ESPN Bails

[mark poulson]

I read this on Bassfan:

ESPN Outdoor programming: gone 5/21/2010
BassFan received confirmation early today that ESPN and its broadcast networks, notably ESPN2, will no longer offer outdoor-related programming starting in calendar year 2011. One exception: The Bassmasters will continue to air on ESPN2, as will the Bassmaster Classic.

The ramifications are immense and the news is just beginning to percolate through the industry.

When asked about the decision, a BASS/ESPN official told BassFan: "It’s in line with ESPN’s decision to focus on event-based and live programming. The weekend block will be filled by some other properties, such as English Premier League soccer, NASCAR and SportsCenter, which are all either live or event-based programs. The outdoors, save BASS programming, doesn't fit that."

Hopefully, they'll sell BASS to someone who won't try and turn it into NASCAR.

[acm95301]

"Hopefully, they'll sell BASS to someone who won't try and turn it into NASCAR."

Last time I looked at least Nascar wasn't being canceled, and has thousands of more viewers ...and more diverse sponsors, and they just make left turns all day.

[Team Efusjon]

Yeah, saw that. Another reason to NOT pay for TV!

[Guest]

BASS PRO SHOP will be the new owners of B.A.S.S and the classic they are the only company big enough to take them in.

[Roboworm99]

and they need to move the Classic back at the end of the year...not to start the year

[mark poulson]

"Hopefully, they'll sell BASS to someone who won't try and turn it into NASCAR."

Last time I looked at least Nascar wasn't being canceled, and has thousands of more viewers ...and more diverse sponsors, and they just make left turns all day.

But bass fishing isn't stock car racing, so trying to market it the same way is a mistake.