TV Schedule

[LB4President]

Are the games actually going to be televised next season outside of a 20 mile radius of Charlotte?

[spectre]

Are the games actually going to be televised next season outside of a 20 mile radius of Charlotte?

Yeah right. If we hadn't folded after Raja went down, beat the Celtics like I know we would have and be in it with Orlando now I'd say odds were good.

This team's gotta win before the providers will feel enough pressure.

[spectre]

http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/article/61335


The Charlotte Bobcats and Los Angeles Clippers have the lowest local television viewership, with each posting a 0.5 rating. It should be noted that the Clippers, given the vast size of the Los Angeles market, draw more household viewers than teams in smaller markets such as the Bobcats. Charlotte is in the first year of its deal with Fox Sports South. Last year, its games were on the Time Warner Cable channel News 14.Remember how we were told how great the new deal with FS was? Get them on satellite! How freaking hard is that to figure out?

[teej]

http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/article/61335

Remember how we were told how great the new deal with FS was? Get them on satellite! How freaking hard is that to figure out?

They're on Directv...in my area at least. Where do you live?

[spectre]

They're on Directv...in my area at least. Where do you live?

Raleigh.

They're only on satellite from around Greensboro westward.

[teej]

Raleigh.

They're only on satellite from around Greensboro westward.

Hmm...I guess you get the Wizards? It's something you'd have to take up with Congress.

[spectre]

Hmm...I guess you get the Wizards? It's something you'd have to take up with Congress.

No NBA teams.

I think the providers set the boundaries for blackouts. Remember, it's not that it HAS to be unavailable, it's that FS wants an extra amount to show it.

[teej]

No NBA teams.

I think the providers set the boundaries for blackouts. Remember, it's not that it HAS to be unavailable, it's that FS wants an extra amount to show it.

Hmmmm none at all is weird. What baseball team do you get. Or football? Because I know some parts of the state have the Congressional partition for Washingotn sports, but that doesn't explain you getting none. And why would they let Dish and DirecTv have it for Greensboro westward but not eastward?

[spectre]

I think I get the Baltimore Orioles baseball...only I don't watch baseball!

Yah, you'd think I'd get either the Hawks or the Wiz, but both of those are blacked out just like the Bobcats. I DO know I got the Hornets way back when...so I know it can be done.

And as bad as this team needs fans it fer damn sure needs to be done.

[teej]

I think I get the Baltimore Orioles baseball...only I don't watch baseball!

Yah, you'd think I'd get either the Hawks or the Wiz, but both of those are blacked out just like the Bobcats. I DO know I got the Hornets way back when...so I know it can be done.

And as bad as this team needs fans it fer damn sure needs to be done.

Well if you get Baltimore instead of the Braves and Cincy like we do over here, that might be the whole congressional thing after all and Directv isnt allowed to. Its all this political and legal lobbying bs. Because if thats your baseball then your in the washington market. THey redid it a few years back so the Hornets doesnt matter. What about football?

[bozzy]

I don't expect Charter to ever add it in the Upstate SC area. They refuse to pay the ridiculous fee FSN is charging just to add the Bobcats. The fact is the Hurricanes get better ratings so Charter has no problem showing them on FSN and FSN HD. The fact that the Bobcats have done absolutely nothing to help this situation pretty much is in line with the crappy way they have handled the whole situation since their inception.

[teej]

I don't expect Charter to ever add it in the Upstate SC area. They refuse to pay the ridiculous fee FSN is charging just to add the Bobcats. The fact is the Hurricanes get better ratings so Charter has no problem showing them on FSN and FSN HD. The fact that the Bobcats have done absolutely nothing to help this situation pretty much is in line with the crappy way they have handled the whole situation since their inception.

You better believe if Bruton buys the team he'll kick some ass at FSN so that its seen. Or find a way to tear up the contract...legally. Get a deal with raycom or somebody. But Bobby J couldn't care less.

[spectre]

Well if you get Baltimore instead of the Braves and Cincy like we do over here, that might be the whole congressional thing after all and Directv isnt allowed to. Its all this political and legal lobbying bs. Because if thats your baseball then your in the washington market. THey redid it a few years back so the Hornets doesnt matter. What about football?

The Panthers. Wonder why that isn't the Redskins?

It can be available; it's just like bozzy said.

How freaking sad is that? This is North Carolina...KING of basketball...yet HOCKEY is more popular so Charter will show that?

Hockey.

[teej]

The Panthers. Wonder why that isn't the Redskins?

It can be available; it's just like bozzy said.

How freaking sad is that? This is North Carolina...KING of basketball...yet HOCKEY is more popular so Charter will show that?

Hockey.

Hockey is more popular than Bobby J's team for a few reasons. The first being Johnson gave more than a few middle fingers to the fans, and he just doesnt care. The second being there's already UNC, Duke, Wake, State (in its sad condition), Davidson, even App draws well. Third, people are STILL pissed with Shinn. Fourth, NC has a LOT of racists. And they wanted on of their own in Larry Bird. Fifth, the tv fiasco made watching the 'Cats impossible for a lot fo people, so when it was possible they didnt care. But if someone the masses likes buys this team, only number two should remian.

[spectre]

Hockey is more popular because they're winning (I type this as the fucking Penguins just go up 3 - 1 in the 3rd game), and in that the Bobcats do have it right. Win and they will come. I knew absolutely nothing about hockey...but in a weird way the Bobcats got me to following them. I bitched so much about not being able to see them it dawned on me that it was pretty hypocritical to complain about that and ignore the pro team literally in view right outside my office window.

Hopefully when that happens this TV situation will go away. Just like everyone else...Carolina people love winners.

[teej]

Hockey is more popular because they're winning (I type this as the fucking Penguins just go up 3 - 1 in the 3rd game), and in that the Bobcats do have it right. Win and they will come. I knew absolutely nothing about hockey...but in a weird way the Bobcats got me to following them. I bitched so much about not being able to see them it dawned on me that it was pretty hypocritical to complain about that and ignore the pro team literally in view right outside my office window.

Hopefully when that happens this TV situation will go away. Just like everyone else...Carolina people love winners.

Not everywhere, but almost everywhere. The NO Hornets were winners and they are close to us in attendence, and I say that with as much joy as possible :biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

[gforce33]

i have one question
cats have any HDTV ?

[teej]

i have one question
cats have any HDTV ?

Yeah, I think something along the lines of 20 games were on FSN and Sportsouth HD last year. THe other 40 were SD.

[Dcarnys]

Man maybe with Johnson looking to get out, we acctualy might be able to see the Cats on tv. Good for me because I usualy cant make the games. (but i might get a job at the TWC next season so its pretty good)

[bozzy]

Win and they will come.

I think this is the arrogance that Bob Johnson has shown since he got here. He thinks people are going to magically start clamoring to see the Bobcats (both at the games and on TV). But unfortunately, that is not the case. Even if the Bobcats win, if no one can see them, they aren't going to get some magical following. Sure, it is going to help, but that is not how you nurture a fan base.

[davcbow]

The management needs to follow the old charlotte hornets model. They had commersials avertising the team all the time. They had more radio coverage and ads. They had regular TV coverage you can pull in with a antennia. The local sports news loved talking about them on the news. Now a days its all pay pay pay... I understand its a business but back then it was a business too. You could just about count on away games being broadcast on TV 48 back then, thats how you create a fan base. Of course getting top draft picks helped too... I pray that MJ can buy BJ's share of the team or at least part of it making him the majority owner and thay way we will be rid of horse show Bob....:cool:

[teej]

I think this is the arrogance that Bob Johnson has shown since he got here. He thinks people are going to magically start clamoring to see the Bobcats (both at the games and on TV). But unfortunately, that is not the case. Even if the Bobcats win, if no one can see them, they aren't going to get some magical following. Sure, it is going to help, but that is not how you nurture a fan base.

During the playoff push, they sold out 4 of the last 5 home games. That's a following...

But MJ knows how to market, or at least his agents do. My only worry is if he bought the team he'd gamble it away on the 15th green.

[bozzy]

During the playoff push, they sold out 4 of the last 5 home games. That's a following...

But MJ knows how to market, or at least his agents do. My only worry is if he bought the team he'd gamble it away on the 15th green.

Attendance at games is only part of the solution. Without a larger fan base and more corporate support, selling out a few games during the end of the season means nothing. I can't even count how many people I have talked to that have no clue who the Bobcats are. That never happened during the Hornets era.

[dnbman]

Attendance at games is only part of the solution. Without a larger fan base and more corporate support, selling out a few games during the end of the season means nothing. I can't even count how many people I have talked to that have no clue who the Bobcats are. That never happened during the Hornets era.

While I somewhat agree with you, the comment about the Hornets era doesn't parallel modern time. Back then, there was little competition in the Carolinas against football, basketball, and baseball. Plus, you had a massive NBA fan base thanks to Bird, Magic, and Jordan.

Times have changed and the general public just isn't as concerned about the NBA as they used to be. No team now would be able to gather the wide public attention that the Hornets got. There's just too much competition for dollars and attention.

[Jennings]

Took the words right out of my mouth dnbman. Back when the hornets were here there was nothing else going on. That was "The Thing" in Charlotte. Now there are so many other things going on. Nowadays people in general aren't into the NBA. I can't count how many times I've tried to talk to people about the NBA and they respond, "I'm not into the NBA anymore". It's not just the Bobcats. I think it will come back around. I'm sure it won't be like it was when the Hornets where here, but I think it will get a lot better.

[bozzy]

While I somewhat agree with you, the comment about the Hornets era doesn't parallel modern time. Back then, there was little competition in the Carolinas against football, basketball, and baseball. Plus, you had a massive NBA fan base thanks to Bird, Magic, and Jordan.

Times have changed and the general public just isn't as concerned about the NBA as they used to be. No team now would be able to gather the wide public attention that the Hornets got. There's just too much competition for dollars and attention.

Of course it is a different time. That is my point. It is now even tougher to sell the Bobcats to the Carolinas. Right now the Bobcats are doing a terrible job in a tough market.

Just look at how the Hurricanes are excelling at growing a fan base. And I know most people will say it is because they win. However, except for 3 years, they haven't actually been very good since coming to Raleigh. However, they do have management that knows how to sell the sport to corporations and they have great penetration in their deal with FSN.

The fact that the Bobcats screwed up their tv deal twice and they still blame everyone else tells you all you need to know about how they feel about their potential fan base.