NBC Moving Some ND Home Games to Versus

[Buster Bluth]

NBC Sports Network Replaces FOX Soccer As New Home For MLS | Major League Soccer Talk

They've already purchased MLS rights. Not a big move by any means, but it is summer programming. One of the big programs with having an entire network is year-round program.

Notre Dame and a BCS conference in the fall, Hockey and NCAA basketball in the winter, maybe they can snag Wimbledon and March Madness, etc.

Having a Sportscenter-like program that isn't filled with people who think they're hipper than they really are and without the constant CGI intros is huge. There are millions--probably even tens of millions--who are tired of Sportscenter and want a show with some substance, NSN can possibly exploit that.

Keep in mind they also have Dan Patrick, assemble some of the other legends out there and people will want to watch.

 

[GBdomer]

If we get rid of Tom Hammond in the process ill be thrilled.

 

[IrishLax]

Well there's also no way Georgia State can beat Alabama...but they will try to do it too.

There's far too many what if's involved here and frankly fantasy dreams about what NBC could do. I think it would be great if NBC could pull it off, but what are the chances when we have to be like, "They can do it they just need to buy A,B,C,and D...and then create E, F, G, H, I, and J.

I wish it was that easy.

So what's your point? That there is risk involved? There was tons of risk and "what ifs" when Bill Gates started Microsoft... but that sure worked out alright. You don't think NBC, a multi-billion dollar corporation, has done their homework here and is making a calculated risk?

I'll give you a more personal example related to television. One of our senior engineers is a guy who helped launch HBO. Not actually start the business, but a guy who was instrumental in the engineering marvel that allowed HBO to actually work. No one thought HBO, as a business model, could be profitable. Everyone was sure that it was going to fail... and didn't start off well. It was simply going to cost too much to deliver the programming to a large enough base and "who the hell would pay money to watch a bunch of old movies?" But a couple guys believed it was possible and took a risk that had many more "what ifs" than "can NBC compete with ESPN?" Turns out they trusted the right engineers and with a solid investment of capital they broke into the television market in a way no one thought was possible.

So you can pontificate how there is "no way" NBC could create a competitor to ESPN... but it is sure a heck a possibility. They could try to do it slowly over time with the Olympics, Notre Dame football, soccer and hockey (which continues to become more popular year after year)... and maybe pick up other fringe sports like the MLL. Or they could go "all in" after March Madness or a BCS football conference rights. Or they could use a strategy none of us have thought of yet.

But please don't call it a fantasy dream.

 

[irish1958]

All we have to do is win 13 games and it is moot as to where we will be on TV.
The haters will hate us and the rest of the world will love us.

 

[GowerND11]

Also I want to point out that NBC also has Sunday Night Football...... Not saying that is a lot, but maybe if they move it to NSN that could also be a draw.

 

[DuffHouse12]

Bullshit.

"If we move Notre Dame football to this obscure channel, it'll force more ND fans to purchase this channel."

true, but also more fans will watch the channel who already have it - which breeds $. personally i don't care unless it hurts recruiting which it could.

 

[irishtrinity]

All we have to do is win 13 games and it is moot as to where we will be on TV.
The haters will hate us and the rest of the world will love us.

yep.. we went thru a really bad dry spell,but the strong will survive. Go Irish

 

[Rocket89]

So what's your point? That there is risk involved? There was tons of risk and "what ifs" when Bill Gates started Microsoft... but that sure worked out alright. You don't think NBC, a multi-billion dollar corporation, has done their homework here and is making a calculated risk?

I'll give you a more personal example related to television. One of our senior engineers is a guy who helped launch HBO. Not actually start the business, but a guy who was instrumental in the engineering marvel that allowed HBO to actually work. No one thought HBO, as a business model, could be profitable. Everyone was sure that it was going to fail... and didn't start off well. It was simply going to cost too much to deliver the programming to a large enough base and "who the hell would pay money to watch a bunch of old movies?" But a couple guys believed it was possible and took a risk that had many more "what ifs" than "can NBC compete with ESPN?" Turns out they trusted the right engineers and with a solid investment of capital they broke into the television market in a way no one thought was possible.

So you can pontificate how there is "no way" NBC could create a competitor to ESPN... but it is sure a heck a possibility. They could try to do it slowly over time with the Olympics, Notre Dame football, soccer and hockey (which continues to become more popular year after year)... and maybe pick up other fringe sports like the MLL. Or they could go "all in" after March Madness or a BCS football conference rights. Or they could use a strategy none of us have thought of yet.

But please don't call it a fantasy dream.

Wait, so I'm saying NBC won't be able to truly rival ESPN/ABC and giving some reasons like they don't have enough assets, leadership, etc. and you're lecturing that "anything is possible" as if that's going to convince me?

Thanks Kevin Garnett, I don't need to be told that anything is possible.

What kind of argument are you making here? Of course it's possible that NBC Sports Network takes off and becomes huge, I can admit that much...I'm simply saying it's likely not going to happen.

Have you watched NBC over the past 10 years?

Did you know they still have Tom Hammond calling our games?

What has NBC done in the past that would make you believe they could pull this off?

They've been the laughing stock of network television for years, is an ownership change to Comcast enough to reverse all the damage? What evidence do we have?

Sure it's fun to think about the "what ifs" and all that, or that this is going to set Notre Dame football up big time for the future. If that happens...great. I'm merely asking you to pull the reigns a little bit and don't hold your breath.

 

[ErieIrish13]

I'm all for NBC doing this. Its only for 1, maybe 2 home games this year. And I also feel that the NBC sports channel can be competitive quick. Versus/NBC already play NHL games exclusively and If they can put games on more than 2 days a week, they will earn money$$$. Notre Dame football will only help the channel build and grow, mainly because of the ND name, and tradition. NBC buying MLS rights is also huge, as it is quickly becoming a solid revenue earning sport (not nearly as much as the big 4). I say 5-8 years down the road and NBC sports will be competing with and giving ESPN a run for their money.

 

[pkt77242]

I am fine with the move as long as it is 1-2 games.

Here is what I would do to make the network popular.

1. March Madness (no brainer)
2. BYU sports
3. Big East sports or ACC (easier to get than the others and they provide good basketball teams as well)
Play one of the games on Thursday nights.

 

[irishtrain]

I'm all for NBC doing this. Its only for 1, maybe 2 home games this year. And I also feel that the NBC sports channel can be competitive quick. Versus/NBC already play NHL games exclusively and If they can put games on more than 2 days a week, they will earn money$$$. Notre Dame football will only help the channel build and grow, mainly because of the ND name, and tradition. NBC buying MLS rights is also huge, as it is quickly becoming a solid revenue earning sport (not nearly as much as the big 4). I say 5-8 years down the road and NBC sports will be competing with and giving ESPN a run for their money.

I'm going to sacrifice a few sheckles to see someone compete and make espn play the game correctly. The new competition may help settle them into reality.

 

[TDHeysus]

Directv users:

I just called and hassled with DTV regarding Versus. The lowest Directv package that includes Versus is the 'Choices Extra' package. here is another gem, Directv has an option that you can add specific single channels that are not in your current package, only problem is Versus is not one of those channels they allow you to add seperately. In order to receive Versus from Directv you will need to order one of the 3 packages it comes from. The lowest priced package that included Versus was called 'Choices Extra'


Nothing like being used as pawns by NBC, causing me to call directv and change my service around so NBC can launch their new sports channel. NBC should be paying me and others for doing their dirty work

 

[phgreek]

Directv users:

I just called and hassled with DTV regarding Versus. The lowest Directv package that includes Versus is the 'Choices Extra' package. here is another gem, Directv has an option that you can add specific single channels that are not in your current package, only problem is Versus is not one of those channels they allow you to add seperately. In order to receive Versus from Directv you will need to order one of the 3 packages it comes from. The lowest priced package that included Versus was called 'Choices Extra'


Nothing like being used as pawns by NBC, causing me to call directv and change my service around so NBC can launch their new sports channel. NBC should be paying me and others for doing their dirty work

AMEN...

At first I thought Jack might be working a deal...but, how could losing two games on NBC be good for Notre Dame? Uninhibited Nationwide audience = need for us, especially now. ...so, Until I see/hear otherwise, I'm thinking this was NBC throwing some weight around...while they still can. I Don't see this as Jack being brilliant...but I hope I'm wrong.

I believe the "two games" was strategic...its enough to make ND nation scream, but not completely revolt...They knew some ND fans would try and figure out how to get versus for one game, but huge numbers would do it for two.

NBC will continue to do this little scarcity routine here and there to whatever fan base they can so they can drive demand/market through angry customers. Seems a very short-sighted approach. In the long term, if you do not truly innovate via programming, the Good Will associated with God himself will not save your network.

 

[Rocket89]

Some Irish Home Games on Versus: How Does This Change Notre Dame Football? - One Foot Down

Some thoughts on this subject.

 

[phgreek]

Some Irish Home Games on Versus: How Does This Change Notre Dame Football? - One Foot Down

Some thoughts on this subject.

Good article, I mostly agree. WoW...didn't realize the article that came out of the SL Tribune...was a scoup of sorts...Thats just an odd choice to drop a bomb...Whole thing is strange....

 

[koonja]

I've always believed that Tom Hammond was the one Mcpoyle (Always Sunny in Philadelphia) who went on to make something of himself, outside of the family circle.

 

[GBdomer]

I've always believed that Tom Hammond was the one Mcpoyle (Always Sunny in Philadelphia) who went on to make something of himself, outside of the family circle.

reps cause there is not a better show on T.V.

 

[kmoose]

I'm not sure if anyone already mentioned this, but here goes:

If you have the ND Central App, on your iPhone(not sure about Droid or Blackberry), you can purchase a season pass to watch all of ND's games on NBC (it didn't mention if it would work for Versus games), on your phone, for $0.99.

 

[IrishGiant]

I'm glad I get Versus (need it for hockey), but if I didnt I'd be royally pissed!

 

[Rocket89]

We know who Simmons works for. At any rate, here's a pot shot from his recent mailbag:

Q: Did you see NBC and (its sports cable channel) White Entertainment Television stole the MLS from ESPN?
— V. Lewis, Kansas City

SG: WET's lineup has never looked stronger: hockey, soccer, rodeos, cycling, mixed martial arts … once they add fencing, debating and polo, and acquire the rights to "The Andover Song" as its new network theme song, the transformation will be complete!

 

[95NDAlumNM]

Information on more changes with NBC this year from Irish UNDerground:

NBC Sports Group will air a combined 28 college football games on NBC and VERSUS this season, featuring No. 16 Notre Dame and top-ranked teams from the Pac-12, Mountain West and Ivy League conferences. The increased coverage includes a new live studio show out of 30 Rock for all games on both NBC and VERSUS; the first home primetime Notre Dame game in more than 20 years on NBC; new on-air commentators, including College Football Hall of Famer Doug Flutie; a quadruple-header featuring several ranked teams on November 12; and a new one-hour college football show on VERSUS on Monday nights this fall.

Coverage begins on NBC when Notre Dame faces South Florida Sept. 3 at 3:30 p.m. (ET).

NBC will air seven Notre Dame games this season, including the first Fighting Irish home primetime game in 21 years when they host No. 25 USC on Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. (ET).

VERSUS, to be re-branded the NBC Sports Network on January 2, will bring the look and feel of NBC Sports production to all its college football coverage and will feature other notable games this season.

"Whether it's a Notre Dame, Mountain West, Pac-12 or Ivy League game and regardless of whether it airs on NBC or VERSUS, college football fans can expect coverage consistent with the NBC Sports brand," said Sam Flood, executive producer for NBC Sports and VERSUS.

NBC will once again team play-by-play commentator Tom Hammond with analyst Mike Mayock and sideline reporter Alex Flanagan. NBC's Dan Hicks will handle play-by-play for the first Notre Dame game of the season while Hammond is covering the World Track and Field Championships from Daegu, South Korea.

NBC Sports Group will air four games across all the college football properties it covers on Nov. 12. VERSUS will kick off the day with an Ivy League game featuring Penn at Harvard at noon (ET), immediately followed by a showdown between TCU at Boise State. NBC will then air Notre Dame as they host Maryland in primetime at 7:30 p.m. (ET) in an off-site home game from FedEx Field in Landover, Md. (the second primetime Notre Dame game of the season). VERSUS will end the quadruple-header with live coverage of a Pac-12 game at 10:30 p.m. (ET).

Monday nights will see VERSUS introduce a new one-hour show titled College Football Talk with a large portion of the show devoted to Notre Dame Football news.

For the second consecutive season, all of NBC's Notre Dame games will be streamed live on NBCSports.com. "Notre Dame Extra" will feature a simulcast of the broadcast feed in full HD quality plus one additional online-only bonus camera. The video player will include picture-in-picture capability and full DVR functionality, allowing the user to pause the live video and even review plays in "slo-mo."

New features for this season include live in-game tweets from sideline reporter Alex Flanagan and a live in-game chat from Inside the Irish blogger Keith Arnold. Additionally, fans can also watch live coverage of the Notre Dame and visiting teams' bands at halftime, in-game highlights, as well as a live, online-only postgame footage that will include head coach Brian Kelly's press conference.

iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad users can get complete NBC Sports coverage of the Notre Dame 2011 college football season with the Notre Dame Central apps. Users can get free, live access to every NBC Sports broadcast of Notre Dame football games. Plus, the app includes live scores, news, video highlights and much more. The iPhone and iPad updates for the 2011 season will be available prior to the Sept. 3 season opener against South Florida.

 

[95NDAlumNM]

I wonder what the 1 hour College Football Talk show will be like on Monday. I hope they do it right.

 

[Veer option]

Monday nights will see VERSUS introduce a new one-hour show titled College Football Talk with a large portion of the show devoted to Notre Dame Football news.

Kickass!

I wonder what the 1 hour College Football Talk show will be like on Monday. I hope they do it right.

It will be hard to compete with MNF for ratings.

 

[Veer option]

.

 

[Buster Bluth]

It will be hard to compete with MNF for ratings.

Not in my apartment!

 

[95NDAlumNM]

Kickass!




It will be hard to compete with MNF for ratings.

I am pretty sure I can give up an hour of MNF for my beloved Irish. Even if the Cowboys are playing.

 

[UPMich_NDfan]

So just to make sure I'm reading this correctly...ND vs Maryland will be Versus, any other games? People spoke of two games earlier in the thread.

 

[MacIrish75]

So just to make sure I'm reading this correctly...ND vs Maryland will be Versus, any other games? People spoke of two games earlier in the thread.

"NBC will then air Notre Dame as they host Maryland in primetime at 7:30 p.m. (ET) in an off-site home game from FedEx Field in Landover, Md. (the second primetime Notre Dame game of the season)."

I read this as the ND-MD game will be on NBC.

 

[UPMich_NDfan]

"NBC will then air Notre Dame as they host Maryland in primetime at 7:30 p.m. (ET) in an off-site home game from FedEx Field in Landover, Md. (the second primetime Notre Dame game of the season)."

I read this as the ND-MD game will be on NBC.

You're absolutely right, I missed NBC as I was skimming. So I guess I'm confused...does this start this year or next year(games on vs.)?

 

[RyCo1983]

Not in my apartment!

Not in my house either!