Oh, where to begin...
Disney is forcing ESPN to cut $100 million from its budget next year and a staggering $250 million from its budget in 2017.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...-cost-cutting/
This is fresh off news that cable cutters (like me!) have caused ESPN to loses 3.2 million subscribers in “a little over a year.”
http://www.wsj.com/articles/espn-tig...nts-1436485852
So, Bill Simmons getting let go was just the beginning. Colin Cowherd and Keith Olbermann are also on the outs...
http://thebiglead.com/2015/07/09/esp...-in-past-year/
As, of course, also were coach commentators like Lou Holtz and Bobby Knight.
Soooo... SF.com... where does ESPN come up with $100 million next year and $250 million the year after to cut? TV deals are likely a non-stater, because they're longterm and already signed, so don't bother mentioning the conference/Texas deals. Here's my ideas:
1- Less projects that don't generate revenue. Bye bye ESPYs, Grantland, FiveEightThirty, 30 for 30
2- Less talking heads that don't generate ratings by themselves. No longer will ESPN hire the fired and retired coaches on name recognition alone
3- Less live on-site reporting and more studio commentary. They may do ESPN College Gameday for FB and MBB still, but expect far less away location sets, especially during the offseason.
In case anyone is worried about Big 12 and OU revenue, remember that our tier 3 rights are through Fox, and current conference TV deals last through 2025 with both Fox and ESPN:
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/col...tribution.html
If we are to see any change in TV in the coming decade, I would suspect it would be with the means we watch --- streaming services may be forthcoming with so many cable cutters (LIKE ME!) already pledging allegiance to their wallets, rather than Longhorn Network forced subscriptions
Please discuss! This offseason's killing me