Beware of TV times this coming season
This is the first year of the full-blown SEC-ESPN-ABC alliance. Previously, SEC games could not be on ABC, which is now outdated.
The ACC used to have access to the 3:30 national window and the 8PM national window. My guess is that those opportunities will be rare and will be an extremely uncomfortable source of contention on this board and in other places. I remember years ago when I asked Mr. Weaver about TV and how the Big East would be relegated to less appealing slots due to the SEC. He responded, "well...we have a contract". Factually, he was correct, and I was correct that the attractive TV windows were going to be positioned to the SEC with other inventory going to more spurtle-like homes like ESPNU and the ACC Network. All I can say is get ready for 3:30 and 8PM windows with all SEC games across ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2. I fear it is coming and it is not going to be fun to see.
I also think that the ACC will get the very late ESPN window for ACC West after dark windows that will include Stanford and Cal home conference games.
** Edited by CobbCountyHokie at 6/11/2024, 12:53:20 PM
34 Replies
2y
Or will the SEC and B1G look at total ratings of all their games in a time slot, and use that metric?
(In response to this post by CobbCountyHokie)
2y
First - when we will surely read about how ACC ratings are terrible compared to the SEC and Big 10. It is never fair to compare ratings on a cable channel versus an over the air network. Simply stated, ratings cannot be accurately compared when a game appears on NBC versus ESPN2. Also, it is unfair to compare ratings for a game on ESPN versus a game on ACCN. The number of subs is significantly different between a mainstream cable network and a sports tier network. I will just caution everyone here that comparisons will be made, and they will be extremely unfair.
The Big 10 will now outpace the SEC in ratings simply since they will be broadcasting games on NBC and Fox networks that will have greater ratings potential over ESPN. More games on Fox/NBC will carry greater ratings than games on ABC + ESPN due to their presence over the air. I do think the move of the SEC to a Disney exclusive platform may look like the first mistake that they have made in the media landscape, especially compared to the moves from the Big 10.
It will be interesting, but the ACC will really start to hurt from a lack of attractive network inventory placements. This year will be very instructive to see how ACC content will be relegated on the Disney platforms. I expect a lot of complaining and grumbling to come from ACC fans and media this year and ESPN/ABC will smile and tell them to pound sand.
** Edited by CobbCountyHokie at 6/12/2024, 9:24:02 AM
(In response to this post by PadrosWindup)
2y
(In response to this post by CobbCountyHokie)
2y
with ABC/ESPN. The Big Ten lapped them with their TV deal. IMO, it will be tough for the SEC to expand since there's nowhere to put them on TV.
(In response to this post by PadrosWindup)
2y
FX and FXX being two of them. They could also sublicense games out to Turner/Discovery like they are doing with the CFP first round games. Selling a game or two a week to Turner could generate more cash flow to ESPN than streaming them on ESPN+.
All of this is subject to it being something that ESPN is contractually permitted to do.
(In response to this post by reestuart)
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EDGEMAN
2y
ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN News. Not sure if they have a 5th?
I expect some ACC games to pop up on the U and News channels.
(In response to this post by reestuart)
2y
The SEC when they start putting SEC games on acc's network
(In response to this post by EDGEMAN)
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EDGEMAN
2y
(In response to this post by wwhokie1)
2y
Lots of noon games and 6pm ESPN u?
(In response to this post by CobbCountyHokie)
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(In response to this post by AnotherTechW)
2y
ACCN will run four windows per Saturday. They will have a noon, 3:30, 7:30 and 10:30 PM slot. ACC after dark will feature a bunch of Cal and Stanford home games in the late window. My guess is if both are at home, then once may be on ESPN and the other on ACCN.
The rest of the inventory will be sent over to the CW or will be placed in an ESPN or 2 or U noon window. The 3:30 window will run against the big SEC game of the week that will be full national on ABC or ESPN. The theory will be that the ACC gets 3:30 windows even if they are up against the big game in the SEC on the sister networks.
This will really hit home if an undefeated or 1-loss Clemson comes to Lane Stadium against an undefeated or 1-loss Tech team and the game is relegated to a noon window on ACCN. It will happen and ESPN is likely to push the ACC to lousy windows to satisfy their cash cow at the SEC.
(In response to this post by AnotherTechW)
2y
(In response to this post by CobbCountyHokie)
2y
Calford, SMU, and maybe four corners will fill that void.
(In response to this post by CobbCountyHokie)
2y
If so, yep, the ACC's going to lose a lot of slots.
(In response to this post by CobbCountyHokie)
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Stech
2y
that loss for ESPN. How much is TBD.
(In response to this post by Will Stewart)
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hokieZ71
2y
The top level ACC games and mid tier SEC games probably fill the void left by the B1G shifting toward Fox/CBS.
SEC still has to fill air time on SEC Network also.
The best ACC teams will get good coverage. A 4-1 Pitt vs 4-1 Syracuse won’t get jack, though. VT better win in September.
(In response to this post by Will Stewart)
2y
(In response to this post by Will Stewart)
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dayooper
2y
Fox, NBC and CBS will carry them.
(In response to this post by Will Stewart)
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EDGEMAN
2y
...will the ESPN "talking heads" now trash the B1X like they've done the ACC for the last two decades?
Curious minds want to know...
(In response to this post by dayooper)
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dayooper
2y
They have always pushed the SEC over anybody else, but I think it will be worse this year.
(In response to this post by EDGEMAN)
2y
The ACC will get it's share of nooners, ESPN2, ESPN+, but the majority (3 or 4 with late night) will be on ACCN. Get deep into the season and there may be only 3 games on non-ACCN/CW channels. I don't see many games making it to ABC or ESPN unless it's a top 25 match up, vs. SEC, vs. ND, or FSU vs. Miami; and the Friday night games.
(In response to this post by CobbCountyHokie)
2y
You could see this coming a mile away. The SEC not on CBS and then adding OU/TU takes a couple of opportunities away from the ACC.
(In response to this post by CobbCountyHokie)
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hokieZ71
2y
Not a lot of competition at that point.
(In response to this post by CobbCountyHokie)
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dayooper
2y
With 4 schools out there, I’m sure some will be at that 10:00 spot.
(In response to this post by hokieZ71)
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hokieZ71
2y
So does the Big XII. The ACC has mostly early Friday night games (7:00 slot)
Oh I think that’s partially due to travel as later West Coast games mean Sunday travel, which would be unattractive. I was wondering why I saw so many Big 10 games scheduled for late Friday. I bet as a result you do see ACC games get stuck with that late Saturday window, because they lose their Sunday preps as a result.
(In response to this post by dayooper)
2y
(In response to this post by hokieZ71)
2y
(In response to this post by CobbCountyHokie)