ESPN taking over U.S. Open is 2015

[MUHerd37]

ESPN close to getting the U.S. tv rights of the U.S. Open in 2015. Entire tournament would be on cable. Not bad, but not great either. This would probably screw up the streaming in America. Right now, we can all stream the U.S. Open matches on certain courts. However, I would bet that ESPN would then take over the streaming and force you to the watchESPN shit which of course is only available via certain providers. Good and bad here.

[Wilfred]

What providers don't get that by now?

[MUHerd37]

What providers don't get that by now?

I'm not with one. I get cable with one and internet with another. Therefore I don't have access. I "technically" have access because my cousin gave me my uncle's login information.

[MagicDiceFlow]

Wouldnt they stream most matches on ESPN3 though , the same way they did last year? I recalled being able to watch almost every top 20 matches on ESPN3. Watch it on your computer or stream it to the TV.

ESPN is straying away from traditional TV and concentrating more on ESPN3 which is their streaming site and the future of sports watching. Much more viewers globally with ESPN3 and access to mobile devices.

[MagicDiceFlow]

I'd be surprised if they take away the streaming. It's a big moneymaker for them with more viewers and the ad revenue.

[MUHerd37]

There is no ESPN3 anymore. It's called watchESPN. To stream it you have to be with a participating provider. There are no ads either.

[EaglesPhan36]

I miss USA carrying the US Open. They were the best IMO.

[MUHerd37]

I miss USA carrying the US Open. They were the best IMO.

U remember when HBO carried Wimbledon? Seems odd now but I really liked it.

[EaglesPhan36]

This is the thing that scares me - other than ESPN just sucking dikk at covering tennis.

Under the proposed deal, ESPN would broadcast the semifinals and finals with other rounds either streamed live or carried on ESPN or one of its other channels.

They have how many other channels .... and I bet they would not show nearly enough matches. Can't fault the USTA for selling it off CBS. Numbers say ESPN is going to pay 50% more than CBS paid in the last contract.

[MUHerd37]

They will run it just like they already do with the other 3 grand slams. Pretty much all matches will be on ESPN2. They will also stream matches on watchESPN just like they already do. I'm worried they will take away from the U.S. Open streaming matches. The U.S. Open streams all the matches with cameras for free. If ESPN takes that, only ESPN will do the streaming on watchESPN which isn't free to all of us.