Let’s Talk About the Raycom RSN Deal for ACC Content

[MSOrange]

As an alum of a mid-major, general college sports junkie and big golf fan ESPN+ is awesome. The $10 or whatever per month I pay for it now is beyond worth it.

Agree. Mid major alum of Mercer. I never expected a time that I'd be able to see every single Mercer football and basketball game.

 

[WoadBlue]

BTW: The Colgate game is already on ACC Network Extra.

Colgate? Now that is a good way to see many of the ACC's problems in football telecasting. The ACC is not the SEC and cannot get away with games played against the likes of Colgate. . Quite simply, the ACC need to force members to beef up OOC scheduling.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

Colgate? Now that is a good way to see many of the ACC's problems in football telecasting. The ACC is not the SEC and cannot get away with games played against the likes of Colgate. . Quite simply, the ACC need to force members to beef up OOC scheduling.

The Campbell Fighting Camel-Toes?

 

[kingtidge]

I thought games on RSNs but are not on in certain areas are on ESPN3 which is free, not ESPN+. Did that change this past year?

I dunno, but they typically show up in my espn+ tab on my laptop when I VPN from say Colorado...

 

[Moontan]

Colgate? Now that is a good way to see many of the ACC's problems in football telecasting. The ACC is not the SEC and cannot get away with games played against the likes of Colgate. . Quite simply, the ACC need to force members to beef up OOC scheduling.

I’m sure that the Campbell Fighting Camels are much tougher.

 

[rhcuse]

I hear those guys can run all day without a Gatorade break.

 

[MadNY3]

We all know Raycom got some ACC football and basketball games to control as part of an ill fated deal while Swofford was still trying to be the ACC commissioner.

They sold them to regional sports networks, which didn’t seem like a big deal initially, but this became a major headache for ACC fans over time, as millions cut the cord and RSNs became problematic to access for cord cutters. Lots of issues for ACC fans outside the core ACC areas too.

And we know Diamond Sports terminated the agreement in June, so control for the tier 3 ACC content they controlled went back to Raycom.

And we know Raycom is going to sell that content again. The question is, who is going to buy it?

Raycom being Raycom, they will probably pick the highest bidder. You know ESPN is going to want that content back. When the ACC network was started, ESPN tried to buy that content, which they would have loved to show on ACCN, and Raycom said no. EPSN has surely heard the cries of anger and outrage from ACC fans who pay for access to ESPN and ACCN and still can’t get all the games..

It has been a few weeks since Raycom got control of this ACC content back and no word yet on where it is going.

Is it possible someone else has expressed interest? If so, who?

I read some speculation one of the streaming options might be interested. Someone like Apple TV, Google or Amazon Prime. Really hope ESPN gets the content to make things easier for ACC fans to do one stop shopping for ACC content. Read some speculation that if ESPN does get it back, some of the content could go to ESPN+. Would hate to see that happen too. ESPN+ is for the unwashed tier 3 leagues without their own network, Ivy, B12, MAC, AAC, etc

But would ESPN buy up this content just to do a solid for ACC fans and not get any additional revenue in return? Can we expect them to not act in their own self interests?

This should be close to the hearts of SU fans because whatever ends up happening, it likely going to determine who broadcasts the first two games of the SU football season. Both look like they were going to be RSN games. And I bet we end up getting one more football game on the RSN replacement this year. And 3 or 4 basketball games too.

I know we have industry experts on the board. What is going to happen? Please speculate below….

ESPN will get it.

It’s too small and not complete enough for the emerging tech companies to care enough.

 

[OrangeAl]

Colgate? Now that is a good way to see many of the ACC's problems in football telecasting. The ACC is not the SEC and cannot get away with games played against the likes of Colgate. . Quite simply, the ACC need to force members to beef up OOC scheduling.

Can't belittle Colgate. They once owned us. We're on a sixteen game winning streak against them but the all-time series is deadlocked at 31 wins apiece. This is the year to take the lead! Go Orange!!

 

[WoadBlue]

The Campbell Fighting Camel-Toes?

If they were the Fighting Camel-Toes, I'd be somewhat interested. Nobody even in NC will care a damn little bit. Such a game is bad for UNC and for the ACC. I am long on record as opposing UNC playing ECU or App St, much less lower than that pair.

 

[Hoo's That]

If they were the Fighting Camel-Toes, I'd be somewhat interested. Nobody even in NC will care a damn little bit. Such a game is bad for UNC and for the ACC. I am long on record as opposing UNC playing ECU or App St, much less lower than that pair.

Unfortunately, our fans are addicted to playing the VA D-1AAs and ODU, JMU, etc., because "I can drive to the away games."

 

[sutomcat]

Colgate? Now that is a good way to see many of the ACC's problems in football telecasting. The ACC is not the SEC and cannot get away with games played against the likes of Colgate. . Quite simply, the ACC need to force members to beef up OOC scheduling.

I have no problem with one OOC game a season against an FCS opponent. A 12 game regular season is a grind and teams need a game where they can play some subs, get the starters some rest and try some new things.

IMHO, every ACC team should absolutely play at least one P5 opponent OOC each year. Preferably a good one that will go to a bowl. Would like the other two to be a weaker P5 school and a G5 school.

If an ACC team is strong and deep, maybe play 2 good P5 programs. Or even 3.

 

[CU44SE]

I have no problem with one OOC game a season against an FCS opponent. A 12 game regular season is a grind and teams need a game where they can play some subs, get the starters some rest and try some new things.

IMHO, every ACC team should absolutely play at least one P5 opponent OOC each year. Preferably a good one that will go to a bowl. Would like the other two to be a weaker P5 school and a G5 school.

If an ACC team is strong and deep, maybe play 2 good P5 programs. Or even 3.

Look at the SEC. Yes they have a tough conference, im not saying they don’t. But they are also inflated based on everyone playing such terrible competition. They may schedule 1 big time game first week. They are always neutral sites. Other than that, they don’t play any P5 teams unless they are end of season rivals. Georgia - Georgia tech, FSU - Florida, Clemson - South Carolina. The rest of the games are against lower lower level D1 teams.

 

[sutomcat]

Look at the SEC. Yes they have a tough conference, im not saying they don’t. But they are also inflated based on everyone playing such terrible competition. They may schedule 1 big time game first week. They are always neutral sites. Other than that, they don’t play any P5 teams unless they are end of season rivals. Georgia - Georgia tech, FSU - Florida, Clemson - South Carolina. The rest of the games are against lower lower level D1 teams.

I am sure Woad means well but for a program like Syracuse, we are not ready to play 12 good P5 opponents every season,

I think it is better for us to schedule to give us a reasonable chance to win 7 or 8 games every year. Do that for a few years, build some momentum in the program and gradually toughen the OOC schedule over time. We will never help the ACC going 4-8 every season.

If we start going 8-4 every season, we can get to a point where we can play competitive games against high end OOC P5 opponents and get some big wins for the conference.

 

[Scooch]

I am sure Woad means well but for a program like Syracuse, we are not ready to play 12 good P5 opponents every season,

I think it is better for us to schedule to give us a reasonable chance to win 7 or 8 games every year. Do that for a few years, build some momentum in the program and gradually toughen the OOC schedule over time. We will never help the ACC going 4-8 every season.

If we start going 8-4 every season, we can get to a point where we can play competitive games against high end OOC P5 opponents and get some big wins for the conference.

IMHO, With a 12 team playoff there’s really no reason for us to schedule more than one P5 OOC opponent every year.

 

[WoadBlue]

Unfortunately, our fans are addicted to playing the VA D-1AAs and ODU, JMU, etc., because "I can drive to the away games."

It's a 1950s mindset that still exists is old ACC circles. And it is another bad thing for the league. The Sec and BT can get away with a lot of very weak, small time OOC foes. But the ACC cannot. For our TV numbers and for league respect, we need every team to play a tough OOC slate.

That's the main reason I would approve a scheduling deal with the Pac: help everyone wean off the small time crap and replace with a Pac team or 2 every year.

 

[WoadBlue]

I am sure Woad means well but for a program like Syracuse, we are not ready to play 12 good P5 opponents every season,

I think it is better for us to schedule to give us a reasonable chance to win 7 or 8 games every year. Do that for a few years, build some momentum in the program and gradually toughen the OOC schedule over time. We will never help the ACC going 4-8 every season.

If we start going 8-4 every season, we can get to a point where we can play competitive games against high end OOC P5 opponents and get some big wins for the conference.

TV deals pay for number of viewers. Nobody is going to watch UNC vs Campbell or Syracuse vs. Colgate or Dook vs. Furman. Many more people will watch UNC vs. Oregon St, Syracuse vs.Washington St, and Dook vs Stanford. Those games certainly could not set TV viewer records, but they would add nicely to our numbers. And none of those teams is among the ACC or the Pac's best TV draws.

Improved OOC scheduling is one way, a fairly easy way, to get a better TV deal.

 

[sutomcat]

IMHO, With a 12 team playoff there’s really no reason for us to schedule more than one P5 OOC opponent every year.

Agree. If we play one P5 OOC and combine it with our league schedule, if we go undefeated, we are in. If we end up with 1 loss, we might still be in.

My ideal 4 game OOC schedule

1 P5 higher level opponent. Half the time at home, half the time on the road.

Preferably someone that plays in an area we recruit. Preferably from a place that is drivable for SU fans in CNY or at least easy to fly to. We need more of these games.

Examples: Purdue, Penn State, Maryland, Michigan State

1 lower level P5/higher level G5 opponent. Half the time at home, half on the road.

Preferably someone that plays in an area we recruit. Preferably from a place that is drivable for SU fans in CNY or at least easy to fly to. We need more of these games.

Examples: Rutgers, Kansas, Northwestern, Vandy, Illinois, Army, Navy

1 lower level G5 opponent. Hoping we can do a home only or a 2 homes and 1 away game type series with many of these teams

Examples: any MAC opponent, especially Kent State, Akron and UB. UConn. UMass. Temple. FAU. FIU. USF.

1 FCS game. Always at home.

Ideally someone like Colgate. Wagner, New Hampshire, Stonybrook and Albany.

 

[Scooch]

TV deals pay for number of viewers. Nobody is going to watch UNC vs Campbell or Syracuse vs. Colgate or Dook vs. Furman. Many more people will watch UNC vs. Oregon St, Syracuse vs.Washington St, and Dook vs Stanford. Those games certainly could not set TV viewer records, but they would add nicely to our numbers. And none of those teams is among the ACC or the Pac's best TV draws.

Improved OOC scheduling is one way, a fairly easy way, to get a better TV deal.

In fairness, the best way to improve the ACC TV deal is for the ACC to have much better teams. A way to do that is to schedule for success. I’m perfectly fine with every ACC team only playing 1 good P5 team each season. The key is to win those games, and get more than 1 or 2 teams in the top 20.

 

[Hoo's That]

It's a 1950s mindset that still exists is old ACC circles. And it is another bad thing for the league. The Sec and BT can get away with a lot of very weak, small time OOC foes. But the ACC cannot. For our TV numbers and for league respect, we need every team to play a tough OOC slate.

That's the main reason I would approve a scheduling deal with the Pac: help everyone wean off the small time crap and replace with a Pac team or 2 every year.

You're preaching to the choir, Reverend. I was one of the few who thought it was a great idea to play home-and-homes with Oregon, USC, and UCLA. But, then again, I'm not a native Vahjenyun.

 

[CU44SE]

Weak opponents means more wins, which inflates the view of your conference, which then increases tv contracts. You don’t get better TV contract for scheduling out of conference games. You get a better TV contract when you have a lot of quality inventory. The SEC is always ranked high because only the top 2-3 teams play very difficult games to start the season. All the SEC losses come against other SEC schools. So then everyone sees the SEC as a gauntlet because they all beat up on each other.

It’s a great strategy and one the ACC needs to use. The problem is, the ACC is over scheduling and also, the ACC is scheduling little brother schools that are actually winning games. The ACC needs to start winning these gimme games and entering conference with better records.

Look at basketball. The Big 10 does this exact same strategy in basketball. They get all these early season wins which inflates the view of the conference. Then they get into regular season play and beat up on each other and everyone says how difficult the conference is. Then they get to the tournament where competition gets harder and they fold because they had inflated records.

 

[baggerbob]

You're preaching to the choir, Reverend. I was one of the few who thought it was a great idea to play home-and-homes with Oregon, USC, and UCLA. But, then again, I'm not a native Vahjenyun.

I have said before every ACC team should have a yearly SEC foe.
Ours should be Auburn, we could never beat them enough to make up for tie Dye.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

I have said before every ACC team should have a yearly SEC foe.
Ours should be Auburn, we could never beat them enough to make up for tie Dye.

Miami vs LSU is the Ed Orgeron Bowl

Wake vs Vandy is the 4.0 GPA Bowl

Syracuse vs Tennessee is the Best Orange Bowl

And who doesn't want to send BC to Bum *** Arkansas.

Texas and Oklahoma will just have to keep playing with themselves.

Alabama	North Carolina
Arkansas	Boston College
Auburn	NC State
Florida	Florida State
Georgia	Georgia Tech
Kentucky	Louisville
LSU	Miami (FL)
Ole Miss	Virginia
Mississippi State	Virginia Tech
Missouri	Duke
South Carolina	Clemson
Tennessee	Syracuse
Texas A&M	Pittsburgh
Vanderbilt	Wake Forest

 

[Hoo's That]

Miami vs LSU is the Ed Orgeron Bowl

Wake vs Vandy is the 4.0 GPA Bowl

Syracuse vs Tennessee is the Best Orange Bowl

And who doesn't want to send BC to Bum *** Arkansas.

Texas and Oklahoma will just have to keep playing with themselves.

Alabama	North Carolina
Arkansas	Boston College
Auburn	NC State
Florida	Florida State
Georgia	Georgia Tech
Kentucky	Louisville
LSU	Miami (FL)
Ole Miss	Virginia
Mississippi State	Virginia Tech
Missouri	Duke
South Carolina	Clemson
Tennessee	Syracuse
Texas A&M	Pittsburgh
Vanderbilt	Wake Forest

UVa-Ole Miss has been put forward as the SEC matchup most people on our board would like to see happen.

 

[MikeSU02]

Tangentially, I'd recommend watching Iger's comments this morning from his interview on CNBC (he also just got an extension).

Interesting stuff on ESPN, ABC, etc on top of many other items.

One synopsis (not comprehensive):

CNBC link (videos): Disney CEO Bob Iger on media landscape: Challenges are greater than I had anticipated

 

[cusefan88]