USAG ends deal with FloGymnastics, creates own streaming platform: FlipNow

[QuietColours]

We all saw frustration and tragedy and a very scary situation, but I’m pretty sure NBC just saw the Simone situation during the Olympics as a ratings magnet

 

[irichluck21]

Or it was a decision made by FLO.
The price they were paying for lower tiered USAG meets might not have been worth the profit.

Especially because so many were adamant about not subscribing to FLO.

In addition, all the time and effort it took to police YouTube for copyright infringement.

I can see them refocusing on a niche genre such as NCAA, which they have done for quite some time. Maybe they will go after GEC, ECAC, MPSF, MAC etc that do not have a conference channel.

GEC is a conference specifically for gymnastics so will never have a streaming channel.

 

[QuietColours]

I would genuinely be thrilled to hear that the general gymternet boycott of Flo worked and got them to cut the contract (and hope that they’d just take a break from pursuing gymnastics as a sport)

 

[irichluck21]

I believe one of the reasons why FLO went after USAG is that NCAA was starting to fall from beneath their finger tips as the sport has become immensely popular even in the last 4 years.

Additionally, NCAA conference networks have become popular as well and gymnastics is regularly shown. SEC has its Friday Night Lights for example showcasing 1-3 gymnastics meets.
Big 12 just showed Denver vs Oklahoma and it was simultaneously aired on ESPNU.
Michigan and Michigan State was on BTN+ and also ESPN3.

The Florida vs Alabama meet was even shown on ABC, the first time primetime channel showed NCAA gymnastics dual meet. It was the most viewed gymnastics meet since 2011 and also was head to head competing with the NFC playoffs the same afternoon.

With gymnastics overall becoming much popular due to Biles and the American women doing so well and with multiple Olympians now in NCAA, it will only make prime time NCAA gymnastics meets even more frequent. The ratings demonstrated this.

FLO can’t compete with the conference networks, let alone ABC.

So with losing out on some of the powerhouse conferences (SEC, Big 10, Big 12, Pac 12) they needed to find other markets.

 

[ArnoldRimmer]

This for me is better. It’s the surprise factor, since Tom had essentially told us he’d mentally checked out in that car crash of an interview, well to the extent that he had ever mentally checked in at least.

 

[KristyJ]

I honestly feel mixed at best about the prospect of gymnastics moving to Peacock. I already pay for multiple streaming services, though only one for live TV. Peacock taking over figure skating was obnoxious and increased the price for that service. I’ve been stubbornly refusing to give them money ever since I demanded a refund when the auto-charged me during the skating switch even though it means I have to deal with long searches to see some skaters from lesser known competitions. If they take on gymnastics, in addition to getting rid of their NBCSN channel and moving it all to Peacock… ugh. I really don’t want to give them money.

BUT It would be WAY better than Flo.

 

[ArnoldRimmer]

Well the bar for that is pretty much in Hades.

 

[MRR]

The Flo news came out on my birthday. Couldn’t have asked for a better present.

 

[irichluck21]

The Flo news came out on my birthday. Couldn’t have asked for a better present.

 

[ArnoldRimmer]

I’m thrilled for you!

 

[rue_des_plantes]

I’m not a mind reader, but I’d assume Flo’s intent was mostly not diehard fans, but JO and junior families who genuinely do not know, and would shell out the subscription fee so they could watch a friend or family member at a meet for several minutes a year. Maybe some stray gymternet people caving. They were never breaking through the NCAA conference contracts, but they still have Metroplex and multiple meets for Elevate the Stage.

I was always surprised the USAG content never just went to Peacock like the documentaries and skating. NBC already had an over-the-top subscription model in place for official USAG content, and it shouldn’t be a huge deal for somebody from corporate to run the math and figure out how to box out a pissant like Flo, at least in the long run. Maybe NBC wasn’t interested in platforming JO Regionals, state, and the other disciplines and felt no need to bid separately or extra.

 

[rlayt]

Does Flo usually televise the WOGA Classic? I know it’s coming up and I hear Konnor is competing.

 

[rue_des_plantes]

They have before, but I’d assume not this year. The meet starts in 8 days, but it’s not listed anywhere in their upcoming events, and WOGA’s event info doesn’t mention Flo anywhere that I can tell.

Dying to see how McClain looks. I hope there’s footage somehow.

 

[rlayt]

I am dying to see too. Maybe a few people with cell phones will post vid.

 

[ArnoldRimmer]

Probably work out as less shit than most Flo coverage if they do, from what I hear.

 

[irichluck21]

Well I guess USAG decided that they wanted ALL the money and didn’t need to have a partner.
$9.99 a month for FlipNow or $99.99 for the year.

FlipNow streaming platform to benefit athlete support programs • USA Gymnastics

USA Gymnastics on Tuesday announced the launch of FlipNow Powered by USA Gymnastics, a new streaming platform for live, archived and on-demand gymnastics content, with all subscription proceeds going to fund USA Gymnastics' athlete support programs.

usagym.org

 

[KristyJ]

$99 per year!?!!
Heck no

 

[ArnoldRimmer]

No Flo is an improvement on the previous situation, but they sound like they’re pricing themselves out of the market there. People generally expect to get a lot more content than that for the price.

 

[irichluck21]

$99 per year!?!!
Heck no

They do offer a lot of coverage and it looks like their archives will go up on the site.
I might try it for World Trials and just do one month to see if I like it.

 

[irichluck21]

@KristyJ

• February 24-27: Winter Cup, Elite Team Cup, Nastia Liukin Cup (men’s and women’s artistic; Premier event)
• March 11-13: Rhythmic Challenge and Invitational (rhythmic)
• March 25-27: Men’s Collegiate National Championships (men’s artistic)
• April 8-10: Women’s Collegiate National Championships (women’s artistic)
• April 21-24: Elite Challenge (trampoline and tumbling)
• May 14-15: USA Gymnastics Men’s and Women’s Development Program National Championships (men’s and women’s artistic)
• May 20-22: Elite Qualifier (rhythmic)
• June 21-26: USA Gymnastics Championships (acrobatic, rhythmic, and trampoline and tumbling; Premier event)
• July 9: American Classic (women’s artistic)
• July 31: U.S. Classic** (women’s artistic; Premier event)
• August 18-21: U.S. Gymnastics Championships** (men’s and women’s artistic; Premier event)
• October 3-4: World Championships Selection Camp (men’s artistic)
• October 21-22: World Championships Selection Camp (women’s artistic)

It seems to me that they will be closing up YouTube account and or no longer uploading content as it will be on FlipNow.