Read the arguments from Loyal Homer and Bleacher Fan about whether or not league affiliated cable networks are beginning to come into their own.
Smart fans – like the kind that read informative and fascinating debates on modern sports – demand information. Well, check that. Smart fans demand GOOD information from reliable sources. Historically sports fans have become extremely reliant upon ESPN. For better or worse, whether we agree with all of the editorial decisions or not, ESPN has been the most reliable, easily accessible source for immediate sports news and information for more than two decades.
But, the way fans are accessing and consuming information is changing. ESPN was the primary information source. Now league-owned and powered networks are beginning to create an alternative to ESPN.
Competing with ESPN requires insightful commentary, solid non-news programming, instant information, access, and great reporting. ESPN has been a champion in each category in recent years. Now niche networks are creating competitive content. The MLB Network is showing it can attract top talent like Harold Reynolds and Peter Gammons. The NFL Network has exclusive rights to very important games like the upcoming games for the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts as those teams attempt to preserve undefeated seasons. The NBA Network and the NFL Network also have exclusive content that diehard fans want to see.
The number of households a network has penetrated does not matter in this situation. Network growth sometimes comes after the content is proven to be solid. For example, the Big Ten Network was kept out of the majority of households in its first year of existence in much of the Midwest despite the ownership of exclusive content. While not the primary driving force in negotiations, when the non-event related content improved the cable companies and the network did manage to strike a deal that fans benefitted from.
MLB Network is an excellent example of a cable station that is coming into its own. It employs excellent analysts ranging from Harold Reynolds to Al Leiter to Barry Larkin to Sean Casey to Billy Ripkin to some former general managers – former GMs with much better luck staying away from interns. The non-event programming is excellent, too. While Bob Costas is not a personality everyone finds appealing, his show, Studio 42, is widely acclaimed as an excellent interview show. The purpose build, baseball-diamond shaped studio is ideal for creating atmosphere and giving the former players ample space to demonstrate the finer nuances of the game. The lengthy, in-depth documentaries are ideal for the baseball fan that appreciates history and statistics. It is a themed network in the same way Disney is a themed park. Down to the details, MLB Network is appealing to the baseball fan.
So, why would a baseball fan bother with ESPN any longer for baseball content? Sure, Baseball Tonight is a great program, but MLB Network has an hour of pregame for the night’s games, then live look-ins and analysis of each of the night’s biggest moments. In short, ESPN no longer offers any type of content that makes it a destination for baseball fans.
With league-owned networks creating competitive content and reporting to ESPN, will ratings follow? Will these series of networks supplant ESPN as the go to source as fans begin to favor depth over a cursory overview? Fortunately the world has a gift. That gift is called The Sports Debates.
Today’s debate topic: Are league-affiliated networks finally coming into their own?
Loyal Homer will argue that league-affiliated networks are starting to come into their own, citing moves like the MLB Network’s recent announcement that former ESPN baseball reporter Peter Gammons is leaving the worldwide leader for the MLB Network. Bleacher Fan will argue that the niche league-affiliated networks are not coming into their own and ESPN will remain the supreme source for sports news and information.
Now, begin the debate. I’m going to flip on the MLB Network and watch Hot Stove.
