The Longhorn Network – An Epiphany

[beevomav]

I have been critical of the Longhorn Network, mainly because it affects me and I tend to look at things through that lens. I have no access to the LHN because I live in a condo, have no line of sight for a dish and my other options, Time Warner and U-Verse seem to not be interested unless football is involved.

I checked a site for the network and found some stuff that made me rethink my position. Link:

TexasSports.com – Official website of University of Texas Athletics – Texas Longhorns – Multimedia

I started poking around a bit and I came away with a few items that seem to indicate what I actually thought of the Network and the reality of the network are at odds.

I thought the LHN was an out-and-out money grab. Well money was an issue but where the money is going was surprising. 50% of the revenue is going toward academic chairs. The list:

Governor Ann W. Richards Chair for the Texas Program in Sports and Media: College of Communications (established to meet a challenge grant)

Chair in Latin American Art History and Criticism: College of Fine Arts (established to meet a challenge grant)

Chair in African and African Diaspora Studies: College of Liberal Arts

Chair in Philosophy: College of Liberal Arts

Chair in Mathematics: College of Natural Sciences

Chair in Physics: College of Natural Sciences

Then there is this item:

• ESPN is continuously negotiating with all major television cable and satellite service providers. ESPN has done this before, having previously launched seven other networks, and their professionals are considered television industry leaders.

Seven times and they had the exact issues with all seven. Makes me realize this is going to happen and when it does, all those UT sports events that were never televised will be available 24 hours a day.

I also did not understand the economic impact.

• ESPN owns and operates the network and brings the experience, personnel and resources that will make it successful. More than 70 employees work in Austin for LHN, all paid by ESPN. At least six internships for UT students have been established within the LHN framework.

Seventy jobs and a minimum of six internships for UT students is not something to dismiss.

Although I am still upset by not having access to the LHN, I do see the greater good. Anything that helps our beloved university and creates jobs is worth the sacrifice.

Now does anyone have a clue how I can view the Orange-White game? Hook ‘Em.

 

[The Llama]

It was a no brainer for the university to engage in this partnership with ESPN and it was a collaboration unlike no other. Your points are great and well taken but I wish they (ESPN) would compromise more on the cost with the mainstream providers. This network NEEDS to be disseminated in full by August otherwise the backlash and fury will be tenfold what it was last year. They should at least offer it as a premium channel like HBO or Showtime.

 

[beevomav]

I did a focus group with U-Verse and asked directly about the LHN. They told me it was about two things. The tier level and football. ESPN wants the LHN to be another of their networks and won't allow it to become a top tier channel. The carriers say fine but we want football..

I believe they will come around and once one carries the network the others will fall into place..

 

[cheeseman]

I did a focus group with U-Verse and asked directly about the LHN. They told me it was about two things. The tier level and football. ESPN wants the LHN to be another of their networks and won't allow it to become a top tier channel. The carriers say fine but we want football..
I believe they will come around and once one carries the network the others will fall into place..

Focus group? Were you picked for that or did you volunteer? I called many times bitching about it. I would switch immediately to Verizon fIOS but they don't service my area either.

Aside from moving back to Austin, WHICH MAY DAMN WELL HAPPEN IF THIS DOESN'T GET SETTLED SOON, I keep up with the baseball games on the texassports.com game tracker and here/twitter. Glad the new folks on the boards here are talking more baseball. It is difficult to get good coverage on most sites.

 

[bbdude]

And enter Texas A&M ............................. AGAIN.

Texas A&M A.D. Bill Byrne predicts Longhorn Network won't work - CBSSports

 

[beevomav]

Focus group? Were you picked for that or did you volunteer? I called many times bitching about it. I would switch immediately to Verizon fIOS but they don't service my area either.
Aside from moving back to Austin, WHICH MAY DAMN WELL HAPPEN IF THIS DOESN'T GET SETTLED SOON, I keep up with the baseball games on the texassports.com game tracker and here/twitter. Glad the new folks on the boards here are talking more baseball. It is difficult to get good coverage on most sites.

I signed up for Focus Point Global years ago and I do focus groups and mystery shopping all the time. I have U300 and they were looking for a FG on a changing package they were considering. Toward the end they asked us if we had any questions and I brought up the LHN. They told me it was the number one asked question in Texas.

 

[beevomav]

And enter Texas A&M ............................. AGAIN.
Texas A&M A.D. Bill Byrne predicts Longhorn Network won't work - CBSSports

I read that earlier. Man the guy blames UT for everything. My favorite was saying UT destroyed a tradition between the two schools. You would have thought the Big 12 kicked them out of the conference by listening to this guy talk. He reminded me of Joe Isuzu..remember this guy?

 

[bbdude]

I read that earlier. Man the guy blames UT for everything. My favorite was saying UT destroyed a tradition between the two schools. You would have thought the Big 12 kicked them out of the conference by listening to this guy talk. He reminded me of Joe Isuzu..remember this guy?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

I rolled over in pain laughing at that!!!!!

The A&M stuff is almost out of a Saturday Night Live Skit. I mean seriously...

Byrne actually blamed the Texas Legislature in the end. What an idiot. The state had a budget shortfall of 15-27 billion dollars and he has the audacity to say that crap? Glad Mr. Magoo and the butt pirates moved on to get hammered in the SEC.

 

[cheeseman]

Does anyone take an aggy seriously other than their own?

 

[beevomav]

Does anyone take an aggy seriously other than their own?

!!!!NO!!!!

 

[Coach_B]

I am very fortunate because I do get The Longhorn Network. I have Grande Cable. Its great and I hope they can get this stuff worked out with the providers.