Realignment Megathread (All The Moves)

[isucy86]

A data point for sports on Amazon. Not sure it says much since the NFL is in a different universe....

Thanks for posting, I meant to check on it.

I am surprised Amazon did that well. I think that is very encouraging for Amazon that live sports can bring people to the Prime platform. It will be interesting if they see a bump in membership subscriptions over the last month.

The viewership stat that I feel is most apples to apples is YOY viewership:

• Chiefs/Chargers Game: 13.03M with 11.8 on Amazon & 1.15M on local KC/LA TV
• Last Year's TNF Premier Wk5: 15.M on Fox & NFL

So Amazon's first game drew 87% of a game shown on Fox last year- that seems damn good for a "launch". The other interesting data point is the first 2 weeks of MNF this year averaged 8.9M viewers.

It will be interesting to see a season's worth of Amazon viewership data for TNF. I think that speaks well of having Tier 2/Tier 3 games on Amazon Prime. It would seem like a step up from ESPN+.

 

[jcyclonee]

This gives Amazon amazing metrics on the value of their Prime membership. I'm betting 10 to 1, they'll start pitching merchandise specific to those members.

You are probably right. There might also end up being a small upcharge for the Prime Video Sports Channel.

 

[Clark]

Thanks for posting, I meant to check on it.

I am surprised Amazon did that well. I think that is very encouraging for Amazon that live sports can bring people to the Prime platform. It will be interesting if they see a bump in membership subscriptions over the last month.

The viewership stat that I feel is most apples to apples is YOY viewership:

• Chiefs/Chargers Game: 13.03M with 11.8 on Amazon & 1.15M on local KC/LA TV
• Last Year's TNF Premier Wk5: 15.M on Fox & NFL

So Amazon's first game drew 87% of a game shown on Fox last year- that seems damn good for a "launch". The other interesting data point is the first 2 weeks of MNF this year averaged 8.9M viewers.

It will be interesting to see a season's worth of Amazon viewership data for TNF. I think that speaks well of having Tier 2/Tier 3 games on Amazon Prime. It would seem like a step up from ESPN+.

that's not even close to fair, this year's NFL ratings are up across the board over last year. How in the world is last year more fair than last week?

 

[HFCS]

Thanks for posting, I meant to check on it.

I am surprised Amazon that well. I think that is very encouraging for Amazon that live sports can bring people to the Prime platform. It will be interesting if they see a bump in membership subscriptions over the last month.

The viewership stat that I feel is most apples to apples is YOY viewership:

• Chiefs/Chargers Game: 13.03M with 11.8 on Amazon & 1.15M on local KC/LA TV
• Last Year's TNF Premier Wk5: 15.M on Fox & NFL

So Amazon's first game drew 87% of a game shown on Fox last year- that seems damn good for a "launch". The other interesting data point is the first 2 weeks of MNF this year averaged 8.9M viewers.

It will be interesting to see a season's worth of Amazon viewership data for TNF. I think that speaks well of having Tier 2/Tier 3 games on Amazon Prime. It would seem like a step up from ESPN+.

The Whole Foods in my neighborhood is actually one of the better places to watch sports because they have a great bar with maybe 15 huge displays.

If a decent game is on I will have a beer as a post grocery shopping tradition.

The other day I realized that 4 years ago I'd be in a grocery store owned by Whole Foods watching a broadcast on NBC or ABC or ESPN...but now I was sitting in a grocery store owned by Amazon watching a game broadcast by Amazon on Amazon's channel. It was a bit of a dystopian future realization. Every TV was on the prime game but it was a somewhat local Chargers game. Bit of a dystopian future panic in the back of my brain.

 

[cykadelic2]

Thanks for posting, I meant to check on it.

I am surprised Amazon did that well. I think that is very encouraging for Amazon that live sports can bring people to the Prime platform. It will be interesting if they see a bump in membership subscriptions over the last month.

The viewership stat that I feel is most apples to apples is YOY viewership:

• Chiefs/Chargers Game: 13.03M with 11.8 on Amazon & 1.15M on local KC/LA TV
• Last Year's TNF Premier Wk5: 15.M on Fox & NFL

So Amazon's first game drew 87% of a game shown on Fox last year- that seems damn good for a "launch". The other interesting data point is the first 2 weeks of MNF this year averaged 8.9M viewers.

It will be interesting to see a season's worth of Amazon viewership data for TNF. I think that speaks well of having Tier 2/Tier 3 games on Amazon Prime. It would seem like a step up from ESPN+.

And this is why there should be minimal aversion to putting the majority of expanded B12 FB and BB inventory on Prime if the Amazon payouts keeps the B12 within 75%-80% of the B10. Prime can then sublicense one or two FB GOTWs to a broadcast network (e.g. CBS primetime given the existing Prime/Paramount partnership) and possibly another to TNT or USA. The threat to ESPN of potentially losing both FB & MBB inventory to Prime would certainly enhance the bidding process for the B12.

 

[Antihawk240]

Now we're getting somewhere. Start running team specific sales during the game?

I've got a couple in me, the good guys are winning, and I only have to click a button to buy that $80 hoodie..... Next level ****

Is it that our will every viewer get a different commercial? Here me out, I'm logged into Amazon Prime through my Amazon Prime account which has access to my purchasing trends. We all watch the same game, but we all get different commercials based of what we use Amazon for. That is brilliant and extremely doable for their company. The same could be said for Google if they became players.

 

[aeroclone]

Thanks for posting, I meant to check on it.

I am surprised Amazon did that well. I think that is very encouraging for Amazon that live sports can bring people to the Prime platform. It will be interesting if they see a bump in membership subscriptions over the last month.

The viewership stat that I feel is most apples to apples is YOY viewership:

• Chiefs/Chargers Game: 13.03M with 11.8 on Amazon & 1.15M on local KC/LA TV
• Last Year's TNF Premier Wk5: 15.M on Fox & NFL

So Amazon's first game drew 87% of a game shown on Fox last year- that seems damn good for a "launch". The other interesting data point is the first 2 weeks of MNF this year averaged 8.9M viewers.

It will be interesting to see a season's worth of Amazon viewership data for TNF. I think that speaks well of having Tier 2/Tier 3 games on Amazon Prime. It would seem like a step up from ESPN+.

I think it is a huge leap to go from success on one TNF NFL game to saying Amazon would be good for tier 2 or 3 college games. The NFL is the king of live sports. TNF is the only thing going on for major sports on a Thursday night. And Chiefs Chargers was a maychup of a couple Super Bowl favorites in prime time. That is an absolutely top notch football product that sports fans will seek out wherever it is.

How many of those viewers are going to find Kstate vs Texas Tech on Amazon at 2 PM on a Saturday when there are a dozen other games going on via more traditional channels. That is a much tougher task.

 

[KnappShack]

Is it that our will every viewer get a different commercial? Here me out, I'm logged into Amazon Prime through my Amazon Prime account which has access to my purchasing trends. We all watch the same game, but we all get different commercials based of what we use Amazon for. That is brilliant and extremely doable for their company. The same could be said for Google if they became players.

We were told in a company meeting that Amazon is so dialed in to what their individual consumers want they are considering just sending boxes of stuff to your house.

They know some things would be returned, but are confident enough that a person would keep some of the stuff.

If I'm watching a game and that Charlie Hustle hoodie pops up....maybe 15% off if I use the One Click on the screen....

Print cash. That does sound more like a Google move, but Amazon has info on me too. Tailored to individual accounts. Power stuff.

 

[cyfanatic]

I think it is a huge leap to go from success on one TNF NFL game to saying Amazon would be good for tier 2 or 3 college games. The NFL is the king of live sports. TNF is the only thing going on for major sports on a Thursday night. And Chiefs Chargers was a maychup of a couple Super Bowl favorites in prime time. That is an absolutely top notch football product that sports fans will seek out wherever it is.

How many of those viewers are going to find Kstate vs Texas Tech on Amazon at 2 PM on a Saturday when there are a dozen other games going on via more traditional channels. That is a much tougher task.

This is a question/concern I have had with streaming. I do stream and believe it certainly is the future (if not present) of entertainment. When it comes to apps and different services, gone will be the days of spinning the dial (or perusing the onscreen guide) and stumbling upon a game with teams I only have a minor interest in and becoming a fan. Which is sad to me personally because that is how I fell in love with Iowa State basketball! I did not know an ISU fan...but was at my grandparents house, bored, turned on TV and the only thing that seemed of interest was the Iowa State basketball game. I was hooked. I don't see how things like that will happen if Iowa State football (not saying that will happen, just saying) is only on one particular streaming service.

 

[cykadelic2]

How many of those viewers are going to find Kstate vs Texas Tech on Amazon at 2 PM on a Saturday when there are a dozen other games going on via more traditional channels. That is a much tougher task.

Quite a few given the ongoing viewing migration from linear to streaming only.

 

[cyfanatic]

We were told in a company meeting that Amazon is so dialed in to what their individual consumers want they are considering just sending boxes of stuff to your house.

They know some things would be returned, but are confident enough that a person would keep some of the stuff.

If I'm watching a game and that Charlie Hustle hoodie pops up....maybe 15% off if I use the One Click on the screen....

Print cash. That does sound more like a Google move, but Amazon has info on me too. Tailored to individual accounts. Power stuff.

There was a Parks and Rec episode in which Gryzzl did that exact thing!

 

[cyfanatic]

Quite a few given the ongoing viewing migration from linear to streaming only.

Depends...if one only dives into streaming on a YTTV/Hulu Live kind of way...and the KSU/T-Tech game is on Amazon...they won't land on that game at all!

 

[WhoISthis]

How many of those viewers are going to find Kstate vs Texas Tech on Amazon at 2 PM on a Saturday when there are a dozen other games going on via more traditional channels. That is a much tougher task.

Soon…nearly all.

The adoption to watch is smart TVs.

As soon as smart TVs are universal, in which the TV makes streaming vs linear indistinguishable, streaming is much more viable

 

[isucy86]

I think it is a huge leap to go from success on one TNF NFL game to saying Amazon would be good for tier 2 or 3 college games. The NFL is the king of live sports. TNF is the only thing going on for major sports on a Thursday night. And Chiefs Chargers was a maychup of a couple Super Bowl favorites in prime time. That is an absolutely top notch football product that sports fans will seek out wherever it is.

How many of those viewers are going to find Kstate vs Texas Tech on Amazon at 2 PM on a Saturday when there are a dozen other games going on via more traditional channels. That is a much tougher task.

So how many ISU fans (or even fans at other Big12 schools) purchase ESPN+ to watch Big12 tier 3 games? What about college football fans in the other P5 conferences? Are they likely to purchase ESPN+ to just be able to watch a random Big12 game?

Personally, I would rather have the Big12 tier 3 games be on Amazon than ESPN+. AND I BUY ESPN+ for 7 months a year to watch ISU. Having Big12 Tier 3 contests on Amazon or Apple gives access to casual sports fans who buy Amazon or Apple+ to watch non-sport programming, but would also be able to catch Big12 games.

I also think have a tier 2 game of the week on Amazon to bring in a greater audience might be the draw for Amazon, Apple, etc. to pay more money- but still not get the elite Big12 games each week.

 

[Jeremy]

This is a question/concern I have had with streaming. I do stream and believe it certainly is the future (if not present) of entertainment. When it comes to apps and different services, gone will be the days of spinning the dial (or perusing the onscreen guide) and stumbling upon a game with teams I only have a minor interest in and becoming a fan. Which is sad to me personally because that is how I fell in love with Iowa State basketball! I did not know an ISU fan...but was at my grandparents house, bored, turned on TV and the only thing that seemed of interest was the Iowa State basketball game. I was hooked. I don't see how things like that will happen if Iowa State football (not saying that will happen, just saying) is only on one particular streaming service.

This season has been a PITA for that already. I like to watch every good game across my devices and finding the right service and switching to close games on other services sucks. There are a LOT of people that won't go to that effort unless they're a fan of the school playing.

 

[Jeremy]

Soon…nearly all.

The adoption to watch is smart TVs.

As soon as smart TVs are universal, in which the TV makes streaming vs linear indistinguishable, streaming is much more viable

It's the future, but unless/until there becomes a unified search and integrated viewing experience, it will still reduce the number of casual fans watching games like Iowa State. I watch every game time window from Wed Maction to Monday night NFL and I'm finding myself only watching 2-3 games at a time instead of the usual 3-4 just because of the hassle of different services, apps, and whatnot.

 

[cykadelic2]

This season has been a PITA for that already. I like to watch every good game across my devices and finding the right service and switching to close games on other services sucks. There are a LOT of people that won't go to that effort unless they're a fan of the school playing.

I would not be surprised if Amazon eventually develops a "linear" package similar to YTTV and Hulu which includes their Prime programming. They certainly have the resources to do so.

 

[WhoISthis]

It's the future, but unless/until there becomes a unified search and integrated viewing experience, it will still reduce the number of casual fans watching games like Iowa State. I watch every game time window from Wed Maction to Monday night NFL and I'm finding myself only watching 2-3 games at a time instead of the usual 3-4 just because of the hassle of different services, apps, and whatnot.

Many TVs are already that way. Simply say “college football” and you get all games in one list. The medium or channel not only important or noticeable. If you dont have the required subscription to watch…it is very tempting to buy on the spot. Seamless. Prime and all streaming will be compatible when smart TVs are the only way we watch. Likely before the new Big 12 deal

I can’t imagine going back to flipping channels or going through the programming guides or searching or having to track what channel games are on, OTA or otherwise.

 

[NorthCyd]

This might be a stupid idea, and if it is I would be glad to read somebody explaining to me why, but would Gonzaga make sense as a basketball-only add for the Big 12 if it goes west?

Doubt Gonzaga would have much interest. They already get unequal revenue share in their conference and risk losing their elite status if they join a tougher conference. Honestly, would joining a tougher conference put them in a better position for success? I don't think so.

 

[06_CY]

Many TVs are already that way. Simply say “college football” and you get all games in one list. The medium or channel not only important or noticeable. If you dont have the required subscription to watch…it is very tempting to buy on the spot. Seamless. Prime and all streaming will be compatible when smart TVs are the only way we watch. Likely before the new Big 12 deal

I can’t imagine going back to flipping channels or going through the programming guides or searching or having to track what channel games are on, OTA or otherwise.

Question to make sure I understand:

I have a tv with built in Roku. If I say College Football with a voice search, it'll bring up games that are on YTTV, ESPN+, Prime, and anything else such as if one was on Peacock? And I can switch through those?