Jeremy Laura: High points of ESPN update on today’s shareholder call.

Let me say this... I hate streaming games ... I cannot stand watching on my phone... Older TV... Yes I know I can buy a Costco badass one for 559$ ..

However I do pay for spectrum...lots and Apple 15 per month and Espn + 10 per month now...

Any idea how this would affect Center Ice which I buy every september... 250 per year... totally worth it...

Let me say this... I hate streaming games ... I cannot stand watching on my phone... Older TV... Yes I know I can buy a Costco badass one for 559$ ..

However I do pay for spectrum...lots and Apple 15 per month and Espn + 10 per month now...

Any idea how this would affect Center Ice which I buy every september... 250 per year... totally worth it...


- dozerD10

I’m going to try not to use bad words. The price hikes they were talking about “combined with cracking down on passwords” would make any sane person sick.

The ONLY way I can see Center Ice being affected is if a streaming partner does step up with so much $ that the NHL agrees to move the platform. Here’s the good news for you, I really think Apple has a good shot and may even have more competitive pricing without blackout restrictions. That’s just a personal opinion. The only “shocker” is that streaming has finally passed linear in actual consumption. Barely, 51% to 49%, but it reminds me of digital cameras. There was that middle ground consumer camera then somehow Apple made a really good camera in a phone where you could immediately text the picture (or email). If there’s more than a 10 point sway toward streaming by 4th quarter that would signal a big change.

I want you guys to be able to watch the games at a reasonable price and not have to deal with more wieners than a rose garden.

Cant see 6 billion per year on NBA. Most of their money is now coming from over seas, especially China.

Regarding hockey: While good for the NHL, and its players, taking money from any entity that makes it harder to watch for the average fan, just isn’t a good business model. You might get the money from the contract, but as we see, without being able to find the damn game on TV, is reducing viewership and interest. Look what’s happened over the last couple of years. The NHL seems to be short sighted.

I know I have watched far fewer games over the last 3 years than ever before. Add in lack of real rivalries, and some nastiness, it’s just meh.

Really sad!

Ya know, ESPN/D+/blah blah blah are truly dialing up the heat. Amazing to see them pushing back so hard on sharing. I know, it's sneaky. But how many additional users, on average, jump on a shared password I wonder. So, for our Clan, 3 people share the D+. I could see higher numbers for sports, for sure. Add on the amount of losses for D+ you revealed, I can see more casual subscribers bailing.

When does the additiinal price schedule to allow sharing come out? Say $20/month to share with 2 other users or some such. Even with ESPN coming to D+, I think they're still losing enough that adding ESPN/et. al. would require a significant price-point to make up the lost revenue for D+, if that makes sense. Basically, the ESPN add-on is going to be higher to make up for the $$ lost by D+.

I was bailing on DTV, but then Cebter Ice kicked in. I ended up getting Gemini and have a HELLAGOOD picture now....like insane pic quality. Watch the rugby 6 Nations match, the colours are so vivid and the pic is so crisp. CI isn't that bad of a price AND they show Windspan and the pre/post game stuff so as long as that stays on, I'm probably going to keep DTV Gemini + 4k + vastly improved pic quality.....oh, and I'm paying about $40 less each month with the new package. NOW, I gotta figger out what streaming services to dump!!!!

Cant see 6 billion per year on NBA. Most of their money is now coming from over seas, especially China.

Regarding hockey: While good for the NHL, and its players, taking money from any entity that makes it harder to watch for the average fan, just isn’t a good business model. You might get the money from the contract, but as we see, without being able to find the damn game on TV, is reducing viewership and interest. Look what’s happened over the last couple of years. The NHL seems to be short sighted.

I know I have watched far fewer games over the last 3 years than ever before. Add in lack of real rivalries, and some nastiness, it’s just meh.

Really sad!
- Hokeeguy9

The NBA already has commitments that at least one partner is going to take them up on the $$$. I believe it’s Amazon, but Apple and Youtube are right in it.

As for the streaming model for hockey, you’re right. It’s terrible for the fans. But already in motion to move it over. All ESPN shows will be full streaming within a year (based on the last 3 calls combined), Bally already handing streaming to Amazon and still cutting linear. Last year around March was when this all started to be “public knowledge” but it gets buried. The local broadcast stations are being torn down and converted. The “digital antennas” are picking up cell signals. That’s why there’s so much more. Those will be moved over to whoever gets broadcast permission.

Since the move away from NBC it looks like a net drop of almost 200k per game. Was averaging 800k, started the year at 650k this season and has been falling off. Nothing you said is wrong, just a world where people with no common sense are making decisions

Ya know, ESPN/D+/blah blah blah are truly dialing up the heat. Amazing to see them pushing back so hard on sharing. I know, it's sneaky. But how many additional users, on average, jump on a shared password I wonder. So, for our Clan, 3 people share the D+. I could see higher numbers for sports, for sure. Add on the amount of losses for D+ you revealed, I can see more casual subscribers bailing.

When does the additiinal price schedule to allow sharing come out? Say $20/month to share with 2 other users or some such. Even with ESPN coming to D+, I think they're still losing enough that adding ESPN/et. al. would require a significant price-point to make up the lost revenue for D+, if that makes sense. Basically, the ESPN add-on is going to be higher to make up for the $$ lost by D+.

I was bailing on DTV, but then Cebter Ice kicked in. I ended up getting Gemini and have a HELLAGOOD picture now....like insane pic quality. Watch the rugby 6 Nations match, the colours are so vivid and the pic is so crisp. CI isn't that bad of a price AND they show Windspan and the pre/post game stuff so as long as that stays on, I'm probably going to keep DTV Gemini + 4k + vastly improved pic quality.....oh, and I'm paying about $40 less each month with the new package. NOW, I gotta figger out what streaming services to dump!!!!
- mcmastermike1968

So here’s how it was announced yesterday. Just like Hulu, D+ there will be multiple tiers. Now, instead of just commercials it also limits number of devices and those to a single physical location. If the VPN tracker and servers detect either code, location discrepancy or more users than the package includes it will give an Error 92 (at least that’s what they’re calling it now) and you will have to contact support to get back on. “We’re positive people will pay more to get all the content”. Stupidest line of the call. Top tier still sounds like 4 users, but the call in April is when everyday stock holders get to ask questions. Yesterday was slow pitch softball. Someone wants to know, “what about snowbirds? Do I have to buy a package for my summer AND winter locations?” No answers, but they’re working on it….