NittanyFan

September 6th, 2018 at 6:01 PM ^

I'm honestly surprised BTN hasn't tried to monetize BTN+ more. 

Having only 1 U-M hoops game on BTN+ isn't a bad deal.  All of the other "lesser" OOC games make BTN, at worst.

And, of course the reason Holy Cross is on BTN+: it's a Saturday night during football season.  The main network will likely have football.  Any one of the 7 B1G football games that Saturday would draw many more eyeballs than Holy Cross @ Michigan hoops.

Joined: 12/04/2012

MGoPoints: 43030

NittanyFan

September 6th, 2018 at 8:15 PM ^

FWIW, ESPN has significantly reduced the # of games they are showing on ESPN3 and have rolled out a product they call "ESPN+."  That's where you will find a majority of non-linear TV Sun Belt, C-USA and MAC football games this fall.  People can watch those games --- for a price. 

That's where CMU, Louisiana-Lafayette, MTSU (et cetera) football fans are this fall.  Spending a decent bit more of their $ if they want to see their football team.

So, it's not just BTN with the "an extra cost for extra content" business model going on.

IMO, BTN has done a generally good job over the years in NOT going overboard on the # of BTN+ games.  It could be worse than just 1 OOC game.

And for all that, I do think that if U-M had scheduled this game for Friday at 6 ET, it would be on BTN.  BTN has 1 other game that Friday night, at 8 ET (an IU home game).  The real challenge in terms of a BTN broadcast is U-M scheduling this game (for whatever reason) on a Saturday evening during the midst of the college football season.  No room at the "BTN inn", as it is.

Joined: 12/04/2012

MGoPoints: 43030

NittanyFan

September 6th, 2018 at 11:02 PM ^

True.

But look on the good side --- 100% of football games and 97% of basketball games available on Linear TV.  $0 extra spend required.

Not to sound like an old fart, but as recently as 2006, there were multiple U-M football games which weren't readily available on Linear TV.  CMU was on ESPN+, so you were ordering PPV if you weren't living in the Midwest.  And Ball State was on ESPNU, which still had very low distribution back then.  Lots of Detroit-area folk were spending $10+ at a bar to watch that one.

(Michigan's 2007 BTN games - 4 of them - were relatively invisible too)

Joined: 12/04/2012

MGoPoints: 43030

goblue16

September 6th, 2018 at 8:52 PM ^

I love Michigan basketball. Started watching them in 2002 when they upset UCLAom the road. Watched the darkest years and enjoyed every moment. But college football is king for me. I can watch any college football game and enjoy it. Michigan football gives me chills even when we were 3-9. Can’t wait for the coming season!

Joined: 03/28/2010

MGoPoints: 17468

goblue16

September 6th, 2018 at 5:21 PM ^

Theres college football that weekend and its against a crap team. Probably wont be worth seeing it anyways. But if you do wanna see it buy a ticket and fill that arena. Tickets are only 6 dollars for that game. Thats the price of a burrito

Joined: 03/28/2010

MGoPoints: 17468

goblue16

September 6th, 2018 at 5:22 PM ^

Does anyone know when they will be hanging the banners? Will they hang them both on the same day or split them up? My guess will be during the Norfolk St game. Any inside knowledge?

Joined: 03/28/2010

MGoPoints: 17468