Streaming could be the answer to Big 12’s woes

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The creation of a conference network has skyrocketed to the list of priorities for the Big 12 during this offseason. With the SEC printing money and the Big Ten right on its heels, the Big 12 is hungry for its piece of the pie.

Yet there might not be a worst time to create a TV network with the hope it becomes a mainstay on cable networks throughout the nation. The Pac-12 Network has taught us that, even with live sports programming and tons of live content, a conference television network is not a guaranteed money-maker.

This month, colleague Jake Trotter detailed the obstacles standing between a potential Big 12 Network and lucrative success.

One intriguing option could be a streaming service full of Big 12 content, past and present, that takes advantage of the ability to stream live content while also featuring on-demand archived Big 12 events. Let’s look at some pros and cons of trying to launch a large-scale streaming service instead of creating a Big 12 television network.

Pros

Forward thinking: It’s pretty clear cable television is struggling. Streaming is the future as households realize it’s easier to focus on (and pay for) the content they want instead of paying for channels/content they don’t even watch. Netflix, Amazon and Hulu are just a few examples of streaming success the conference could strive to mimic as opposed to trying to launch a cable network during a time when the majority of people are questioning the value of having cable television in their …

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