Big Sky Streaming on ESPN+

[pccatfan]

Looks like the Big Sky made a deal with ESPN to have the streaming on ESPN+. I think the quality will be higher this way. I don't know what that means for being able to watch every game though, and this is obviously no longer free. (Good thing I have it as part of the Disney+ bundle or otherwise I'd be more annoyed). Overall, this is probably a good move.

https://www.ksl.com/article/50182988/big-sky-conference-announces-streaming-partnership-with-espn

 

[SWeberCat02]

This should be a good thing. I'm willing to pay for better streaming quality and reliability. I really struggled with Pluto. And two games on ESPNU is great for the conference.

 

[the dan]

This should be a good thing. I'm willing to pay for better streaming quality and reliability. I really struggled with Pluto. And two games on ESPNU is great for the conference.

Ultimately, it’s still the schools producing the broadcast right? It’s being aired on a different platform but I’m not sure if the quality will actually be improved by much. Cal Poly will probably still write “WEBBER” on the scoreboard. And Idaho State will keep using 15 year old cameras. And our home games will probably have long stretches where the audio out.

 

[SWeberCat02]

This should be a good thing. I'm willing to pay for better streaming quality and reliability. I really struggled with Pluto. And two games on ESPNU is great for the conference.

Ultimately, it’s still the schools producing the broadcast right? It’s being aired on a different platform but I’m not sure if the quality will actually be improved by much. Cal Poly will probably still write “WEBBER” on the scoreboard. And Idaho State will keep using 15 year old cameras. And our home games will probably have long stretches where the audio out.

Probably some truth to that. But I do believe the ESPN platform will produce a much more reliable stream. Also, the conference spoke about what they are doing to help (force) schools to improve their broadcast quality, including upgrading equipment. I can deal with bad graphics and poor commentary so long as the picture is adequate and the stream is reliable, which wasn't something you always got with the former platform.

 

[oldrunner]

This should be a good thing. I'm willing to pay for better streaming quality and reliability. I really struggled with Pluto. And two games on ESPNU is great for the conference.

Ultimately, it’s still the schools producing the broadcast right? It’s being aired on a different platform but I’m not sure if the quality will actually be improved by much. Cal Poly will probably still write “WEBBER” on the scoreboard. And Idaho State will keep using 15 year old cameras. And our home games will probably have long stretches where the audio out.

Probably some truth to that. But I do believe the ESPN platform will produce a much more reliable stream. Also, the conference spoke about what they are doing to help (force) schools to improve their broadcast quality, including upgrading equipment. I can deal with bad graphics and poor commentary so long as the picture is adequate and the stream is reliable, which wasn't something you always got with the former platform.

I don't often have the sound on for the games anyway. If I do have the sound on, I can't tolerate most of the crap they are spewing. I will subscribe to see the games I want to see. If it turns out to be not worthy of being paid for, then I will cancel the following year. I don't see how it could be any worse than what we have been getting for free. $6 a month is not outragous. It will be truly bad if it turns out to not be worth that amount.

I think we need to look at this as an opportunity. If they can build a large enough viewership, it could lead to bigger and better things. It also spreads our brand a bit farther. I was never able to teach my aging father how to navigate Pluto TV. I'm hoping he can handle ESPN+.