More info regarding the new Bradley TV deal

[amckillip]

I think someone may have mentioned it before but there was also a large pregame party for the students on campus. There was food and beverages and the band played as well. It was a great time and a great way to get ready for the game and I hope it's something that is done again this season. Although the pre-game parties for students died out at 4 Play early last year, the one's at Babes were packed all the time and if another good location could be found, even if it was in the Student Center, I think this would be another great way to generate attendance at the game.

I am mixed with these, I'm one who likes to get to games as soon as the doors open because I like a very specific spot... I think the ones at Inplay died out because of price, Babes was cheap...

[BUBraves06]

I am mixed with these, I'm one who likes to get to games as soon as the doors open because I like a very specific spot... I think the ones at Inplay died out because of price, Babes was cheap...

I'm the same way, but even last year I was able to have a few drinks and some food then get to the game in time to get my spot. And I would say that we're in the minority anyways, most students don't care where they sit as long as it's not in the very back of the section. I just see these parties as just another way to boost student attendence.

[georgethedog]

Dish

Has anyone figured out how this affects some of us with Dish Network? Thanks.

[tornado]

Here's even more news on the TV situation per Kirk Wessler this morning

"Bradley won't be receiving any broadcast rights fees from its new local television deal with Insight cable, at least for a while. In fact, the Braves Club booster organization, an arm of the athletics department, is subsidizing the telecast of the men's basketball opener Nov. 10 at Illinois-Chicago.

With WEEK-TV bowing out,

Bradley struck the agreement with Insight, which will sell commercial time to underwrite its production costs. Wingate by Wyndam Hotel at the Shoppes at Grand Prairie agreed to be the major sponsor of the Braves' Missouri Valley road games in the package. The Braves Club donated enough to get the opener on TV. Primary sponsors are still being sought in hopes of adding nonconference games at Wright State and Butler to the lineup.

Bradley would like the venture to become successful enough to generate some rights fees again, but for now, the university's primary interest is keeping the program exposed on local TV.

Still no word on who will call play-by-play and provide color commentary, but BU spokesman Bobby Parker says he expects an announcement next week."

http://www.pjstar.com/stories/102507/KIR_BEO29NT8.075.php

(ps ...there's a Sam Singh joke further down...)

[Old Coach]

Last year, on February 10th, WEEK broadcast the Bradley game against Drake. According to the FEB 07 NSI, that game generated the following ratings:

Adults 18+ - 1 rating point
Adults 35+ - 2 rating points
Adults 50+ - 3 rating points

In comparison, on the following Sunday, WAOE broadcast an Illinois game.

Adults 18+ - 4 rating points
Adults 35+ - 5 rating points
Adults 50+ - 5 rating points

[Old Coach]

Ok, I have heard it stated numerous time that WEEK was losing ratings by doing BU games, as well as it being too costly. However, this seems not right at more than one level. First, they have been carrying games for as far back as the 1970's, and just now it is a losing proposition for them? High production cost? No way, they already employee on-air personalities, already have the equipment and have been doing it for decades, so the marginal costs of "adding" the games to their line-ups are negligible (unless what BU has asked them to pay to air the games was increased,but no one has addressed that issue direclty). Second, bad ratings? Could someone please look up the real ratings figures so we can see. Other than being a good PR move by acting like a good community member by airing games across the span of 4 decades, I think it has been good business and a money maker for WEEK. Third, if ratings have declined, especially as the program has rebounded, whoa, what the heck does that say about Central Illinois, which in some folk's minds is only second to Hoosierland in it's appreciation for basketball? With the garbage that airs on network TV nowdays, you can't tell me (well, you can, but I would hate to believe it) that most Central Illinoians would rather watch reality cr** over one of the 50 if not top 25 best college basketball programs in the country, that just so happens to reside in their own community.

Do you have any idea what it costs to rent a live truck to beam these images to a satellite?

[ph]

I realize that they are completely different availability and production standards, but it seems that there is now the relatively inexpensive technology and bandwdth now exists that anyone with a camcorder (~$500), plugged into a Laptop (~$600-$1,000) with a cellular broadband access card (~$50/month) could theoretically do a live, decent quality broadcast to anywhere in the world.
There may even be video cell phones that can do that without the extra "expensive, bulky" additional equipment...

[patrick_o'brian]

I was wondering the same thing that George was wondering. Will we be able to watch the games if we have Dish or not?

[mportsch]

Dish Network...

It sounds to me that these Bradley games will NOT be available on Dish Network or DirecTV. As a Dish subscriber, I am thinking I'll head to the gym (where they have Insight) for a 2 hour workout during these games!
Of course, Dish/DirecTV subscribers will still see the WTVP/WMBD/MVC-TV/ESPN2 games. I believe most of the MVC-TV games will be shown on either Comcast Sports Net Chicago or Fox Sports Midwest.

[phyneous_j_whoopie]

I like the idea of students on both ends.

I am not sure how students get tickets these days... but I recall a 'lottery' for sections when I was there. (so the smallest and dorkiest Frat might get the best seats)

I got an idea... (unless they already do this) How about general admission for the students on a first come first serve basis. The most fervent and craziest fans will show up early and often.

Imagine: The Sig Eps got Chapter tonight so many won't make the game... However, the Ducks and Snu's will be in huge force... but then again, Chi-O's are having an exchange tonight with the Pikes so could be a slim showing from them. The EE Majors have a huge exam tomorrow, but the Marketing Dept is having an easy week.

But no matter what - I wanna see the 'real' Long-Hair Fanatic in the front row... or did he graduate? Phyneous J Whoopie would know.

Is that a reference to my friend who has long hair, jumps up and down for the entire game and is located in the front of the student section? He's not the "Long Hair Lunatic" but good try Mob

[MacabreMob]

Is that a reference to my friend who has long hair, jumps up and down for the entire game and is located in the front of the student section? He's not the "Long Hair Lunatic" but good try Mob

Did he graduate? If not, I want his autograph.

[amckillip]

Did he graduate? If not, I want his autograph.

If you're talking about who I think you are... No.