ESPN - LETS TELL THEM BOXING IS OUR FAVOURITE SPORT

[Ben]

I signed last week.... but don't anyone be afraid to sign with more than one e-mail too.

I also sent an e-mail to Rob Harper of Channel 5... as have a few others have done aswell, it's important that ALL TV networks know that Boxing is in high demand, it isn't the 'black sheep of sprots' and is infact incredibly popular still.

Man. I miss Setanta.... even their website had great regulars on it to debate with.

[WayoftheCass]

ESPN have put there name to a channel that is purely a Sky Sports channel guys, the reasoning behind this is that Sky is allowed only 5 of the 6 packages from the Premier-League to be screened live in the UK & Ire under there own name, they (sky) will be running ESPN - with production being done at Sky's studios.

My point is that I can't see them changing there recent dismal purchases of big-time boxing from Europe & the US changing under this new guise.

I hope I'm wrong in this but its an opinion held by a hell of a lot of people in the satellite game.

God I'm missing Setanta UK big-style, My email has been emailed - fingers crossed we're not falling on deaf ears.

Mate sorry but that's total nonsense. Yes they are doing it for the EPL games but not for sport in general. ESPN already have a UK based Sports channel and expect this cosy relationship with Sky for the footy only to last until the next round of bidding comes in , in 3 years for the 6 EPL packages. ESPN are owned by Disney by the way. A much bigger corporation than even Murdoch's tyrannical Sky.

[Flump]

Done

[Khaosai-Galaxy]

Do you really think that

1) Anyone with any decision making power at ESPN/Disney is even aware of the online poll?

2) That ESPN are stupid enough to make the same mistakes Sultana did and pay for expensive minority sports, like boxing, that dont drive subscription buys?

[EddieShredder]

ESPN has signed the UFC and will air the next two shows for free....

[Khaosai-Galaxy]

ESPN has signed the UFC and will air the next two shows for free....

Yes but they didnt pay very much for it and UFC is on fire right now...........


UFC is light years ahead of british boxing

[Khaosai-Galaxy]

Do you really think that

1) Anyone with any decision making power at ESPN/Disney is even aware of the online poll?

2) That ESPN are stupid enough to make the same mistakes Sultana did and pay for expensive minority sports, like boxing, that dont drive subscription buys?

They are asking for view opinions, so I guess they are aware...!

IMO boxing - the right boxing - can and does drive subs. I don't mean offer a naff British promoter 84 dates a year, I mean buy in best fights.

I think a few big US fights could be picked up cheaply, but it would have to be really cheap as Boxing, sadly, just doesnt = subscriptions.

I just cant see a way for boxing to be part of ESPN's busines plan, or anyone elses, outside of SKY...

[EddieShredder]

ESPN has signed the UFC and will air the next two shows for free....

Yes but they didnt pay very much for it and UFC is on fire right now...........


UFC is light years ahead of british boxing

You make out i'm against it?

[Khaosai-Galaxy]

espn have updated their website. they have a keep up to date option where they ask you to give contact details and also ask you for your favourite sport. now it looks like they have not shown any interest in boxing so far but people putting down boxing as their favourite sport might make them change their mind.

so people come on , lets tell espn we want boxing on their channel

heres the link

http://www.espn.co.uk/?page_id=45

you guys are in for a treat if ESPN has it up & running in UK before august 28...that's when ESPN2 friday night fights goes out with a BANG in their season farewell:

world title doubleheader featuring tavoris cloud-clinton woods for vacant IBF light heavy title
+
juan urango-randall bailey for urango's IBF 140# title

easily ESPN's best doubleheader in many moons!!

ESPN UK doesnt own the rights to everything ESPN US own, they are seperate companies with different broadcasting rights.

[dondada]

Do you really think that

1) Anyone with any decision making power at ESPN/Disney is even aware of the online poll?

2) That ESPN are stupid enough to make the same mistakes Sultana did and pay for expensive minority sports, like boxing, that dont drive subscription buys?

Boxing had nothing to do with the downfall of Sultana.

[Deno1986]

ESPN UK are broadcasting coverage of Junior Witter vs Alexander tonight from 9.30-11.00pm. As its on for a hour and a half i presume they are showing a few other fights also eg Campbell v Bradley.

[Flashing Blade]

Just looking through listings on the SKY planner.

The new ESPN channel has Friday Night Fights on from 3.30pm to 5.30pm on Saturday afternoon.

[The-Artist]

Just had a look through planner as well, saw Friday Night Fights, not much info on it but at least its a start! I wouldn't be suprised at all if ESPN UK start picking up some live fights pretty soon. Just a thought but didn't Setanta charge a connection fee as well as a monthly subscription? So long since i first signed for Setanta i can't remember. Anyway, that basically didn't appeal to people who simply wanted Setanta for a month as it was about £30 with connection fee, as far as i know ESPN is just £9 a month without a connection fee (correct me if i'm wrong!) so surely that would attract a lot of 1 off subscribers. If they get some good fights on there then surely that will drive those type of subscriptions? And that will be on top of the football fans who will be just buying it for the odd month too.

[black panther]

Do you really think that

1) Anyone with any decision making power at ESPN/Disney is even aware of the online poll?

2) That ESPN are stupid enough to make the same mistakes Sultana did and pay for expensive minority sports, like boxing, that dont drive subscription buys?

So whats the answer oh wise and all knowing arsey one? How do we get boxing back on tv? Do you even like boxing? Was Galaxy the greatest super-flyweight ever? What is the meaning of life? Is Global warming real?

[The-Artist]

Just watched the recorded Friday Fight Nights, I'll be pleased if they are on every week! We'll have sky's domestic ones on Friday and those on Saturdays! Future might not be as bleak as i thought!

[hitman_hatton1]

just subscribed today.

hopefully they start buying up some american boxing.

super 6 tourney still up for grabs to.

come on espn.

[Khaosai-Galaxy]

Do you really think that

1) Anyone with any decision making power at ESPN/Disney is even aware of the online poll?

2) That ESPN are stupid enough to make the same mistakes Sultana did and pay for expensive minority sports, like boxing, that dont drive subscription buys?

So whats the answer oh wise and all knowing arsey one? How do we get boxing back on tv? Do you even like boxing? Was Galaxy the greatest super-flyweight ever? What is the meaning of life? Is Global warming real?

1) We, you, us cannot do anything about the reasons that boxing is no longer an economically viable sport to broadcast
2) Yes, i like boxing
3) No
4) To get drunk at other people's expense or to hang around Bangkok with transexuals, i cant be sure
5) Yes

[Hardhitters11]

Lol, obviously I agree with trying to get Boxing on TV but Galaxy is right our very small little online stand is going to make no difference what so ever.......Sad but true.....

[dondada]

Lol, obviously I agree with trying to get Boxing on TV but Galaxy is right our very small little online stand is going to make no difference what so ever.......Sad but true.....

Maybe not this thread specifically, of course...but execs (and certainly editors, though it's probably different on newspapers) do pay attention when people contact them.

Then again, I'm probably referring to a time when people had to go out of their way to do so by letter...the effect has been diluted by the ease of email so they probably get thousands offering them penis extensions, etc.

[Khaosai-Galaxy]

Lol, obviously I agree with trying to get Boxing on TV but Galaxy is right our very small little online stand is going to make no difference what so ever.......Sad but true.....

Maybe not this thread specifically, of course...but execs (and certainly editors, though it's probably different on newspapers) do pay attention when people contact them.

Then again, I'm probably referring to a time when people had to go out of their way to do so by letter...the effect has been diluted by the ease of email so they probably get thousands offering them penis extensions, etc.

a really good point, the fact its so easy to write an email or click an option on an internet poll totally devalues and dilutes the point of the action

I read the BBC used to take action if it recieved over 10 complaints about a broadcast, now, since any nutter with spare time on his hands can write an email about anything, they only take action if they get over 5,000.


The internet is no place to make a stand

[stujones]

KG brings up some good (if sometimes negative) views on the state of TV Sport... but I would be interested in knowing WHY TV Execs do not think boxing is viable.

Setanta F'd up cause of the Football.. I believe when they signed for Hatton vs Castillo (with Judah vs Cotto) they got a significant increase in subscriptions. Sky USED to use boxing and boxers to get subscribers. Remember Lennox Lewis being used to promote Sky Sports - his face was the marketing tool. One of the first things on Sky Sports Extra (when Digital was being promoted) was DLH vs Trinidad.

ITV used to celebrate its ratings in the glory days of 90's. Benn vs McClellan and other big fights would smash the soaps. Even now, Harrison vs Williams and Froch vs Pascal would top the prime time Saturday night figures - competing with the Xfactor and all. You don't see Match of the Day mentioned in the ratings war. Indeed, I follow football but didn't realise the Beeb had bought the rights to the League cup! How many millions did that set them back.

So if Boxing can still put in the ratings (for good fights) is still MUCH cheaper than Football - why aren't TV execs using it. I would appreciate a rationale response to my question. Is it cause of the dangers of the sport?

[Poncey]

So if Boxing can still put in the ratings (for good fights) is still MUCH cheaper than Football - why aren't TV execs using it. I would appreciate a rationale response to my question. Is it cause of the dangers of the sport?

Not quite true stu. Sometimes football is cheaper based upon sell-on rights dependant on the broadcasting company and it's contract. Sometimes it's owned by the league/brand, sometimes the broadcaster.

[Poncey]

Lol, obviously I agree with trying to get Boxing on TV but Galaxy is right our very small little online stand is going to make no difference what so ever.......Sad but true.....

Maybe not this thread specifically, of course...but execs (and certainly editors, though it's probably different on newspapers) do pay attention when people contact them.

What was your impression of Vic, Ian?

[dondada]

Lol, obviously I agree with trying to get Boxing on TV but Galaxy is right our very small little online stand is going to make no difference what so ever.......Sad but true.....

Maybe not this thread specifically, of course...but execs (and certainly editors, though it's probably different on newspapers) do pay attention when people contact them.

What was your impression of Vic, Ian?

He didn't want to talk to me. He ain't the first and won't be the last.

[Poncey]

He was a grumpy sod when he worked for TVS here.