The downfall of ESPN continues...

[numbers]

The debate shows mostly suck. ESPNFC should be the template for all talk programming.

[Green Habit]

espn has basically turned into a sports mtv. mtv started out with music videos and programming revolving around, gasp, music. now it has nothing to do with music. espn was the premier network to which you turned for scores, highlights, and live games. now it's ridiculous programming like first take, first take re-take, his and hers. the live programming is basically nba games, and the things i used to enjoy about the channel (especially the radio programming) are nothing but commercials for itself.

the other problem is the ridiculous amount of money that it charges cable providers to carry its bundled channels. the carrying fees are astronomical.

The internet has killed the usefulness of TV showing scores and highlights. The problem, as you note, is subbing that out with ridiculous content instead of live games. It does still have a lot of college football, although that is being seriously challenged as well.

What games should they be showing daytime during the week when the debate shows are on? Everyone is always complaining about wanting more live games. Like minor league baseball or bowling?

I don't know. I'd say it's a shame that people only care about a small handful of sports, but I'm guilty as charged on that given all my football posts over the years. It's a pickle that ESPN is going to have to figure out, and maybe the financial answer is debate shows, even if they do suck.

[numbers]

I find that I was more interested in multiple sports when ESPN covered them equally. In the 90s I knew what was going on in the NBA and had interest in it. Once ESPN made me go elsewhere for baseball and hockey coverage, and I'm watching networks dedicated only to those sports, I lost interest in the NBA and NFL.

[bada]

espn has basically turned into a sports mtv. mtv started out with music videos and programming revolving around, gasp, music. now it has nothing to do with music. espn was the premier network to which you turned for scores, highlights, and live games. now it's ridiculous programming like first take, first take re-take, his and hers. the live programming is basically nba games, and the things i used to enjoy about the channel (especially the radio programming) are nothing but commercials for itself.

the other problem is the ridiculous amount of money that it charges cable providers to carry its bundled channels. the carrying fees are astronomical.

The internet has killed the usefulness of TV showing scores and highlights. The problem, as you note, is subbing that out with ridiculous content instead of live games. It does still have a lot of college football, although that is being seriously challenged as well.

What games should they be showing daytime during the week when the debate shows are on? Everyone is always complaining about wanting more live games. Like minor league baseball or bowling?

I don't know. I'd say it's a shame that people only care about a small handful of sports, but I'm guilty as charged on that given all my football posts over the years. It's a pickle that ESPN is going to have to figure out, and maybe the financial answer is debate shows, even if they do suck.

Yeah I think financially and rating wise any live game they could broadcast from 6 am to 6 pm Mon-Fri is going to cost more and rate less than First Take or Mike and Mike or His and Hers ect. If there is something that would rate better they bump the debate shows. The odd golf, soccer or tennis tourneys. I'm usually pretty miserable when golf and tennis tournaments dominate ESPN for a week or two in the summer.

[Electromatic]

They used to broadcast live events all the time. Of course it's cheaper to put two idiots on the screen debating nonsense. I simply disagree with the business model. It worked really well for a while, and it's starting to fall off a cliff with the death of cable.

ESPN Speedworld was great mid day TV. All kinds of racing, F1, IMSA etc. etc. They used to do H1 or unlimited hydroplanes etc. ABC had wide world of sports.

BBC now has more viable watchable options than ESPN.

It's kind of silly really. They started chasing after everything but their core audience, and eventually they lost the core audience.

[bada]

I'd french kiss Skip Bayless if it meant I didn't have to watch car racing.

[Monkey_Driven]

Several factors have led to them not airing as many minor sports. Some of which are their choosing and some are not.

[bada]

There are channels for everything. If you want to watch race cars or golf or tennis or fishing or hunting or whatever there is a channel for you. I wish there was more surfing on TV I love to watch it but imagine its hard to plan a live TV event around waves being good.

[BurtReynolds]

I'd take more in-depth shows with no contrarian debating instead of the garbage it has now. But I guess the internet will still do that better than espn can.

[bada]

It was nice of ESPN to allow Craig Sager to do a NBA Finals broadcast. I know it was nice because every 5 minutes ESPN has reminded me how nice it was for them to do that for a week now.

[verb_to_trust]

I feel bad because Sager just wants to be out there doing what he loves and he gets treated like a bit of a circus act (due to his illness, not his crazy suits).

[numbers]

I feel bad because Sager just wants to be out there doing what he loves and he gets treated like a bit of a circus act (due to his illness, not his crazy suits).

Yeah, they turned it from a nice gesture into a callous exploitation of a sick man. Fucking ESPN.

[Coach]

espn lies is never on in my house. i only catch it at the gym. i'm rooting for fox sports 1. hard to find on the dial, but enjoying its us open coverage.

[verb_to_trust]

I feel bad because Sager just wants to be out there doing what he loves and he gets treated like a bit of a circus act (due to his illness, not his crazy suits).

Yeah, they turned it from a nice gesture into a callous exploitation of a sick man. Fucking ESPN.

Lebron basically pointed it out after the game the other night during his interview when he said how crazy it was Sager has never worked the finals before. Sager just said 'thank you for entertaining me lebron'. The guy just genuinely loves the game.

[tragabigzanda]

i hate in sports when someone says "i got it!" but then they miss it.

[Simple Torture]

I didn't even bother to DVR it due to the guests. I listen to probably 1-in-5 of his podcasts for the same reason, but there are things I like, such as the football gambling pods and his baseball talk with Jack-O.

[Stardog Champion]

I watched the whole show. Best part was the outtake stuff that ran during the credits. Barkley joking about firing people. Otherwise, pretty disappointing. Especially the sizable amount of time spent rehashing Deflategate for the thousandth time. Interesting choice for a first episode.

[bodysnatcher]

I'm two minutes into the new Bill Simmons show, and it hit me like a ton of bricks: I love Simmons as a curator of content; but I can't stand listening to him talk.

that guy is such a fuckin douche canoe. met him a few times when i worked there and was in contact with him a lot bc I worked on some of the graphics for his podcast... such a primadonna.

[E.H. Ruddock]

Now any non white reporter is referred to as "from ESPN.com and the Undefeated".

[numbers]

Now any non white reporter is referred to as "from ESPN.com and the Undefeated".

Lol, I was thinking that the other day.