Why Aren't The Networks Carrying The Big Games?

Mean Green 93-98 · January 11, 2011

I am perplexed. In my whole life, I never remember a time when the networks failed to carry the major bowl games. But this year, all the BCS games--and even the BCS Championship--are on ESPN. It seems like a dumb choice by ABC, and I can't see why the BCS would go for it.

Edited January 11, 2011 by Mean Green 93-98

EAGLE83 · January 11, 2011

MONEY

Arkstfan · January 11, 2011

ESPN gets about half its revenue from subscribers and half ad revenue. The game is on ESPN because:

1. Don't want fans giving up cable or going to Internet providers not subscribing to ESPN3.

2. Need must have content to raise fees charged to cable and Internet.

3. Want to boost viewership to raise ad rates.

4. Making ESPN more essential let's them force cable to add more ESPN channels and services.

ESPN is basically maxes out on number of subscribers so higher fees and higher ad revenue only growth avenue left.

TheColonyEagle · January 11, 2011

I believe that the Fiesta Bowl was on Fox.

But that's even worse. Doesn't that say something about a sport when a bowl game gets more network attention than the Championship Game?

Just seems like the priorities are screwed up.

Only the BCS.

CMJ · January 11, 2011

I believe that the Fiesta Bowl was on Fox.

But that's even worse. Doesn't that say something about a sport when a bowl game gets more network attention than the Championship Game?

Just seems like the priorities are screwed up.

Only the BCS.

The Fiesta was on ESPN - Fox had the Cotton. ESPN outbid everyone significantly for all five BCS games.

Mean Green 93-98 · January 11, 2011

ESPN gets about half its revenue from subscribers and half ad revenue. The game is on ESPN because:
1. Don't want fans giving up cable or going to Internet providers not subscribing to ESPN3.
2. Need must have content to raise fees charged to cable and Internet.
3. Want to boost viewership to raise ad rates.
4. Making ESPN more essential let's them force cable to add more ESPN channels and services.

ESPN is basically maxes out on number of subscribers so higher fees and higher ad revenue only growth avenue left.

But isn't that short-sighted of the BCS to let ESPN broadcast their bowl games and championship? TV ratings are sure to go down, reducing the value of future contracts.

TheColonyEagle · January 11, 2011

The Fiesta was on ESPN - Fox had the Cotton. ESPN outbid everyone significantly for all five BCS games.

That's right. The Cotton.

Makes my point even more.

Just seems screwy...

GoMeanGreen1999 · January 11, 2011

Everyone says it's money, but they sure don't gain viewers doing it this way....in fact, they may actually lose them. This year by the Sugar Bowl being on ESPN, the rating was 8.4 compared to last year which was 8.7. In addition, I have to believe that a larger percentage of those watching it on ESPN use DVR as opposed to those on regular TV, so they lose out on people watching the commercials.

CMJ · January 11, 2011

That's right. The Cotton.

Makes my point even more.

Just seems screwy...

Not if ESPN is willing to pay more than Fox, CBS, or NBC.

Mean Green 93-98 · January 11, 2011

That's right. The Cotton.

Makes my point even more.

Just seems screwy...

And ABC--which owns ESPN--chose to broadcast one game themselves . . . the Outback Bowl.

TheColonyEagle · January 11, 2011

If Auburn and Oregon would have played the quarters 2 weeks ago and played the semis last week to get to this game, I'm wondering if the networks would see this game as worth the money.

CMJ · January 11, 2011

And ABC--which owns ESPN--chose to broadcast one game themselves . . . the Outback Bowl.

Technically - Disney owns both ABC and ABC. They also have let ESPN have about half the big time sports programming the last few years.

Mean Green 93-98 · January 11, 2011

Technically - Disney owns both ABC and ABC. They also have let ESPN have about half the big time sports programming the last few years.

Yes, I didn't really feel like going into detail, but the point remains the same. And again, ABC (excuse me, Disney) is throwing away advertising dollars, and the BCS are fools for allowing it to happen.

CMJ · January 11, 2011

Yes, I didn't really feel like going into detail, but the point remains the same. And again, ABC (excuse me, Disney) is throwing away advertising dollars, and the BCS are fools for allowing it to happen.

They got their big paycheck though.

Hell...the Final Four is going to be broadcast by TBS a few times in the near future. You're gonna see more and more big events move to cable.

greenminer · January 11, 2011

You can imagine what happens next.

...he fixes the cable?

meaniegreenie · January 11, 2011

And even though it's not on ABC, we still have to listen to MouseBurger. All they need to do is hire Siragusa away from Fox and add him to the game, then I'd probably shoot out the speakers on my TV.

Coffee and TV · January 11, 2011

I'm perplexed as well...who doesn't have cable/satellite TV in the year 2011?

greenminer · January 11, 2011

I'm perplexed as well...who doesn't have cable/satellite TV in the year 2011?

I have not had any tv since august. Doin' fine

Rudy · January 11, 2011

And even though it's not on ABC, we still have to listen to MouseBurger. All they need to do is hire Siragusa away from Fox and add him to the game, then I'd probably shoot out the speakers on my TV.

And we still got Big Game Brent. At the very end, just before the game winning field goal, he had to shoehorn in "This is for all the Tostitos."

Gimme a break.

foutsrouts · January 11, 2011

I'm perplexed as well...who doesn't have cable/satellite TV in the year 2011?

Around12% and growing according to Nielson, so the networks are missing out on a significant (yet poorer) audience. Much higher percentage in Texas and other heavily Hispanic states. Comcast is doing their best to start the trend of getting rid of free OTA TV altogether which I think sux.

Censored by Laurie · January 11, 2011

You know, if we had just one, government controlled network this kinda crap would never happen.

I'm not sayin'...

oldguystudent · January 11, 2011

I'm perplexed as well...who doesn't have cable/satellite TV in the year 2011?

Cut the cable about a year ago, and it's been wonderful.

Got5onIt · January 11, 2011

TurdBurger wasn't that bad last night, IMO. The "for all of the tostitos" comment actually made me laugh. He's usually unbearable, especially at last year's title game.

meaniegreenie · January 11, 2011

TurdBurger wasn't that bad last night, IMO. The "for all of the tostitos" comment actually made me laugh. He's usually unbearable, especially at last year's title game.

Loved when he called "Touchdown!!" on about the 10 yard line on O's play that didn't make it into the endzone. In fact, they didn't even score on the drive.

Censored by Laurie · January 11, 2011

Loved when he called "Touchdown!!" on about the 10 yard line on O's play that didn't make it into the endzone. In fact, they didn't even score on the drive.

He seemed a bit tipsy at points last night.