MVC announces TV package

[Da Coach]

Looks like most games will be on the new ESPN+ subscription format, but many will be on the other ESPN cable channels-

http://mvc-sports.com/documents/2018/9/27//2018_19_MVC_TV_Network_Schedule_Release_ESPN_Networks.pdf?id=1430

The Bradley website has not added TV information to their schedule page yet-

https://bradleybraves.com/schedule.aspx?path=mbball

[MDCowboy]

Good find Da Coach... did you see in the release... the 2/16 Bradley at Illinois St. game will be on ESPN2. That is nice - no streaming, no ESPN+. Just a good old fashioned game on regular cable on a channel received by just about everyone. Nice exposure for the rivalry game!

[Da Coach]

Good find Da Coach... did you see in the release... the 2/16 Bradley at Illinois St. game will be on ESPN2. That is nice - no streaming, no ESPN+. Just a good old fashioned game on regular cable on a channel received by just about everyone. Nice exposure for the rivalry game!

After a closer look, I do not see any Bradley games listed as part of the MVC ESPN package that are exclusively on the premium ESPN+ format.

These are the only men's basketball games listed in that MVC release that involve Bradley-
Dec. 1- home game against New Mexico is on ESPN+, but is also on ESPN for free
Jan. 2- home game against UNI is on ESPN+, but is also on ESPN for free
Jan. 20- road game Bradley at SIU is on ESPNU and ESPN3 for free
Feb. 16- road game Bradley at ISU is on ESPN2
March 2- road game at Loyola is on ESPN2

So none of these MVC ESPN games will require a subscription to ESPN+. They will all be available on one of the free ESPN cable stations or ESPN3.
We are still awaiting what kind of TV/Streaming package that Bradley will arrange on their own for their home games, or what options will be available for the other remaining neutral court or away games (except the Cancun Challenge games that are on the CBSSports Network, and a link to the Georgia Southern TV Network streaming site for the road game at Georgia Southern on Dec. 18 ). Likely some of the other non-conference games will eventually have viewing options.
And, it is possible that Bradley home games and some MVC road games might be on ESPN3.com again like they have been the last several years, or maybe they could shift to ESPN+. If anyone knows what is planned, let us know.

[Mikovio]

Either the BU/Loyola finale or the ISU/SIU finale will be on ESPN2, probably depending on which game looks like it will decide the race. I like how the conference set that up.

[Da Coach]

The MVC posted another release today listing additional nationally televised MVC games that will be on the CBS Sports Network-

http://mvc-sports.com/news/2018/9/27/mens-basketball-mvc-announces-basketball-schedule-on-cbs-sports-network.aspx?path=mbball

It looks like this will include at least one, and potentially 2 additional Bradley games, in addition to the 2 Cancun Challenge games that we already knew would be televised by CBS Sports Network-
Saturday, February 2, 1 PM- SIU at Bradley
Saturday, March 2, 1 PM- Bradley at Loyola is one of 5 games scheduled at the same time on the final day of the conference season. CBS Sports Network will determine which game to televise by February 8, 2019


The Bradley website schedule page still has not been updated with any TV info or gametime info that is included in these MVC releases, or any information about other streaming possibilities for Bradley games.

[Da Coach]

Bradley just updated their schedule page with a bit more information about the TV/viewing options for most of this season's games-

https://bradleybraves.com/schedule.aspx?path=mbball

Most home games, and all the MVC games that aren't on the MVC TV Network or the CBS Sports Network are noted to be on "ESPN3 or ESPN+".
It looks like Bradley is still working with ESPN and the MVC office to finalize the TV or streaming options. There are only a couple games all year that as of now don't have a viewing option available, and I expect even those games could have available viewing options later.
Either way, whether the bulk of the games will be on ESPN3 or ESPN+, I like the fact that Bradley is working hard to make the games available to fans. And as I have previously said, even the ESPN+ subscription deal is good for fans. It is low cost and provides good quality video plus you get a lot more available content than just the Bradley men's basketball games. I think it would be well worth the $4.99/month cost of a subscription.

[Da Coach]

Another release from the MVC with information about the MVC TV Network and the broadcast partners-

http://mvc-sports.com/news/2018/9/28/mens-basketball-mvc-announces-22-game-telecast-package-on-mvc-tv-network.aspx

[Mikovio]

So our national and regional TV package as of now looks like:

ESPN2
@ ISU, Sat Feb 16, 7pm
@ Loyola, Sat Mar 2, 5pm or 9pm (If selected over ISU/SIU)

ESPNU
@ SIU, Sun Jan 20, 3pm (If selected over Missouri State/Drake)

CBS Sports Network
vs. SMU (Cancun) Tue Nov 20, 5pm
vs. Penn St. (Cancun) Wed Nov 21, 5 or 7:30pm
vs. SIU, Sat Feb 2, 1pm

FSN Midwest/NBC Sports Chicago
vs. Drake, Wed Jan 16, 7pm
vs. ISU, Wed Jan 23, 6pm
@ MSU, Sat Jan 26, 3pm
vs. Loyola, Wed Feb 13, 7pm