ESPN 360 - The best way to see figure skating without being there?

[Joesitz (RIP)]

ABC and ESPN are owned by a single entity, which has a multi-year contract to broadcast ISU-owned material through Worlds 08. I don't believe ESPN360 existed when the contract was executed, but it could have been added in a later amendment. In any case, the ABC/ESPN contract with ISU is about to end. Unless another contract is negotiated, nobody will have any license for any ISU competitions in any medium (except for the US-only rights to SA, which is webcast by IceNetwork).

This is really my point on legality, and even you are not sure when you say the contract may have been added in a later amendment. ESPN360 is not a TV generated program but a computer generator program. My conjecture about this, is why did ESPN360 come into view when they dumped the ice skating? They do not charge anything! There are no ads that I can remember. What does ESPN have to gain by all this? (I'm also sure they have lawyers. I can't imagine Disney without lawyers, which if you didn't know is the parent of ABC/ESPN) I don't think after 2008 Worlds ESPN has to give up something that is not related to the contract to begin with.

Can you speak for most of the other Sports involved on ESPN360? what is their legal standings? Some of those Sports are seen on other Cable networks that are not part of ESPN, but apparently part of ESPN360.

2008 Worlds is approaching, afterwards there will be no ESPN cable for figure skating. I think it will be on ESPN360 even if it's its last hurrah. I also think, if ESPN360 becomes legal and valid after 2008 Worlds, that it will charge a fee for interested people at registration.

Unless one can deal with Chinese and Russian Cables for international competitions, the Americans will not have access to it except for 2009 Worlds, 2010 Olys and a handful of skaters at Skate Amercia. Afterwards NBC will disappear if the rating are down.

I'm not pushing people to get ESPN360 because I do not know if it will continue without a financial gain. I have it and it costs me nothing for the time being.

Nothing anyone can do except wait and see.

Joe

 

[Tonichelle]

Some of those Sports are seen on other Cable networks that are not part of ESPN,

Right - but they're not the same COMPETITION as on other networks...

Say if CBS had the rights to the Gymnastic World Championships (or whatever) ESPN couldn't show it on TV or Online.

Yes, the internet is new. Yes, most contracts don't look to the future. But! That doesn't mean that the internet is free game. It's still ESPN's name and company that's broadcasting. How they choose to broadcast is irrelevant.


As for why they're putting any skating on ESPN360 I can only assume they are putting out feelers. They can see if it's worth an interest and perhaps negotiate a new contract if it's even worth it.

They could also have the mindset of - what the heck, we have the contract through this year. Why not throw this up.

Or they're trying to show the ISU and potentially the USFSA that they still take skating seriously and want to keep channels open.

However I would assume that ABC/ESPN would not want IceNetwork broadcasting online if they were going to also broadcast online. So I don't think - for the time being - we will see them jockeying for a contract WHEN THE TIME COMES with the USFSA. *shrugs*

These are just my feelings with the little knowledge I have of how networks can work. *shrugs* as long as they wait until I'm out of college to help create an all figure skating tv network I'm happy

 

[Tenorguy]

Cannot get ESPN 360 in So Cal

Joesitz - Unfortunately I can't get ESPN 360 here in Time Warner area north of LA...... ESPN's parent company is the House of Mouse, sworn enemy of everything Warner! Think Mickey versus Bugs and you get the point... Relations between Time Warner and Disney are always contentious at best; ESPN will push for the highest dollar to stick it to Warner - that's really how it goes.

So I will have to live vicariously through those who can get it. Off subject - but as a balletomane, have you read the Nureyev bio from Julie Kavanagh? I just finished it and found it fascinating, tragic, bizarre.... everything Rudolf. Reading it made me long to see a live production of La Bayadere again, of course for the Kingdom of Shades part.

Do you remember Sarah Hughes' Bayadere LP? I thought that was an elegant program using the basic Bayadere hands on the shoulders pose..... a nice touch..

Tenorguy

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Joesitz - Unfortunately I can't get ESPN 360 here in Time Warner area north of LA...... ESPN's parent company is the House of Mouse, sworn enemy of everything Warner! Think Mickey versus Bugs and you get the point... Relations between Time Warner and Disney are always contentious at best; ESPN will push for the highest dollar to stick it to Warner - that's really how it goes.

Always nice to read your takes on Golden Skate. Your points about TimeWarner and Disney are priceless and I never thought about it that way. I have a Server in NYC which is not connected to either of those comanies, but it is still wanting in better programming. I was shocked when I realized it carried the ESPN360. Yippee forme, I finally got a break. This whole matter should be cleared up by the day after the WorldChampionships 2008. If it is a testing ground for the Mouse, I am sure there will be a charge for it and available on all TV Servers. Bugs will have to acquiese to it, and make it a Premium Channel.

So I will have to live vicariously through those who can get it. Off subject - but as a balletomane, have you read the Nureyev bio from Julie Kavanagh? I just finished it and found it fascinating, tragic, bizarre.... everything Rudolf. Reading it made me long to see a live production of La Bayadere again, of course for the Kingdom of Shades part.

Do you remember Sarah Hughes' Bayadere LP? I thought that was an elegant program using the basic Bayadere hands on the shoulders pose..... a nice touch..Tenorguy

I have not gotten around to reading Kavanaugh's bio on Nuryev but it will be done soon. There was an interesting PBS documentary on his life not too long ago. I had never seen that one before. He was an up and coming dancer with the Kirov Ballet but he had an East German boyfriend who often travelled to Russia to see him. Finally the E.Germans would not allow the boyfriend out and it is assumed that is why Nureyev fled Russia. Is that covered in the book?

I do see a lot of ballet, and I also get tired of watching the classics. La (Bayaderre is fine but a bit boring after a while. Petipa knew the Russian appetite for exotic middle eastern drama. Sara did a nice job with that, I agree. She did utilize some of the manerisms of the ballet.

BTW, Are you watching Live From the Met in your local movie house? I've seen Gounod's R&J and Puccini's Manon Lescaut. Great to see.

Joe

 

[Tenorguy]

Espn 360

Joe - Funny about Disney and Warner Brothers..... both headquarters are within 3 mintues driving time in Burbank and they can see each other's water towers; they are literally kissing cousins. You are right - the Mouse barks, Warner acquieces, then barks back and the Mouse hides and lets the other big bully in the neighborhood Universal duke it out with the public. Paramount is over the hill in Hollywood and they just do their own thing (mostly the Star Trek movies et al.). Hollywood/Big studio is so entertaining to watch!

Regarding Nureyev, yes, the book covers his first love affair. After Rudolph left for the West, everyone including his first lover suffered greatly - the pressure put on potential defectors' families was the psychological barrier that kept artists inside of Russia. Very sad book to read - artists have a hard life and nothing is guaranteed.

Yes, I have been to the theaters and it is such a great new avenue for the Met. I saw R & J, Macbeth and Manon Lescault but my fav was Macbeth. All 3 shows were completely sold out and the buzz is growing. Good job Met!

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

TG - I saw MacBeth at the Met. I didn't realize it was opening night and I paid big bucks for a balcony seat. Everyone was dressed to the nines and I was in blue jeans.

Can you imagine a Pairs Team or a Dance Team skating to Verdi's Macbeth. The story of two hateful and viscious lovers and they were lovers. That would be an artistic achievement in figure skating at any age.

Joe