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Important update on LHN games

  • I am told that the negative reaction from fans and donors to the possibility of three games being on the LHN has been enough that the Texas athletic department may sink its heels into the sand and only allow one game to be on the LHN, which is all the Longhorns are contractually obligated for.

    As of now, there is still expected to be two games on the LHN (Wyoming and New Mexico) with the possibility of a third (Baylor). But I am told that the negative feedback is something the powers that be are considering.

    This post was edited by BobbyBurton on 7/17/2012 at 6:50 AM

    Follow on Twitter: http://twitter.com/BobbyBurton247

    BobbyBurton

  • Credit to txhookem78 for the petition...took less than 24 hours to work...biggrin

    http://texas.247sports.com/Board/21/Its-time-to-send-a-message-longhorns--10765201/1

    This post was edited by mcb0703 on 7/17/2012 at 6:40 AM

    mcb0703 ●

  • Well this is good news

    driftwoodHorn

  • It's the first time since inception that I've seen/heard some level of discomfort/pushback from the Texas athletic department concerning the programming desires of ESPN.

    The recruiting stuff bothered ESPN, not Texas, because the Texas athletic department was just going to go along with whatever the NCAA deemed was permissible.

    This post was edited by BobbyBurton on 7/17/2012 at 6:51 AM

    Follow on Twitter: http://twitter.com/BobbyBurton247

    BobbyBurton

  • Good. Maybe UT can now get ESPN's attention about their negotiating tactics with carriers. It's like that philosopher Sam Kiniston said, "If a tree falls in the forest and there's no one there to hear it, WHO GIVES A RAT'S A$$?"

    "I've heard some of our fans say, 'We were always an SEC school. We just didn't know it," athletic director Bill Byrne said.

    Bevo52

  • This is a good thing. Maybe ESPN will get their head out of their a** and create a package that makes economic sense to the carriers.

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    GetHooked

  • I bet stoooops would pay a lot money, just to have it on his cell phone.

    hornokc

  • My cable provider in Fort Worth (Charter) advised that the LHN will be available to me on August 26.

    TexasExSTP

  • I sent an email to Deloss Dodds and received following form letter reply from Chris Plonsky
    ====
    Dear Longhorn Fan:
    Thanks for your note. We share our fans' frustration at the slow progress of additional clearances for LHN (beyond Verizon/Fios and Grande Communications). ESPN is working very hard with carriers to encourage them to carry LHN. Business deals must be negotiated and struck by ESPN with each carrier.

    Placing content on LHN drives pressure for carriers to consider LHN. Football is must-see programming and ESPN requires leverage in programming to create a favorable negotiating environment.

    ESPN has committed huge dollars to production and programming. LHN is a GREAT product, and it merits carriage.
    Start-up channels are challenging, but ESPN has expertise and strength in working with carriers — cable and satellite and telecom.

    The targets are all of them — DirecTV, AT&T U-verse, TWC, etc.

    We thank you for expressing your opinion and concern. ESPN is committed to the long haul on this, and we trust them to achieve carriage.

    Sincerely --
    Christine A Plonsky
    ===========

    Good news that they're listening and might cut it to one game.
    The light bulb went on and a third game would be further punishment to Horn fans who are unable to view the game.

    TXbravehorn

  • BobbyBurton said...

    I am told that the negative reaction from fans and donors to the possibility of three games being on the LHN has been enough that the Texas athletic department may sink its heels into the sand and only allow one game to be on the LHN, which is all the Longhorns are contractually obligated for.

    As of now, there is still expected to be two games on the LHN (Wyoming and New Mexico) with the possibility of a third (Baylor). But I am told that the negative feedback is something the powers that be are considering.

    Wow. Just wow. In a million years I would never have predicted our AD taking into consideration what the fans actually wanted over additional revenue.

    Newy25

  • Newy25 said...

    Wow. Just wow. In a million years I would never have predicted our AD taking into consideration what the fans actually wanted over additional revenue.

    More games on the LHN that nobody can see does not actually create additional revenue. Especially in the short term.

    El General

  • TexasExSTP said...

    My cable provider in Fort Worth (Charter) advised that the LHN will be available to me on August 26.

    Interesting.

    Anybody else hear this?

    Follow on Twitter: http://twitter.com/BobbyBurton247

    BobbyBurton

  • BobbyBurton said...

    Interesting.

    Anybody else hear this?

    No but I'm calling Charter today.

    maninblack1

  • I half expected this to say there would be 4-5 games on the LHN.

    Rivver

  • TexasExSTP said...

    My cable provider in Fort Worth (Charter) advised that the LHN will be available to me on August 26.

    I just got off the phone. The person I talked to hadn't heard of any specific dates and didn't know if they were getting it.

    Did you hear about it through a mailing or talking to someone?

    maninblack1

  • I'd be surprised if Texas is able to get ESPN down to one game.

    It'll be an interesting dance the two parties will have to do. Texas trying to appease its fans by making more games viewable to the majority vs. ESPN trying to get more games on LHN to increase the (outspoken) demand for LHN.

    Hard for me to believe ESPN will agree to go down to one game when football games are really the main thing that's going to push the public to call their carriers. Keeping the Baylor game off LHN is still a big win for the fans, though IMO.

    Dave Behr

  • I just want Plonsky fired. This whole thing in a big enough black eye that while I don't think she was ever seriously considered to replace Deloss there no reason to worry about that now.

    maninblack1

  • That is great news. It should also put to rest the ridiculous notion that no one should question ESPN's strategy in seeking carriage because they must know what they're doing. Well, the Texas athletic department doesn't agree with their strategy, so perhaps it's not entirely unreasonable for fans to question it.

    DLev

  • BobbyBurton said...

    I am told that the negative reaction from fans and donors to the possibility of three games being on the LHN has been enough that the Texas athletic department may sink its heels into the sand and only allow one game to be on the LHN, which is all the Longhorns are contractually obligated for.

    As of now, there is still expected to be two games on the LHN (Wyoming and New Mexico) with the possibility of a third (Baylor). But I am told that the negative feedback is something the powers that be are considering.

    If their will only be one game on the LHN what will it be?

    cdparker

  • Dave Behr said...

    Hard for me to believe ESPN will agree to go down to one game when football games are really the main thing that's going to push the public to call their carriers. Keeping the Baylor game off LHN is still a big win for the fans, though IMO.

    Beyond being annoyed at having to take the calls, the carriers really don't care. It's been a week now since Comedy Central and 16 other Viacom networks went dark at Directv. DTV has gone from providing encouraging messages about the channels being back soon to removing those channels from the grid. It's hard to push multi-billion dollar companies around, even if you're one yourself.

    texaztom

  • maninblack1 said...

    I just want Plonsky fired. This whole thing in a big enough black eye that while I don't think she was ever seriously considered to replace Deloss there no reason to worry about that now.

    Yah, that "letter" posted earlier was pure smoke ...

    While this recent tidbit is encouraging, I sure like to see corroboration in print. Then commitment by action.

    Hook 'Em! ...'til early in the morn.

    atxchip

  • BobbyBurton said...

    I am told that the negative reaction from fans and donors to the possibility of three games being on the LHN has been enough that the Texas athletic department may sink its heels into the sand and only allow one game to be on the LHN, which is all the Longhorns are contractually obligated for.

    As of now, there is still expected to be two games on the LHN (Wyoming and New Mexico) with the possibility of a third (Baylor). But I am told that the negative feedback is something the powers that be are considering.


    Good news! Thanks for the update Bobby. It's important for everyone on the board to know that I did not make the decision to put out a petition against ESPN and the University without hesitation. I want the network to succeed, but not at the expense of taking games away from loyal fans who just want to be a part of Texas football on a Saturday. The talk of removing 50% of the season’s home games from a majority of the public viewership was unacceptable to me and to fans in general. This information is a clear signal that the fans in numbers do have a voice and need to stand up, even when the odds appear to be against you. I'm hopeful that the University and ESPN will reverse course. I still think all games should be removed, but at least this is moving in a different direction as a result of the fans sending a clear message to those powers that be on both sides. I will continue to push forward with the petition and I respectfully ask for your support.

    txhookem78

  • maninblack1 said...

    I just want Plonsky fired. This whole thing in a big enough black eye that while I don't think she was ever seriously considered to replace Deloss there no reason to worry about that now.

    I have talked to a lot of alumni who are in a position to have some info on this and while I totally agree that I would love to see Polonsky gone, she will be considered for Dodds post if/when he retires. At least that is what I have been told. That is one of the reasons why she was involved with the ESPN debacle with Dodds - to keep her "in the loop" so to speak.

    While we're at it, could we think about a petition to get rid of Connie Clark????

    texasgal

  • texaztom said...

    Beyond being annoyed at having to take the calls, the carriers really don't care. It's been a week now since Comedy Central and 16 other Viacom networks went dark at Directv. DTV has gone from providing encouraging messages about the channels being back soon to removing those channels from the grid. It's hard to push multi-billion dollar companies around, even if you're one yourself.

    At least DirecTV will sweeten the deal if you call them and voice your frustration ($5 off of the bill for 6 months and free Showtime and Starz). So far ESPN, LHN and the Athletic Department haven't offered me anything. dramaqueen

    This post was edited by Go Toros on 7/17/2012 at 10:56 AM

    Go Toros

  • If a carrier tells you the LHN will be available at a certain date, I would take it with a big grain of salt. While my parents were deciding between Direct TV and Dish for their new house last August, they decided on Direct TV because the sales person for Direct TV assured them it would be announced within the week that the LHN would be available before the Rice game. I am sure he had a good laugh about that right after he got off the phone.

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