"ESPN Loses Over a Half Million Subscribers"

[T J]

ESPN Loses Over a Half Million Subscribers​

The Associated Press

by DYLAN GWINN30 Nov 2016


The Nielsen estimates revealed that ESPN lost 555,000 subscribers during the last month.

In other words, ESPN essentially lost the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico. This, coming on the heels of last month, the worst month in ESPN history, where the network lost 621,000 subscribers.


In the last two months, ESPN has lost 1,176,000 subscribers, a subscriber loss nearly the size of the city of Dallas, Texas. ESPN currently has just over 88 million domestic subscribers. In 2013, a mere three years ago, ESPN had 99 million subscribers.

That’s right, in the last three years, ESPN lost somewhere in the neighborhood of ten million subscribers, the rough equivalent of the combined populations of New York City and Phoenix.


Now, in fairness, ESPN has contested the subscriber estimates that Nielsen put forth, citing the omission of multiple factors, including streaming services and digital device numbers.

However, if the Nielsen numbers even remotely approximate the true subscriber loss, it means ESPN has lost hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue over the last three years alone and if the trend continues, is well on its way to collapse.


Certainly, the chord cutting phenomenon that has hit networks across cable television has a definite impact on ESPN. Though, that’s not the entire explanation for the network’s cratering subscriber base. ESPN Ombudsman Jim Brady, admitted that the network lurched way too far to the left in recent years, alienating many viewers.

There’s also evidence of that in these numbers. According to Deadline Hollywood, “Disney’s other sports channels fared better. ESPNU had 71 million subs, down 1.4%. ESPNEWS and SEC Network — not measured by Nielsen — were flat based on December data from SNL Kagan. The former had 70 million subs and the latter had 62 million.”


What do ESPNU, ESPNEWS, and the SEC Network all have in common? They are, by far, the least opinion-driven and ideological of all the ESPN channels.

ESPN’s slate of uber-opinionated, radically leftist programs such as Around the Horn, First Take, Pardon the Interruption, His & Hers, and others all appear on ESPN or ESPN2, the channels which have seen the greatest decline.


ESPNU, ESPNEWS, and the SEC Network primarily feature sporting events, simulcast radio shows, or straight news reporting with very little opinion, or, at least very little political opinion. Those channels have either marginally declined or stayed flat.

Something tells me there’s a message there.

Follow Dylan Gwinn on Twitter: @themightygwinn



​

 

[ThePennsyOracle]

Is this your new version of global warming rants, TJ?

 

[AldenT]

Is this your new version of global warming rants, TJ?

I'm no fan of TJ's obvious political rants as I've said to him, but this is legit sports news. And frankly it's about time.

I am but one person, but the bolded text in the OP applies to me. I don't ever tune into ESPN or its affiliates for anything but live sports, and even that is sporadic and concentrated in the fall. I don't like or respect or care about the personalities they promote, "who's more now?", etc. They put no-talent hacks like Berman or SAS or whomever on the air and the more you complain the more they promote them. Just done with it. Show the games and stfu.

Honestly I'm surprised it's taken this long.

 

[Lion84]

I'm no fan of TJ's obvious political rants as I've said to him, but this is legit sports news. And frankly it's about time.

I am but one person, but the bolded text in the OP applies to me. I don't ever tune into ESPN or its affiliates for anything but live sports, and even that is sporadic and concentrated in the fall. I don't like or respect or care about the personalities they promote, "who's more now?", etc. They put no-talent hacks like Berman or SAS or whomever on the air and the more you complain the more they promote them. Just done with it. Show the games and stfu.

Honestly I'm surprised it's taken this long.

Agree 100% - I only watch live sports or maybe a good 30 for 30 but that is it and after the events of the past few weeks regarding the crap spewed against PSU and the obvious agenda in favor of a few for the CFP I will watch less - I also find most of the "talent" to be mostly cement head ex-jocks with little to say or jock sniffers who are clueless. I usually watch games with the sound off. Don't need the constant stating of the obvious as if no has eyes.

 

[jjsocrates]

This article appears to misleading. Did ESPN lose 1/2 million subscribers or did Cable Television lose them? You can't just drop ESPN unfortunately.

This might have more to do with people cutting cords and going with Streaming services like Netflix.

 

[mcm265]

ESPN is kind've like McDonalds. Once the dominant power. They divided their attention and product catalog while trying to do everything, instead of doing a couple of things very well. They became bloated and got too big to support. Now, people go to other alternatives when they want a quality product.

Both aren't going away, but they have lost what they once had, and will never be able to get it back.

 

[dclionsfan]

My guess is its cable subscribers lost. If my company didn't pay for my internet, I would stream.

 

[justnitts]

ESPN has alienated many fan bases over the recent years with their over the top, sensationalized, agenda driven BS. It adds up to millions of disenchanted people no longer being customers. The networks arrogance that they could operate this way is dumbfounding.

 

[TheBigUglies]

ESPN has alienated many fan bases over the recent years with their over the top, sensationalized, agenda driven BS. It adds up to millions of disenchanted people no longer being customers. The networks arrogance that they could operate this way is dumbfounding.

This is exactly why ESPiN is dead to me.

 

[Woodpecker]

Again?

 

[dwiz]

Again?

Yes, again. This is a half a million in addition to the 600,000 last month.

 

[Woodpecker]

Yes, again. This is a half a million in addition to the 600,000 last month.

Thanks. I just wanted to add all the previous comments to this.

 

[Sharkies]

I would love to watch these games through my TV.

It ain't as easy as using a Chromecast, but can't you just do a DVI to HDMI cord to the back of your tv from your laptop? I use this method all of the time.

 

[TenerHallTerror]

This article appears to misleading. Did ESPN lose 1/2 million subscribers or did Cable Television lose them? You can't just drop ESPN unfortunately.

This might have more to do with people cutting cords and going with Streaming services like Netflix.

no this is because decent Americans are sick of Colin Kaepernick.

duhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

 

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

ESPN Loses Over a Half Million Subscribers​

The Associated Press

by DYLAN GWINN30 Nov 2016


The Nielsen estimates revealed that ESPN lost 555,000 subscribers during the last month.

In other words, ESPN essentially lost the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico. This, coming on the heels of last month, the worst month in ESPN history, where the network lost 621,000 subscribers.


In the last two months, ESPN has lost 1,176,000 subscribers, a subscriber loss nearly the size of the city of Dallas, Texas. ESPN currently has just over 88 million domestic subscribers. In 2013, a mere three years ago, ESPN had 99 million subscribers.

That’s right, in the last three years, ESPN lost somewhere in the neighborhood of ten million subscribers, the rough equivalent of the combined populations of New York City and Phoenix.


Now, in fairness, ESPN has contested the subscriber estimates that Nielsen put forth, citing the omission of multiple factors, including streaming services and digital device numbers.

However, if the Nielsen numbers even remotely approximate the true subscriber loss, it means ESPN has lost hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue over the last three years alone and if the trend continues, is well on its way to collapse.


Certainly, the chord cutting phenomenon that has hit networks across cable television has a definite impact on ESPN. Though, that’s not the entire explanation for the network’s cratering subscriber base. ESPN Ombudsman Jim Brady, admitted that the network lurched way too far to the left in recent years, alienating many viewers.

There’s also evidence of that in these numbers. According to Deadline Hollywood, “Disney’s other sports channels fared better. ESPNU had 71 million subs, down 1.4%. ESPNEWS and SEC Network — not measured by Nielsen — were flat based on December data from SNL Kagan. The former had 70 million subs and the latter had 62 million.”


What do ESPNU, ESPNEWS, and the SEC Network all have in common? They are, by far, the least opinion-driven and ideological of all the ESPN channels.

ESPN’s slate of uber-opinionated, radically leftist programs such as Around the Horn, First Take, Pardon the Interruption, His & Hers, and others all appear on ESPN or ESPN2, the channels which have seen the greatest decline.


ESPNU, ESPNEWS, and the SEC Network primarily feature sporting events, simulcast radio shows, or straight news reporting with very little opinion, or, at least very little political opinion. Those channels have either marginally declined or stayed flat.

Something tells me there’s a message there.

Follow Dylan Gwinn on Twitter: @themightygwinn



​

[/QUOTE]

That's funny. My entire family and I are among those that dumped ESPN. The reason is: The market place. We don't F'ing need ESPN to watch all the sports we want for less money...... You UBER idiot.

 

[Cletus11]

losing subscribers makes no sense as pointed out, you cannot just call up Comcast or Direct TV and tell them to drop ESPN and reduce your bill by $5 per month. So really that has to equate to cable subscribers being lost. And people are not cutting cable because they dislike ESPN. The article is just poorly written with misleading statements and conclusions.

What they really should be looking at is ratings and number of households watching the respective channels. That is what drives commercial dollars and is the real measuring stick of TV/Radio and entertainment in general. I am sure those numbers are down also as the article started to point out.

 

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

THIS...... ROKU....SLING.... BTN... HDMI antenna.... WhoTF needs cable and WTFN ESPN?

 

[T J]

THIS...... ROKU....SLING.... BTN... HDMI antenna.... WhoTF needs cable and WTFN ESPN?

Okay... Lots of options are out there.

Would like to cut out lots of cable channels, but still want access to Penn State content.

Does someone have a more cost-effective, "cable cutting" way to continue getting PSU games that are on via the BTN and BT contracts with FOX, Disney (ABC/the ESPNs) and CBS Sports?

If so, sounds good.
Please lay it out with specifics.
Thanks!​

 

[Talpsu]

Okay... Lots of options are out there.

Would like to cut out lots of cable channels, but still want access to Penn State content.

Does someone have a more cost-effective, "cable cutting" way to continue getting PSU games that are on via the BTN and BT contracts with FOX, Disney (ABC/the ESPNs) and CBS Sports?

If so, sounds good.
Please lay it out with specifics.
Thanks!​

I second this question. For instance you cant stream Big10 games from the big network without logging in using your cable provider account. If you cut cable how do you do it? Same with games on fox or espn?

I use the HBO now app instead of paying Comcast for it. Im pretty sure that goes directly to HBO and apple. Good thing about it is I simply cancel it when there is nothing on and turn it back on when a series I watch is starting. A million times easier by clicking a button than spending 2hrs on the phone with Comcast then another 2 weeks getting my billing straightened out

 

[BudatPSU]

Anything, everything that hurts espn is good for the world.

I still remember what they did in regard to destroying Joe.

 

[Steviedpsu]

Okay... Lots of options are out there.

Would like to cut out lots of cable channels, but still want access to Penn State content.

Does someone have a more cost-effective, "cable cutting" way to continue getting PSU games that are on via the BTN and BT contracts with FOX, Disney (ABC/the ESPNs) and CBS Sports?

If so, sounds good.
Please lay it out with specifics.
Thanks!​

I cut out Dish Network back in April and in September just picked up Sling, but wanted the BTN. When we were on there I went to the local sports bar/restaurant and watched there, but was tough with kids. Luckily Playstation VUE picked up ROKU devices. It is $35 a month and you get ESPN, BTN, FOX Sports. I bought the Leaf HD antenna for local stations. My Dish bill was $90 a month, now I pay $35. I also am not stuck to a contract so I can drop it in March after March madness and then pick it back up in August.

 

[Ten Thousan Marbles]

no this is because decent Americans are sick of Colin Kaepernick.

duhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

LOL

 

[T J]

I cut out Dish Network back in April and in September just picked up Sling, but wanted the BTN. When we were on there I went to the local sports bar/restaurant and watched there, but was tough with kids. Luckily Playstation VUE picked up ROKU devices. It is $35 a month and you get ESPN, BTN, FOX Sports. I bought the Leaf HD antenna for local stations. My Dish bill was $90 a month, now I pay $35. I also am not stuck to a contract so I can drop it in March after March madness and then pick it back up in August.

Interestimg - Please list the specific equipment you use.

Can you use a Video recorder to capture PSU games for playback?

What other channels do you get?
Are there tiers like with cable companies?

Appreciate your inputs.

 

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

Okay... Lots of options are out there.

Would like to cut out lots of cable channels, but still want access to Penn State content.

Does someone have a more cost-effective, "cable cutting" way to continue getting PSU games that are on via the BTN and BT contracts with FOX, Disney (ABC/the ESPNs) and CBS Sports?

If so, sounds good.
Please lay it out with specifics.
Thanks!​

I just did. I watch every game I want without having to watch the BOZO channel. As noted by others. Sling extra gives you BTN and ESPN if you want. I don't. My HDMI antenna gives me Knoxville and Chattanooga Major networks. When we are regionally blacked out my family internet video streams games from tv to tv one to the other. It is fun screwing these bs tech companies

 

[T J]

"Nielsen cable
(includes satellite & telco services)
coverage estimates for the nationally measured cable sports networks for December 2016"​

ESPN Loses Over a Half Million Subscribers​

The Associated Press

by DYLAN GWINN30 Nov 2016


The Nielsen estimates revealed that ESPN lost 555,000 subscribers during the last month.

In other words, ESPN essentially lost the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico. This, coming on the heels of last month, the worst month in ESPN history, where the network lost 621,000 subscribers.


In the last two months, ESPN has lost 1,176,000 subscribers, a subscriber loss nearly the size of the city of Dallas, Texas. ESPN currently has just over 88 million domestic subscribers. In 2013, a mere three years ago, ESPN had 99 million subscribers.

That’s right, in the last three years, ESPN lost somewhere in the neighborhood of ten million subscribers, the rough equivalent of the combined populations of New York City and Phoenix.


Now, in fairness, ESPN has contested the subscriber estimates that Nielsen put forth, citing the omission of multiple factors, including streaming services and digital device numbers.

However, if the Nielsen numbers even remotely approximate the true subscriber loss, it means ESPN has lost hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue over the last three years alone and if the trend continues, is well on its way to collapse.


Certainly, the chord cutting phenomenon that has hit networks across cable television has a definite impact on ESPN. Though, that’s not the entire explanation for the network’s cratering subscriber base. ESPN Ombudsman Jim Brady, admitted that the network lurched way too far to the left in recent years, alienating many viewers.

There’s also evidence of that in these numbers. According to Deadline Hollywood, “Disney’s other sports channels fared better. ESPNU had 71 million subs, down 1.4%. ESPNEWS and SEC Network — not measured by Nielsen — were flat based on December data from SNL Kagan. The former had 70 million subs and the latter had 62 million.”


What do ESPNU, ESPNEWS, and the SEC Network all have in common? They are, by far, the least opinion-driven and ideological of all the ESPN channels.

ESPN’s slate of uber-opinionated, radically leftist programs such as Around the Horn, First Take, Pardon the Interruption, His & Hers, and others all appear on ESPN or ESPN2, the channels which have seen the greatest decline.


ESPNU, ESPNEWS, and the SEC Network primarily feature sporting events, simulcast radio shows, or straight news reporting with very little opinion, or, at least very little political opinion. Those channels have either marginally declined or stayed flat.

Something tells me there’s a message there.

Follow Dylan Gwinn on Twitter: @themightygwinn
​