OU’s Joe Castiglione talks about the progress toward a 24-hour Sooners Network
Oklahoma Athletic Director Joe Castiglione fielded questions from the media today in Norman, and among the topics was the progress being made on a 24-hour, seven day a week network similar to that of the impending Longhorn Network.
Here is what Castiglione had to say:
“We have had a great amount of interest in the prospects of a network here. We are interacting with a variety of different media companies and we know that we will have potentially a different model than the one that people keep hearing about in regards to the one at the University of Texas.
Look, we have to build one that is sustainable for the University of Oklahoma. This isn’t like you can just go out and buy a network. It isn’t just a commodity. This is a very big undertaking… You got to remember, we have had a network for 12 years and we still have a network, this is a different type of network. You might call it a channel. You might be thinking about something that could have more of a 24-hour a day, seven day a week presence, although it might vary for that.
In our case, we are trying to position ourselves to be more available on all the emerging platforms the way the digital revolution is taking place, things we know about right now, as well as though things that from a technological standpoint can still be developed.
We are trying to position ourselves for the next wave. We have a network right now, lets make that abundantly clear. And if you have watched over the last couple of years, more than ever, live events being distributed over the state, whether it is cable or over the air…We are also trying to look into spaces online, broadband, mobile and other kind of technology that is being developed. So we have a network and we will continue to have a network. We will probably have 30 to 50 live events this coming year, just like last year. They will be online and streaming.
We are looking for the next frontier. We have a frontier spirit in Oklahoma and we have been trying to figure out the right path for us. I’m really encouraged by the progress. I like the interaction we have had with various media companies and we will find something that is truly sustainable for us. Sustainable is a key word. We want it to be around for a while and that is why we are being very diligent looking at the opportunities. What our profile is, and how we not only reach the people around this region, around this state, even the people around this country and around the world because technology can take us that far.”
UPDATE: Here’s the video.
–Anthony Slater, staff writer
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Comments
This is what I was afraid of when it became clear that we were bevo’s step child.
Seriously – a channel? And what are the going to fill it with, wrestling, tennis and womens hoops? Puh-lease. This is just stupidity.
Looks like the craziness is all about who’s going to follow saxet. Just cause they have a “network” (which is bound to fail bec, there’s no way in HELL that people willpay to watch gymnastics, volleyball and 1 FT game a year against Rice) everyone else wants to follow and get one just for the heck of it.
Are we in a conference or some sort of quazi independent league? If it’s all about me then lets just go independent.
Would the Big10 be interested in OU?
Serious question. If not them, then the SEC sure looks great. Time to get out before bevo’s dung pile gets too high.
Oh well…we can hope that when the Thunder build the new arena, Big 12-2 commish Deloss Dodds will throw OKC a bone and move the hoops tournament permanently. Suck it, KU!
Basically, the rest of the Big 12 just got a$s raped, and Dan Beebe let it happen. Everyone remember the movie Dodgeball? Well, the Longhorn Network is basically the Ocho.
Again, OU made a huge mistake not going to the PAC 10. The Texas + 9 conference is not a long term entity
I think it could be a long term entity but who’d want to be a part of it. Their refs playing in all of their stadiums. I liked the old Big 8 better
To tell you the truth… I’m kind of fond of the idea of going independent! OU doesn’t NEED a conference, conferences need schools like OU. With basically every school in the country as our rivals, let’s just take our game nationally. Seriously though… imagine the possibilities!!
and for the record.. screw the Pac-12, that would be a down grade from the conference we already have!!
[...] Good work by Anthony Slater here on the OU sports channel. It’s weird that “the next frontier” for Castiglione means going from online content to TV content. That seems backwards. (NewsOK) [...]
Don’t know were you guys have been but the Sooner Network has been around a dozen years. And it gets better every year.
They need a network they can share with OSU and maybe Tulsa in order to fill air time and build steady statewide viewership. They could also air in-state high school sports. If Michigan can share a network with Ohio State and Minnesota, OU can share one with its in-state rivals.
If there won’t be a Big 12 network, that would be next-best.
As much as it irks me to say this Nebraska must be laughing hard at these shenanigans right about now.
Gotta give it to ole Tom Osborne for sniffing bevo out back in 1995.
seriously I would make the network a web based pay subscription first. cooperate with something like apple tv and offer it online. I would drop cable in a heart beat and simply buy the network, netflix and apple tv. think about the world wide opportunities with americans and fans living all over the globe. big opportunities are out there but it is a competitive market so we need to be innovative quick
Perhaps OU could have the “Sooner-Big XII Netword.” Feature OU stuff and broadcast some of the other conference members (except Texas)games. Share the “net” proceeds and become the major conference TV player. There might be some way; just a thought.
As a Nebraska fan, all I can say is, “told ya so”. Big 12 will be LUCKY to last another 5 years. OU should start shoppin around for a new conference to play in.
OU was invited to join the SEC and I suppose A&M was also. I think they should both leave the Big XII for the SEC. I pulled for this last year when Colorado and Nebraska ran away.
A lot of dumb posts to this article. OU’s best move for the long term is to stay with Texas. That is where a large % of recruits for all sports live and is also home to a large % of the alumni base. If the Big 12 conference completely dismantles, it will happen when OU and Texas leave together to join a different conference and not one minute before. OU needs Texas and Texas needs OU.
Joe is very conservative and wants to make sure everything is right for OU to move the network to the next frontier. As he said in the article “sustainable”. What is the point of racing to get something out there and then it’s not able to sustain itself. Then the AD is paying a bunch of money it doesn’t have and this can lead down the road of coaches taking pay cuts and you can see where that is headed (HINT: coaches leave because we can’t pay them).
Nebraska made a horrible move for their athletic department and that is going to be evident over the next 5 years, but they were desperate to become relevant again. OU is already relevant and that won’t change regardless of what happens with the Big 12.
[...] North of the Red River, Joe Castiglione has some thoughts on the Sooners putative 24 hour network. [...]
Joe C and the athletic department, and OU administration are smart in doing the proper due diligence before beginning the new venture. There are many variables to be considered, and simply doing it for the sake of speed would not be smart. I commend Joe and his team for “doing the right things right”!! That is why Joe Castiglione and his team have built a strong department that has staying power!!! Continuing talk of conference alignment is old news and should not be the focus. Rick’s comments are spot on.
[...] If Texas (with the help of deep pockets ESPN) can create its own network, OU officials believe they can do the same. Some critics are skeptical about the possibilities the network could be a success, but I believe if Sooner Nation pursues the right channels (all pun intended), it would become 1 of the most popular sports outlets in the state, particularly with the popularity of high school football there. And in 5 years or less, it’s doubtful the Big 12 will even exist with OU and Texas dictating terms and being bigger than the conference and reaping all of the financial bonanzas. NewsOK.com [...]
Pingback by Oklahoma’s television channel apparently hitting a snag
This article references this web story on its link. Great work (sarcasm).
Lets worry about another National Championship before we “Go National” and Independent as some would suggest.
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Sounds like the OU Channel is just going to be a web based service. Maybe that is what we need, I sure don’t know.