fox

BY DOMINICK MASTRANGELO 

https://thehill.com/homenews/media/4831766-judge-blocks-joint-sports-streaming-venture-disney-warnerbros-discovery-fox/

 

Great SI cover or Greatest SI cover?

 

ESPN has an article on the NBA asking the court to dismiss the TNT/Warner Brothers discovery, and lists all the changes that TNT/WBD made:

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/40978381/nba-files-motion-dismiss-warner-bros-discovery-lawsuit

I think the lawsuit will survive the motion to dismiss (it's VERY hard to get the judge to agree that no reasonable person could consider this a match), but it sounds like NBA's trying to play hardball here. (Realistically, this is all a waiting game, WBD/TNT want lots of money to go away, and the NBA doesn't want to give lots of money. Neither side actually wants to go to trial)

On one level, what will have if WBD winS? They are not televising a league who doesn’t want to be their partner. That’s cane be great.