Now that ESPN is going standalone, is this the downfall of traditional packages?

[goaliebob99]

Now that ESPN is going standalone and you have other streaming options, do you think this will be the downfall of traditional satellite packages? I am wondering if this is going to be bad as now the content is going to be priced out of this world, 5 dollars for ESPN here, 40 for Sling there, 10 for Netflix and another 10 for Hulu. It starts to add up. Calculate an 180 dollar satellite bill versus streaming options it almost comes out to be a wash. What do you think the future of traditional TV is?

 

[Bodo Fenrirsson]

Now that ESPN is going standalone and you have other streaming options, do you think this will be the downfall of traditional satellite packages? I am wondering if this is going to be bad as now the content is going to be priced out of this world, 5 dollars for ESPN here, 40 for Sling there, 10 for Netflix and another 10 for Hulu. It starts to add up. Calculate an 180 dollar satellite bill versus streaming options it almost comes out to be a wash. What do you think the future of traditional TV is?

Why would you pay for a standalone ESPN app AND Sling TV's $40.00 package that carries ESPN? If you have Playstation Vue, you don't need Hulu. All of Hulu's original programing will eventually come to DVD. If I had just the Playstation Vue Access package, I wouldn't even need the CBS Access app. With the Playstation Vue Core package, I most definitely would not need to pay for an ESPN standalone app.

 

[Zookster]

With a full $100+/mo. cable package, I would still want Netflix streaming and I would still be an Amazon Prime member. Instead, I only pay $35/mo. for PS Vue, which gives me full access to ESPN's family of channels, Fox Sports, etc. with DVR functions on a half dozen devices in my house. All my OTT subs run me $53/mo. and I have more to watch than I have time for.

 

[Yragha]

I'm out of the loop. Link to ESPN going at it solo? Thanks

 

[goaliebob99]

Why would you pay for a standalone ESPN app AND Sling TV's $40.00 package that carries ESPN? If you have Playstation Vue, you don't need Hulu. All of Hulu's original programing will eventually come to DVD. If I had just the Playstation Vue Access package, I wouldn't even need the CBS Access app. With the Playstation Vue Core package, I most definitely would not need to pay for an ESPN standalone app.

ESPN said that the stand-alone app will have different content than the linear channels. What I see happening is ESPN cutting content out of the linear channels, over charging for a stand alone service and pushing that content exclusive to the standalone service, thus a 2nd subscription is required. For them it's a new revenue stream so they will push content over to it and dilute the linear side so they can make more money off of stand alone app. Remember that there is no middle man with a standalone app so the profit margins are whatever ESPN wants.

 

[Yespage]

ESPN said that the stand-alone app will have different content than the linear channels. What I see happening is ESPN cutting content out of the linear channels, over charging for a stand alone service and pushing that content exclusive to the standalone service, thus a 2nd subscription is required.

Wasn't that what ESPN 3 was? Where internet providers had to pay ESPN for access to ESPN 3?

For them it's a new revenue stream so they will push content over to it and dilute the linear side so they can make more money off of stand alone app. Remember that there is no middle man with a standalone app so the profit margins are whatever ESPN wants.

Screw ESPN. They dug themselves in to a hole and expect everyone else to pay ESPN's way out of it.

 

[Zookster]

Well, it would definitely suck donkey balls if I could no longer watch games that ESPN doesn't air on the linear channels for free on Watch ESPN. But since I've only gained access to a Watch ESPN app directly connected to my TV within the past year, I'll figure out a way to live without it if I'm charged for it.

 

[Bodo Fenrirsson]

Well, it would definitely suck donkey balls if I could no longer watch games that ESPN doesn't air on the linear channels for free on Watch ESPN. But since I've only gained access to a Watch ESPN app directly connected to my TV within the past year, I'll figure out a way to live without it if I'm charged for it.

You should still be able to sign in to Watch ESPN through your cable/satellite/ISP provider for free.

 

[Zookster]

You should still be able to sign in to Watch ESPN through your cable/satellite/ISP provider for free.

I assume I will. I was just responding to the OP's speculation that ESPN will start putting linear channel content behind a paywall. If the new ESPN OTT standalone service is merely Watch ESPN for those who don't have a pay TV service that includes ESPN (and free access to the Watch ESPN), then this will really have no negative affect on anyone and instead be a great inducement and alternative for cordcutters who only hang on to some form of live TV service (whether it be cable, sat, or OTT) for ESPN content.

 

[Yespage]

I assume I will. I was just responding to the OP's speculation that ESPN will start putting linear channel content behind a paywall. If the new ESPN OTT standalone service is merely Watch ESPN for those who don't have a pay TV service that includes ESPN (and free access to the Watch ESPN), then this will really have no negative affect on anyone and instead be a great inducement and alternative for cordcutters who only hang on to some form of live TV service (whether it be cable, sat, or OTT) for ESPN content.

It feels more like ESPN 3 material could be put on the OTT service. I doubt ESPN could afford to shift ESPN programming onto an OTT due to the premium that programming has and needs the commercials and channel fees to support.

 

[Radioguy41]

With the MLB and NFL networks plus regional sports networks, why would I want to waste time and money on ESPN? ESPN has dug themselves way down into a deep hole and with rumours going around that Disney may unload them they are in desperation mode. I stopped watching ESPN months ago and do not miss it. If Dish would let me drop it out of my package I would in a heartbeat. Standalone? Ha!

 

[Troch77]

With the MLB and NFL networks plus regional sports networks, why would I want to waste time and money on ESPN? ESPN has dug themselves way down into a deep hole and with rumours going around that Disney may unload them they are in desperation mode. I stopped watching ESPN months ago and do not miss it. If Dish would let me drop it out of my package I would in a heartbeat. Standalone? Ha!

Agree, if the entire ESPN suite was dropped I wouldn't care.

 

[cs550ds1]

I'm out of the loop. Link to ESPN going at it solo? Thanks

Yes. Where is a link that talks about ESPN going solo?

 

[osu1991]

There have been many stories for the past 6 months that Disney will offer a standalone ESPN service. That was the main reason for Disney buying into MLB's BAMTech that offers MLB's streaming service.

http://www.theverge.com/2016/7/8/12128996/espn-streaming-package-rumor

I think what Disney is looking at is getting ESPN and ESPN 2 into the OTT services like SlingTV, PSVue, DirectNow and the coming Hulu offering and then the other ESPN channels and lesser viewed sports would be available from Disney through a standalone ESPN service. The money makers like NBA, NFL etc.. will remain on ESPN/ESPN2 and require some type of bundled pay tv service.