Originally Posted by
langdonfan
What is ESPN getting out of broadcasting a Duke basketball game solely on a website/tv channel which has limited availability? It's my understanding that this is only available as an online service or as a tv channel through TWC. Those of us in rural areas not serviced by TWC don't have access to this channel. Many rural areas still don't have high-speed internet through any means besides expensive satellites. ESPN has the rights to a game involving one of college basketball's elite programs and basically has decided not to televise it...yet I'm watching Alabama's football team mop the floor with Georgia State in primetime on a Thursday night? What gives?
Furthermore, I am confused...what is their ultimate goal for this ESPN3? Is ESPN hoping that it becomes a widely available tv channel or a successful subscriber based website?
Raycom, not ESPN, has the rights to this game and every single ACC basketball game until the end of this season. If there were no ESPN3, this game would likely only be on GoDuke.com Inside Access. ESPN3 is far superior to that and ESPN3 is available to most major cable/Internet providers now.
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Mike Stein
Trinity '97, Tent #1 '97
Tampa