CBS contract for basketball?

[Metalkatz]

Yeah I agree, I listen on my phone if I have to no matter how inconvenient. Verizon may have taken away unlimited data, but in return you do get unlimited texts. I used to always go over it seemed, so Its not that big of a deal. 4-6gb of data for about the same price of the previous unlimited plan goes a long way, you have to really stream video on the daily to come close to breaking 4-6gb.

[im4wsu]

I listen to games on apps all of the time while driving.... It isn't perfect for many of the reasons mentioned above, but it is ultimately more available than any radio station can be.

If your vehicle does not have bluetooth capabilities, Motorola Roadster will allow you to listen to your smartphone audio through your car speaker system. :)

[The Mad Hatter]

The use of apps for Shocker broadcasts may work well for Shocker fans who are already interested in listening to the broadcast (although not always as @SubGod22: points out), but that is a different matter from radio attracting new fans.

A non-WSU fan in western KS is not going to know A) the WSU schedule off the top of his head or B) what Wichita radio station broadcasts the game; yet both of these pieces of information would be necessary to use an app to track down a non-local station at the right time to listen. On the other hand, a non-WSU fan may well tune in to their local radio station at a time that a WSU game is being broadcast (I know that I have turned on sports radio stations and in so doing discovered that KSU or KU was playing) and in so doing might listen and over time become a fan. Even if smart phones were more ubiquitous than they are and data was no limit, it simply takes more intentionality on the part of the user to tune into a game in this manner and provides less opportunity for listeners to tune in by happenstance.

[MoValley John]

The use of apps for Shocker broadcasts may work well for Shocker fans who are already interested in listening to the broadcast (although not always as @SubGod22: points out), but that is a different matter from radio attracting new fans.

A non-WSU fan in western KS is not going to know A) the WSU schedule off the top of his head or B) what Wichita radio station broadcasts the game; yet both of these pieces of information would be necessary to use an app to track down a non-local station at the right time to listen. On the other hand, a non-WSU fan may well tune in to their local radio station at a time that a WSU game is being broadcast (I know that I have turned on sports radio stations and in so doing discovered that KSU or KU was playing) and in so doing might listen and over time become a fan. Even if smart phones were more ubiquitous than they are and data was no limit, it simply takes more intentionality on the part of the user to tune into a game in this manner and provides less opportunity for listeners to tune in by happenstance.

This is exactly the same reason why valley games on ESPN3 are worthless. Nobody accidentally finds the game and watches it. Good for fans of the Valley but does nothing to broaden the exposure of the league. Casual fans will never find the broadcast.

[The Mad Hatter]

This is exactly the same reason why valley games on ESPN3 are worthless. Nobody accidentally finds the game and watches it. Good for fans of the Valley but does nothing to broaden the exposure of the league. Casual fans will never find the broadcast.

I wouldn't call that worthless overall, since I consider allowing the fanbase to watch the game to be the single biggest reason for the broadcast and internet tv or radio broadcasts expand that availability. However, for the secondary role of expanding the brand, worthless is about right.

[MoValley John]

I wouldn't call that worthless overall, since I consider allowing the fanbase to watch the game to be the single biggest reason for the broadcast and internet tv or radio broadcasts expand that availability. However, for the secondary role of expanding the brand, worthless is about right.

That is my point. Sure it's nice for engaged fans to get to see the product, you do nothing to build the brand. Rabid fans will find the game, casual fansand channel surfers will not.

Two years ago, I debated this point with UNI fans on the other site, it was like talking to a brick wall. They were thrilled that they could stream games and couldn't understand why the ESPN contract was a joke. Oh well...

[SubGod22]

Another thought about having more radio stations is that the station will probably mention that the Shox will be on later in the day or at a day in the future possibly planting a seed

[pie n eye]

That is my point. Sure it's nice for engaged fans to get to see the product, you do nothing to build the brand. Rabid fans will find the game, casual fansand channel surfers will not.

Two years ago, I debated this point with UNI fans on the other site, it was like talking to a brick wall. They were thrilled that they could stream games and couldn't understand why the ESPN contract was a joke. Oh well...

For me, ESPN3 works both ways. I enjoy watching specific Valley games but I will also browse it on nights the shockers aren't playing and I need a fix.

[RoyalShock]

I'm not sure I totally agree with ESPN3 being worthless. Enough college basketball fans know of it by now, and know there are usually multiple games on, that some who may not care for whoever is playing on 1, 2 or U, will check out 3 and maybe watch a WSU game. I agree that it's not nearly as good as getting onto TV, be it ESPN or FSN, but it's not as bad as having to go to team-specific site to find the game.

[shox1989]

That is my point. Sure it's nice for engaged fans to get to see the product, you do nothing to build the brand. Rabid fans will find the game, casual fansand channel surfers will not.

Two years ago, I debated this point with UNI fans on the other site, it was like talking to a brick wall. They were thrilled that they could stream games and couldn't understand why the ESPN contract was a joke. Oh well...

Unfortunately having our tier 3 TV games on COX 22 is the same problem. Only rapid fans find the games and watch them. Back in the 80s and 90s when KAKE (local ABC affiliate) televised 10 or more games a year, a lot more casual fans watched the games and became fans. Even in the 2000s when KWCH (local CBS affiliate) televised several games a year it helped a lot. But the last few years of COX only hurts a lot. The only saving grace has been that the Valley has had more games espn2 and that helps.

[60Shock]

I'm not sure I totally agree with ESPN3 being worthless. Enough college basketball fans know of it by now, and know there are usually multiple games on, that some who may not care for whoever is playing on 1, 2 or U, will check out 3 and maybe watch a WSU game. I agree that it's not nearly as good as getting onto TV, be it ESPN or FSN, but it's not as bad as having to go to team-specific site to find the game.

It certainly is not worthless for us out of state fans. Also, it at least offers potential out of state recruits the opportunity to check out the Shockers and their players. And to view the support from you great home town fans. Who knows, it could make a difference in a recruit's decision.

[Rlh04d]

Cling tight. Verizon just forced mine away from me.

Yikes.

The day Verizon takes that away from me will be the day I head over to Sprint.

This is exactly the same reason why valley games on ESPN3 are worthless. Nobody accidentally finds the game and watches it. Good for fans of the Valley but does nothing to broaden the exposure of the league. Casual fans will never find the broadcast.

I'd rather have the games on ESPN3 than not on ESPN3. And if that's true, they certainly aren't worthless. I've been a much bigger Shocker fan since I was able to see all of the games on ESPN3 rather than just following online and catching a few games when I go home.

[shock]

Emporia?

I can get it on merchant next to the college. If I hook to a longer antenna I can get it in my house.
Edit: now that I actually read your post, a service station might be fairly easy.

[The 'hut]

I want to reiterate the thoughts of many here. It is not the Shocker fan that can't find way to see or hear the game, it's the basketball fans, kids, travelers, people without ties to the Big XII schools in the state that we want to attract. I couldn't care if they ever attend a WSU game, we've got that covered. WSU basketball on radio/TV brings huge exposure to a university that, frankly, has had marginal appeal in many areas of our own state. I graduated from a 4A high school in Kansas and my guidance counselors new absolutely nothing about WSU, their scholarship competitions etc. I had a blast at WSU. I was at a major University, but it had a very small college feel as a non commuter student. Why are so many of us Royals fans? They are available on TV and the radio almost everywhere in the state. Marginal product, great exposure in their backyard. Shockers= Great Product, and many in the state hardly knew they existed..until this March.