OT: ESPN Classic will be shut down on Jan 1, 2022
https://deadline.com/2021/11/espn-classic-shutdown-sports-cable-tv-1234867955/
ESPN Classic will go dark on January 1, ending a nearly three-decade run of nostalgic pay-TV sports programming.
The network was founded as Classic Sports Network in 1995 and was acquired by ESPN in 1997. The decision to shut it down follows several years of declining distribution.
While ESPN Classic programming initially filled a gap in sports fandom, the rise and ubiquity of YouTube and other video sources has made it much less unique. ESPN had not placed much emphasis on the network during the past few years, making its demise not entirely surprising.
There were some good classic Michigan football and basketball games on ESPN Classic back in the day.
November 4th, 2021 at 1:38 PM ^
Sort of unfortunate, sort of not. They showed a lot of great classic stuff, and there was a time when a "Michigan day" on ESPN classic was worth attention.
But, as the quote in the OP says, its utility has been superceded by the vast repository that is the internet. There is very little they could offer that you cannot find in a few seconds using a search engine.
Its time has come and gone. I haven't watched anything on ESPN Classic in years.
November 4th, 2021 at 2:43 PM ^
I couldn't find ESPN Classic for years. Still don't know where it is, or if I even have access to it through Xfinity! To say that ESPN let it 'decline' is understating it...
November 4th, 2021 at 1:40 PM ^
I feel like whenever I put that channel on, it’d be playing the 2006 Michigan-OSU game and I’d immediately change the channel
November 4th, 2021 at 5:28 PM ^
Or the Kordell Stewart game. Or Rocket Ismail taking two punts back. Or the 10-10 tie.
November 4th, 2021 at 10:30 PM ^
Rocket returned two kickoffs for touchdowns.
November 5th, 2021 at 7:28 AM ^
They had that damn Colorado game on the same week it happened. I couldn't watch a minute.
It just seems to me that we've had more losses that are considered "classics" than wins considered as such. Of course, it could just be negativity bias on my part, i.e. negative emotions having more impact than positive emotions.
November 4th, 2021 at 1:43 PM ^
Agreed -- ESPN Classic was awesome before the readily available YouTube days.
November 4th, 2021 at 1:45 PM ^
I would also like to add to this thread that NBCSN is being shutdown on 1/1/22 as well. Most of the programming will be moved to USA Network and their streaming platform Peacock.
November 4th, 2021 at 1:53 PM ^
I used to watch USA Network a lot back in the so-called "blue sky era" with shows like Monk, Psych, White Collar, and Burn Notice. Now, all they seem to play is reruns of Modern Family and Chrisley Knows Best. Definite pass.
Would be nice to see some sports on USA again so it's not just another pointless "lifestyle/reality" crap channel.
November 4th, 2021 at 2:17 PM ^
That's a disappointment. I really enjoy NBCSN for it's Olympic stuff and of course the Premier League. When they first launched Peacock their promotions said it would be free and that all Premier League games would be available on the platform. And that was the case for...one weekend. The following weekend it seemed like a ton of games were behind paywalls on Peacock. And then after that they seemed to go back to the standard model of a few games on NBCSN and an NBC game at 12:30. But, I wonder what will happen to NBC Sports Gold - I'm guessing that will be absorbed into Peacock as well.
November 4th, 2021 at 2:24 PM ^
I sincerely hope the lovely Rebecca Lowe will still be able to greet me with a warm smile and a cuppa on Premiere League Saturday mornings.
November 4th, 2021 at 2:44 PM ^
Now that one is interesting. I will say -- I used to detest streaming because of the lag. But, just yesterday, I tested the streaming cable box in the bedroom (with volume) against the main, hardwired box in the living room (on mute), and the feeds were identical. Apparently the minor lag problems have at last been solved. [of course, gig-plus internet speed should also be stated]
November 4th, 2021 at 1:48 PM ^
I didn't know it was still around.
November 4th, 2021 at 1:54 PM ^
And the continued decline of ESPN continues.
November 4th, 2021 at 1:55 PM ^
Started going downhill once they cancelled Cheap Seats
November 4th, 2021 at 1:59 PM ^
I really assumed this happened a long time ago. I have had plenty of cable packages over the years, and it has to have been at least 15 years since I had one that had ESPN Classic (it used to be on basic cable for Comcast). I figured since my current package has all of the ESPNs, Longhorn, SEC, and ACC Networks that Classic went the way of the dodo bird a long time ago.
It's getting to the point where there is just too much programming and not enough viewers these days.
November 4th, 2021 at 2:06 PM ^
I loved watching the Battle of the Network Stars episodes as well as old school roller derby on that station. But, you're all correct, there's so many other avenues for watching this stuff now.
November 4th, 2021 at 2:13 PM ^
Sad to see this. Always enjoyed seeing the old games. I moved several years ago and it wasn’t part of my cable package.
November 4th, 2021 at 2:19 PM ^
What would be a fitting final showing for 12/31/21? Miracle on Ice?
November 4th, 2021 at 3:35 PM ^
Thunderbirds v. Pioneers. Outdoor roller derby @ old Comiskey with 50,000 fans.
November 5th, 2021 at 12:27 PM ^
Wrap it up with the Thrilla in Manila.
November 4th, 2021 at 2:27 PM ^
Wolverine Historian had them all beat anyway.
November 4th, 2021 at 2:30 PM ^
ESPN Classic was always a serious of dong punches, from the 1994 Colorado game to the 2006 OSU game. I prefer to watch my classic sports on Youtube, where my team always wins.
November 4th, 2021 at 2:44 PM ^
Wow, that's a jog down memory lane! Can't remember the last time I watched something on it, and even back in the day I feel like I'd watch for about 15 minutes and then think 'okay that was fun but also stupid, I already know what is going to happen' and find something else to watch.
November 4th, 2021 at 2:44 PM ^
RIP, sure gonna miss American gladiators, Celebrity bowling, and AWA wrestling. intended /s
November 4th, 2021 at 2:45 PM ^
It's a sad announcement, but I get it.
For years, this was really the only way to watch these games unless you had recordings of some kind, but now, there's no need for such a channel when what survives can be streamed or put up on YouTube or whatever.
November 4th, 2021 at 3:39 PM ^
Well..... it has out lived its usefullness.......Ive been recording/VCR/DVR Michigan Sports ..not just FB and BB for the last 40 years ...ESPN Classic had a few games that I missed or needing to re record because mine cut off, or power went out, etc etc so they helped me out alot but the last 5-10 yrs Ive barely watched it and didnt need it any longer
November 4th, 2021 at 4:15 PM ^
I remember the original Classic Sports, when pretty much the only programming was
1. the Home Run Derby show from the 50s
2. 70's Roller Derby
3. the old Chicago Pro Wrestling shows from the 50s that aired on Dumont Network
4. The NFL Films game of the weeks. Never the super bowl stuff, the lower tier content they couldn't sell to ESPN.
It was FABULOUS.....but all that stuff is on youtube now. When I want to watch an old game, it's always on youtube.
November 4th, 2021 at 4:36 PM ^
There's only so many times they could show Nuggets/Bullets from December 1983.
November 4th, 2021 at 4:40 PM ^
Yeah before the internet and utube it was great. Especially during the college football off season.
November 4th, 2021 at 9:07 PM ^
They used to show Flutie to Phelan a lot.
Loved that game, loved that era.
November 4th, 2021 at 10:05 PM ^
I had forgotten about that. An awesome promo.
November 4th, 2021 at 8:15 PM ^
There’s something to be said for just turning on the tv and having a nostalgic game from your youth on randomly. On the of the best things during COVID was FSD showing all the old Red Wing games.