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ESPN is the big sticking point in Disney's dispute with NY pay-TV operator Altice
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orangefan Offline
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Post: #1
ESPN is the big sticking point in Disney's dispute with NY pay-TV operator Altice
The showdown continues. Big test for ESPN and the ACCN. The article states that Altice is trying to keep prices down so it can compete with OTT services. I would note that if the OTT services have ESPN and Altice does not, that will hurt them with many subscribers and may even accelerate their losses.

http://www.latimes.com/businesfor%20thre...y,amp.html

Here' an excerpt:

Quote:Walt Disney Co. is facing a crucial test of the strength of its ESPN sports empire as a New York pay-TV provider is balking at the Burbank entertainment giant’s contract demands, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown.

Altice USA is refusing to meet Disney’s demands to carry ESPN and Disney’s entertainment channels, including ABC, saying Disney is asking for too much money, particularly for ESPN, which has been struggling with subscriber losses and ratings declines.

The carriage agreement — which covers Altice’s 2.6 million customer homes in the New York City suburbs — expires Saturday night. Without a new deal, millions of sports fans will be left in the lurch, unable to watch “Monday Night Football” or a pivotal New York Yankees wildcard playoff game next week.

“Disney is not going to back down, and neither is Altice,” said veteran media analyst Michael Nathanson of MoffettNathanson Research.

Much is riding on the negotiations, which will continue in advance of the deadline, according to people familiar with the discussions. The Altice talks represent the first major deal renewal for Disney in nearly three years — and the first since ESPN’s fortunes have fallen.

For years, Disney was able to extract substantial rate hikes for ESPN, and cable and satellite-TV operators grudgingly paid. But now, distributors are pushing back because they are trying to keep a lid on costs as they lose more customers to internet streaming services, such as Sling TV or Netflix.

Although Altice is not the biggest pay-TV operator — it is dwarfed by such giants as Charter Communications, Comcast Corp. and AT&T’s DirecTV — the deal terms that Disney strikes with Altice could provide a template for other renewals that are coming up for the Burbank company in the next few years.
(This post was last modified: 09-29-2017 09:14 AM by orangefan.)
09-29-2017 09:04 AM
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Hokie Mark Online
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Post: #2
RE: ESPN is the big sticking point in Disney's dispute with NY pay-TV operator Altice
The fact that it's a fight just tells me both sides are trying to get the best deal possible - nothing unusual.

The fact that the New York Yankees, Mets, Giants and Jets all play games on ESPN tells me New Yorkers WILL demand ESPN.

Here's something to think about - which scenario loses more subscribers for Altice?
1. Hold or reduce the price but lose ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and Disney, or
2. Raise the price a couple of bucks but keep all those channels?

Remember, Altice customers who want ESPN can always cancel cable and sign up for Sling, etc.
09-29-2017 09:48 AM
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orangefan Offline
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RE: ESPN is the big sticking point in Disney's dispute with NY pay-TV operator Altice
(09-29-2017 09:48 AM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  The fact that it's a fight just tells me both sides are trying to get the best deal possible - nothing unusual.

The fact that the New York Yankees, Mets, Giants and Jets all play games on ESPN tells me New Yorkers WILL demand ESPN.

Here's something to think about - which scenario loses more subscribers for Altice?
1. Hold or reduce the price but lose ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and Disney, or
2. Raise the price a couple of bucks but keep all those channels?

Remember, Altice customers who want ESPN can always cancel cable and sign up for Sling, etc.

What's interesting is that ESPN bought that one baseball wild card game as a selling point to tell cable companies you have to have us if you want the entire playoffs. Now, they're getting the Yankees in that single game precisely before their contract with Altice runs out (and/or possibly the one game playoff with the Red Sox in the unlikely event of a tie in the division race).

Cablevision was notorious for being one of the most difficult cable companies to deal with in carriage negotiations. Altice may have the same folks doing the negotiations now. I recall that YES Network ultimately had to go to court to be added.
(This post was last modified: 09-29-2017 10:44 AM by orangefan.)
09-29-2017 10:43 AM
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Hokie Mark Online
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Post: #4
RE: ESPN is the big sticking point in Disney's dispute with NY pay-TV operator Altice
UPDATE:

[Image: DLFVjdmW0AA2KEo.jpg:large]
10-01-2017 07:39 PM
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TexanMark Offline
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RE: ESPN is the big sticking point in Disney's dispute with NY pay-TV operator Altice
10-01-2017 08:16 PM
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Hokie Mark Online
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RE: ESPN is the big sticking point in Disney's dispute with NY pay-TV operator Altice
(10-01-2017 08:16 PM)TexanMark Wrote:  https://www.bloomberg.com/amp/news/artic...ew-yorkers

Quote:Altice also agreed to pick up two collegiate sports networks... Altice will carry the SEC Network... and the yet-to-be launched ACC Network...

Of course, no word on the price paid for those networks.
10-01-2017 10:01 PM
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orangefan Offline
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RE: ESPN is the big sticking point in Disney's dispute with NY pay-TV operator Altice
(10-01-2017 10:01 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  
(10-01-2017 08:16 PM)TexanMark Wrote:  https://www.bloomberg.com/amp/news/artic...ew-yorkers

Quote:Altice also agreed to pick up two collegiate sports networks... Altice will carry the SEC Network... and the yet-to-be launched ACC Network...

Of course, no word on the price paid for those networks.

"Altice will carry the SEC Network, which features games from schools in the Southeastern Conference, and the yet-to-be launched ACC Network, which features Atlantic Coast Conference teams, the people said. Altice will drop one lesser-watched ESPN channel, the people said." Interesting. I wonder which one. They appear to carry ESPNU, ESPNews, ESPN Classic and ESPN Deportes. Each runs around $0.25/month in carriage fees. I'd guess ESPN Classic, which ESPN has allowed some other carriers to place on their sports tiers.
(This post was last modified: 10-02-2017 10:15 AM by orangefan.)
10-02-2017 09:05 AM
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Post: #8
RE: ESPN is the big sticking point in Disney's dispute with NY pay-TV operator Altice
This statement was released by ESPN about the deal with Altice:

Quote:As part of the new multi-year agreement, Optimum will continue to provide its customers widespread access to WABC, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Goal Line, ESPN Bases Loaded, ESPN3 and Freeform, as well as make available additional multiplatform, digital and expanded on-demand content from The Walt Disney Company. Optimum will add ESPN’s SEC Network in late 2018 and launch ACC Network (in place of another ESPN network) in August 2019. The companies also expect to collaborate on ESPN’s direct-to-consumer product, which is slated to launch in early 2018, and have agreed to leverage Altice USA’s data analytics platform.
...
Optimum customers will continue to receive full streaming access to existing authenticated apps like ABC, Freeform, DisneyNOW (Disney Channel, Disney Junior, and Disney XD) and ESPN (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Goal Line and ESPN Bases Loaded). These products give Optimum customers the flexibility to stream live and on-demand, both in home and out of home, on their computers, phones, tablets, gaming consoles and smart TVs.

SOURCE: http://es.pn/2wAtidM

So, which ESPN channel gets dropped when the ACC Network launches? I'm guessing ESPNews (does anybody actually watch that)?
10-06-2017 06:46 AM
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H.U.S.T.L.E. Offline
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Post: #9
RE: ESPN is the big sticking point in Disney's dispute with NY pay-TV operator Altice
(10-06-2017 06:46 AM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  So, which ESPN channel gets dropped when the ACC Network launches? I'm guessing ESPNews (does anybody actually watch that)?

ESPNews has always been my guess to morph into the linear ACC Network.

People love to bash how ESPN has changed Sportscenter and moved towards personality-driven vehicles like SC6 and Sportscenter with SVP , but there are real reasons for those shows to evolve. Who's really watching a sports highlights show any more? With smartphones & all of the scores at our fingertips, there's increasingly less of a need for those types of shows.

Same deal with ESPNews. What's really the point any more? If there's really a breaking news story in the world of sports, ESPN has the ticker and they can preempt whatever studio programming is supposed to be shown.

Many people speculated that ESPNU would evolve into the ACC Network, but I never understood that rationale. Sure, it has better carriage than ESPNews right now, but that's one of the reasons why it would be silly for them to change ESPNU. By changing ESPNews into the ACCN, you could potentially have another channel with a higher carriage rate. Shifting ESPNU's focus could alienate subscribers in regions that don't care about the ACC.
10-06-2017 07:45 AM
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Hokie Mark Online
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RE: ESPN is the big sticking point in Disney's dispute with NY pay-TV operator Altice
(10-06-2017 07:45 AM)H.U.S.T.L.E. Wrote:  
(10-06-2017 06:46 AM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  So, which ESPN channel gets dropped when the ACC Network launches? I'm guessing ESPNews (does anybody actually watch that)?

ESPNews has always been my guess to morph into the linear ACC Network.

People love to bash how ESPN has changed Sportscenter and moved towards personality-driven vehicles like SC6 and Sportscenter with SVP , but there are real reasons for those shows to evolve. Who's really watching a sports highlights show any more? With smartphones & all of the scores at our fingertips, there's increasingly less of a need for those types of shows.

Same deal with ESPNews. What's really the point any more? If there's really a breaking news story in the world of sports, ESPN has the ticker and they can preempt whatever studio programming is supposed to be shown.

Many people speculated that ESPNU would evolve into the ACC Network, but I never understood that rationale. Sure, it has better carriage than ESPNews right now, but that's one of the reasons why it would be silly for them to change ESPNU. By changing ESPNews into the ACCN, you could potentially have another channel with a higher carriage rate. Shifting ESPNU's focus could alienate subscribers in regions that don't care about the ACC.

Makes a lot of sense. A well-educated, intelligent poster!
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10-06-2017 08:58 AM
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RE: ESPN is the big sticking point in Disney's dispute with NY pay-TV operator Altice
(10-06-2017 06:46 AM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  This statement was released by ESPN about the deal with Altice:

Quote:As part of the new multi-year agreement, Optimum will continue to provide its customers widespread access to WABC, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Goal Line, ESPN Bases Loaded, ESPN3 and Freeform, as well as make available additional multiplatform, digital and expanded on-demand content from The Walt Disney Company. Optimum will add ESPN’s SEC Network in late 2018 and launch ACC Network (in place of another ESPN network) in August 2019. The companies also expect to collaborate on ESPN’s direct-to-consumer product, which is slated to launch in early 2018, and have agreed to leverage Altice USA’s data analytics platform.
...
Optimum customers will continue to receive full streaming access to existing authenticated apps like ABC, Freeform, DisneyNOW (Disney Channel, Disney Junior, and Disney XD) and ESPN (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Goal Line and ESPN Bases Loaded). These products give Optimum customers the flexibility to stream live and on-demand, both in home and out of home, on their computers, phones, tablets, gaming consoles and smart TVs.

SOURCE: http://es.pn/2wAtidM

So, which ESPN channel gets dropped when the ACC Network launches? I'm guessing ESPNews (does anybody actually watch that)?

Altice/Optimum appears to carry ESPN and ESPN2 in its "value" package and ESPNU, ESPNews and ESPN Deportes in its "preferred" package. https://www.optimum.net/cdn/static.tvlis...atNeck.pdf
10-06-2017 10:03 AM
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RE: ESPN is the big sticking point in Disney's dispute with NY pay-TV operator Altice
(10-06-2017 08:58 AM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  
(10-06-2017 07:45 AM)H.U.S.T.L.E. Wrote:  
(10-06-2017 06:46 AM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  So, which ESPN channel gets dropped when the ACC Network launches? I'm guessing ESPNews (does anybody actually watch that)?

ESPNews has always been my guess to morph into the linear ACC Network.

People love to bash how ESPN has changed Sportscenter and moved towards personality-driven vehicles like SC6 and Sportscenter with SVP , but there are real reasons for those shows to evolve. Who's really watching a sports highlights show any more? With smartphones & all of the scores at our fingertips, there's increasingly less of a need for those types of shows.

Same deal with ESPNews. What's really the point any more? If there's really a breaking news story in the world of sports, ESPN has the ticker and they can preempt whatever studio programming is supposed to be shown.

Many people speculated that ESPNU would evolve into the ACC Network, but I never understood that rationale. Sure, it has better carriage than ESPNews right now, but that's one of the reasons why it would be silly for them to change ESPNU. By changing ESPNews into the ACCN, you could potentially have another channel with a higher carriage rate. Shifting ESPNU's focus could alienate subscribers in regions that don't care about the ACC.

Makes a lot of sense. A well-educated, intelligent poster!
04-cheers

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10-06-2017 10:05 AM
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Post: #13
RE: ESPN is the big sticking point in Disney's dispute with NY pay-TV operator Altice
It's been really fun to watch the ACC doomsday cult over the past few years. There was admittedly a brief period of instability, but that ended with the signing of the GOR. Even then, the kool-aid drinkers insisted that the ACCN would never happen and the conference would fall apart. Then the ACCN was announced. The so-called internet TV industry "experts" then proclaimed that the ACCN would never achieve sufficient carriage. This part, along with carriage rates, is still playing out, but the Altice deal is a very good omen. Color me not worried.

Go Tigers!



(10-06-2017 10:03 AM)orangefan Wrote:  
(10-06-2017 06:46 AM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  This statement was released by ESPN about the deal with Altice:

Quote:As part of the new multi-year agreement, Optimum will continue to provide its customers widespread access to WABC, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Goal Line, ESPN Bases Loaded, ESPN3 and Freeform, as well as make available additional multiplatform, digital and expanded on-demand content from The Walt Disney Company. Optimum will add ESPN’s SEC Network in late 2018 and launch ACC Network (in place of another ESPN network) in August 2019. The companies also expect to collaborate on ESPN’s direct-to-consumer product, which is slated to launch in early 2018, and have agreed to leverage Altice USA’s data analytics platform.
...
Optimum customers will continue to receive full streaming access to existing authenticated apps like ABC, Freeform, DisneyNOW (Disney Channel, Disney Junior, and Disney XD) and ESPN (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Goal Line and ESPN Bases Loaded). These products give Optimum customers the flexibility to stream live and on-demand, both in home and out of home, on their computers, phones, tablets, gaming consoles and smart TVs.

SOURCE: http://es.pn/2wAtidM

So, which ESPN channel gets dropped when the ACC Network launches? I'm guessing ESPNews (does anybody actually watch that)?

Altice/Optimum appears to carry ESPN and ESPN2 in its "value" package and ESPNU, ESPNews and ESPN Deportes in its "preferred" package. https://www.optimum.net/cdn/static.tvlis...atNeck.pdf
10-06-2017 11:24 AM
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Hokie Mark Online
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Post: #14
RE: ESPN is the big sticking point in Disney's dispute with NY pay-TV operator Altice
Here's an interesting angle on the Altice deal by All Sports Discussion:

Quote:That’s 2.4 Million subscribers that just picked up the ACC Network before nearly 2 years before it launches.

source: http://allsportsdiscussion.com/2017/10/0...c-network/

but no, it'll never get distribution anything like the SECN or the BTN...
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10-06-2017 12:25 PM
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orangefan Offline
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RE: ESPN is the big sticking point in Disney's dispute with NY pay-TV operator Altice
(10-06-2017 11:24 AM)ren.hoek Wrote:  It's been really fun to watch the ACC doomsday cult over the past few years. There was admittedly a brief period of instability, but that ended with the signing of the GOR. Even then, the kool-aid drinkers insisted that the ACCN would never happen and the conference would fall apart. Then the ACCN was announced. The so-called internet TV industry "experts" then proclaimed that the ACCN would never achieve sufficient carriage. This part, along with carriage rates, is still playing out, but the Altice deal is a very good omen. Color me not worried.

Go Tigers!

Interesting factoid, Cablevision (now Altice) was the only significant provider in the country that did not reach a deal with ESPN to carry the SECN previously. Convincing Altice to carry the ACCN at launch is a big deal and a good omen.
10-06-2017 12:30 PM
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RE: ESPN is the big sticking point in Disney's dispute with NY pay-TV operator Altice
I read somewhere that it's actually a minor Disney channel, not an ESPN channel, that's being dropped.
10-06-2017 02:24 PM
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