Future B1G TV Contract and Football Start Times

[eyekwah]

Under the current contract with ABC/ESPN the network pretty much dictates the games and start times. I, for one, dislike the 11am start times. For Big Ten fans in the central time zone we are treated to many 11 am start times. I much preferred the days when games started at 1 PM. It provided time for those living a couple or more hours away to travel without getting up before dawn and some added time to tailgate before the game. I'm hoping the Big Ten will factor in game time scheduling into the future TV contract. While it may not be a factor in declining attendance it certainly makes it less attractive to attend when games start during breakfast time on Saturday.

I'm interested in the sentiments of others.

 

[uihawk82]

Well 1 PM start times were common when just a handful of games were televised each saturday. Now with almost every power 5 game being on TV there is only one cycle of start times works to maximize TV viewing and that is 11-2:30 games, 2:30-6 pm games, and then the 6 and 7 pm start times and even the late 9 pm starts out west.

Sure when the Big Ten teams start only playing against themselves during conference season they could schedule 1 PM and 4:30 PM kickoffs but I doubt they do it as they then lose the 6 pm kickoff slot where they could have a big matchup in primetime (unless they want to overlap their own games).

 

[HuckFinn]

I would save about $1,000 per season in motel/meal expenses if Iowa games did not start before 1:00 p.m. I understand the reality of TV schedules, but it is frustrating. Now, I come in on Friday night for 11:00 a.m. starts.

 

[uihawk82]

I would save about $1,000 per season in motel/meal expenses if Iowa games did not start before 1:00 p.m. I understand the reality of TV schedules, but it is frustrating. Now, I come in on Friday night for 11:00 a.m. starts.

I dont like 11 AM starts that much. And back in the day a 1 PM game with no commercial breaks and two running teams that use up clock could often be played in less than 3 hours.

Heck you could be back to your tailgate just after 4 pm to party and still have time to drive 3-4 hours home.

Fans from council bluffs and sioux city are pretty screwed with 11 AM and nite games.

 

[HobbieHawk]

Well 1 PM start times were common when just a handful of games were televised each saturday. Now with almost every power 5 game being on TV there is only one cycle of start times works to maximize TV viewing and that is 11-2:30 games, 2:30-6 pm games, and then the 6 and 7 pm start times and even the late 9 pm starts out west.

Sure when the Big Ten teams start only playing against themselves during conference season they could schedule 1 PM and 4:30 PM kickoffs but I doubt they do it as they then lose the 6 pm kickoff slot where they could have a big matchup in primetime (unless they want to overlap their own games).

The B1G doesn't seem to worry when all the NYD Bowl games are on at the same time (which I hate) they shouldn't mind if the regular season games overlap a bit