B1G is done with ESPN
- Thread starter Franisdaman
- Start date
^ As of 2022. ESPN’s relevance, as it currently stands, just got an expiration date.
After all they are the Es(ec)p(ee)(o)n. Will not be missed. Will we even see B1G highlights on their network?
I just looked up last year's B1G TV schedule and it looks like most weeks during conference play there was 3-4 games per week on ESPN's network. I would have guessed that number was higher than it actually is.
My guess is that we see a slight uptick in weekend games on CBS and Fox and likely CBS Sports Network gets a game or 2 during the week. Everything else will be BTN or FS1.
The wildcard will be if NBC wants a small basketball package included; they have broadcast A10 games on USA Network this past year and could try to get deeper into that space with adding a Big Ten game every weekend.
B1G TV schedule from last year for those curious: https://bigten.org/documents/2021/10/5//2021_22_Big_Ten_MBB_Schedule_FINAL.pdf?id=7292
My guess is that we see a slight uptick in weekend games on CBS and Fox and likely CBS Sports Network gets a game or 2 during the week. Everything else will be BTN or FS1.
The wildcard will be if NBC wants a small basketball package included; they have broadcast A10 games on USA Network this past year and could try to get deeper into that space with adding a Big Ten game every weekend.
B1G TV schedule from last year for those curious: https://bigten.org/documents/2021/10/5//2021_22_Big_Ten_MBB_Schedule_FINAL.pdf?id=7292
Correct me if I’m wrong but I think everyone is worried about the mid-week games. On the weekends those networks carry basketball but during the week they already have a full lineup. Of course I could be wrong as I never watch and I pretty much only stream stuff online when I’m not watching sports.
I think we’ll see a ton of games on FS1, NBC Sports Network, Peacock, CBS Sports Network and maybe even more B1G extra networks.
NBC Sports Network no longer exists, it went belly-up--all of their contracted sports they had previously got moved to either USA Network or Peacock.
Nonsense. TV eyes make the platform not the other way around, and there are more Big ten basketball TV eyes than any other conference by far (even before USC and UCLA come on board).
ESPN has become instantly less relevant.
Could be. I only stream too, never watch anything at it's release time
I have a couple NBC Sports channels based out of Chicago (never realized it was Chicago specific) on YouTubeTV. Must be a holdover from the bankruptcy.
hope you are right.
it will be interesting to see the TV basketball ratings in 2024 for FS1, FS2, and FOX vs the ESPN channels
The B1G problem is that apparently we're not going to be able to see all of the Iowa BB games, which would be a huge disappointment. In the immortal words of Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes," DAMN THEM ALL TO HELL!
It'll be like it was last year--some of the cupcake non-con games will be on BTN+, but every good non-con and conference game will be fine. ESPN averaged only 3 or 4 B1G basketball games a week last year. That number will just be dispersed amongst more weekend CBS & Fox, FS1/2 and CBS Sports Network. If NBC wants a basketball piece they can utilize USA and Peacock.
Go woke go broke!!
Fox has been looking to expand FS1 and put them head to head with ESPN. Wouldn't be surprised to see FS1 carry a lot more basketball games. Between them and the B1G Network they could do 2-3 games a night. Fox is looking to expand where as ESPN is very cash strapped currently. With football I expect to see Fox and FS1 take a big step up in the sports world with broader investment.
I wouldn't be surprised if a couple weeknight games are on Peacock now as well.
I wouldn't be surprised if a couple weeknight games are on Peacock now as well.
The only issue with relying on FS1 is that they already do almost every Big East game on that channel. They have the media rights to 100 Big East basketball games per year until 2025. Looking at their broadcast schedule from last year, Monday nights is the only night they weren't broadcasting college basketball on FS1. Rough estimate is 45% Big East, 35% Big Ten, 5% Pac 12 and 15% Mountain West.
Here's a random February week college basketball schedule for FS1 last year:
Sunday: 4 games--2 Big East, B1G, Pac12
Tuesday: 2 games--Big East, MTNWest
Wednesday: 2 games--Big East
Thursday: 3 games--2 B1G and MtnW
Friday: 3 games--2 B1G and MtnW
Saturday: 4 games--3 Big East, MtnW
And before someone says to simply replace B1G with the Mountain West programming--all of those games were in the late night time slot.
espin lost their way years ago, good riddance and I hope they burn with envy every time the big ten kicks their ass in weekly ratings
Ah look, another douche bringing politics to the sports boards. If you think partnering with the SEC is "going woke" you are even dumber than I thought. Don't forget to remind us when espn "goes broke" but I wouldn't hold my breath on that one.
Seems like ESPN going woke is a valid reason to bring up in this topic. Of course if you don't believe there ratings are dropping because of woke ideology I can see why you think someone is bringing politics into this discussion.
Politics definitely make up part of this decision. ESPN doesn't get it.
When it comes to college sports I think all platforms are irrelevant unless it’s “your” team playing.
only exception being huge college football games.
there are no huge regular season college basketball games.
only exception being huge college football games.
there are no huge regular season college basketball games.
Disney was told by a large investor today to sell off Espn to save money! I think with BIG10's new TV contract, the writing is on the wall!! They do not have the funds! To much time supporting Crappy NBA!
I'm holding out hope that all of those non-con games that were previously on BTN+ just move over to Peacock since it's cheaper and a better interface--that may just be wishful thinking though.
Hey, @Franisdaman, any idea when the men's basketball schedule will come out with the BIG games?
Not Fran, but last year it was released on September 8. So hopefully we get an announcement in the next week or so.
FWIW, Peacock has been trying to get me to subscribe for $4/month lately. Depending how many Iowa games they shift to that service, it may be worth it. After all, you also get Parks and Recreation.
I read that as peacock streaming games starting next year, so the time to subscribe would be next september. Am i reading that wrong?
