ESPN Toast, No Butter Please
And its not for the reasons we would typically expect. The cable bundle is dying and with it the vestiges of ESPNs business model.
Now, the biggest beneficiary of the cable TV bundle, ESPN, which exploited it’s “must have” content for decades to negotiate ever higher rates with cable TV providers while forcing those rates down the throats of consumers by insisting its content be included in all of the channel “bundles”, finds itself in the unfamiliar territory of losing millions of subs per year amid surging contents costs. In fact, according to Outkick The Coverage, ESPN lost over 600,000 subscribers in October alone which is worth over $50mm in annual revenue.
I have said for years that eventually content providers would go direct to the public bypassing the programming dept at the cable providers. There is too much to gain. Not so much in profits but in hassle. It is much easier to program in a 3-6% customer loss rate over millions of subscribers than it is to go thru the annual or biannual cable negotiations. My err was in assuming that the movie studios would be the first to make the move. They have a huge catalog of product they could offer for mere dollars per month and a premium offer for fresh releases —
Last April, HBO effectively marked the death of the cable TV bundle when they decided to launch “HBO Now” and sell their content directly to consumers for $15 per month. While other “over-the-top” providers have existed for years, this decision was pivotal because it was the first time that any major content provider decided to break with the traditional cable delivery model and go direct to consumer. Within a year, HBO Now had amassed 1 million subscribers. Meanwhile, Pay TV households collapsed around the same time as “cord cutting” accelerated.
Now how this affects ESPN is this, their business model has always been to weasel their way into every programming package that every cable provider offers. That guarantees eyeballs and ESPN sells that feature to other ISPs as a must have. If ESPN was forced to go ala-carte and sell its wares based on its content it would be like SF 49ers football stadium, largely empty. A death spiral would ensue very quickly.
But I see an opportunity if Comey will just oblige me. How much would the public pay to be able to see a cable channel CIJ, Clintons In Jail. $5/mo for 24×7 jail cell coverage. Anyone?
![](http://www.parentalrights.org/vertical/Sites/%7BC49108C5-0630-467E-9B9B-B1FA31A72320%7D/uploads/%7B3EA8D754-D841-4FF4-882C-32895D89991D%7D.PNG")
[1]
I watch ESPN occasionally during college football season.I wouldn’t miss it much.
I would miss Fox Sports Detroit, which carries all the Tigers, Res Wings and Pistons (which I don’t watch) games.
[2]
Texas, 50% increase in early voting. Most Trump?! Fox Sunday morning, tucker carlson.
[3]
Invoke RICO — http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/303458-former-fbi-official-clintons-are-a-crime-family
[4]
Heh
[5]
ESPN is just MSNBC with slightly more sports coverage.
[6]
the brand spanking new SPIN from the Clinton Cabal:
it’s just about Weiner…it has nothing to do with Hillary
meanwhile, the DOJ has apparently not even allowed the FBI to open the emails yet. hmmm…part of the Delay & Deflect strategy, and it pretty much always works
[7]
Well, something just happened for the first time since Webb Hubbell downed one too many gin and tonics, and had a three-bagger on a night in June of 1979. Hillary Clinton got screwed by a weiner.
[8]
Weiner’s wittle wandering weenie.
[9]
Rebellion at the FBI? And I love the speculation as to how the guy asserting it could know about it: Attorney-Client Privelege…the old Clinton dodge! 🙂
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2016/10/joe_digenova_fbi_agents_refused_orders_to_destroy_laptops_and_they_still_exist.html
[10]
Fits with the sports theme of this post:
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2016/10/kowtowing_to_kaepernick_may_have_permanently_damaged_nfl.html
[11]
And one more link…the best for last:
http://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2016/10/will_a_corrupt_candidate_become_a_corrupt_president.html
[12]
Mike Pence is on MtP, and doing a masterful job of outlining the seriousness of the latest FBI/email wrinkle. Chuck Todd trying desperately to counter these, and is flailing badly.
[13]
interesting supposition this morning re. Lynch trying to block the FBI from even reading the emails…the NYPD already has read them!
The NYPD is who subpoenaed Weiner’s laptop and other devices. THEY already had the legal right to read everything. Comey knew that the NYPD had read them…and needed to get out front.
Lynch can, and will, delay this to try and help Hillary…but somebody is going to “leak” this at some point, though maybe not until after the election.
will Gangster Government win out? Stay tuned…
[14]
Nevada, Colorado and New Mexico today for tireless Trump.
[15]
from an article on HotAir (I know, it ain’t what it used to be)
“If those emails all had subject lines such as, “Can I wear these yoga pants to your daughter’s wedding?” there would have been no letter from Comey and we wouldn’t be having this discussion right now.”
[16]
JR #12 –
It all depends on how a woman looks in yoga pants. I would have no objection if it was the Bruins ice girl.
[17]
Good rebuttal…though rebutting the Democrat bullshit is pretty easy
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2016/10/he-was-warned-damn-it.php
[18]
AWESOME…no, really!
Enjoy
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2016/10/you-knew-someone-had-to-do-this.php
[19]
The Hitler video above still has me laughing. On a more serious side…
http://michellemalkin.com/2016/10/30/cue-laugh-track-doj-scolded-fbi-about-policy-was-that-before-or-after-lynchs-private-meeting-with-hillarys-husband-sunday-open-thread/
[20]
I never get tired of the Hitler videos. Damn that was funny.
[21]
Trump: 3 rallies today, 3 different states. WoW
[22]
So the NFL take a their shitplate overseas and…
You guessed it…
Another tie.
LOL!
[23]
Step back BJG brethren and take a breath. When was the last time there was a late election cycle surprise of any significance that did NOT benefit the bad guys????
What happened Friday was mysterious. There are several possibilities, some arcane ones seem the most likely to me. But this is something that has NEVER happened to a Democrat Pres candidate in my lifetime (unless I am mistaken). What is going on??
As Master Eph would say………thoughts?
[24]
Bruce,
KH is MIA.
[25]
650,000 emails found on Weiner’s laptop:
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-10-30/fbi-scour-through-650000-emails-found-weiners-laptop
650k? WTF?
[26]
bruce – my 2 cents.
Could be the Democrats themselves. There are a lot of Democrats that do not like the Clintons – ABC – Anybody But Clinton. I know a few Democrats that will not vote for Hillary. They believe it is time for new blood. Plus they know that with Hillary it will be grid lock and more corruption.
I will also say that O’Keefe and WikiLeaks is having an impact with the younger people who get their news from the WEB.
[27]
“As Master Eph would say………thoughts?”
Shi**y — http://www.wsbtv.com/news/trending-now/truckload-of-manure-dumped-in-front-of-ohio-democratic-hq_/462054447
[28]
https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2016/10/30/nyt-florida-poll-showcases-pending-trump-landslide-victory/#more-123854
Thoughts???
[29]
26. gn,
No way. The Dims won’t accept Trump.
Too late to dump Hilliary too.
Ouch
[30]
BC,
That many emails does not sound possible. If the Weiners were using something like Outlook there is a physical limit to the storage file which this would seem to exceed. The mails would have to be very small and no attachments.
Which kinda begs why were they not using an IM platform instead?? HMM.
[31]
Read somewhere, that if she did drop out only Kane could take over and Uncle Joe would stay as VP.
That is strictly the only legal option.
[32]
gn,
I do agree with you about Wiki. We underestimated their impact.
[33]
Eph,
Texas appears to be boiling out to vote Trump — http://www.thepoliticalinsider.com/texas-early-voting-official-announces-election-news-trump/
The interesting bit — 100m Americans eligible to vote did not in the last election. If 10% of that number turned out just for the ‘FU’ vote that is a turn point event.
[34]
Here in texacas the hildabeeste will be beat like a red headed stepchild.
[35]
650,000 emails???
Either Weiner’s wiener gets up and types emails all on its own…OR…Weiner has been collecting a “Rainy Day” store of emails from all kinds of people associated with Huma and Hillary.
Weiner faces a lonnnng time in the slammer as a pedophile…so singing for the FBI and/or NYPD must seem like a good alternative.
Of course, Carlos Danger may be in DANGER…so he better be REAL careful
[36]
embedding…
[37]
FBI now has their warrant in hand — http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/fbi-obtains-warrant-newly-discovered-emails-clinton-probe-reid-accuses-n675411
[38]
ABC/WAPO poll now down to 1 pt. — http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-10-30/abc-wapo-poll-manufactures-1-point-clinton-lead-latest-poll-still-pre-fbi-announceme — Nothing like massaging poll data all these months.
Excerpt:
Perhaps more frightening for the Clinton camp, the latest NBC/WSJ/Marist poll shows Trump opening up a 9-point lead in Florida and a 2-point lead in North Carolina
————–
Trump carries NC the game is afoot.
[39]
Why we love Trump. He attacks and turns it on them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cpQdFqI7Lk
[40]
Hillary the frump is running from trump,
Huma the muzzie won’t be there to hump,
The wheels comming off in grand old fashion,
This will cool the ardor of moonbat passion,
This pooch is about to take it in the rump.
[41]
Dr,
ABC poll still D+9?
Thoughts??
[42]
A post that KH can chew on for a while — http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-10-30/pollsters-gone-wild-buckle-1-4-chances-dont-never-happen — statistics heavy.
[43]
gn 26 interesting observations.
A couple possibilities I see, the bad guys KNOW that the monster vote is real and want to make it look like the scandal was responsible for her losing big. Then they can destroy Trump’s presidency before he even gets there by saying he only won because of the scandal. That also has the effect of ‘legitimizing’ the government and Pravda in the sheeple’s eyes. The second is that Comey really does have some respect for the law and is operating on his own or under threat from his agents and caught everyone by surprise….seems the more unlikely of the two to me.
All that said the election betting odds still have the HAG at 75%.
[44]
Eph,
Probably D+4 this cycle. The wildcard is independents, disgusted-have-not-voted-folks, and cross overs. There is also the I-ain’t-voting-the-b#$%ch, no Trump, but sits out. Close still but Trump wins by 3-4%.
[45]
Reminder, folks…we have entered the “OMG!” phase of the election.
In this phase, the media/Democrat/NeverTrump cabal can say/print ANYTHING they want about Trump, and it will be screeched on every outlet they can find. ANYTHING.
Strap in!
[46]
If this is true, it supports my “Weiner doesn’t want to do, um, ‘hard’ time”
http://truthfeed.com/breaking-anthony-weiner-gives-fbi-permission-to-search-computer-bypassing-warrant/32900/
[47]
JR – “HARD”, going to be where he is going without any lube. That is if he does not commit suicide with 5 shots to the back of the head.
[48]
Bubba from cell block D is one BIG dude. And Bubba don’t use cellphones for his ‘pleasures’.
[49]
24 – No he’s not MIA…
[50]
Comments #47 and #48 are why I love you guys! 🙂
All ya’ll
[51]
42 – I’ll take a look, been out all day.
44 – With d+4 (what it seemed like in early sept) we have a remote chance, particularly if AA > 12% in NC\PA, said that all along, but that also requires 90%+ R’s to vote Trump, which is still a problem in lots of places we need NH\CO\VA for example.
[52]
Btw as predicted it’s come out Lynch was blocking an investigation into the Clinton Foundation. /shocker 🙄
[53]
I’ve seen that clip with stef before, but it never gets old. lol
[54]
I’m off to watch….. ESPN… world series of poker, final table night one.
[55]
Dr,
Before this weekend I was at D+3.
Now D+1
[56]
bbl – btw just read Doug Schoen (dedicated clinton sycophant for fnc) has withdrawn his support for Hillary.
[57]
52,
Supposition time. If the IRS is already digging a case, Lynch might be right in not letting FBI proceed. The reason is IRS investigation falls under US administrative law not criminal and they might be able to build a better case against the Clintons than the FBI can.
Or its a pure political play. Doing what I suggest means that all players are doing so by the best of ethics. Don’t laugh too hard, I am not responsible for any physical harm. 🙂
[58]
54. KH
I watch on Fox Sports AZ. With Jack and Coke.
[59]
Is Gateway Pundit a pickle puffer?
[60]
Tis true!
http://politicalreviewer.com/when-you-read-this-law-you-realise-hillary-is-ineligible-to-be-in-a-federal-office-position/
[61]
Is Gateway Pundit a pickle puffer?~~~~EPHANATER
Roger that~~~
A puffer of pickles is he,
He left the closet for all to see,
A rump ranger of the blogosphere,
But from him we have nothing to fear,
For his politics appear near to thee.
[62]
Just watched part of Trump’s final rally of the day. He sure has stamina for a 70 year old.
He has a good line – :I’ve had a good life. This country has been good to my. Now I want to do something for it.
[63]
Bc3b, and he’s doing it WITHOUT an entire medical team and four TONS of stimulants pumped into him…like the Hildebeast
[64]
62 – It was a really good one.
Doing 2 in MI tomorrow as well.
Of possible note: Thiel doing press event tomorrow.
http://www.press.org/events/peter-thiel
[65]
IP,
Thanks.
W…B…F
[66]
From Powerline’s Steven Hayward…….
“What’s going to happen this week? Maybe Donald Trump’s tax returns will be leaked. It is a strange thing that to date none of the Wikileaks dumps of John Podesta’s emails have included any emails to or from Hillary. Is it possible that Podesta, Hillary’s campaign chair, never communicated with Hillary by email? I suppose it is possible, but it seems unlikely. This is the week we’ll find out. And what happens with the new FBI matter is totally unpredictable.
Meanwhile, the ABC News/Washington Post poll of likely voters that had Hillary ahead by 12 points a week ago this morning has Hillary ahead by . . . 1 point. Many of the phone surveys for this iteration of the poll likely occurred before the FBI announcement was made, and may reflect the massive Obamacare price hikes, the latest Clinton Foundation news, and the fact that some wavering voters are coming to grips with the thought that they might actually have to listen to Hillary’s condescending, hectoring voice for four years.
Hypothesis: Hillary peaked too soon. This week will be all bad news for her, and nothing much new on Trump. At least that’s what it looks like this afternoon, ten days from the end of the strangest election cycle in modern history.”
[67]
Mullet, another Powerline article…good speculation and some fun comments
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2016/10/is-anthony-weiner-behind-the-email-crisis.php
[68]
Mull,
No October surprise could knock off this pending awful week for Hilliary.
[69]
Doug Schoen is very connected both here and abroad. His withdrawal says a lot.
Something big is going to drop on Hillary that she won’t survive politically.
The sooner the better.
[70]
O’Keefe has still another video drop that is suppose to be devastating.
Plus, you still have more WikiLeaks to come.
I believe it is going to get worse for Hillary.
You aint see bad but it is coming.
[71]
Mullet & gnqanq…I pray you’re both correct!
[72]
EPHANATER
[73]
Mullet #69 –
The sooner the better.
Very true. With early voting, there’s no point in waiting until the day before the election.
[74]
Mullet, I caught the end of a segment on FoxNews today with Doug Schoen, he looked like so someone just shot his dog…now I know why.
And I agree…WikiLeaks & O’Keefe to unload their best stuff tomorrow and Tuesday.
[75]
Here’s a list of shaky or wayward republicans.
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/10/where-republicans-stand-on-donald-trump-a-cheat-sheet/481449/
Wonder who will find their way home? And does anyone care if they do?
[76]
72. IP
As long as I don’t start seeing rainbow flags, I’ll still visit the site.
[77]
70. gn,
Slow drip…
[78]
More CNN stealth edits.
http://www.mediaite.com/online/cnn-screws-up-says-trump-encourages-voters-to-vote-multiple-times-except-he-didnt/
[79]
74 – I think the time has already passed. I actually think Wikileaks started this whole series about a week to 10 days later than they should have. Had they started a little earlier more could have at least in theory been used at debates. Also beyond just getting it out there earlier for voters, they could have taken a pause every few days to let some of what was put out actually percolate\penetrate before adding the next bit. But yeah tomorrow really is the last effective time to get anything substantial before the voters, considering it takes time to penetrate. The left actually had a few more days than the right because they control the air waves and don’t have to worry about percolation.
[80]
If they have something left on Donald, we’ll also see that asap, in fact I sort of expected to see something start tonight, perhaps with the WS and sh1t they’re waiting till tomorrow.
[81]
The Clinton’s in sex ring? — https://westernrifleshooters.wordpress.com/2016/10/30/hoh-lee-chit/ — all hearsay, treat accordingly.
[82]
Early voting D+8 turnout – thus far (not much change from a few days ago).
NC specific update:
D44\R31 D+210k votes. %wise that’s running -2% than 2012 for D’s – -1% R’s and +3 I’s over 2012. –thus far.
The bad news: Chicks be out voting men thus far in NC 55/42, that’s on par with 2012, but remember Trump does far worse with them than Romney. On the up side Blacks are down from 27% to 23%, Whites up slightly from 69% to 71%.
18-29 vote thus far is down 4%,
30-44 vote thus far is down 6%,
45-59 vote thus far is down 1%,
60+ vote thus far is up 11%.
[83]
DraftOurDaughters — https://mic.com/articles/157933/will-hillary-draft-women-inside-draft-our-daughters-a-fake-ad-campaign-from-the-alt-right#.M1xCOGa7i
[84]
82,
NC is a must win for Trump. Not good numbers.
[85]
84 – Not horrible.. but.. considering how thin the margin was for Romney there, I’d like to see better numbers that what’s there thus far.
83 – yeah I saw that on reddit the other day as they were editing it for feed back, I though it was actually a little too pro-hillary for the joke meme they were after.