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Conference Realignment Board
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Joined: 10/03/2022
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Baltimore_Hokie
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Linear conference networks are a relic of the past. They make no sense-

in the streaming era, where you just dial up what you want to watch on a giant menu. Every year, linear cable subscribers drop exponentially, and when that number drops to a certain point, the conference networks will lose all their value, which is almost entirely expressed in carriage fees. While the ACCN is currently "profitable" year-to-year in terms of operating costs vs. revenue, ESPN and the ACC will be lucky if they manage to ultimately break even from the ACC Network. That's why you see Mark Packer doing the ACCN's premier talk show from his basement with no stage lighting or equipment - you don't see that on Finebaum. It cost an enormous amount of money to implement the ACCN, and it was initiated too late in the game, over a decade after the BTN, and 5 years after the SECN. While I'm sure they'd have LOVED to have had a network in 2007, you don't understand the money and the media landscape if you think the Big 12 is clamoring for a linear cable network today, in 2025. It would be like flushing money down the toilet.
Posted: 04/15/2025 at 10:04 AM ET
(In response to this post by Stech)

Thread Replies (53)

Full Thread →
Not sure what happens 2 the ACC, but their ESPN owned channel is HUGE, B12
Stech • 04/15/25 08:57 AM ET
Absolutely. Remember ESPN Flagship will carry the ACCN.
RandomAsianGuy • 04/15/25 06:41 PM ET
It's a bigger deal than many people think, they'll undoubtedly promote SEC
Stech • 04/15/25 07:44 PM ET
Good luck moving the masters …**
AnotherTechW • 04/16/25 05:43 AM ET
Plenty depends on how well the ACCN is actually doing. Without any
reestuart • 04/15/25 10:09 AM ET
Agree with that, that’s a valid argument, how does the ACCN do after losing
Stech • 04/15/25 11:12 AM ET
You're still streaming, and paying carriage fees, for a LINEAR CABLE
Baltimore_Hokie • 04/15/25 12:13 PM ET
The ACC schools have......
2hhoop3 • 04/15/25 12:57 PM ET
Ah, so, in other words, they're robbing Peter to pay Paul.
Baltimore_Hokie • 04/15/25 01:12 PM ET
Nice try.......
2hhoop3 • 04/15/25 01:18 PM ET
Either way, it's not paid for and debt service is still being paid.
Baltimore_Hokie • 04/15/25 01:38 PM ET
The Network is........
2hhoop3 • 04/15/25 02:20 PM ET
A few years ago, I filed a FOIA re: how much VT realized from the ACCN.
saret • 04/15/25 03:59 PM ET
According to the most recent......
2hhoop3 • 04/15/25 04:05 PM ET
And, as you've said, how each school chooses to use that ACCN
saret • 04/15/25 04:24 PM ET
All likely valid points.......
2hhoop3 • 04/15/25 04:31 PM ET
LOL, "cheese eating, selfie taking strategic communications savant", that
Stech • 04/15/25 04:50 PM ET
Wonderful wordplay. Well said. Again, Whit is his own worst enemy.**
saret • 04/15/25 04:38 PM ET
Linear conference networks are a relic of the past. They make no sense- ◄
Baltimore_Hokie • 04/15/25 10:04 AM ET
Do you think that linear thing is all the ACCN can be?
VTCALS72 • 04/15/25 08:01 PM ET
ACCN content is ultimately going to be like ESPN Plus.
Baltimore_Hokie • 04/16/25 10:03 AM ET
I think we are at least somewhat close on that.
VTCALS72 • 04/16/25 10:37 AM ET
I don't disagree, but I am confident that for full access to conference-
Baltimore_Hokie • 04/16/25 11:05 AM ET
I get the impression that Packer likes his short commute downstairs. The
wwhokie1 • 04/15/25 04:30 PM ET
Still pisses me off how they slow-played the release of the ACCN.
Maroon Baboon • 04/15/25 10:38 AM ET
It's more or less an expensive status symbol at this point.
Baltimore_Hokie • 04/15/25 10:46 AM ET
I will say this. I have watched enough VT Softball 🥎 on the ACCN 📺...
Maroon Baboon • 04/15/25 11:59 AM ET
VT's non-revenue sports was what I looked forward to watching when...
EDGEMAN • 04/15/25 03:32 PM ET
Like you, I was looking forward to seeing VT's non-revenue sports get more
VTHokie2000 • 04/15/25 04:45 PM ET
VT should film every non-revenue game and put it up on the ACCN-X**
EDGEMAN • 04/16/25 01:46 PM ET
Exactly. I realize for away games/events or neutral site tournaments that
VTHokie2000 • 04/16/25 02:50 PM ET
Nothing like watching VT Wrestling authoring a conference beat down on ACCN**
Maroon Baboon • 04/15/25 04:07 PM ET
I love what we're building in wrestling
obguthr • 04/16/25 12:50 PM ET
I understand that the ACCN is making money, you are guessing they won’t
Stech • 04/15/25 10:14 AM ET
Go back and read what I wrote, very slowly, because you obviously didn't-
Baltimore_Hokie • 04/15/25 10:35 AM ET
Many if not most are watching by streaming, that’s irrelevant, schools like
Stech • 04/15/25 11:01 AM ET
Clearly, you failed to read again. Please ignore all my posts if you're not
Baltimore_Hokie • 04/15/25 12:07 PM ET
The cable companies are losing subscribers? That can be substantiated. **
Big12 guy • 04/15/25 10:20 AM ET
Those cable subscribers are moving to streaming subscribers, so...
EDGEMAN • 04/15/25 03:34 PM ET
I don’t have cable, I watch it on Streaming, that’s irrelevant.**
Stech • 04/15/25 10:35 AM ET
I guess you're just magically pulling it out of the air onto your TV!
Baltimore_Hokie • 04/15/25 12:19 PM ET
Your overall premise is correct
RTFC • 04/15/25 10:11 AM ET
I seriously doubt that a pro media personality would rather be doing-
Baltimore_Hokie • 04/15/25 10:20 AM ET
Finebaum back drop is fake, you are talking about pennies to set back drop,
Stech • 04/15/25 10:39 AM ET
OK, sure, whatever you say. You're right, I'm wrong. I have no argument.
Baltimore_Hokie • 04/15/25 10:53 AM ET
My post said your premise was right
RTFC • 04/15/25 12:09 PM ET
That post was in response to Stech, but the point remains.
Baltimore_Hokie • 04/15/25 12:21 PM ET
a "sports media professional like Mark Packer"
RTFC • 04/15/25 12:39 PM ET
No, I KNOW ESPN fired Packer and Wes Durham from their studio show-
Baltimore_Hokie • 04/15/25 12:44 PM ET
Uhmm...
RTFC • 04/15/25 12:54 PM ET
OK, fine. It was always Packer's plan to do a no-budget TV show from his-
Baltimore_Hokie • 04/15/25 01:09 PM ET
Even if that's where he wants it, it's still an issue. It makes the ACCN
reestuart • 04/15/25 10:15 AM ET
That's fair - its just not an economic decision.**
RTFC • 04/15/25 12:03 PM ET
I agree with both of you on this, I like Packer a lot, but the basement
Stech • 04/15/25 12:15 PM ET