Many financial news sites are reporting that Comcast is studying repositioning OLN as a competitor to ESPN. This was initially reported in a Page 1 article in the Wall Street Journal’s “Media & Marketing” Section [ subscription required to read Wall Street Journal articles ]. According to the article:
People familiar with the company’s plans say Comcast is interested in recasting its quirky and low-rated Outdoor Life Network. While best known for its coverage of Lance Armstrong’s annual victory at the Tour de France, it is also the home of professional bull riding, bear hunting and competitive barbeque.
But transforming the network to an ESPN-style contender would require a major team sport, and people with knowledge of Comcast’s plans say the company is in serious negotiations with the National Football League and National Hockey League, and also has its eye on Nascar auto racing.
In all likelihood, the name of OLN would change if such a plan were enacted.
I think there’s room for a well-funded, widely distributed competitor to the ESPN networks. Fox has tried to create this with Fox Sports. I think their effort has been hindered by a focus on regional sports networks.
Comcast probably has a good opportunity simply because of its relationship with the National Hockey League. Comcast is the majority owner of the Philadelphia Flyers and owns the television network that broadcasts the Washington Capitals.
Beyond the ties to the NHL, Comcast has investments in a lot of other niche sports networks, including:
- The Golf Channel,
- a sports-oriented channel in Detroit,
- a channel dedicated to the New York Mets,
- Comcast SportsNet West in Northern California, and
- Comcast SportsNet Chicago
Several of these networks could either contribute content to a national sports channel operated by Comcast or make distribution of that channel easier in areas where Comcast does not own cable franchises.
Technorati Tags: OLN, ESPN, Fox Sports, NHL