BYU as an Independent

[Indy Coug]

What are BYU-TVs expenses? Paying a student employee to cue up the same 17 videotapes and push play?

They can't even do any better than show infinite reruns of BYU-Hawaii 1994, BYU-UNM 1996 and BYU-Hawaii basketball 1988. I get better BYU football reruns on ESPN Classic.

[Mormon Red Death]

Most of the time people equate the two, since revenue without profit isn't very valuable. But let's pass on this discussion. I think we both understand.

He did say "revenue" producer in his post.

[BigFatMeanie]

I would be willing to bet the BYU-TV is NOT a huge money maker.

The only reason it's available on the satellite and cable systems is because those companies carry it as a public service. If BYU-TV tried to become a money making network and regularly carried commercial programming (such as rights-fee based football games), the satellites and cable systems would either stop carrying it or would start charging for it.

[jay santos]

I would be willing to bet the BYU-TV is NOT a huge money maker.

The only reason it's available on the satellite and cable systems is because those companies carry it as a public service. If BYU-TV tried to become a money making network and regularly carried commercial programming (such as rights-fee based football games), the satellites and cable systems would either stop carrying it or would start charging for it.

That was my understanding, but I haven't heard anything on this issue for a number of years.

[beefytee]

I've never seen an ad on there. It's distributed for free.

How else would it make money?

[DU Ute]

I would watch BYU football on BYUtv just for the chance to see ads for My Cute Dressup.

[BigFatMeanie]

http://www.byutv.org/about/faq

How can I help support BYUtv?
A service such as BYUtv is expensive, and programming requires significant financial support. Brigham Young University offers basic support, but in order for BYUtv to grow and expand we need your financial assistance. You can make a tax-deductible contribution to BYUtv by contributing online or by calling 866.662.9888.

Are programs available for purchase?
Unfortunately, we currently do not sell or distribute BYUtv programs. However, this will likely change in the not-too-distant future. In the meantime, a third party may distribute or sell particular programs. Feel free to call BYUtv Member Services at 866.662.9888 for more information.

I think we can conclude that BYUtv is NOT a money maker (in the sense of generating profit) as the FAQ states that BYU subsidizes it and asks for financial assistance.

Also, it's interesting to note that they may sell or distribute BYUtv programs in the future. That opens the door to the (unlikely) possibility of the station being a money maker some day.

[jay santos]

Beefytee got us on this tangent with a joke.

[beefytee]

http://www.byutv.org/about/faq



I think we can conclude that BYUtv is NOT a money maker (in the sense of generating profit) as the FAQ states that BYU subsidizes it and asks for financial assistance.

Also, it's interesting to note that they may sell or distribute BYUtv programs in the future. That opens the door to the (unlikely) possibility of the station being a money maker some day.

There needs to be a distinction between making money from selling DVDs/Blurays of programs that have aired on a network and getting revenue from ads or distribution fees.

I think the current way BYU-TV is structured, it can't legally do the latter.

[Jarid in Cedar]

Beefytee got us on this tangent with a joke.

Whew! I was actually worried that people were arguing about the financial viability of BYU-TV.

[WashingtonCoug]

[QUOTE=BigFatMeanie;372121]http://www.byutv.org/about/faq



I think we can conclude that BYUtv is NOT a money maker (in the sense of generating profit) as the FAQ states that BYU subsidizes it and asks for financial assistance.

Also, it's interesting to note that they may sell or distribute BYUtv programs in the future. That opens the door to the (unlikely) possibility of the station being a money maker some day.[/QUOT
They're only doing that because they're planning on making the football team independent. They've left the door open. That's the only possible explanation.

[Indy Coug]

Certain people should have this quote tattooed on their chest every time they start thinking about trying to claim BYU could hack it as an independent:

Some have suggested that BYU should become independent.

"We looked at it. It's not viable. Not even close," Fehlberg said. "Even Notre Dame, with all of its history and all of its strengths, financially and otherwise, couldn't do it. They're only independent in football, and that's sort of a historical accident that they were able to create that situation. I don't think it will ever be duplicated anywhere else. It doesn't make sense. The scheduling complexities would overwhelm you. People who say BYU should go independent are naive."

[beefytee]

Looks like there are some rumblings for this:

http://www.cougarboard.com/noframes/...tml?id=5664924

I hope not, I think Notre Dame is falling behind because it is independent. USU tried it for a few years a really fell behind.

I don't think BYU would come out of it very well.

Edit: I can think of one way I would be on board with independence. If Notre Dame agreed to a continual home and home with BYU. But that is pretty unlikely.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

Looks like there are some rumblings for this:

http://www.cougarboard.com/noframes/...tml?id=5664924

I hope not, I think Notre Dame is falling behind because it is independent. USU tried it for a few years a really fell behind.

I don't think BYU would come out of it very well.

Edit: I can think of one way I would be on board with independence. If Notre Dame agreed to a continual home and home with BYU. But that is pretty unlikely.

Going independent would be the ultimate "THE SKY IS FALLING" move. Nothing has changed for BYU or other MWC teams path to the BCS. In fact it may have gotten easier. Boise is a great team, but does not provide the emotional challenge that Utah did to BYU.

Had the super-conferences taken shape and BYU was left out in the cold, then perhaps something drastic might have been called for.

[SCcoug]

Looks like there are some rumblings for this:

http://www.cougarboard.com/noframes/...tml?id=5664924

I hope not, I think Notre Dame is falling behind because it is independent. USU tried it for a few years a really fell behind.

I don't think BYU would come out of it very well.

Edit: I can think of one way I would be on board with independence. If Notre Dame agreed to a continual home and home with BYU. But that is pretty unlikely.

Assuming the WAC or some other conference takes the non-football sports to make a football only independence work would require a big media partner (ESPN/CBS/NBC) to broadcast most of our games with KSL filling in (with perhaps a simulcast on BYUtv). With the paltry tv money the MWC gets that probably would be a raise. Also BYU would need to get as many teams as they can for annual games. This might be the biggest challenge. We The last major hurdle would be an agreement with some bowl game to take us at the end of the year.

I'm not sure scheduling big name teams would get easier than it is now, with Holmoe/Bronco/Rose on record with scheduling difficulties. If we could get teams of the caliber every year that BYU71 would buy season tickets then I'd be for it but I fear scheduling up would be hit and miss.