Topic: Why I'm personally interested in the SBC having a contract with ESPN

[whf]

Just thought I'd take a poll of why folks are so excited about us being back on ESPN, although most of the SBC games are still on ESPN+.

[mu79grad]

It does not matter that most of the games are on ESPN Plus.  I never had a Facebook account and I don't want a Facebook account.  So, in order to watch a number of games these past seasons, I had to hijack my wife's account.  Now, I pay the $6.99 a month, or whatever the going rate might be, and I can see every game that ESPN Plus broadcasts.  The games on ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU, will also make sure that the majority of Herd fans can view a MU game without too much of a problem. 

[HoPPy785]

I'm only 4hrs away so excited to get back to game more often but until my kids are a little older it's tough. Not having to search weekly for which app to find us on will be nice.

Also the weekly call from my mom on how to get the game to work won't be missed.

[Herdadelphia]

Of course we would games on regular cable TV. But ESPN+ is a really solid product.

[MUonium]

i won't vote because i don't fit neatly into any of the three boxes.  But i will say that its better than what we are leaving.  for now.  however, like the MAC and others, the SBC fills a niche role/need for Disney/ESPN and i don't see that changing.  bottom line is, i/we have to live with what we get and for probably a very long time.  not near perfect but honestly fits our true level/pecking order.  settle in and support the Herd in whichever ways make you comfortable.

The Herd just needs to, must play for championships in the SBC, at all costs.  I see no reason winning couldn't kick us up to the broadcast ESPN platforms, outside of the contract, at least once in a while??

[herdfan129]

For me it?s more about perception and accessibility for the casual fan. I?ll watch the game no matter what channel it?s on.

[herd2win]

Because I live out of town I make about half of home games and this year went to App St and Charlotte along with the bowl game.  I always watch on whatever channel or stream but glad to be playing the teams in the SBC and also more mainstream TV coverage.

[Echo 5]

I go to all home games, but ESPN+ makes it very easy and affordable to watch the away games, plus basketball games, plus any other SBC conference game that might be of interest (for example, battle for division top spot).

I guess that puts me in option #1: Easiest platform to get and watch.

[puma]

None of those really apply to me. I attend all of the home football games with my family.

I just absolutely hate the away game routine of figuring out what channel or app we're playing on (is that regular CBSSN or CBSSN on Facebook?), trying to find a streaming cable package that works with Stadium/FSN/CBSSN, dealing with bootleg streams, and never playing at any sport's bar outside of Cabell County. It's just about as bush league as it comes. There's also zero doubt in my mind that not having a network have our backs is hurting our recruiting and general perception.

I'm also looking forward to Marshall vs. App State being a big thing on ESPN. Nothing comes close to that on Facebook.

[miltonherdfan]

buffering & blurred pics suck (streaming) . . . & i have zero desire to pay more than what i'm already paying for faster wifi

besides, being on real tv isn't just about the fans we already have that would find the game regardless . . . it's about growing our brand & picking up new eyeballs!

[MUther]

Has nothing to do with what I want in personal viewing.  Has everything to do with visibility for recruiting, for families of players that live too far or don't have the means to get here for games, being talked about on ESPN, having good plays and accomplishments recognized, and of course, actual money for the program instead of chickenfeed from 20 obscure outlets that no one knows about or can find.  I want that for Marshall even if I don't watch the game at all.

[muherd34]

Has nothing to do with what I want in personal viewing.  Has everything to do with visibility for recruiting, for families of players that live too far or don't have the means to get here for games, being talked about on ESPN, having good plays and accomplishments recognized, and of course, actual money for the program instead of chickenfeed from 20 obscure outlets that no one knows about or can find.  I want that for Marshall even if I don't watch the game at all.

I cant attend every game due to my profession.  I agree 100% with what you posted.  Its all really about recognition and hype.  If you aren't under espns umbrella it's hard to get either.  Not to mention it's much easier to stream/watch and much better product than stadium or whatever irrelevant service we were on.  Also much easier for the average college football fan to watch one of pur games out of the blue if it's easily accessible.

[goherd24]

I am excited to not have to tell someone the game is in facebook when they ask me. That's enough, on it's own.

[MUther]

I am excited to not have to tell someone the game is in facebook when they ask me. That's enough, on it's own.

It's embarrassing, even if it was a pretty good way to watch a game from anywhere.  Not only do you not have to tell them, now, they won't even need to ask.  They'll just see it on ESPN coming up if they're a sports fan at all.

[ThunderDent]

I like linear broadcasts as well, but tbh, with little kids at home, I?ve been consuming most of my TV on my phone with streaming. ESPN+ is so easy to use. All the games are right there. And if you?re in the Top25, even easier for the casual fan to take in some of your game.

[gochneaur645]

None of those really apply to me. I attend all of the home football games with my family.

I just absolutely hate the away game routine of figuring out what channel or app we're playing on (is that regular CBSSN or CBSSN on Facebook?), trying to find a streaming cable package that works with Stadium/FSN/CBSSN, dealing with bootleg streams, and never playing at any sport's bar outside of Cabell County. It's just about as bush league as it comes. There's also zero doubt in my mind that not having a network have our backs is hurting our recruiting and general perception.

I'm also looking forward to Marshall vs. App State being a big thing on ESPN. Nothing comes close to that on Facebook.

This summed it up perfectly. I'm a diehard fan who's tech savvy and there were times when I was frustrated trying to find a game. I always was eventually able to find it, but I'm sure those barriers kept thousands of potential fans away.

The points about not being able to watch away games at a bar and just the overall bush league factor driving the perception of everything down were huge factors too.

[ThunderDent]

Agreed. On FB you had to find where it was and search around.

On ESPN+ it?s right there with all of the other P5 games.
Even easier because you can select favorite teams that will be at the top of your app and scores every time.

And the fact you can bundle with Disney+/Hulu it?s a no brainer.

My kids wear out Disney, plus all of the Star Wars content on there for me.

Hopefully we?ll get some good matchup linear games on too. And being an ESPN property, they?ll actually talk about us.

[elginherd]

None of those really apply to me. I attend all of the home football games with my family.

I just absolutely hate the away game routine of figuring out what channel or app we're playing on (is that regular CBSSN or CBSSN on Facebook?), trying to find a streaming cable package that works with Stadium/FSN/CBSSN, dealing with bootleg streams, and never playing at any sport's bar outside of Cabell County. It's just about as bush league as it comes. There's also zero doubt in my mind that not having a network have our backs is hurting our recruiting and general perception.

I'm also looking forward to Marshall vs. App State being a big thing on ESPN. Nothing comes close to that on Facebook.

Goch said it right, also.
The 'where's Waldo' aspect was/is terrible.
Facebook not policing the bootleg streams and in fact allowing those links to be more prominent than the official streams when using FB's searh feature is an indicator of where the CUSA is on the totem pole, doesn't it.