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ESPN's Play To Make ISPs Pay

Posted by kdawson on from the other-side-of-anti-net-neutrality dept.

lochii sends us to Wired for reporting on ESPN's game plan to extract royalties from all ISPs, for a "license" for their users to view ESPN video. Currently, according to ESPN, 40% of US Internet users connect through ISPs who are paying the (undisclosed) fees; others are unable to view the content. Quoting: "This is a reversal of the model pushed by some major broadband companies that would like to charge content companies for the right to use their pipes. If other full-length video providers like Hulu and HBO get in on the act, the time could be approaching when you'll choose your Internet service based on what selection of content it offers. Eventually, popular non-video websites might follow suit. Imagine a future water cooler conversation over broadband choice: 'I went with Comcast 'cause they get Yahoo.'"

5 of 355 comments (clear)

  1. Re:I thought we already had this option... by FredFredrickson · · Score: 4, Informative
    I just tested to see if my internet provider gives me access. This is the message I got:

    How To Get ESPN360.com Close ESPN360.com is available at no charge to fans who receive their high-speed internet connection from an ESPN360.com affiliated internet service provider. ESPN360.com is also available to fans that access the internet from U.S. college campuses and U.S. military bases. Congratulations! Your internet service provider carries ESPN360.com. Just click on the WATCH NOW link or any event to start watching ESPN360.com.

    (Emphasis: Mine)
    This is one of the most chilling messages I've ever gotten on the internet. I hope never to read a message like that again. Your provider carries "google"??

    Obivously ,it's leading to this: The real money maker:

    We're sorry, your provider does not carry the XXX porn package, you cannot access any of these sites.

    --
    Belief? Hope? Preference?The Existential Vortex
  2. This is just for ESPN 360 by MojoRilla · · Score: 4, Informative

    Big deal. This isn't for video clips available from ESPN.com, it is for their former premium product ESPN 360, which doesn't even show ESPN TV (due, I'm sure, to cable contracts), but various minor live sporting events (minor college football and basketball, MLS, NASCAR Nationwide series). The only difference between this and other products that have been selling versions to ISPs for years is that there is no pay version, you must get this through your ISP.

  3. Re:I thought we already had this option... by beckerist · · Score: 4, Informative

    The banner is bright red:

    ESPN360.com is available at no charge to fans who receive their high-speed internet connection from an ESPN360.com affiliated internet service provider. ESPN360.com is also available to fans that access the internet from U.S. college campuses and U.S. military bases.

    Your current computer network falls outside of these categories. Here's how you can get access to ESPN360.com.

    1. Switch to an ESPN360.com affiliated internet service provider or to contact your internet service provider and request ESPN360.com. Click here to enter your ZIP code and find out which providers in your area carry offer ESPN360.com

    2. For Verizon Customers Only: Sign-in using remote access if you already get ESPN360.com

  4. Re:I thought we already had this option... by overlordofmu · · Score: 3, Informative

    Many do not realize that ESPN is already the single most expensive channel on their cable or satellite line-up.

    You pay a flat fee for expanded cable but your cable company buys the rights to these channels in bundles from the international megacorps that own whole groups of channels. For instance Viacom owns Nickelodeon, MTV, VH1, Spike, etc. Disney owns Disney, ABC (broadcast), ABC family, SOAPnet, etc. In most cases the cable company is given an all or nothing offer from the parent corp.

    ESPN is already the most expensive channel to buy the rights to it and failure to carry ESPN would mean death to any cable or satellite system. Can you imagine a cable company that did not carry Nick or MTV? Can you imagine a cable company that did not carry ESPN? No one can.

    You know how your cable bill increases each year? Most of that increase is due to the rates being raised by the networks to the cable company. If the gloves were to come off in these negotiations, who is the 800 lb gorilla, Charter or Disney? (Hint: Disney).

    This is just one more example of large media companies putting the thumbs screws to smaller communication companies. Personally, I NEVER watch ESPN or visit their website but I pay them anyway. I pray for a legally enforced a la cart model for both cable/sat companies AND their subscribers. Most consumers are unaware of this therefore it is unlikely to change.

    Data sources:


    http://www.viacom.com/ourbrands/medianetworks/Pages/default.aspx

    http://corporate.disney.go.com/corporate/overview.html

  5. Re:I thought we already had this option... by takshaka · · Score: 3, Informative

    No problem:

    ESPN charges cable and satellite operators an average of $3.65 a month per subscriber, the most in television, according to SNL Kagan, a research organization. Multiply that by 98 million subscribers, over 12 months a year, and ESPNs financial armor adds up to $4.3 billion.

    Google has a lot of articles. It's interesting to see that the price has more than doubled in five years and is up from $1.28 in 2000. It's no wonder they want to do the same with 360.