Swarbrick Q&A: Chicago Tribune

[Riddickulous]

Notre Dame football: Athletic director Jack Swarbrick Q-and-A, Part I - Page 2 - chicagotribune.com

Interesting tidbit...

Q: We spoke a few months ago about Texas’ network deal. What about a Notre Dame Network? What’s the reality of that? What are some of the ideas that are being brainstormed about with that right now?

A: There will be a Notre Dame Network, but people sort of envision that in traditional terms of something dramatic and new. You’ll sort of grow into it as you produce more and more digital programming and distribute it more broadly, and we’re committed to that.

What is central to our ability to really build out of a viable network is the increased delivery of broadband video to homes. Texas is a cable platform, because they have dense geography. Ours is the inverse of that. We have fans everywhere – not a huge concentration in one cable market. And so we’re going to be really well-positioned, as technology advances here, and we’re spending our time now building our digital programming.

 

[koonja]

That is the coolest thing I've heard in I don't know how long.

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

Awesome. Go Irish!

 

[Veer option]

ND network will be awesome.

 

[BeauBenken]

Clever names...GO!

 

[IrishLax]

Streaming Irish network at home? OMFG.

I cannot wait for every lacrosse/hockey game to be on "TV" when that is the case. Expect us to start dominating non-football sports at unforeseen levels when this comes to fruition... that is a HUGE recruiting tool.

 

[Rocket89]

It will be a sight to see when we finally tap into our full potential with new media in quenching the thirst of our fan base.

 

[Irish2015]

i thought our own network was just a matter of time before it happened

 

[BeauBenken]

Ok, fine! I'll start the clever names...

umm...


"God's Favorite Channel"

 

[mgriff]

This is pretty much akin to the way soccer clubs do it in Europe. While the little to small clubs have the dense geography referenced to Texas, the larger clubs have global followings, and the club networks are highly successful, but more importantly, profitable. It makes perfect sense that it will happen, and I'm looking forward to it, although it may never make it to basic cable, you'll be paying a fee of some sort, somewhere.

The soccer networks are focusing on one sport, where these colleges instantly begin with more programming, making it easier to fill the schedule. It should work to perfection.

 

[CarrollVermin]

Jumbotron?!?!?!?

 

[phgreek]

Just saw this on Adidas twitter sight...Man that is simply awesome. Makes perfect sense...

I would also be cool if it became some sort of consortium for independants...I know the armed forces guys would love it, and I know BYU would be all over that...

But in the end, our very own network is a dream come true...I know football could maintain enough sponsors to make it to cable...not sure about other sports. Programming guys know how to package that crap...thinking football could carry it all...

 

[Onemanwolfpack]

I think Irish LAX and Rocket 89 nailed the gist of the interview. I am guessing that Swarbrick is closely monitoring the future of cable and (network TV) for that matter. His comment around broadband capabilities seems to indicate he is preparing ND for emergence of new media technology. Sites like Hulu (and others) have many predicting the death of cable and traiditional TV as we know it. Some say the future is everything streamed through the internet. This type of on-demand streaming negates the power of regional players like Texas. So, while Texas and other regional players have more cable negotiating power now, the table turn in favor of total national demand in a "on-demand" world. Good to see that Swarbrick is preparing ND for that possibility.