PAC-12 problems - Not really much about VB

[tomclen]

The big Portland newspaper, THE OREGONIAN, has an exhaustive story on problems at the top with the PAC-12.

This story barely mentions volleyball, but it seems many of us have issues with the PAC-12 network, which is widely discussed in the article. It's mostly concern about the real money maker - football - and how the brass at the PAC are living large:



The article is mostly about the tenure of commissioner Larry Scott:

"Larry is a lavish guy; he likes extravagance," said Bill Moos, the former Oregon and Washington State athletic director, who is now at Nebraska. "He runs the Pac-12 like he's the commissioner of Major League Baseball."

The Pac-12 Conference touts itself as "The Conference of Champions" and it wins titles in sports such as cross country, track and field, gymnastics, baseball and volleyball. But the conference hasn't registered nationally where it counts most in college athletics -- football.

A lot of PAC volleyball fans may feel the same way about the comparisons to PAC vs. B1G and SEC football as we feel about PAC vs. B1G volleyball.

The cost of maintaining its own television network is substantial. The failure to get distribution of the Pac-12 Network on DirecTV is a maddening issue for fans and coaches. Insiders say the ratings, guarded carefully by the conference, are a disappointment. There's private grumbling from ADs and coaches about less money and exposure compared to the other Power 5 conferences, but few will speak publicly. In part, because Scott has a reputation among staffers in the conference for being vindictive toward those who speak out against him.

It's a pretty interesting story. You can read the JOHN CANZANO ARTICLE HERE.

[cdizzle]

Say what you will about football ratings, but i’ve been very happy about the PAC 12 Network’s Volleyball coverage this year. I have been able to watch nearly every match through the network’s website, with real camera angles and play by play announcers. I would not want things to go back to the way they were before.

[tomclen]

Agreed that PAC VB network coverage is improving. The broadcasts themselves are better and, yes, you can now watch almost every single match either on the network or on their app or website.

But, IMO, the network has forced schools to shift game days and times and that doesn't seem to be helping with attendance. Not sure whey they think putting so many games on Sunday, head to head with the NFL, is a smart plan. Other than they need to fill air time when there's no college football or basketball.

And it seems to me that PAC has clearly fallen behind the B1G in terms of VB dominance, and the PAC is way behind the B1G when it comes to attendance for VB.

[vbfamily]

Nov 27, 2018 12:01:16 GMT -5 tomclen said:

Agreed that PAC VB network coverage is improving. The broadcasts themselves are better and, yes, you can now watch almost every single match either on the network or on their app or website.

But, IMO, the network has forced schools to shift game days and times and that doesn't seem to be helping with attendance. Not sure whey they think putting so many games on Sunday, head to head with the NFL, is a smart plan. Other than they need to fill air time when there's no college football or basketball.

And it seems to me that PAC has clearly fallen behind the B1G in terms of VB dominance, and the PAC is way behind the B1G when it comes to attendance for VB.

As far as I'm aware, the Sunday wasn't because of P12 Network.  That is a conference change of the standard schedule due to travel that I think most coaches agreed with.  This is the first year of Friday-Sunday.  Certainly, if both schools agree, can move them (after they have received the P12 Network schedule of coverage).  I think the UW-WSU and UT-CU trips are tough back to back Fri-Sat, the others are fine.

[mikegarrison]

Larry Scott blew in, made big promises about big money the PAC was going to get when they expanded and added their own TV network. And I think they have made more money, but not a lot more money. Not the money they were expecting.

What I heard is that the Direc-TV issue comes down to this -- the PAC made a deal with Direc-TV's competitor, Dish. Direc was unhappy about that, and insisted they get more favorable treatment than Dish. The PAC has refused to give them more favorable treatment, and Direc has refused to carry the PAC-12N.

[Steve vb]

Nov 27, 2018 11:30:55 GMT -5 cdizzle said:

Say what you will about football ratings, but i’ve been very happy about the PAC 12 Network’s Volleyball coverage this year. I have been able to watch nearly every match through the network’s website, with real camera angles and play by play announcers. I would not want things to go back to the way they were before.

The quality if fine, but the problem is accessibility.  If you don't subscribe to Dish or cable tv, there seems to be no legal way to view any matches.  Unlike the Big Ten network, there doesn't seem to be a way to subscribe directly on-line.  

[saywhatnow]

I should not live in Los Angeles and not have access to the Pac-12 network. I have watched more B1G volleyball over the last few years because of the Pac12 can't get their shi* together. Those salaries are atrocious especially considering how the conference is performing.

[redbeard2008]

Nov 27, 2018 12:01:16 GMT -5 tomclen said:

Agreed that PAC VB network coverage is improving. The broadcasts themselves are better and, yes, you can now watch almost every single match either on the network or on their app or website.

But, IMO, the network has forced schools to shift game days and times and that doesn't seem to be helping with attendance. Not sure whey they think putting so many games on Sunday, head to head with the NFL, is a smart plan. Other than they need to fill air time when there's no college football or basketball.

And it seems to me that PAC has clearly fallen behind the B1G in terms of VB dominance, and the PAC is way behind the B1G when it comes to attendance for VB.

They're locked into their national/regional networks model due to current contracts. Once they come up for renegotiation, however, expect significant changes. Options:

1) Single Network/+ Model (see BTN and SEC Networks). This includes a single conference "broadcast" channel (primarily featuring football, men's basketball), with most other events (including volleyball) pushed to an online "streaming" system (for an additional subscription fee).

2) Compressed Multiple Networks/+ Model: Compress to three regional networks (NW, CAL, and MTN), which would carry "conference-wide" content (primarily featuring football, men's basketball) during "prime" viewing slots and "regional" content during "subprime" viewing slots, with most other events (including volleyball) pushed to an online "streaming" system (for an additional subscription fee). A fourth "national" network (including "conference-wide" and selected "regional" content) could be provided for out-of-market and satellite viewers.

[redbeard2008]

Nov 27, 2018 13:32:00 GMT -5 Steve vb said:

Nov 27, 2018 11:30:55 GMT -5 cdizzle said:

Say what you will about football ratings, but i’ve been very happy about the PAC 12 Network’s Volleyball coverage this year. I have been able to watch nearly every match through the network’s website, with real camera angles and play by play announcers. I would not want things to go back to the way they were before.

The quality if fine, but the problem is accessibility.  If you don't subscribe to Dish or cable tv, there seems to be no legal way to view any matches.  Unlike the Big Ten network, there doesn't seem to be a way to subscribe directly on-line.  

Not true. Anybody can get the Pac-12 Networks by subscribing to Sling TV + Sports Extra or to FuboTV.

Granted that this not attractive if already paying for cable or satellite.

[tomclen]

Nov 27, 2018 12:43:26 GMT -5 vbfamily said:

Nov 27, 2018 12:01:16 GMT -5 tomclen said:

Agreed that PAC VB network coverage is improving. The broadcasts themselves are better and, yes, you can now watch almost every single match either on the network or on their app or website.

But, IMO, the network has forced schools to shift game days and times and that doesn't seem to be helping with attendance. Not sure whey they think putting so many games on Sunday, head to head with the NFL, is a smart plan. Other than they need to fill air time when there's no college football or basketball.

And it seems to me that PAC has clearly fallen behind the B1G in terms of VB dominance, and the PAC is way behind the B1G when it comes to attendance for VB.

As far as I'm aware, the Sunday wasn't because of P12 Network.  That is a conference change of the standard schedule due to travel that I think most coaches agreed with.  This is the first year of Friday-Sunday.  Certainly, if both schools agree, can move them (after they have received the P12 Network schedule of coverage).  I think the UW-WSU and UT-CU trips are tough back to back Fri-Sat, the others are fine.

You may be correct. There were a smattering of Sunday games prior to the PAC12 launch in 2012.

But in 2009 there were only 2 Sunday conference matches. In 2010 there were none. 2 in 2011; 3 in 2012.

But starting in 2013, there were 5 Sunday matches per season. Starting in 2016, that was stepped up to 6 per season.

And it's not just the Sunday matches, it's the times. Sure it's nice to sit at home and watch multiple matches starting at 11a; 1p; 3p etc. But I'm not sure it's helping attendance. And since the network doesn't release their ratings figures, we don't know how many viewers they have when they're showing volleyball head-to-head with the NFL.

[Steve vb]

Nov 27, 2018 14:07:07 GMT -5 redbeard2008 said:

Nov 27, 2018 13:32:00 GMT -5 Steve vb said:

The quality if fine, but the problem is accessibility.  If you don't subscribe to Dish or cable tv, there seems to be no legal way to view any matches.  Unlike the Big Ten network, there doesn't seem to be a way to subscribe directly on-line.  

Not true. Anybody can get the Pac-12 Networks by subscribing to Sling TV + Sports Extra or to FuboTV.

Sling and Fubu are entire streaming services.  I believe that subscribing to Sling TV with the sports packages costs $35 per month.  Since I already receive most channels, including Big Ten network, on a different streaming service, another $35 per month to watch a few PAC12 Volleyball matches per month is not viable.   

[dokterrudi]

Nov 27, 2018 13:32:00 GMT -5 Steve vb said:

Nov 27, 2018 11:30:55 GMT -5 cdizzle said:

Say what you will about football ratings, but i’ve been very happy about the PAC 12 Network’s Volleyball coverage this year. I have been able to watch nearly every match through the network’s website, with real camera angles and play by play announcers. I would not want things to go back to the way they were before.

The quality if fine, but the problem is accessibility.  If you don't subscribe to Dish or cable tv, there seems to be no legal way to view any matches.  Unlike the Big Ten network, there doesn't seem to be a way to subscribe directly on-line.  

agreed you would think that they would want ro grow the audience. I have VUE and could watch Yale vs Princeton for chrisake

[blastingsand]

It's not just volleyball yes, the Pac is down in ALL sports and dwindle down since Larry Scott came in. Yes maybe water polo and some of the running sports still do well, but...

[redbeard2008]

Nov 27, 2018 14:23:13 GMT -5 Steve vb said:

Nov 27, 2018 14:07:07 GMT -5 redbeard2008 said:

Not true. Anybody can get the Pac-12 Networks by subscribing to Sling TV + Sports Extra or to FuboTV.

Sling and Fubu are entire streaming services.  I believe that subscribing to Sling TV with the sports packages costs $35 per month.  Since I already receive most channels, including Big Ten network, on a different streaming service, another $35 per month to watch a few PAC12 Volleyball matches per month is not viable.   

Sling TV Orange ($25/mo) + Sports Extra ($5/mo) = $30/mo. Includes 6 Regional Pac-12 Networks, ESPN/2/3/U, SEC Network/+, ACC Network/+, Stadium/2/3. But no BTN.

FuboTV ($39.99/mo) + Sports Plus ($8.99/mo) = $48.98/mo. Includes Pac-12 Networks (7 channels), BTN (4 channels), Stadium/1/2/3. But no ESPN, SEC Network, or ACC Network.

Most attractive to cord-cutting sports fans, of course, but an option is to drop down to a less expensive non-sports tier (still including local channels), then subscribe to Sling TV for its sports content.

I'm in the same boat as you, but relative to BTN - since getting Pac-12 content is most important to me, not getting BTN is a small sacrifice.

[vbfamily]

Nov 27, 2018 14:12:29 GMT -5 tomclen said:

Nov 27, 2018 12:43:26 GMT -5 vbfamily said:

As far as I'm aware, the Sunday wasn't because of P12 Network.  That is a conference change of the standard schedule due to travel that I think most coaches agreed with.  This is the first year of Friday-Sunday.  Certainly, if both schools agree, can move them (after they have received the P12 Network schedule of coverage).  I think the UW-WSU and UT-CU trips are tough back to back Fri-Sat, the others are fine.

You may be correct. There were a smattering of Sunday games prior to the PAC12 launch in 2012.

But in 2009 there were only 2 Sunday conference matches. In 2010 there were none. 2 in 2011; 3 in 2012.

But starting in 2013, there were 5 Sunday matches per season. Starting in 2016, that was stepped up to 6 per season.

And it's not just the Sunday matches, it's the times. Sure it's nice to sit at home and watch multiple matches starting at 11a; 1p; 3p etc. But I'm not sure it's helping attendance. And since the network doesn't release their ratings figures, we don't know how many viewers they have when they're showing volleyball head-to-head with the NFL.

Yes, doesn't help attendance for sure.  Curious if it does help their viewership??  Interesting the progression, curious if the previous ones were P12 network motivated.