Tim Brando of FOX Sports shared that the ACC's TV network might happen sooner rather than later.
Sources tell me the ACC Network (long anticipated)may happen sooner than some expect. Keeping an eye on Notre Dame. BIG10 remains an option— Tim Brando (@TimBrando) May 3, 2016
He backed off/clarified his comment about Notre Dame, but remained steadfast about the conference's network.
The intent of the Tweet was based on Intel regarding Conference realignment being back on the table. That part is accurate.— Tim Brando (@TimBrando) May 4, 2016
I stand by the Intel on ACC & ESPN moving swiftly towards forming an ACC Network, but apologize to any that misunderstood my points on ND.— Tim Brando (@TimBrando) May 4, 2016
I've spoken to the ultimate source within the ACC, and it should be noted I've always been a proponent of ND joining the ACC in all sports.— Tim Brando (@TimBrando) May 4, 2016
A contract exists saying that when The Irish join a Conference in football that League can ONLY be the ACC. Period.— Tim Brando (@TimBrando) May 4, 2016
Two things are interesting enough for me to speculate on. 1) Brando works for FOX Sports, might the ACC find its TV home on a non-ESPN network. 2) If the "ultimate source within the ACC" is John Swofford, then the commissioner of the ACC took the time to immediately correct Brando on Notre Dame, but not the TV network. Perhaps this has some legs.
Comments
Please let this happen so we can at least try to compete with the SEC and B1G in TV money.
Also please let them offer it so a cord cutter can purchase it a la carte. Let's just say I read an article about how much debt I currently have, how much more debt I'm going to continue to accrue over the next two years, and how much they won't be paying me over the next potentially 5-7 years. I have never been more serious about cutting costs in my daily life than I am right now. Not to mention I still have a move to Tallahassee coming up in like 2 short months that needs to be paid for. ugh.
We cut cable in February and my biggest concern was football season. An online accessible ACC Network would be amazing.
*Side note: cutting cable wasn't nearly as difficult of a transition as I thought. I'm extremely glad we did it. My next biggest fear is data caps. After that, I worry about everyone pulling their content from Netflix and creating their own online networks, much like CBS is currently doing, and charging $10 a month. We will end up with 10 different $10/mo services. Suck.
You pay for your content? Hmm...never thought about that...
I attempt to but have no moral issues utilizing alternative methods when providers try to make it difficult (looking at you AMC and SyFy).
I've come to terms with the fact that cable/satellite/internet companies are going to find a way to screw you over no matter what. I would have cut Dish service out if I didn't have a 300gb/month data cap via my ISP. They base my data cap on what internet speed I have. I pay $70/month for 15mbps internet. It's absurd.
This would be the best way to approach it and since they are starting from scratch, maybe they could actually get ahead of the technology curve for once (although not hopeful with Swafford in charge). I would have to think selling a subscription through an online medium would be more profitable for the ACC rather than letting cable companies take their cut. I am not sure if there is a common means of running this through Roku, Slingbox, Sony, etc., but this is where entertainment is heading and they better have a plan to accommodate streaming services.
EDIT: The more I think about it, getting the ACC network included in one of the cable packages would generate the most revenue as people would have to pay for it as part of a tier. I know I am paying for SEC/Big10 network right now because I wanted the FOXSports channel lineup for Reds baseball and guess what is in the same channel set.
Here, here! Looking forward to that day.
Look into getting an antenna, lots of HD options - can get up to 55+ HD channels in major cities. Then get HBO and ESPN log in information from a friend. BOOM you're set.
I have an antenna in Manhattan and I feel like it's some big secret out in the open that no one knows about. I get at least three NFL games on Sunday's and (no shame) use my dads Comcast login for ESPN and other networks that let you stream, including HBO. Add in Netflix and I never miss cable
I paid for SlingTV for a few months - $20 a month and you get ESPN and ESPN2. The service is terrible but your login to Sling is valid on ESPN3/ESPN app, which is a much better service, so it's worth it. If the game you want is on ABC, you get it for free via the ESPN app even without a cable subscription. In my area, with my antenna, only NBC comes in over the air (ND games), and all SEC games stream free from CBSSports.com. The only stuff I actually miss is the stuff on the various subnetworks (SEC, Big Ten, Longhorn, Pac12, Fox Sports), or Fox stuff. With better OTA access, I would be fine.
I did sling for a while but switched to PlayStation Vue. $35, 70 channels, all ESPNS, NBCSports, BEin sports & FSNs for soccer, Disney for the kids, only downside is that it has E & Bravo so housewives & Kardashians have once again invaded my life.
Yeah, I have been looking into that. My fiance got me a Xbox One for Christmas this year (I got her a ring. I still think I came out ahead on this exchange) and I have been extensively researching cutting the cord. I think I'm all for it I think the hold up is that she wants channels like Bravo, HGTV, Food Network, CNN and Fox News; along with ABC, NBC, FOX, and CBS.
In Tallahassee apparently there's basically channels 1-13 available over the air. That should take care of the basic channels. Then I have my parent's login for Comcast which should take care of the rest but it's that whole "live news" thing that she wants that I'm unsure about.
Someone who's cut the cord were you able to watch things like the debates this past year or were you excluded from that?
Depends on the channel. I have an Apple TV and can live stream CNN. ABC/NBC/CBS should be available via antenna. My parents have Fios, and I can watch any of their channels via the iphone app, and then just use airplay to stream onto the AppleTV. I'm you could do something similar with Comcast/PC/Xbox?
Your fiance isn't wrong about HGTV. Fixer Upper is fantastic.
Shiplap!!
Always the shiplap
HGTV and Food Network both have apps for live streaming. You do need cable login information though.
The Ultimate Sauce, can you imagine?
You mean Canes Sauce?
is that like "Sources: Da U is BAK!!"?
It's actually the best way to summon Fireman in a thread;
gee I thought the best way to summon Fireman was to suggest that Rich Rod will make an excellent VT HC once Fuente moves on.
The real one is to say that you heard Rich Rod will be our next head coach: Cane's Sauce. I'm curious as to what happens now.
Fireman needs to work on his response time...he's slipping!!
He's probably responding to a real fire or something. Maybe at Texas A&M after their dumpster fire yesterday.
creepy to see two of these synchronized.
I would be a fan on a ACC Network . This is held the ACC back for several years. Whose to blame ?
From what I have heard, this is happening sooner rather than later. Could be finalized by the end of summer, most likely by the end of year.
I don't think there will be an "ACC Network" in that there won't be a dedicated channel like the Big 10 or SEC. I think you'll see a branding from ESPN/ABC/Raycom on ACC Games.
Honestly, a channel doesn't seem to be something that is going to be a revenue generator if cord cutting continues to occur to the point where cable companies have to change the bundling structure. If that happens, then the ACC is in the drivers seat as they have maintained their relationship with Raycom which would allow them to be an attractive filler and profit generator for local TV advertising, as well as pivoting to an internet only streaming model. One can only hope this means they bring back Doc Walker.
Love me some Doc Walker. I'll watch Wake versus NC State with Doc in the booth.
Hope you're listening Raycom.
Agreed. It always cracked me up when he called Cody Grimm a "cyborg"
We already have that.
I don't necessarily need a television network for ACC games, I just need to be able to stream ACC games online when they aren't available in my area.
EDIT: This is what I'm talking about:
http://espn.go.com/blog/big12/post/_/id/112293/streaming-could-be-the-an...
Exactly.
I'm even willing to pay for it, but I'd like to see it available.
Television Blackouts are the fucking worst.
I went to Bojangles the other day for lunch. Maybe that gave them the little push they needed to up corporate sponsorship monies for the ACC. Maybe I'll put Havoline in my car now.
Don't forget to stop by Food Lion for all your grocery needs.
Sure hope you at that Bojangles and put the Havoline in the car you bought at a Carolina Ford Dealers Association dealership...
What an interesting set of tweets. Is Brando cunning or a buffoon? If he's cunning, he's putting pressure on ESPN to shit or get off the pot of Fox steps in. But maybe it is Swofford playing Brando for those purposes?
or is Brando just talking out of his ass?
"Is Brando cunning or a buffoon?"
"or is Brando just talking out of his ass?"
It's really hard to tell with Brando. Any one of those scenarios or any combination of them are always a possibility with him at any given time.
Also, the fact that he is throwing it out there suggests that some at the ACC want it out there to gauge reaction and interest. Hard to believe he would put this out there without consent from his close "source". He's been in the business way to long to burn a bridge over an unsubstantiated rumor.
CAN THEY PLEASE PUT ND IN THE COASTAL!!!!!
ok no more yelling but seriously, ND vs VT and Miami/Pitt/UNcheat makes soo much sense. They could have a crossover of FSU/Clemson and then a BC or NC State.
ND crossover would absolutely have to be Boston College. Two catholic universities would need to meet up on the field in an annual rivalry. This used to be a rivalry, let it be renewed.
Until the ACC has a new (non-UNC alum) commish VT is going to be stuck with BC as a cross-over. Unfortunately, there just isn't any gettin' out of it
also, if ND joined as a full member they would bring Navy with them. That would be your crossover. ND would probably join the Atlantic since it has "more storied programs" like Clemson and FSU. That would dump Navy into the Coastal.
I think they would put ND in the Coastal for matchup reasons. Imagine all the ACC Championship game possibilities. FSU or Clemson vs VT or ND or UNC or even Miami..
Talk about SELLOUT and a HUGE National audience for an ACC Title game. MONEY MONEY MONEY
yeah that's what they thought when they brought Miami in and split them and FSU up. That worked out great for the conference. Especially with all those ACC CGs in Florida!!
I wouldn't be at all surprised to see them make the same dumb mistake again. ND could really fit into either division, though. I don't know how the league schedule would be structured with a 16 team conference. I have to believe it would be addressed.
Well FL may get the ACCCG back no matter who is in the conference.
Oh really? I didn't know that. I thought the ACC finally wised up to the fact that Charlotte makes a heck of a lot more sense for the CG than, say, Tampa.
I think they would be foolish to move it back to FL but that's just me. What are your sources on that anyway? Or are you just assuming because #goACC?
A certain law in NC may force their hand.
right...well without getting political...there are other options besides Florida. They could do the CG in Atlanta. Or DC. It doesn't have to be FL
ATL already has SEC, DC in Dec!?!? No thanks, so you have SC, FL as your options.
makes me wish Virginia had some pro sports teams
The problem with that is there aren't many people wealthy enough in Virginia to own a team. On top of that you have to find a place for it. Richmond couldn't support a Triple A baseball team and doesn't have space for a venue. Nova is out because it's too close to DC. That leaves the 757 which I'm not confident could support a major team either.
The main reason the R-Braves left for Gwinnett was that they couldn't agree with the city on where to put a new stadium, not that they couldn't support it.
I just looked this up, and the 757 is bigger, population-wise, than eight other metro areas (Milwaukee, Jacksonville, Oklahoma CIty, Memphis, New Orleans, Salt Lake City, Buffalo, Green Bay - an exceptional case) that host major league teams. The thing that sets the 757 apart, though, is that unlike other metro areas that work together as one for the good of the entire area, the Seven Cities function more like, well, seven cities. If we merged together as one (not gonna happen), I guarantee a lot more progress would be made, not as far as trying to attract a sports team, but in a lot of different ways.
The fact that the city would have to foot at least a substantial portion of the bill for a new stadium was also a hurdle they couldn't get over. I would reason that falls under not supporting the team.
Are we talking about the city leaders supporting the team, or the fans supporting the team?
Fan support wasn't the real issue, so not them.
That happens a lot.
See:
Colts,
BaltimoreIndianapolisRams,
Los AngelesSt. LouisLos Angeles.Also not sure the 757 could pull the corporate money for sponsorships and luxury boxes that is driving stadium profitability. In addition large, transient military population that may not immediately embrace a team as it relates to psl's and season tickets.
If the VB arena is built, that may open the chance for an NBA team that may disprove these hunches still a hope and a prayer.
So we need someone to be Ruler of the Seven Cities and force them to act as one. Anyone got any dragons laying about?
Or they could just play football and not insert themselves in the conversation.
The NCAA may force their hand. Just like with SC not being allowed to host NCAA events until this year.
I was thinking of the NCAA, not the ACC, but forgot how backwards the "national collegiate athletic association" is in their priorities.
If ACC goes to 16 teams, I'm not sure we stay in divisions. We may go to four 4 team 'pods' instead of two 8 team divisions. Although, this would require some innovation from both Swofford and the NCAA, so I'm not too hopeful.
...the bitter plan v2.0?
I'd love to have ND and Navy. I'd also like to go to 18 in non-football sports by adding Villanova and Georgetown
I like it! And I selfishly nominate Louisville to be our new crossover.
We'd have to find another Atlantic team (or boot a Coastal team....I don't think anyone would notice if UVa football disappeared, would they?) for this to work. The crossover scenarios you suggested would draw great ire from Miami and Georgia Tech, too. If the ACC expands beyond 14 teams, the permanent crossovers would have to go the way of the dodo anyway.
My only request is that Fox Sports works this deal out with the ACC and not ESECPN. For a number of reasons, my disdain for ESECPN continues to grow.
I agree. Also, with the way ESPN is loosing money like space on a lifeboat for the Titanic passengers it's the smart play Long term.
So am the only one who actually wants a TV channel?
I'm paying for cable, almost exclusively to watch sports, so I'm all for this as well. That said, we are in the transition period to the inevitable move away from traditional TV. Once all the sports are available in equal quality and not delayed time from the tv channels on a streaming platform, it's game over for television as we know it.
Here is the thing I like TV, it's big and easy, with my four tuner TiVo I can have four games at once right there and go between them easily. No cables to attach, no windows to have open and close no log in.
And none of this...
geez, this gif is taking forever to load /s
I want both. There's no reason it couldn't be, and more viewers makes for more money. Also, none of this you can only watch it online if you have a cable subscription BS.
I want the money but I'm not watching non-rev sports for fun.
I, for one, will watch anything VT. Heck, I'd watch VTCC marching tours (if they're still allowed to do those) if they were televised Saturday mornings.
"...it's game over for television as we know it."
Wait...what about QVC and the other shopping channels?
s/...no...S/....maybe...SSSSSS/
The ACC Network is...
My internet provider everytime a game is close and I'm watching online!
via GIPHY
I have the ESPN package.
Still, they seem to put games on one of the ESPN venues that aren't on cable, and I end up having to look for a first row sports channel, along with the associated pop ups that you have to play wack a mole with.
I'm a dog guy, for sure...
But if I ever get stuck with a cat somehow, we are playing THAT game!
I'm a dog person, too. But, using a laser pointer or some string to mess with someone else's cat is pretty fun.
ESPN owes the ACC $45 million if a network is not in place by July 1 so I think it will be sooner than you think.
EDIT: From the TSL article: "Wes Durham told the Louisville Sports Live crew that there is apparently a clause in ESPN's contract with the ACC that requires ESPN to provide $45 million dollars to the ACC if a network is not established by July 1, 2016."
Good point. At the very least they will throw something together to meet the deadline in order to appease their bean-counting, Disney overlords.
"ESPN owes the ACC $45 million if a network is not in place by July 1 "
Note to Swofford...do NOT answer the phone until July 2.
Jefferson-Pilot FTW