Trouble brewing on media coverage of NDSU playoff games?

[THEsocalledfan]

As of now, the second round NDSU game has NOT been added to ESPN Gameplan. I think we may need to be careful NOT to take for granted that this will happen later.

As a reminder to folks, if this happens:

1. It will shut out all fans without ESPN3 on their cable system, etc.

2. And ever more importantly, it will make watch parties nearly impossible since most places are not set up for this, unless something has changed I am not aware of.

I think we need to move now, and not leave this to chance:

1. Send a note to ESPN: https://r.espn.go.com/members/contact/tvindex My message was:

"Currently, only ESPN3 will be carrying the second round NDSU playoff game on Dec. 6 for FCS football. In the past, ESPN has made these games not on ESPN/ESPN2 available on Gameplan and we hope you will consider doing this again. NDSU football has likely the largest following in the FCS and all their home games were on Gameplan this year; this would appear to be a natural extension and will allow us to hold watch parties across the country.

Please consider adding this game to ESPN Gameplan."

2. Send a note to Kevin Cramer if you live in ND: https://cramer.house.gov/contact/email-me

Suggested wording for this and the Sens below:

Rep. Kramer,

Currently, only ESPN3 will be carrying the second round NDSU playoff game on Dec. 6 for FCS football. In the past, ESPN has made these games not on ESPN/ESPN2 available on Gameplan. Considering how important NDSU football is to all of us in ND, we would appreciate if you could contact ESPN on our behalf to see if this is possible. Your support is appreciated. We know that past efforts in this regard appear to have been successful, so we appreciate your help.

3. Send a note to John Hoeven: http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/...il-the-senator

4. Send a note to Heidi Heitkamp: http://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/publi...fm/email-heidi

5. If you live in SD, wait until next week after SDSU wins, and do the same to Kristi Noem and Sens. Johnson and Thune. I will post on SDSU's site if this has not been rectified.

6. Tweet @leefitting and ask him to intervene. I tweeted this and you can simply retweet. You can follow me to see it or search NDSU. Mr. Fitting seems to care about NDSU.

7. I also have a facebook post you can like on this, too.

Any other ideas are appreciated. Post them here. Even if you are going to the game, don't forget about all of those who cannot be there. We are the pride of North Dakota, and it is time to prove it.

[scarecrow]

The situation does suck. My provider doesn't have espn3. But there are sites out there that stream espn3 through a feed, and they're easy to find. That said, I'd rather have it on TV.

[THEsocalledfan]

The situation does suck. My provider doesn't have espn3. But there are sites out there that stream espn3 through a feed, and they're easy to find. That said, I'd rather have it on TV.

But watch parties in bars are pretty much shut down. That is the huge, huge blow. Please, take action. We need folks to yell and scream and many are also not as savvy as you.....

[MAKBison]

3 letters out..... your turn

[THEsocalledfan]

Come on folks; we need to get after this. Post when you've done this to ratchet up the peer pressure. I did get an actual personal response from ESPN after it said I would not get a personal response:

Dear Michael,

Thank you for your e-mail.

We appreciate you taking the time to write and share your thoughts with us. We have shared your comments with the appropriate personnel for their review and consideration.

For additional fan service, be sure to follow the ESPN Fan Central team @ESPN_FanCentral (http://twitter.com/ESPN_FanCentral) and like their Facebook page at http://www.Facebook.com/ESPNFanCentral

Sincerely,

Corey
ESPN Viewer Response

--------------- Original Message ---------------

Currently, only ESPN3 will be carrying the second round NDSU playoff game on Dec. 6 for FCS football. In the past, ESPN has made these games not on ESPN/ESPN2 available on Gameplan and we hope you will consider doing this again. NDSU football has likely the largest following in the FCS and all their home games were on Gameplan this year; this would appear to be a natural extension and will allow us to hold watch parties across the country.

Please consider adding this game to ESPN Gameplan.

[HoopsBison]

i sent one out to espn.

[bisonpride4ever]

I get ESPN3 but I still sent a letter to them.

[HerdBot]

you can also do a web form at
https://r.espn.go.com/members/contact/tvindex

[geobosse]

Well, proof that I wrote. Same response every year. LOL!!!!!

Thank you for contacting ESPN.

ESPN makes its programming decisions based on a number of factors, including viewership, as reflected by ratings and the interest from advertisers and affiliates, on a nationwide basis.

We’ll be sure to let our programming executives know that our viewers would like to see more FCS Football playoffs on our air.

For additional fan service, be sure to follow the ESPN Fan Central team @ESPN_FanCentral (http://twitter.com/ESPN_FanCentral) and like their Facebook page at http://www.Facebook.com/ESPNFanCentral

[bri-dog]

Well, proof that I wrote. Same response every year. LOL!!!!!

Thank you for contacting ESPN.

ESPN makes its programming decisions based on a number of factors, including viewership, as reflected by ratings and the interest from advertisers and affiliates, on a nationwide basis.

We’ll be sure to let our programming executives know that our viewers would like to see more FCS Football playoffs on our air.

For additional fan service, be sure to follow the ESPN Fan Central team @ESPN_FanCentral (http://twitter.com/ESPN_FanCentral) and like their Facebook page at http://www.Facebook.com/ESPNFanCentral

Gee, looks a lot like the response I got from two years ago when I emailed them to complain that #1 NDSU vs #3 YSU was not shown. They showed Albany vs 0-5 Bryant.

Dear Brian,

Thank you for contacting ESPN.

ESPN makes its programming decisions based on a number of factors, including viewership, as reflected by ratings and the interest from advertisers and affiliates, on a nationwide basis.

We’ll be sure to let our programming executives know that our viewers would like to see more ranked teams air on FCS GamePlan.

Sincerely,

Nicole
ESPN Viewer Response