More than nostalgia: How NBC thrived and ESPN failed with the NBA

[FAH1223]

https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2024/05/how-espn-failed-nba-critical-comparison-nbc/

Encourage you all to read this. It's an effective takedown of the NBA on ABC/ESPN since 2002.

[JasonStern]

Adding to this, the NBC games were OTA broadcasted. Thus, exposing the game to a much larger audience than people without access to ESPN's paywall. Had Disney put more games on ABC, they would have had better viewership and thus generated more ad revenue.

[FAH1223]

Adding to this, the NBC games were OTA broadcasted. Thus, exposing the game to a much larger audience than people without access to ESPN's paywall. Had Disney put more games on ABC, they would have had better viewership and thus generated more ad revenue.

We went from 69 regular season games on NBC in 2001-02 to only 25 on ABC the following year.

Going all in on cable may have helped the bottom line but Stern shunning broadcast was wild.

[Shock Defeat]

NBC did make the games feel grand and a spectacle. I hope that returns for next year

[The Laker Kid]

It's the NBA on NBC theme song. When you hear that song, you know it's time to gather everyone in front of the TV and watch the game.

[SweaterBae]

Adding to this, the NBC games were OTA broadcasted. Thus, exposing the game to a much larger audience than people without access to ESPN's paywall. Had Disney put more games on ABC, they would have had better viewership and thus generated more ad revenue.

We went from 69 regular season games on NBC in 2001-02 to only 25 on ABC the following year.

Going all in on cable may have helped the bottom line but Stern shunning broadcast was wild.

That's crazy.

[Big Lob]

Looking in the article/opinion piece, it really goes into the NBA us just air time for ESPN to promote its product, its personalities, rather than build up teams, match ups, players themselves.

[azcatz11]

They should bring back 'The Ringer' and bring in Bill Simmons, Russillo + Zach Lowe. Could you imagine those 3 dudes? Would absolutely compete with Inside the NBA

[durden_tyler]

https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2024/05/how-espn-failed-nba-critical-comparison-nbc/

Encourage you all to read this. It's an effective takedown of the NBA on ABC/ESPN since 2002.

Thanks for sharing. That was a good read!

[Pelon chingon]

NBC games were to the NBA what HBO was to boxing. Made the game feel like a real moment in time that you had to experience live.

[KodiakBear]

Looking in the article/opinion piece, it really goes into the NBA us just air time for ESPN to promote its product, its personalities, rather than build up teams, match ups, players themselves.

As wild as it seems considering the NBA is such a star driven league, it does feel stars aren't as promoted as much as they used to be. Yeah the top top still are promoted, but back in the day it felt like even guys like Reggie Miller who was never a top 10 player, but was promoted as if he was one.

[xxSnEaKyPxx]

ESPN used to be great as a whole network, but it’s just plummeted.

They abandoned the idea of talking sports, and just chose to focus on the same 5 teams in every sport, and say dumb things for attention/clicks.

[JayMKE]

Disney **** sucks, everything they do. Simple as that.

[KodiakBear]

ESPN used to be great as a whole network, but it’s just plummeted.

They abandoned the idea of talking sports, and just chose to focus on the same 5 teams in every sport, and say dumb things for attention/clicks.

Skip Bayless was the downfall of sports media. Once they learned a troll who just spouted provocative outlandish takes could become popular, it meant serious sports discussion wasn't going to be a priority. I have no ill to people regardless of your politics, religious beliefs, cultural beliefs, etc. . ., but if you are a Skip Bayless fan, I hate you.

[CraftylikeaFox]

NBC music plus Marv Albert made every game seem like it was game 7 of the finals. ESPN is just full of unenthusiastic announcers who who just complain and troll. It's actually unreal how much Mike Breen is carrying that network.

[cdubbz]

They should bring back 'The Ringer' and bring in Bill Simmons, Russillo + Zach Lowe. Could you imagine those 3 dudes? Would absolutely compete with Inside the NBA

Love their pods and basketball conversations and I would be all for this, but would need a strong moderator to keep these guys on track.

[inquisitive]

so is it really returning to NBC? If so, fire most of those at ESPN especially Malika Andrews. Only keep Hannah Storm. Bring back Bob Costas and some oldies if they're still around. Also bring back the old theme tune.

[MrSparkle]

After the ABC switch…As somebody who never subscribed to cable, I do feel like it became a huge hustle trying to find NBA games on weekends and playoffs, especially earlier in the season.

[Capn'O]

Looking in the article/opinion piece, it really goes into the NBA us just air time for ESPN to promote its product, its personalities, rather than build up teams, match ups, players themselves.

Bob Costas was a very compelling storyteller. Plus, the theme song!

[Sedale Threatt]

Seems pretty obvious. They came on board right after the Magic-Bird sugar high and just as perhaps the most popular athlete in American history hit his peak. Any network would have succeeded with that.