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Cable's Biggest Libraries

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Ian Wallis:
I was thinking the other day that GSN probably has just about the biggest library of programs to air of all the cable networks, at 50,000.  I can't think of any other network that would have access to that much stuff.

The only one that might come close is probably ESPN Classic, which theoretically could have access to *any* sporting event ever (those of which that still exist, anyway).

I remember seeing a commercial for TVLand several years ago which claimed \"our library is packed with 25,000 episodes...\"   I never saw a complete list of what they had, but I find that number a little hard to believe considering most hit drama and comedy series might do between 100 and 200 at most.  They would have to have a LOT of stuff to get up to 25,000!

Matt Ottinger:

--- Quote ---The only one that might come close is probably ESPN Classic, which theoretically could have access to *any* sporting event ever (those of which that still exist, anyway).
--- End quote ---
But that's like saying TV Land theoretically could have access to *any* old TV show or, more to the point, that GSN theoretically could have acces to *any* old game show.  ESPN Classic has to acquire rights and pay fees just like any other operation.  I doubt they have anywhere close to 50,000 events in their library.

inturnaround:
According to ESPN, ESPN Classic has around 30,000 videotapes in their library. With the sheer number of college football and basketball games that ABC and ESPN have covered over the years alone, that certainly seems plausible.

Sure they have to negotiate rights with outside sources, but they seem to have a pretty good head start on just the ABC/ESPN libraries to begin with. One notable exclusion is any NFL games. The NFL is notorious about NFL Films being the prism through which its history is viewed.

clemon79:
[quote name=\'inturnaround\' date=\'Sep 30 2003, 08:18 AM\'] One notable exclusion is any NFL games. The NFL is notorious about NFL Films being the prism through which its history is viewed. [/quote]
BUT...those NFL Films productions air on...ESPN.

So the chances of seeing pertinent regular season games is poor, but at least you'd be able to see those season summary programs, as well as the NFL Films Super Bowl shows.

And I've caught them running non-playoff baseball games that originally aired on NBC. So their deal with MLB must involve some archive access.

Matt Ottinger:
[quote name=\'inturnaround\' date=\'Sep 30 2003, 11:18 AM\'] According to ESPN, ESPN Classic has around 30,000 videotapes in their library. With the sheer number of college football and basketball games that ABC and ESPN have covered over the years alone, that certainly seems plausible.

Sure they have to negotiate rights with outside sources, but they seem to have a pretty good head start on just the ABC/ESPN libraries to begin with. One notable exclusion is any NFL games. The NFL is notorious about NFL Films being the prism through which its history is viewed. [/quote]
 Fair enough.  We can argue the semantics of whether 30,000 is \"anywhere close\" to 50,000, but that's certainly a lot bigger library than I would have thought.

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