View Full Version : since MJ is the owner
Dlwhite83
03-09-2010, 01:25 AM
Will they ever change the Tv , where the whole state can watch them on Tv
BlockParty
03-09-2010, 06:21 AM
This is reliant on your local cable provider to a large degree. MJ and the Bobcats cannot go negotiate a deal with XYZ cable company in Eastern NC for example, that is up to the XYZ cable company having access (via Fox Sports-which they all have) and making a business decision that they will either gain customers by having the Bobcats or lose customers because they don't have the Bobcats. Did the Bobcats wait too long to sign a deal with Fox? Absolutely, but it's been almost 2 years, now the action lays on the shoulders of the local cable companies.
So MJ and the Bobcats' part is to put a winning product on the court so that the fans will be so distraught that their local cable company is too cheap to include it in their basic package. A lot of retired folks have called to complain about shows they wish to watch (Game channel, Golf Channel, etc). In my opinion, the Bobcats deserve that respect from the local cable companies, but I'm a Bobcats fan. Your part is to call and/or write you cable company and threaten to leave (to some form of Satellite TV) if they don't add the games to their standard package.
spectre
03-09-2010, 07:39 AM
Except that Fox Sports wants what some see as a pretty big price for that cable provider who's outside the 100 mile radius to show those games. Also, those providers can't just pay the extra for those wanting the games...they have to pay a fee based on ALL their subscribers watching the games.
From the beginning the Bobcats have tried to say the onus was on us; not true. The games aren't going to be on TV until they work out some type of system where only those who want it will be charged.
spectre
03-09-2010, 08:51 AM
Since MJ is the owner...
...he's been at every home game sitting on the bench. I also ran across this tidbit from the Gaston Gazette:
The Bobcats got a pregame visit from new majority owner Michael Jordan to implore them to play well again following Friday’s impressive 98-83 home win over the Los Angeles Lakers. "Michael came in our dressing room and talked to me," Bobcats coach Larry Brown said. "I told him to talk to the team. He said, ‘Yeah, we had a great win but it won’t mean anything if we don’t win tonight.’" Jordan then sat in his courtside seats for the third straight home game since he became majority owner last Saturday….
MJ might make the cable companies more likely to pay the fee, though.
And for those inside the 75 mile radius, DirecTv has WAYYYYYY better picture than anyone, so just choose them. Even if you get TWC, DirecTv is the best.
Dlwhite83
03-09-2010, 11:56 AM
well i have directv , so you think it will happen or more than likley not
well i have directv , so you think it will happen or more than likley not
:confused:
If you have DirecTv INSIDE the 75 mile radius around the arena, you already get the games on Fox Sports Carolinas (645 for me) and Sport South (650 for me)
If you're OUTSIDE the 75 mile radius, you won't ever get the games on satellite due to how the NBA regulates satellite fees, you can only get them via cable. Here's something I got from Bobcats Director of Corporate Communications Michael Thompson at the beginning of the season. This may have changed, but it's the most up to date list I have.
MT: To date, the following cable providers have opted to carry the broadcasts of our games on Fox Sports Carolinas and SportSouth; Time Warner Cable in Charlotte, Greensboro, Fayetteville, Raleigh and Winston-Salem; Mi-Connection in Mooresville; SkyLine Communications in West Jefferson, NC; Southern Coastal Cable in Georgetown, SC; AT&T in Charlotte, Raleigh and Columbia; and Comcast in Charleston. Satellite providers DirecTV and Dish Network have also opted to carry our games in the NBA-designated inner market, a roughly 75-mile radius around the city of Charlotte.
bozzy
03-09-2010, 01:24 PM
This is reliant on your local cable provider to a large degree. MJ and the Bobcats cannot go negotiate a deal with XYZ cable company in Eastern NC for example, that is up to the XYZ cable company having access (via Fox Sports-which they all have) and making a business decision that they will either gain customers by having the Bobcats or lose customers because they don't have the Bobcats. Did the Bobcats wait too long to sign a deal with Fox? Absolutely, but it's been almost 2 years, now the action lays on the shoulders of the local cable companies.
The Bobcats have done nothing but blame cable companies for this mess. If they really wanted the cable companies to pay their outrageous fees to FSN, then it is too late after the attitude the Bobcats have taken. My guess is they are still upset at the cable companies over their failed regional network. Instead of facilitating the process, they have made it adversarial. In the end the fans are the losers but the way the Bobcats management is run, I doubt they see it this way.
The Bobcats have done nothing but blame cable companies for this mess. If they really wanted the cable companies to pay their outrageous fees to FSN, then it is too late after the attitude the Bobcats have taken. My guess is they are still upset at the cable companies over their failed regional network. Instead of facilitating the process, they have made it adversarial. In the end the fans are the losers but the way the Bobcats management is run, I doubt they see it this way.
Now that there is "new management" we can hope that changes.
Though if you've been following the Versus channel issues and Cablevision's mess with ABC up in New York, it's got more to do with the tv companies across the country than the Bobcats IMHO.
spectre
03-09-2010, 01:31 PM
It's not the Bobcats...it's the NBA.
I definitely think the Bobcats could do more to grease the wheels tho.
May4prez
03-09-2010, 01:43 PM
Not really on topic, but did anyone see Jerry Richardson at the SoCon game last night? It would be nice if Jordan would do things like that. Make himself prevalent in the community.
spectre
03-09-2010, 01:54 PM
Welcome to the forum!
May fan eh? :p
King Taharqa
03-09-2010, 03:57 PM
One thing that hasnt been stated yet in this discussion is if those people who arent getting Bobcats games thru out the state, are they getting other NBA games on their cable provider? Hawks games perhaps?
spectre
03-09-2010, 04:02 PM
Not me except on NBA TV, ESPN, TNT & ABC and the occasional Bulls' games on WGN.
What pisses me off to no end is when the Bobcats are on NBA TV they block that too!
bozzy
03-09-2010, 04:05 PM
Not me except on NBA TV, ESPN, TNT & ABC and the occasional Bulls' games on WGN.
What pisses me off to no end is when the Bobcats are on NBA TV they block that too!
I guess the NBA has accepted the Bobcats are not ever going to be shown in SC since it is no longer in the blackout area. That is one benefit of the Bobcats not caring about us. Of course it also means no one here even knows who the Bobcats are.
spectre
03-09-2010, 04:17 PM
I guess the NBA has accepted the Bobcats are not ever going to be shown in SC since it is no longer in the blackout area. That is one benefit of the Bobcats not caring about us. Of course it also means no one here even knows who the Bobcats are.
You guys aren't in the blackout area anymore Boz? Dude I would KILL for that! Back when TWC had the rights I wasn't in the blackout area either which made League Pass the way to go.
I can't believe I bitched about TV then. I had no idea Fox Sports taking it over would be so much worse.
I guess the NBA has accepted the Bobcats are not ever going to be shown in SC since it is no longer in the blackout area. That is one benefit of the Bobcats not caring about us. Of course it also means no one here even knows who the Bobcats are.
Pretty sure at least Charleston and Georgetown are out of the 75 mile radius :rolleyes:
And Columbia's gotta be close.
Where are you?
EDIT: Columbia is 90 miles, so it's out too.
The more I look at this, and the fact that these tiny companies in West Jefferson and Georgetown can pony up the fee for the Bobcats but somehow Charter, Comporium, etc. can't makes me think that it's pretty much more on the cable companies than we thought. But I don't know.
King Taharqa
03-09-2010, 04:25 PM
It amazes me that people still think the Bobcats dont want their particular town or city in NC and SC to televise games.
SCBobcat
03-09-2010, 04:49 PM
I am in Columbia and can't get Bobcats games. Also, from time to time SportSouth will have Hawks games listed on the guide (Time Warner Columbia), but it actually ends up showing dirt track funny car racing or some other B.S.
AT&T U-Verse in Columbia carries Bobcats games on SportSouth, but it isn't quite installed and available in my neighborhood yet. They started putting in the lines in October and I have become an amateur utilities supervisor ever since. That's why I need the playoffs. They are my only shot to comfortably watch the games on a big screen from my couch.
I am in Columbia and can't get Bobcats games. Also, from time to time SportSouth will have Hawks games listed on the guide (Time Warner Columbia), but it actually ends up showing dirt track funny car racing or some other B.S.
AT&T U-Verse in Columbia carries Bobcats games on SportSouth, but it isn't quite installed and available in my neighborhood yet. They started putting in the lines in October and I have become an amateur utilities supervisor ever since. That's why I need the playoffs. They are my only shot to comfortably watch the games on a big screen from my couch.
Yeah, Charter showed the Hawks and Bobcats games but they were blacked out, it was retarded.
And if the team makes the playoffs and the companies don't have the team by next year, they'll have hell to pay. I think they're waiting until then.
mj4life
03-09-2010, 05:24 PM
The Bobcats have done nothing but blame cable companies for this mess. If they really wanted the cable companies to pay their outrageous fees to FSN, then it is too late after the attitude the Bobcats have taken. My guess is they are still upset at the cable companies over their failed regional network. Instead of facilitating the process, they have made it adversarial. In the end the fans are the losers but the way the Bobcats management is run, I doubt they see it this way.
While i do agree that the cats are partly to blame for this mess, foxx sports has to charge a fee to help recover their investment(somewhre in the 4 million range per year) What might help is if the bobcats would petition the league to include north and south carolina as its home market (like the panthers)Also remember that fsn has exclusive rights to the bobcats the team has very little say over where games are broadcast. The original deal with twc has really been a albatross for this team(i think it was something like 10 or more years) and it took alot of creative thinking on the part of Fred whitfield, the nba ,fsn and twc to come up with the tv rights exchange for the arena naming rights. it will probably take some more outside of the box thinking on the part of bobcats brass to come up with more ways to broaden it tv base(maybe put 15 to 20 games on my network tv also owned by the fox corp. along with my earlier suggestion but im not sure it's even possible
CaptainJackandCoke
03-10-2010, 02:31 PM
I believe that when the NBA schedules Charlotte for at least 1 nationally televised game in the future, it may help the chances of the Bobcats' organization reaching some kind of agreement with the cable companies. National recognition produces money. It doesn't really matter to me personally as far as viewing goes, because I live in the 75 mile radius of Charlotte and am able to watch FSBobcats(or FSCarolinas) for almost every single game. I watch SportSouth for the other games that aren't on FSN and I've only missed 1 game since January I believe.
I believe that when the NBA schedules Charlotte for at least 1 nationally televised game in the future, it may help the chances of the Bobcats' organization reaching some kind of agreement with the cable companies. National recognition produces money. It doesn't really matter to me personally as far as viewing goes, because I live in the 75 mile radius of Charlotte and am able to watch FSBobcats(or FSCarolinas) for almost every single game. I watch SportSouth for the other games that aren't on FSN and I've only missed 1 game since January I believe.
We've had two, one on TNT where Walter Herrman and Sean May tore it up IIRC and one on ESPN that was the All-Access day where Sam Vincent blew a halftime lead.
CaptainJackandCoke
03-10-2010, 03:36 PM
Right, we have. But going forward with the MJ-era, I think his influence with sponsors and the media will help us get more national attention. This will result in more nationally televised game as long as we keep winning. Hopefully that combined with a larger fan base will force the cable companies to expand their coverage of the Bobcats. Obviously this is just speculation at this point, but that's how I see things going.
bozzy
03-10-2010, 05:12 PM
Right, we have. But going forward with the MJ-era, I think his influence with sponsors and the media will help us get more national attention. This will result in more nationally televised game as long as we keep winning. Hopefully that combined with a larger fan base will force the cable companies to expand their coverage of the Bobcats. Obviously this is just speculation at this point, but that's how I see things going.
It is doubtful. The issue is the Bobcats and FSN greatly overvalued the fees they charge. NONE of the cable companies have issues paying for the Hurricanes. Not a single one. If the Bobcats think these cable companies are going to pay an outrageous fee, then they are not based in reality. Until they can bend on their fee charge, it just isn't going to change. There is just no benefit for the cable companies. Even if the interest were to double, I don't see it happening.
It is doubtful. The issue is the Bobcats and FSN greatly overvalued the fees they charge. NONE of the cable companies have issues paying for the Hurricanes. Not a single one. If the Bobcats think these cable companies are going to pay an outrageous fee, then they are not based in reality. Until they can bend on their fee charge, it just isn't going to change. There is just no benefit for the cable companies. Even if the interest were to double, I don't see it happening.
Hurricanes are also Stanley Cup champs...
bozzy
03-10-2010, 07:32 PM
Hurricanes are also Stanley Cup champs...
They've been on FSN on all cable markets since before that happened. Why? Because they didn't ask for outrageous fees. They understand that without TV, there's no way to market the team.
CaptainJackandCoke
03-10-2010, 08:28 PM
that's a good point bozzy, but hopefully the Jordan-led bobcats can get their act together in the front office and maybe negotiate different fees
mj4life
03-11-2010, 04:11 PM
They've been on FSN on all cable markets since before that happened. Why? Because they didn't ask for outrageous fees. They understand that without TV, there's no way to market the team.
NHL teams dont attract the tv money Nba teams do just like the Nfl is king of TV money with that being said Fox Sports is paying the bobcats close to 4 million dollars a year for exclusive rights to their games so they are trying to recoup some of their investment. the Bobcats would be foolish to turn down that much money like they did at first to start the c set mess. I do think that over time the tv deal will get better for those who can't get games as the team improves and generates buzz as they become a playoff team. MJ's first priority is to put a product on the court that people want to see and to work on ways to improve relationship with possible season ticket holders and the business community in Charlotte( which will make up about 70 to 80 % of their local revenue)
King Taharqa
03-11-2010, 05:31 PM
It is doubtful. The issue is the Bobcats and FSN greatly overvalued the fees they charge. NONE of the cable companies have issues paying for the Hurricanes. Not a single one. If the Bobcats think these cable companies are going to pay an outrageous fee, then they are not based in reality. Until they can bend on their fee charge, it just isn't going to change. There is just no benefit for the cable companies. Even if the interest were to double, I don't see it happening.
Its not the Bobcats fault your cable provider is too cheap to provide you NBA games. Mine has no problem paying the fee as well as many others. Hockey gets nowhere near the viewership that the NBA does, so thats not really a good comparison. The problem is the cable providers have decided for you that the NBA is not really important and they'd rather show you women's college basketball instead. This is a BUSINESS and expecting the Bobcats to not try and make money so conglomerate cable providers that are too cheap and out of touch with their customers can make all the bucks isnt smart business.
spectre
03-11-2010, 10:24 PM
King I don't know where you live but if you're within the interior radius it's much cheaper...but anyway as I said before these fees are set by the NBA, not the Bobcats. They also mandate that the provider has to pay a rate based on EVERY ONE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS, not just those who want to see the Bobcats.
That's why the fee for the NBA is so much higher than the NHL.
It's also by design because a bunch of eggheads got together and decided it was a concern that they could saturate the market. It's set up so we can't see the games.
King I don't know where you live but if you're within the interior radius it's much cheaper...
Except there are a ton of cable providers in the inner market who don't pay for it.
but anyway as I said before these fees are set by the NBA, not the Bobcats. They also mandate that the provider has to pay a rate based on EVERY ONE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS, not just those who want to see the Bobcats.
That's why the fee for the NBA is so much higher than the NHL.
It's also by design because a bunch of eggheads got together and decided it was a concern that they could saturate the market. It's set up so we can't see the games.
Almost every cable channel bases their fee off of total customers, it's not a bad model.
What's bad is the standard 75 mile market.
spectre
03-12-2010, 08:08 AM
Almost every cable channel bases their fee off of total customers, it's not a bad model.
Do you have something saying that almost every cable channel does that, and in particular those using FS like the Hurricanes? From what I remember that issue has been the providers' biggest beef.
Do you have something saying that almost every cable channel does that, and in particular those using FS like the Hurricanes? From what I remember that issue has been the providers' biggest beef.
In almost every negotiation I've read about, from Versus to HGTV to Comedy Central, it's been about how much the provider, say TWC, pays per customer. Usually it's about 10 to 15 cents, but for some channels, like ESPN or CNN, it's up to 25 or 30. That's what's so interesting about the ABC mess in New York City, is they've never charged per subscriber before because they're a broadcast network, but they want Cablevision to pay per subscriber now too.
It's the only model that works for channels now since ads are way down.
spectre
03-12-2010, 12:49 PM
But those are adding channels where FS is already in the lineups, which in my mind is something different as we already have that/those channel(s). They're wanting to charge every subscriber for access to the Bobcats' games.
ESPN & CBS have a different tier on DISH where you can watch all the college games, but each customer can decide whether they want it. Why can't the NBA allow FS to do that as well?
That is assuming they WANT everyone who cares to see them...which I'm not at all assured is the case from the NBA POV.
I figured out a solution...
Nike launches their own channel, with lots of archival footage of Nike Athletes and some original programming , and MJTV - the Bobcats. Our version of WGN America, people across the country can see the team play. It'd never happen, but wouldn't that be smart? A mini-ESPN/ESPN Classic combo. Oh well...
spectre
03-12-2010, 01:27 PM
I'd love for Nike to get involved with us, but I bet the other owners would have a major hissy fit.
SCBobcat
03-12-2010, 01:38 PM
The really sad thing is that the unanimously colossal failure that was CSET was and remains the best option I have had in Columbia, S.C. I think I paid an additional $4.95 a month for that channel and saw every game. I would pay 3 or 4 times that now without batting an eye if I had the option.
cltblkhscoach
03-12-2010, 01:40 PM
I just know it sucks that people in Fort Mill and Rock Hill can't see them because Comporium refuses to add the Bobcats on no matter what. I had Directv, but my apartment doesn't allow satellite dishes, so I go to the games and rely on the internet feeds for the road games.
bozzy
03-12-2010, 03:30 PM
I had Directv, but my apartment doesn't allow satellite dishes
AFAIK, it is against the law to disallow them.
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