Big Ten/ ESPN negotiations "begin"

Submitted by canzior on February 15th, 2022 at 1:53 PM

ESPN has an exclusive negotiating window with the Big Ten, which many expect to end without a deal in place. This will allow the rights to hit the open market and all the major players are expected to be involved.  The success of the B1G this past football season in terms of viewership will bring everyone to the table. 

ESPN is determined to keep their share of games. 

Fox wants to expand their deal. 

CBS is looking to replace the SEC after 2023

NBC is hoping to have a CFB double header with ND following Big Ten games

 

I expect the money is going to be ridiculous.  Michigan winning the title this year is certainly to help increase the payday because when they are a good, they are a huge draw.  Currently Fox is paying $240M per year and ESPN is paying $190M.

 

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/SB-Blogs/Newsletter-Media/2022/02/14.aspx

Rickett88

February 15th, 2022 at 2:04 PM ^

I wonder how Peacock has worked out for Notre Dame. Having to explain to anyone over the age of 40 how to access it has been a chore. I don’t think the B1G would be able to do a deal that didn’t have cable being their main source of where games are played. 

XM - Mt 1822

February 15th, 2022 at 8:59 PM ^

PSA:  this just in, PSU knocked off state in hoops, 62-58.  congrats nittany. 

not going to start a new thread about it, but nice news for a tuesday night. 

EDIT:  and its early, but with 3 minutes left in the first half, minny is beating ohio, in columbus, by 4.  might be good night for hoops after all. 

Rickett88

February 15th, 2022 at 2:16 PM ^

First, I’m glad I’m not the only one double posting. It’s gotta be this thread. 

I was more focusing on any increase they might have seen, or if it was just another option for viewers. I can’t imagine it has been a wind fall, but how many viewers used it instead of NBC, or traditional broadcast. 

tpilews

February 15th, 2022 at 2:06 PM ^

From a viewership standpoint, Fox has had the best picture quality on YTTV for me. They also have a good amount of 4k games as well, which puts them way ahead of the others. As far as the others for PQ, ESPN/CBS, BTN, ............... NBC. NBC games look like shit on youtubetv. 

Wolverheel

February 15th, 2022 at 4:33 PM ^

Is there any kind of source you can point to with the commercials? Even an amateur just adding up commercial time. Every single broadcast I watch regardless of network on fall Saturdays seems to have a similarly obnoxious amount of commercial breaks and commercial time per break is standardized (seen on the commercial countdown clock in the stadium).

energyblue1

February 16th, 2022 at 10:43 AM ^

That's cyclical as all the networks go through that.  Nationally televised games are all over 3 1/2 hours and many on ABC 3:30 noon go over 4hrs.  Fans start turning the channels and networks start cutting back the commercial time.  But always go back.  Avg game is 3hrs 24 minutes according to the NCAA..  that was as of 2017.. 

Most conferences have addressed this with networks and want the games to be between 3 and 3 1/2 hours.  Many things have been instituted like running the clock after the ball is spotted from going out of bounds where as before the clock stopped. There have been a few other things but the conferences don't want to alter the game to much but don't want to lose revenue either....

I recall the late 2000's where I started to hate going to nationally televised games were creeping at 4 hours and more.  A noon game and we weren't leaving the stadium till after 4pm.  Kickoff, 4 minute commerical, End of first series commercial.  Score a td, 4 minute commercial, fg, 4 minute commercial, Kickoff again, 4 minute commercial. One game, got up, went to the rr, the old troths and lines.. came out, waited in line for concessions right after a TD.. took about 15 minutes... Was back in time for the kickoff..  Kick off, ref comes out announces, Commercial Time out..  the entire big house was booing..  nearly 20 minutes of dead time around a few plays for commercials..