The Conundrum of Kickoff Times & TV Rights

[BM16]

Sure most everyone has heard about Ohio State having six straight 12PM kicks to close the year. Including the matchup with Indiana next week. The thing I don't understand is that the Big 10 has its product on three networks (FOX, CBS, NBC/Peacock) and chooses the 12PM window above all others. This week's "Big Time Big 10" CBS matchup is Penn St at 1-win Purdue in the 3:30 window. Which is one of the worst matchups of the weekend in the whole conference, but it's in a prime window. Gus Johnson sounded like he didn't even want to be in Columbus for the OSU/Purdue game. I don't get why the Big 10 wouldn't try to spread out their premiere matchups amongst their three networks for different time slots.

 

[savvyandsassier]

I think they want Big Ten games in the late season, getting closer to winter with the cold temps to end before it starts to get dark. That would be my guess. And that's just Big Ten football. When it gets to November, you don't play at night. It's too cold. Not just for the fans, but just culturally. It's just better to have your games be done while the sun is still shining bright.

 

[BM16]

I think they want Big Ten games in the late season, getting closer to winter with the cold temps to end before it starts to get dark. That would be my guess. And that's just Big Ten football. When it gets to November, you don't play at night. It's too cold. Not just for the fans, but just culturally. It's just better to have your games be done while the sun is still shining bright.

#1 Oregon at Wisconsin is a 7:30 kick this weekend at Camp Randall on NBC. 47* at kickoff, which actually seems a bit balmy for Madison this time of year.

 

[savvyandsassier]

#1 Oregon at Wisconsin is a 7:30 kick this weekend at Camp Randall on NBC. 47* at kickoff, which actually seems a bit balmy for Madison this time of year.

I don't know if that's true at all, that was just my thought. It just seems as if, since this is apparently controversial, that late fall Big Ten games, historically have always seemed to be mainly during the day, with sunlight, and maybe that's the reason. And that's a good reason, it's freezing effin' cold at night in the midwest. And people don't want to be outdoors. Football or otherwise.

 

[1Redrum]

I think the schedulers have not caught up with the new Big 10 yet. With west coast teams you would think you would want a schedule that is more friendly from a scheduling standpoint for everyone in the conference. Yes Ohio State and Indiana are both in the Eastern Time Zone (barely for Indiana) but what about growing Big 10 viewership on the west coast? It seems a little backward thinking to me. Yes you will have some games at that time as per tradition and network requirement but never should a program like Ohio State be shut out of the better time slots.

 

[BM16]

I think the schedulers have not caught up with the new Big 10 yet. With west coast teams you would think you would want a schedule that is more friendly from a scheduling standpoint for everyone in the conference. Yes Ohio State and Indiana are both in the Eastern Time Zone (barely for Indiana) but what about growing Big 10 viewership on the west coast? It seems a little backward thinking to me. Yes you will have some games at that time as per tradition and network requirement but never should a program like Ohio State be shut out of the better time slots.

I've always viewed 3:30 as the best window of the day. I know the SEC now gets a game on ABC every Saturday night. But to me, that 3:30 game has always been the sweet spot.

 

[tbonesays]

Sure most everyone has heard about Ohio State having six straight 12PM kicks to close the year. Including the matchup with Indiana next week. The thing I don't understand is that the Big 10 has its product on three networks (FOX, CBS, NBC/Peacock) and chooses the 12PM window above all others. This week's "Big Time Big 10" CBS matchup is Penn St at 1-win Purdue in the 3:30 window. Which is one of the worst matchups of the weekend in the whole conference, but it's in a prime window. Gus Johnson sounded like he didn't even want to be in Columbus for the OSU/Purdue game. I don't get why the Big 10 wouldn't try to spread out their premiere matchups amongst their three networks for different time slots.

I believe that FOX has the highest priority in picking BUG games. FOX has branded themselves as the Big Noon so a lot of big games go there. Out west it is the big sleep-in.

It was very disappointing that our only night game came in november. I was in the stadium and was freezing.

 

[BM16]

I believe that FOX has the highest priority in picking BUG games. FOX has branded themselves as the Big Noon so a lot of big games go there. Out west it is the big sleep-in.

It was very disappointing that our only night game came in november. I was in the stadium and was freezing.

When the season started, FSU was the best home game on the schedule. Next year's home game vs Texas A&M in September will likely be the lone night game.

 

[Golson5]

When the season started, FSU was the best home game on the schedule. Next year's home game vs Texas A&M in September will likely be the lone night game.

I would be very surprised if there was only 1 home game next year

 

[BM16]

I would be very surprised if there was only 1 home game next year

USC would be the only other candidate for a night game.

 

[1Redrum]

I would be very surprised if there was only 1 home game next year

I could see the USC game on October 18th as a night game. I looked at the schedule and we have 11 games....no Stanford but I see they only have 11 games scheduled as well with 5 home games. Will ND finish the season at Stanford next year?

ND currently has 7 home games next year......as someone living within an hour of Buffalo is it too much to ask for a Shamrock gave vs Syracuse in Buffalo? If not this year maybe when the new Bills stadium opens?

 

[Golson5]

USC would be the only other candidate for a night game.

Yeah Texas am and USC should be night games

Also Boise is an option

 

[tbonesays]

Yeah Texas am and USC should be night games

Also Boise is an option

NBC has been somewhat vague about the night game policy. I only know that most of the night slots should go to the BUG.

 

[Golson5]

NBC has been somewhat vague about the night game policy. I only know that most of the night slots should go to the BUG.

Should go to the best games