Live from New York: Nestor examines future of sports media and technology

I’ll be live blogging all day from the Sports Business Journal “Sports Media & Technology” Conference 2011 in New York.

This is my fourth year live covering this event, which shapes the way WNST.net moves to serve Baltimore sports fans in a better and more interactive way. I’m always learning about life and work and business and marketing and technology.

Today will be a fun day of discovery.

Follow along with me on Twitter as well @WNST.

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The first panel is about “TV Everywhere”…it’s about how we as sports fans can access our cable television and programming that we’re already paying for in our homes and get it delivered to our mobile devices.

I’m finding this more fascinating every day. We ALL pay Peter Angelos for MASN and Orioles games in the summer. We pay him a LOT of money for this “right” to have Major League Baseball in our living rooms, bedrooms, mancaves, etc.

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So, next April, try to get that same game that you’re already paying for on your mobile device.

(Here’s a hint…you CAN’T)

Some people are starting to see the hypocrisy in this model across all cable television networks.

The topic here today is “When will you cut the cord” and move to a mobile or tablet (IPad) as a preference for consuming sports content and live programming.

Here’s question of the moment: Do you think we’ll ever abolish the monthly cable television bill and be able to buy our favorite websites/platform/content ala carte and have it delivered to whatever screen we’re watching — mobile, tablet, old-school television?

Also, what sets sports aside from all other kinds of television and content programming is that it’s almost instantly disposable, unlike sitcoms, movies, reality television that has an afterlife for reruns and re-distribution. Other than watching last Sunday’s Ravens win over the Steelers, most Ravens fans don’t go back and watch past games over and over again. Except for ESPN Classic and the rare NFL game you’d wanna watch again during the week, live sports programming is worthless after the game ends.

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The topic now has moved to 3D television and how it will impact sports. I saw the first-ever 3D screenings of an NFL game and it was amazing but I don’t know anyone who has a 3D set and I’m not really sure what programming they’re actually watching and how often they’re putting on those funky glasses.

Have you ever seen an NFL or college football game in 3D?

It’s superbadass…but feels very inaccessible to me.

These executives here today are trying to figure out if there’s a demand for it in the future and how it would make money.

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The late morning panel is the one I’m most fascinated about today in New York — “Independent Digital Media Outlets — Leveraging Sports Content”

It’s a panel that includes the leaders of SB Nation, Bleacher Report, The PostGame, etc. Several of these people, I’ve known for a number of years and I respect the national platforms they’re building and trying to galvanize local bloggers to create content.

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In my opinion, most of the “amateur” content is just that — amateur content.

I’ve always tried to make WNST.net content “expert” or “insider” content, not just someone in a basement writing about sports as a fan. Having done this for 27 years, I can tell you that there’s an ocean of differentiation between a real journalist and sports writer or broadcaster and someone who is a  fan writing without perspective, intelligence and experience that I as a self-considered expert care to read.

If your opinion has no sources, no background, no true expertise, I have no interest in reading it.

And I think it shows — the analysis of a truly seasoned sports expert who is working as a journalist.

What do you think of amateur content that is “packaged” as expert opinion on websites?

And do you find yourself returning to these kinds of sites often?

Bleacher Report?

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SB Nation?

Yahoo Sports?

The PostGame?

Grantland?

Big Lead Sports?

Shannon Terry of 247Sports just said it all: “Can we hire the best sportswriters and talent in the industry and attract new readers, users to our website and platform?”

That’s what we’ve tried to do at WNST.net and that’s what the national players are doing…

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Another great Terry quote: “The internet exposes you…are you aggressive, accurate, timely, relevant?” The internet and the users will tell you whether you are. Facebook and Twitter will give you an honest evaluation of your relevance.

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At least I know I’m thinking the right way at WNST.net.

Every panelist is talking mobile for sports media technology. Many platforms are getting 30% of their traffic from Iphone & Droids. They are debating the value of overinforming on Twitter or Facebook vs. getting direct traffic via their website. Using social media as a breadcrumb and then finding sponsors and advertisers to support the platform so they can afford to pay talent and content creators.

Very interesting day thus far…lots of food for thought.

I’m always trying to find better ways to bring instant Baltimore sports news and information to your on your phone. If you have any feedback for how you use WNST, please drop me a note: nasty@wnst.net.

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MORE TO COME ALL DAY FROM NEW YORK…