Connect with your Facebook Account

• Contact

Uncategorized Articles

18

The BCS is Now Officially a Four Letter Word

Posted by srr50 on November 17th, 2008 under Uncategorized

Fox is getting out of college football altogether, deciding that the BCS was not worth $500 million, so the BCS games will be moving to cable.

Starting in 2011, the BCS series will become a part of the Four-Letter Network. In its announcement that it was dropping out, Fox sounded just like the jilted lover stating “Unfortunately, the university presidents and BCS commissioners were not satisfied and they’ve decided to take their jewel events to pay television.”

ESPN shot back that they are on basic cable, and right now 88% of the country (98 million homes) have ESPN already. Interestingly enough, Houston is one of the least-wired cities around. ESPN has only about 77% penetration in the Top Ten market.

Fox originally paid $330 million for the four BCS games, and ESPN ponied up $500 million for the 5-game package. There are of course several consequences to this deal.

* Forget about any kind of playoff system in the next ten years.

* The new world of TV is that the big cable conglomerate can outbid any over the air network without breaking a sweat. ESPN can afford the price tag because they get to double dip. They are already the most expensive channel for the cable outlets, as they charge almost $3 a subscriber. That assuredly will go up with this exclusive deal. And of course they get to sell advertising as well.

* Think the SEC isn’t giddy about this? They are already signed, sealed and delivered to ESPN for the same time period. Get ready for the heaviest promotion of any league you have ever seen. Every SEC game on the Four Letter Network, will be promoted before, and known as The SEC On ESPN. Hell, they might even get their own half hour highlight show on Saturdays.

* ESPN already owns five bowls outright. They will now have the broadcast rights to the crown jewels. Somehow I don’t think you will be seeing too many ESPN analysts arguing for a play off system any time soon.

Article Tags:

, , , , ,

More from this Barker


Share This

  • StumbleUpon

18 Responses

  1. Facebook User said:

    November 17th, 2008 at 5:18 pm

    Arghffuckkaakakaka!!!!@

  2. MIA said:

    November 17th, 2008 at 5:38 pm

    Time for Congress to step in.
    This could very well ruin college football. Well not really, but I will have yet another reason to hate espn.

  3. Texas_Dawg said:

    November 17th, 2008 at 5:39 pm

    Dude.

    It means no more Thom Brennaman (Thom… you could at least learn the names of the key players; just a few, OK?). It means no more Howie Long and Terry Bradshaw (the idiots at Fox actually put those NFL-loving tools on the ‘07 Sugar Bowl). It means no more Chris Meyers ruining wedding proposals on national TV. It means less than 110 shots per game of the fonking bands.

    Playoffs? Screw playoffs. College football is ending a horrible, terrible experiment with FOX. That is without question a very, very good thing.

  4. DrkBgrk said:

    November 17th, 2008 at 6:02 pm

    Dawg: even though fox sucks at bcs airing, the continued existence of the bcs is still a very bad (worse) thing.

    oh and fuck the sec.

  5. Texas_Dawg said:

    November 17th, 2008 at 6:09 pm

    If the non-existence of the BCS means some NFL-style playoff, then thank God for ESPN and whoever else is protecting the BCS.

    And I’m not really sure what the deal is with the ESPN/SEC conspiracy stuff… what is the fear here? Doesn’t ESPN’s parent, ABC, broadcast Big 12 games and the Big 12 championship? (ESPN doesn’t even broadcast the SEC’s championship game or its premier game each week.)

  6. srr50 said:

    November 17th, 2008 at 6:31 pm

    ESPN signed a 15-year agreement with the SEC for over $300 million. They get to add two primetime Thurday night games to their packages. They will hold the over-the-air rights to SEC regional football and basketball telecasts.

    They will have more than enough games to push the league throughout its family of networks, and yes there will be a 1-hour weekly SEC highlights show.

    ESPN also will own the internet rights to all SEC events.

    As I said, every football game will be promoted as “The SEC on ESPN.” Not a bad way to brand your conference.

    ABC may be the parent, but ESPN drives the bus. That’s why it’s called “ESPN College Football on ABC.”

  7. cwofford said:

    November 17th, 2008 at 7:30 pm

    i’m confused. if ESPN’s contract is only for four years, why should we not expect any kind of playoff system for the next ten?

  8. srr50 said:

    November 17th, 2008 at 7:47 pm

    Because ESPN’s contract doesn’t kick in until 2011.

    I suppose you could have one in 2016, but I wouldn’t hold my breath that there will be one in place, so the networks can renegotiate their contracts based on it.

  9. uthookem said:

    November 17th, 2008 at 8:42 pm

    If Obama gets a college playoff for D1 football, his presidency will have been a success.

    Hook ‘em!

  10. Harold Reynolds said:

    November 17th, 2008 at 10:41 pm

    There are a lot of great looking ladies who work at ESPN

  11. Big Satan said:

    November 18th, 2008 at 5:19 am

    Forgive me if I’m mistaken, but the SEC deal signed by ESPN was for the Twins style after-birth. CBS Still has their deal in place with the SEC that allows them to cherry pick the best gamens each work. There will still be a substantial SEC presence on CBS. Not that this nullifies anything you’ve said…

  12. Mysterious Package said:

    November 18th, 2008 at 6:25 am

    Big 12 needs to jump on or get runover.

  13. p said:

    November 18th, 2008 at 6:40 am

    With ESPN airing and promoting all of the SEC games it effects the masses perception of the conference. The same way hyping USC in 2005 did. People assumed Texas had no chance because ESPN told them USC was the greatest college football team ever.

    The SEC will be perceived as the mini NFL(It’s already bad enough now). I wouldn’t be surprised to see two SEC teams end up in the national championship game, if the only loss of the other was in their conference championship.

    Living outside of Texas(NC), the vibe has already swung that way. When the subject of football comes up it always turns into “the SEC is the best conference in football”. Most fans don’t actually watch the games, they just watch the highlights and regurgitate the sentiments of the analysts. They don’t know LSU was down 29 to Troy at home, or that Bama lost to Louisiana-Monroe. All they know is the SEC mudholed Ohio State twice, ND, and Hawaii and that qualifies them as untouchable. This deal will only make it worse!!

  14. Big Satan said:

    November 18th, 2008 at 7:21 am

    ESPN is not going to be airing ALL of the SEC games. CBS and the SEC renewed and extended their contract literally a month or two before ESPN picked up the rest of the games. Step away from the ledge, people.

  15. srr50 said:

    November 18th, 2008 at 8:15 am

    ESPN is not going to be airing ALL of the SEC games. CBS and the SEC renewed and extended their contract literally a month or two before ESPN picked up the rest of the games. Step away from the ledge, people.

    Actually it is the combination of the two that makes the SEC the media leader. The only college football CBS will be packaging will be the SEC Game of the Week.

    All of CBS’s marketing of college football will be the SEC.

    They share the Basketball rights as well — and they are the home of March Madness.

    The combination of CBS drooling over the SEC (just listen to Gary Danielson on Saturdays) and ESPN pumping the SEC at every turn gives them a great media platform that no other conference can come close to.

  16. Sports Jesus said:

    November 18th, 2008 at 8:44 am

    What have I created…

  17. Atomic Teeth » Blog Archive » BCS on ESPN; Fox Out said:

    November 18th, 2008 at 12:08 pm

    [...] see the folks at Barking Carnival has a post up about this very topic.  There’s some consternation that the relationship is problematic because ESPN and SEC are [...]

  18. Barking Carnival — Blog — March Madness May Move to Cable said:

    December 8th, 2009 at 8:43 pm

    [...] Last year the NCAA looked on with envy as the BCS, despite a down economy, hit pay dirt with a $500 million dollar deal to move their games off of broadcast TV to ESPN. [...]

Leave a Reply

Follow Us

Related Articles

Hot Forum Topics

Activity

  • Blake Stansbery commented on the blog post Recruiting the Trenches   ago

    I like my wine in a box…. I like my wine in a box GIIIRL

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • Sailor Ripley commented on the blog post Did Rick Barnes use a plant last night to distract KU players?   ago

    We commented on the lass during telecast. Thanks for, getting this up, so to speak.

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • Mister Mike commented on the blog post Recruiting the Trenches   ago

    Sailor’s sponsoring it? Holy shit…that likely means goats, togas, and lots of cheap wine.

    Welcome to the network!

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • Farmer Ted commented on the blog post Recruiting the Trenches   ago

    Nice job with this – and welcome to the network, on behalf of Better Off Red. See you at the Fantake retreat in Vegas that Sailor Ripley is sponsoring this summer!

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • J Rog commented on the blog post Game Day: Spurs vs. Lakers Open Thread   ago

    Fell apart in the fourth quarter again. Can’t give up 28 points to close out a game. Spurs, Longhorns….heartache once again.

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • Farmer Ted commented on the blog post Thoughts on the win in Austin   ago

    Nice job Hiphop. Very nice to win what is probably the toughest game on the schedule handily, although the Hawks obviously caught UT at a good time.

    The Morningstar FT was terrible and hilarious. He said the ball was wet, which clearly means Texas was cheating somehow. Would the second chance off balance leaner

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • J Rog wrote a new blog post: Missed Opportunities: Spurs vs. Lakers Recap   5 minutes ago

    Whiskey. Tango. Foxtrot.  This game was served up on a silver platter for the Spurs and they managed to fumble it like a Minnesota Viking in the playoffs. 

    I think perhaps Will Ferrell can describe my emotions on the current state of the Spurs season better than I. 

     

    The Spurs hung around for most of the

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • slugfest commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Kansas: Post-Mortem   8 minutes ago

    EP, I get your point, but I don’t think the fact that Texas hasn’t won a tourney came as an underdog doesn’t support it. Teams are favored because they are better. The odds that they win are greater than those who are not favored. It’s not like Texas goes into games with a secret weapon

  • Mister Mike commented on the blog post Did Rick Barnes use a plant last night to distract KU players?   12 minutes ago

    I think KU should demand an immediate investigation. Find someone to get to the bottom of this.

    I volunteer myself.

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • Trips Right commented on the blog post Top 8 Teams in College Hoops   16 minutes ago

    Georgetown?

  • RRR commented on the blog post Thoughts on the win in Austin   16 minutes ago

    Good write up, hiphop. I love the versatitility of the Morris twins on defense. Xavier Henry is probably the key to a big run in the tournament. If he starts hitting open looks, the inside game will really open up. Post to post passing is fun to watch.

    It’s pretty nice when

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • Trips Right commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Kansas: Post-Mortem   19 minutes ago

    PB, just talking. I’m not ready to replace him but something has to change. The comment about playing 3 on 5 three quarters into the season is just astoundingly bad.

  • Blake Stansbery commented on the blog post Petrino Building Fence Around Arkansas   29 minutes ago

    Here is more info on Frazier. He is such a great player, and Arkansas needs to land him in a big way.

    http://www.kiehlfrazier15.com/Home.html

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow1mOrMQXYw

    These Highlights are from his Sophomore year, and he had a bigger and better 2009. OH MY!

  • Blake Stansbery commented on the blog post Petrino Building Fence Around Arkansas   29 minutes ago

    Here is more info on Frazier. He is such a great player, and Arkansas needs to land him in a big way.

    http://www.kiehlfrazier15.com/Home.html

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow1mOrMQXYw

    These Highlights are from his Sophomore year, and he had a bigger and better 2009. OH MY!

  • Blake Stansbery commented on the blog post Petrino Building Fence Around Arkansas   29 minutes ago

    Here is more info on Frazier. He is such a great player, and Arkansas needs to land him in a big way.

    http://www.kiehlfrazier15.com/Home.html

    These Highlights are from his Sophomore year, and he had a bigger and better 2009. OH MY!

  • Trips Right commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Kansas: Post-Mortem   31 minutes ago

    It takes more time…unless you’re a Kentucky fan.

  • RRR commented on the blog post Mid-Season Thoughts and OU Pre-Game   32 minutes ago

    Thanks Trips. I’m hoping for lots of Willie Warren trying to be Sheron Collins. TMG in sync is the scariest thing to face in Norman. That or we get beat up on the boards which seems to be recurring theme of Texas Tech road games.

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • slugfest commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Kansas: Post-Mortem   33 minutes ago

    I don’t think it’s a case of RB not being able to coach, or doing a poor job of coaching. If you read the entirety of Katz’ blog post, he clearly sounds like a coaching searching for answers — answers that come in the form of players contributing, doing what they are coached to do.

  • Blake Stansbery commented on the blog post John Pelphrey’s Unconventional Approach   41 minutes ago

    I agree that an NIT bid would be acceptable this year, but that if the Razorbacks can get to 20 wins they will have a very good chance at the NCAA Tourney.

    Our RPI is bad, and we have no signature wins.

    However, we have 8 games left on the SEC regular season schedule. If we

  • Blake Stansbery commented on the blog post John Pelphrey’s Unconventional Approach   41 minutes ago

    I agree that an NIT bid would be acceptable this year, but that if the Razorbacks can get to 20 wins they will have a very good chance at the NCAA Tourney.

    Our RPI is bad, and we have no signature wins.

    However, we have 8 games left on the SEC regular season schedule. If we

  • Blake Stansbery commented on the blog post Recruiting the Trenches   45 minutes ago

    TP welcome to the network.

    I like how you broke this down, and identified which positions history shows a high star ranking has proven to be important. I personally feel that after what all the recruiting sites dub their top players that there is a major falloff. We all love that the recruiting sites bring

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • Art Vandelay commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Kansas: Post-Mortem   45 minutes ago

    Groundhog Day said:
    February 9th, 2010 at 10:00 am

    “How can everyone on the team have worse basketball sense than my 5th graders? Honestly? We are the dumbest bunch I have ever seen. We weren’t earlier in the year. Hell, Bradley was smartest player, by far, in any of the summer h.s. games. Now he plays

  • Farmer Ted commented on the blog post Petrino Building Fence Around Arkansas   48 minutes ago

    Good stuff JA. But the Huskers call dibs on any dual threat QB named Frazier thankyouverymuch.

  • Hiphopopotamus commented on the blog post Did Rick Barnes use a plant last night to distract KU players?   50 minutes ago

    I’m convinced.

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • skymonkeyhorn commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Kansas: Post-Mortem   55 minutes ago

    “No, but I became a man in Juarez.”
    I bet in your fantasy you were the donkey in the show ? No ?

    “Eight Dollar drink-and-drowns, and cans that merely say “beer” in Juarez will turn anyone into a man”
    That is why Trips was drinking river water by the bridge for too many years. In the

  • Darius Pourceau commented on the blog post John Pelphrey’s Unconventional Approach   56 minutes ago

    I don’t think we have to win the SEC tourny necessarily. If we make it to the SEC Tourny championship game and have won about 20 games, I would say a tourny bid would look likely. But that is a pretty big task. I know no one cares about the NIT, but that wouldnt be

  • Nordberg commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Kansas: Post-Mortem   1 hour, 1 minute ago

    I like Varez Ward, but he doesn’t seem like the magical missing piece to me. And we’ve got like 15 other guys on scholarship. Losing Varez Ward shouldn’t turn the season into a trainwreck.

    Barnes’ “we’re going to fix it” quotes are starting to remind me of Greg Davis talking about fixing the running game. If

  • Mister Mike commented on the blog post Thoughts on the win in Austin   1 hour, 2 minutes ago

    Don’t follow basketball as much as you guys do here, but I did watch that game last night. Using my extensive experience in analyzing the sport (next to none) the game felt like it had that “Big Game” feel to it, but somehow it just didn’t turn out that way. Kind of…lackluster?

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • Nordberg commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Kansas: Post-Mortem   1 hour, 11 minutes ago

    How much is Mark Few making? Hell, make a run at Izzo. We can do that kind of shit now.

    Trips that Barnes quote is infuriating, considering that our entire fanbase has been saying that exact same line for months. Has he been hoping this whole time that they’d turn into Augustin and Gibson?

  • Trips Right commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Kansas: Post-Mortem   1 hour, 14 minutes ago

    No, but I became a man in Juarez.