Originally Posted by Radiomike:
“The point I was making was that MNF was a more logical fit for BT Sport because of the ESPN connection. I never said they would be interested in SNF.”
Apologies, I did misread that.
Originally Posted by Radiomike:
“Are you sure about that? ESPN America in the UK showed Sunday NFL Countdown for at least two seasons after ESPN took over NASN.”
Yes. Obviously when they took over existing contracts were already in place, but ESPN assumed control of NASN in 2007 and that was either the final season they showed NFL content like Sunday Countdown, or the first without.
After ESPN took over they cut costs significantly, not renewing any rights beyond the major ones with the MLB, NHL, and CBS (for the SEC). All other content being that to which they already owned the rights. Hence the dropping of things like the CFL and a few other outside contracts they had at the time.
Originally Posted by Radiomike:
“It also showed other ESPN magazine shows and live NFL on ESPN America in parts of Europe. Problems arose with those shows in the UK once the NHL and NFL deals completed around 2012/13 came into being and ESPN America couldn't show clips from those sports in the UK.”
Because they had live NFL rights in Europe those allowed them to show other programming, they did not need a separate highlights contract for those territories.
And it was in 2007 that ATH and PTI stopped showing clips. Both Henry Hodgson (hank) and Alistair Kirkwood both stated at the time on the NFL UK site that the decision by not to renew the rights NASN previously held was made by ESPN for their own reasons, not because they were no longer available.
Originally Posted by hendero:
“SNF is generally a better game than MNF.”
Jacksonville vs Tennessee at 6pm would outrate Brady vs Manning on SNF because of the time zones. That SNF is one of the biggest games of the week means far less in the UK than the time zone.
The sorts of people who watch at 1:30am on a work day are those who will watch pretty much everything regardless, or at least pick and chose selected matchups. And the latter are not likely to subscribe to a service just in case they may want to watch. There are not many people who will watch or record SNF but not MNF because of the particular brand.
And that SNF follows on the back of two games on Sky actually works against it for subscription services. You need to be a hardcore fan to want to stay up and watch a third game after already having seen two. Those who had been watching Sky will not feel the need to stay up so late just for more. And the late Sunday afternoon games are often just as big as SNF anyway.
That though is obviously less relevant to an FTA network whose selling point is providing the only chance to see any football to those without a subscription to a premium service.
Originally Posted by hendero:
“It might make the difference for some fans of American football who aren't tempted by just the college game on ESPN.”
I am sure it would, but the sort of people who want to see MNF at all costs but have no interest in college football will be very small in number.
They will most likely already have Game Pass, and if not then the current £99.99 for a season pass would be better value than a standalone BT Sports subscription, which is £129.96 in HD for the NFL regular season (four months at £24.99 plus a £30 connection fee).
Originally Posted by Regis Magnae:
“I think it shows the reality of how (un)popular the sport is in the UK.”
Well it shows how (un)popular 1:30am kick-offs on a school and work night are.