Comments Thread For: Showtime's Espinoza Says Piracy Is Depressing PPV Buys By At Least 30-40%

[chicken-]

Espinoza is absolutely wrong. In the 90s, I along with so many others had an illegal cable box with access to all of the channels - including PPV. It was way more easier to steal/watch events. Yet, there were more PPV buys than there are now.

There are several reasons why there are less PPV buys now. The main reason, however, is the prices are now really high, while the undercards are absolute garbage. There used to be a time a PPV would have two or three solid fights ahead of the main event. Therefore, even if the main event disappointed....at least one (or more) of the undercard bouts would be sure to satisfy the consumer. Today's PPV lineups absolutely suck. I'm super excited about Spence VS Crawford......but I have no care in the world about watching any of the undercard matches, because they most likely will not be worth my while.

I will watch the fight at my local sports bar as I stopped buying PPV boxing. I got tired of not getting my money's worth.

I'm glad I didn't buy Pacquiao VS Mayweather. The undercard was a dud, and the main event was an absolute let down. The consumers are tired of mediocrity.

I have to disagree that it was easier back in the 90s...yes some people had those types of cable/satellite boxes but I highly doubt that comes anywhere near the amount of people that now have pirated streams available at the click of a button. I knew 2 people that had hacked boxes back then, I know dozens of people that now regularly stream sporting events. Streams are far more reliable than they were 10 years ago as well. I also think people need to put prices into perspective, how much do you think $50 was worth back in 1990 vs today exactly?

However I also agree with this man:

Many people suggest that the reason for piracy is the high price.
However, many who stream won't pay even half the price regardless.
For them, "too expensive" equals "more than 0 dollars".

I think the pirating numbers don't reflect how many would've actually purchased the event themselves, so it's probably some more like 10-20%. There are certain events I would pay for, but I certainly wouldn't watch every event that comes up that has 1 fight worth tuning in for.

[ShoulderRoll]

Do better, Espinoza.

If you want to build goodwill with the fans then start giving them more stacked undercards for their dollar. And lower the PPV prices for some of these events, not everyone has been built up to the point where they deserve to charge what Floyd Mayweather did towards the end of his career.

[wrecksracer]

Boxing used to be a major sport. People knew who the champions were. It was a popular sport because you could turn on the tv every weekend and see great fights for free. Greedy promoters killed boxing. Espinoza thinks it's bad now? Wait til the people who don't know how to use the internet die off.

[PBR Streetgang]

I can't speak for others but I don't watch pirated streams of fights. I will either pay or (more likely) not pay.

The problem for me is that many PPVs have too many glorified showcase fights as main events or filling the undercard. I may be in the minority but I'd rather the undercards be stacked with competitive, pick'em fights even if they are a level below.

[Phase III]

HBO used to sign fighters to multifight agreements. Then the fighter insisted on having to fight their mandatory in order to keep their titles. Most if not all of those mandatories were pure garbage. So HBO came up with the idea of having their fighters upgrade to PPV in order to not have to reach into their budgets to pay them. This is where the problem started. Now the Showtime weasel Espinoza is crying wolf.

Solution, who wants to pay for a PPV featuring Canelo (paid 30m) to fight Ryder when you can watch for free on many of the available streaming services?

Next, if any fighter thinks they merit millions per fight, let them fight on PPV for a reasonable purse and give the fighters their fair cut after their cable network takes their 50% share. Further, demand what fights are acceptable in order for the fighter to get paid. Then watch how quickly fights that are way beyond their expiration dates get made faster.

Fighters have just taken advantage of networks like Showtime’s ******ity. That’s what happens when you have a weasel like Espinoza in charge of boxing. Fire Espinoza and put someone in charge who knows what the F they’re doing. Same with the idiot suits at DAZN who are paying Canelo crazy money to fight B and C level fighters, with Eddie Hearn not giving a sheet because it’s not his money.

Last, most PPV undercards are garbage. Put meaningful fights on the undercard and charge $25 to $50 depending on the fight interest. Still, the streaming services are here to stay so, now that that cats out of the bag, good luck.

Showtime, DAZN, and ESPN+ having nobody but themselves to blame for creating this problem and ripping the public off with their BS PPV fights and ridiculous prices. Thank you to the many streaming services for sticking up the greedy networks butts and providing a necessary alternative.

[paulf]

Espinoza is absolutely wrong. In the 90s, I along with so many others had an illegal cable box with access to all of the channels - including PPV. It was way more easier to steal/watch events. Yet, there were more PPV buys than there are now.

There are several reasons why there are less PPV buys now. The main reason, however, is the prices are now really high, while the undercards are absolute garbage. There used to be a time a PPV would have two or three solid fights ahead of the main event. Therefore, even if the main event disappointed....at least one (or more) of the undercard bouts would be sure to satisfy the consumer. Today's PPV lineups absolutely suck. I'm super excited about Spence VS Crawford......but I have no care in the world about watching any of the undercard matches, because they most likely will not be worth my while.

I will watch the fight at my local sports bar as I stopped buying PPV boxing. I got tired of not getting my money's worth.

I'm glad I didn't buy Pacquiao VS Mayweather. The undercard was a dud, and the main event was an absolute let down. The consumers are tired of mediocrity.

Bingo. UFC puts on PPVs every month and they're raking in cash. Why? Their product is excellent. Cards are always stacked. Even the free prelim fights are competitive do-or-die matchups feat up-and-comers, not showcase fights like we get in boxing (Xander Zayas fighting some overmatched 38 year old).

Boxing's product has been an embarrassment for over 20 years.

[Rayzah]

The effects of what Floyd did is still being felt. He started these ridiculous prices for PPV and even though the caliber of the event has change these mofos still wanna charge the same prices.

[drablj]

i stream everything (live) because i don't have any us, uk or japan channels. even 0,1$ is "too expensive" when you don't have the option to buy something. but let's be realistic. would ANY of you pay 80$ if your monthly salary was 400$? thank god for streams and free knowledge on the internet.

[SimpleTouchee]

Even when ppv undercards are good people still don't buy the ppvs.

[SimpleTouchee]

People complaining about ppv prices it's called inflation.