Daily Times editor Phil Heron wrote about Ridley’s refusal to allow the live streaming of tonight’s game with Springfield. You can read Phil’s blog post here.
Ridley has had this policy for a long time. While most schools allow video taping, and in this case live streaming, of home football games, Ridley continues to disallow it, citing fear of diminished attendance.
What are your thoughts? Let us know.
If you’re on Twitter, use the hastag #streamridley to join our efforts to live stream tonight’s crucial Central League match up.
My thought is these Livestreams are so blurry I’d rather be at the game, so I don’t see an attendance problem – and especially for the home team.
If it does keep people home watching on the internet, I’d expect Ridley would want the game on Livestream since it is a home game for them and the the fans of their opponents have to drive further and then may choose to stay home.
The flip side is the best atmosphere is having the most fans from both teams there.
The question is – does Livestream really keep fans away, or does it more so allow for those who really can’t make the game to enjoy it. What about all the alums spread out across the country who might want to watch the game?
It doesn’t keep fans away. There’s absolutely no evidence of it, and since the live stream itself doesn’t have anywhere near the amount of viewers as the “replay,” which is available right after the game, I find the reasoning for Ridley’s refusal to be off-base.
Truth is, people are going to come out and support Ridley at every home game, whether the game is available online or on TV. They need not to worry about what they’ll draw at the gate.
True. They have a great fan base. I don’t see college programs with great fan bases having a problem selling out games that are on live national TV in HD.
hit it right on the head matt .. r u sure your not on the green koolaid lol
i agree as a DIEHARD I KNOW that the people who were going were going regardless if they were showing it right on their laps at home its the experience we’re their 4 you cant taste a hotdog or hear the band etc.. crazy policy
Ridley broadcasts their home games LIVE? on their local channel 20 or 21? Replays all week.
They just don’t want anyone in their booth except Ridley people. A little selfish you think.
fyi ive never seen a live game on channel 20 21 i know they are live on the radio but thats it and the replays start after game has nothing to do with booth thats ridiculous
What’s ridiculous is not allowing teams or Delcotimes or any media outlet in to broadcast.
as i stated crazy policy still has nothing to do with the booth though
Ridley is replaying games on ch 21 verizon. If you have comcast, I think you’re out of luck. As far as the booth, Ridley doesn’t want anyone in there. No different then them using the gate as an excuse. They’re being hipocrits if their excuse is the gate while they broadcast live. Wait until the playoffs and the PIAA has control of the field. Ridley can’t stop other broadcasters from coming in if they pay the PIAA fee.
To put my columnist hat on for a second … I agree, it’s a ridiculous policy and an even worse excuse. I hope the fans voiced their opinion to the school and athletics dept. Ridley did a complete disservice to those who couldn’t make it to the game. It needs to change.
I was at the game and definitely felt Ridley’s green pride. Nothing would have kept these fans home, live stream or not. It was homecoming and the place was jam packed, wall to wall people, lines at the bathroom packed. Live stream would have been great for the folks who could not make it to the game for whatever reason though.
With schools budgets hard pressed why should a school that has a good fan base give up the revenue from the gate. I don’t know how much the school brings in and it doesn’t matter the revenue pays for some portion of the football program. The last I heard helmets were $235/each 100 helmets cost $23500.
Fridays game a guess on the ticket sales at 5,000 take the average price of $4 * Ridley paid for their helmets.
* With Student prices at $3 & adult at $5 the avg is $4.
If it keeps taxes down I am all for not livestreaming the game!
Get out and enjoy the excitement at the game live. Great atmosphere live a little stop watching life on a screen and actually experience it in person.
As far as other schools fans not being able to make the game that’s BS. There are teams that visit Ridley and they don’t have a parent in the stands for each of the player on the team. Can you spell LAZY.
Tim
i agree we comment every week on that exact thing the parents dont even show up … deplorable
Hey, Phil can always forget to send you guys over there, that might wake them up.
again booth nonsense is just that nonsense and ridley plays nice when its tourney time and the piaa takes over the gate and charges whatever they decide .. dont they? ive never heard anything to the contrary. they really dont have a choice i guess they just sell more hot dogs, the real winners their are the class 2014 as they get those profits lol
i have comcast and they show the games on edu ch11 AFTER its over i dont know what verizon does but id be shocked if they indeed show the game live ive never heard that