Do you subscribe to ESPN+? Is this the future of tv?

[Penguinfan]

From what I understand the way cable companies and satellite tv companies work is they pay the networks per subscriber and then of course add on some for themselves. You pay for every channel in the package whether you watch it or not, which isn't Earth shattering news, but the largest fee of all those content providers is ESPN who gets $6 and sometimes more per subscriber from someone like DirecTv.


If you have ESPN+ you just pay them directly $5/month and get access to all the content they have through the app which includes live sports and their themed programming. I like that not only do you get live sports but you get multiple options in each time frame, not just one option like you get from your tv provider.


If content providers can cut out the middle man like Comcast or DirecTv and get to the consumer directly will this end up better for the end consumer (you and I) or worse?

Pros: I can buy only the content I want
Cons: It could get expensive depending on how the provider values their content

Thoughts?

 

[yyz]

I would guess it's like most marketing, in that it seems fairly cheap early on, but eventually they'll send it right up your ass.

 

[Penguinfan]

Right now if you subscribe to DirecTv $6 goes to ESPN whether you watch it or not. I wonder what percentage of DirecTv subscribers watch ESPN and how many of them would purchase it "a-la-carte"?

In the case of DirecTv I bet the percentage is very high since a lot of people get DT for sports, the percentage would be lower for cable companies.

I think you are correct, right now you are forced to buy ESPN whether you want to or not, the fee is just hidden. If ESPN loses any percentage of those subscribers they would surely have to up the cost to cover that.

 

[devil dave]

Cut the cord.

 

[3 putt pete]

I do subscribe. I'm largely a follower of mid major conferences and even div 2 and 3 football, hoops and soccer. The options to get a steady diet of these games were severely limited until ESPN Watch and ESPN Plus came along. For the chump change they currently charge it was a no brainer.

 

[Penguinfan]

I do subscribe. I'm largely a follower of mid major conferences and even div 2 and 3 football, hoops and soccer. The options to get a steady diet of these games were severely limited until ESPN Watch and ESPN Plus came along. For the chump change they currently charge it was a no brainer.

I'm with you. I used to get MLS soccer and that cost $15/month alone, now I get that thrown in with all the other content. No brainer for me just for soccer because in addition to MLS I get a decent amount of European games I wouldn't otherwise be able to watch.

I can't believe it's only $4.99/month. Like YYZ said, I'm sure soon enough the price goes way up.

 

[hawkeye]

I don't as I don't have the big bucks like 3 Putt.

 

[Old School]

Right now if you subscribe to DirecTv $6 goes to ESPN whether you watch it or not. I wonder what percentage of DirecTv subscribers watch ESPN and how many of them would purchase it "a-la-carte"?

In the case of DirecTv I bet the percentage is very high since a lot of people get DT for sports, the percentage would be lower for cable companies.

I think you are correct, right now you are forced to buy ESPN whether you want to or not, the fee is just hidden. If ESPN loses any percentage of those subscribers they would surely have to up the cost to cover that.

I have ESPN+ for buckets and specials..ESPN for buckets on DTV..


wife ain't leaving DTV............and recording 12 shows throughout the house..

 

[Sportsaholic]

I have the basic ESPN & ESPN 2 package with Spectrum at home.....I go online to ESPN.com, click "watch" and sign in as a Spectrum customer and I watch all the ESPN + packages and ABC I believe for free.....Just about any game with very few black outs except Longhorn Net....

Games I can't find on ESPN.com I sign into Reddit.com and usually can view any college//nhl/nba/mlb/msl ect for free online, you do need to weed out some of the bad links from time to time....:0008

 

[3 putt pete]

I don't as I don't have the big bucks like 3 Putt.

Well, I did have a few bucks before hoops season started. It's OK though, I now have a side hustle.