Originally Posted By DaintyChiq I don't like what Disney is doing to television. I was VERY upset over the Main Street Electrical Parade-when it went away, some of my childhood went with it. Now another tradition bites the dust-Monday Night Football. I know it's not completely gone, it's moving to ESPN. That's not the point! Since 1970, Monday Night Football was on ABC. Like I said...it was a tradition. Disney will change the format, something that they're notorious for, and just like ABC family, the final result is going to be nothing short of disappointing. As it is, ESPN's future with the cable companies is pretty shaky. ESPN is getting to expensive for them to carry as a basic channel, and making it a pay channel was simply out of the question-millions of customer complaints nationwide made that point very clear. For the time being, ESPN has the cable companies backed into a corner, but the question is for how long? As far as Monday Night Football goes, I have heard nothing but negative comments about the change-radio, tv, you name it. Disney used to have a positive image...i know because i grew up at the studio. My mom worked there for 8 years. Alot of changes have been made since then...and I don't know too many people who see any of it an improvement.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 From what I have read the advertising revenues have been getting thinner by the year....and I think the change has more to do with the shift in viewer watching habits from Network only - 30 years ago - to more cable / satellite now. MNF will now be on a HD cable/dish netwrok -- where the target audience is more defined. I would not worry about ESPN, it is the hottest commodity that Disney owns - look at the discussions when Comcast was seeking to buy Disney ( let's all not forget that) - not more than a year ago. the crown jewel financially -- ESPN. I lament many changes also - as I am 50 years old and like many things as they were 'then' as opposed to now. But this change I think is just fine-- as Netwrok TV has become a crapola wasteland -- not famuly fare. Even the cartoons are so wrought with sex and violence ( American Dad - Family Man etc) - that the only place for 'family' fare is cable. I agree this is sad- but it is oh so true. The golden era of Netwrok television is over-- whether we want it to be or not --. MNF ratings have been on a steady decline for years and years -- with the addition of Saturday games / Sunday night games and college games available on cable basically whenever - the 'bloom' of that special one extra game a week has been off the rose for a long time. As far as tinkering with the show - do you forget the Dennis Miller experiment among others - desparate attempts to boost ratings. Remember if for what it once was - and I just have a feeling it can be better than ever- on a sports only station - when the network doesn't try and advertise desparate housewifes ( think the T.O. commercial) etc -- and can cater to the sports fan that will be watching the game.
Originally Posted By brotherdave Personally, I wouldn't mind MNF dissappearing altogether. Too many bleary eyed Tuesday mornings for me at work when I'm watching my home team play on Monday nights!
