ESPN to lay off up to 100 "personalities" today

[ericd7633]

 

[game]

Wonder how much they pay Berman to do his stupid shit. That would probably save three people's jobs, who are actually good at their jobs.

 

[Lance Armstrong]

Ha! Coming from you about me, that's some funny shit, son.

how did I turn anything political, boy?

 

[ericd7633]

No. ESPN is not losing money because ad revenues are down because of ratings dumb ass. ESPN is losing money because of losing their guaranteed money built into cable subscriptions. They're two entirely separate things. If ESPN had built their model entirely on ad revenues, this wouldn't be an issue.

It's a combination. TV ratings are indeed down, which I would assume affects ad revenues. However, the biggest issue is the subscriptions. I think they are down about 10-15% from about 5 years ago. So for instance lets say they had 100 million subscribers in 2012 and last year that number was 85 million, that's about a 900 million dollar loss. Plus this came at a time when sports contracts have gone through the roof.

 

[ericd7633]

Wonder who it'll be. My guesses. Mark Schlabach would be one.

 

[Goldbug]

A lot of people still watch their favorite sports but what's wearing thin with them is the players and coaches have alienated a lot of fans. We're tired of hearing about mega contacts, selfish attitudes, no loyalty to their teams, violence/drugs/stupid shit being done left and right. It finally causes people to watch a few less games and then the cycle starts that eventually the rabid fans become occasional fans. That leads to less revenue. But on top of all that is the politization of sports. I don't want to hear ANY sportscaster talking about ANY political/social issues; I want SPORTS. The prediction I have been making for the past few years is coming to pass: the highwater mark for sports profits has been reached and it will start trending downward now.

 

[MAIZEandBLUE09]

It's a combination. TV ratings are indeed down, which I would assume affects ad revenues. However, the biggest issue is the subscriptions. I think they are down about 10-15% from about 5 years ago. So for instance lets say they had 100 million subscribers in 2012 and last year that number was 85 million, that's about a 900 million dollar loss. Plus this came at a time when sports contracts have gone through the roof.

I should back up and say, that when they lose subscribers from cable companies -- obviously that means there are less possible eyes to watch their channel legally. But the actual ratings of major events has actually been increasing.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

how did I turn anything political, boy?

Anyone is welcome to take a look through our respective comment histories and make their mind up as to which one has the tendency to get political.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

No. ESPN is not losing money because ad revenues are down because of ratings dumb ass. ESPN is losing money because of losing their guaranteed money built into cable subscriptions. They're two entirely separate things. If ESPN had built their model entirely on ad revenues, this wouldn't be an issue.

"a company can alienate its target demographic and it'll have no impact on the bottom line."

Seriously. Who the fuck dresses you in the morning? Or are you posting in your full-zip Avengers jammies?

Fucking tard.

 

[ericd7633]

I should back up and say, that when they lose subscribers from cable companies -- obviously that means there are less possible eyes to watch their channel legally. But the actual ratings of major events has actually been increasing.

I just know that Monday Night Football had terrible ratings and SportsCenter's ratings have been decreasing significantly as well. Which are two of their staple programs.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

I should back up and say, that when they lose subscribers from cable companies -- obviously that means there are less possible eyes to watch their channel legally. But the actual ratings of major events has actually been increasing.

You should back up and just not post, half-wit.

 

[Clayton]

Not just CFB...I think the money grab for the prized NFL is going to take a hit when this TV contract comes up for renewal.

Generally speaking I just think the 4 letter people just thought they were on par with the networks and started slinging money around for these over saturated sports.

Yeah, I figured the firings were a direct result of this type of stupidity:

ESPN Will Lose $75 Million Televising Raiders-Texans

 

[MAIZEandBLUE09]

You should back up and just not post, half-wit.

Rating dips are a result of the problem I stated. You're saying that a consequence of the ultimate problem is the cause of this issue. It's idiocy.

 

[ericd7633]

2nd B1G reporter being cut.

 

[Hitman Hart]

College Hoops Writer Dana O'Neil is gone

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Yeah, I figured the firings were a direct result of this type of stupidity:

ESPN Will Lose $75 Million Televising Raiders-Texans

Good find.

$1.9 bil per for MNF, various NFL shows and 1 WC game.

Do we really think ESPN will renew that?

 

[craigk217]

What's an ESPN?

 

[ericd7633]

College Hoops Writer Dana O'Neil is gone

So bummed about this. Her and Eamonn Brennan are the only people worth reading on espn.com for NCAAB coverage.

 

[ericd7633]

Bombshell. WOW.

 

[tducey]

To bad for anyone losing their jobs but got to think ESPN is becoming a victim of more and more people cutting the cord.