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» Good Monday Morning. It’s a special edition of the D3Playbook, as we talked with DIII commissioners about what they see as the future of streaming.

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TOP STORY
1. The Future of Streaming

Streaming video in Division III has become a hot topic since last summer’s announcement by the Landmark Conference to sign a multi-year, multi-figure deal with FloSports. The arrangement put most of the league’s live video behind a paywall.

And it seems that the NEWMAC is about to join the pay-per-view (PPV) world as well with an announcement expected soon.

D3Playbook talked with some DIII commissioners about what they see as the their league’s future in streaming video. Their comments were provided on background.

» The Conference Network. By our count, 22 conferences have a “conference network” or a site/app that houses all conference content (AEC, ARC, CC, E8, GNAC, HCAC, Landmark, LEC, MAC, MASCAC, MIAA, MIAC, NAC, NCAC, NESCAC, NEWMAC, NWC, OAC, ODAC, PAC, SCIAC, WIAC). Most are in conjunction with Hudl, while a few still remain with Stretch.

» Quotable. “For branding and as a took of service for our fans, (it is) fantastic.” “It is better for our schools and fans than 10 different approaches.” “(Our) presidents support each institution to broadcast on their own.” “(We’re) beginning to explore and investigating what opportunities might exist. We’re in an education mode with our members.”

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STREAMING
2. Pay-Per-View

As of today, only the Landmark Conference has a full PPV model through FloSports with the NEWMAC apparently close behind. According to the site, the service costs $14.99/month, with a $5/month discount for students who register with an institutional (.edu) e-mail address. An annual plan costs $99.99, or $69.99 with the student discount. The conference does make games available for free on its digital network 72 hours after the completion of the contest.

Our survey indicated a lack of interest from other commissioners to follow suit, although one admitted that “with others doing it, (our) away games will be behind a paywall in the near future.”

» Concerns. Most responses indicated that families already bear a huge burden on financing their child’s education and that asking them to PPV would be a huge ask. A number of those surveyed also indicated that the range in quality of the broadcast and level of production would greatly vary around their leagues. Another stated a belief that viewership would drop dramatically if they went to a PPV model.

STREAMING
3. Streaming NCAA Events

On the question of NCAA.com versus a newly-created NCAAD3 app, there was no consensus. NCAA.com certainly has its detractors and its challenges, including getting DIII content on a mobile device. Under the current contract with Turner, it would be problematic, as well as the aforementioned issues with production. One commissioner guessed that all NCAA contests will move to PPV eventually, while another added .com could “be much better and there are outlets they could partner with. Many options (available for those) who know and deeply care about DIII students and competition.”

» DIII Streaming Network. When asked about the possible creation of a DIII streaming network, opinions were also mixed. “I would love it, but it’s not realistic,” said one commissioner, while another commented that it “should be explored to determine merits - costs, benefits, utility, opportunity costs, etc.” While another thought it was “an interesting idea that could get complicated with conference media rights,” a fourth said that DIII can and “should work within the structure to better cover the division on the current platform.”

STREAMING
4. By The Numbers

We took a look at eight basketball games involving nationally-ranked or top teams from six different conferences from Jan. 25-Feb. 3 to see what was the viewership. We asked for unique views and realize that hoops probably has the smallest number of parents watching games of any sport, given the roster sizes.

Men

• Randolph-Macon at Hampden-Sydney (3,541)

• Case Western Reserve at Washington U. (919)

• Trinity, Conn. at Williams (842)

• Gettysburg at Franklin & Marshall (697)

Women

• Oshkosh at Whitewater (1,161)

• Bowdoin at Bates (1,024)

• Loras at Wartburg (751)

• Emory at NYU (450)

STREAMING
5. Our Thoughts

We are in agreement with those who believe that adding extra charges onto parents and families to watch their children participate in DIII intercollegiate athletics is a large ask. We also realize where higher education - especially among small, private liberal arts college that dominate DIII - is headed and that the pursuit of dollars beyond tuition and the annual fund will only increase.

» Challenges. Expectations rise with the addition of a fee. What if the network connection is interrupted? What if inclement weather disrupts a broadcast? Is one camera sufficient? What about broadcasters? An on-screen scoreboard? Replays? Production costs increase as expectations are met.

» Realities. There are real costs involved in a video production - technology, cameras, broadcasters, camera operators, directors - more than you may realize. It’s not a Super Bowl broadcast, certainly, but it’s not as simple as pointing a camera at the field/court. How a department deals with those expenses comes into play? And is there support from the main administration?

» Be Smart. PPV is coming to Division III. I cannot see that train being stopped. Can those with the resources keep broadcasts free for the long haul? What about when those schools find their away games behind a paywall? How quickly will others move to monetize, if that’s the proper word?

» Go Deeper with Ryan Scott and his D3sports.com article “Is D-III Ready to Go With The Flo?”

NEWS
6. Lightning Round

🏊‍♀️ Swimming. Conference team champions were crowned this weekend: Northwest (M-Whitman, W-Whitworth), ODAC (M-Washington and Lee, W-Washington and Lee), SAA (M-Rhodes, W-Rhodes).

🤼‍♂️ Wrestling (M). Conference team champions were crowned this weekend: AMCC (Alfred State), Centennial (Ursinus).

🏀 Basketball (M). Tough weekend in the top-10 as No. 2 Trine, No. 5 Guilford and No. 7 Keene State fell to defeat. Things didn’t get better in the next 10, as No. 11 NYU, No. 14 UW-Platteville, No. 15 Catholic and No. 19 Coe also went down.

TRANSACTIONS
7. Comings and Goings

• CONCORDIA-CHICAGO - Chase Hankins named head football coach

• DALLAS - Stephanie Moorberg named head golf coach

• ELIZABETHTOWN - Evan Scheffey named head men’s soccer coach

• KNOX - Annie Gerdes named head women’s soccer coach

• WILKES - Carl Andrews stepped down as head athletic trainer. Camille Dudinyak named head athletic trainer

HIGHLIGHTS
8. Plays of the Weekend

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