Beta: Sports Nets Valuable to Subs
Cable operators and sports programmers are certainly at odds over the pricing of those services, but subscribers evidently place a high value upon them.
ESPN and Fox Sports Net ranked first and second among major networks with an average perceived monthly value of $1.96 and $1.86, respectively, according to the latest study from Beta Research Corp.
The Syosset, N.Y.-based firm’s "2003 Cable Subscriber Study -- Evaluation of Basic Cable Networks" found that Discovery Channel ranked third with an average perceived monthly value of $1.86, ahead of Lifetime Television ($1.81), ESPN2 ($1.78) and Disney Channel ($1.76).
Rounding out the top 10 among major networks: The Learning Channel ($1.71); The History Channel ($1.65); and Cartoon Network, Cable News Network and Fox News Channel, all at $1.58.
Among midsized networks, WE: Women’s Entertainment was first at $1.52, ahead of Trinity Broadcast Network ($1.49), ESPN Classic ($1.45) and Speed Channel ($1.43).
Relative to the quality of the service, Discovery Channel, for the 15th consecutive year -- every one of Beta’s surveys for this classification -- was the leader among large networks.
According to the survey, 81% of respondents gave Discovery a 4 or 5 on a 5-point scale. That topped ESPN’s 79%; History and TLC, both at 75%; and Disney and The Weather Channel, each at 74%.
The Beta survey’s top-ranked midsized services were Hallmark Channel (66%), WE (59%), TBN (57%) and ESPN Classic (55%).
Results for the study were compiled from a syndicated telephone survey from Aug. 18-Sept. 13 among a national sample of 1,007 cable subscribers. The study measured 40 fully distributed channels and 10 midsized networks.
Multichannel Newsletter
The smarter way to stay on top of the multichannel video marketplace. Sign up below.