Remember that FOX is once again trying to challenge College GameDay (at least the last hour of it). This time, it will air on FOX broadcast stations as opposed to FS1.

By having their "best game" on immediately following the pre-game show, they are hoping people will tune in there as opposed the Rinaldi sob story to celebrity picks and headgear in the final hour of GameDay.

(05-14-2019 09:06 PM)johnintx Wrote:  But, Fox pays the Big 12 big bucks, so kickoffs are often at 11 am. It is what it is. Every conference has them (except the Pac-12, as long as they stay in their time zones).

I think the networks move games to whatever time they want, as long as their TV contracts permit it. IIRC the Pac-12's contracts allow them to set football game times anytime between noon and 8 pm local time. And I think they agreed to not move any team's homecoming game to late night, after a dispute a few years ago.

(05-16-2019 09:57 AM)stever20 Wrote:  All Fox is doing is trying to eliminate what we saw last year to some degree where you would have on occasion 4 great games all in prime time. You'd have the ABC Saturday night game, a Fox game, at least 1 SEC game on ESPN/2, and then even the occasional game from NBC or CBS....

Also, Fox's problem is that their top games aren't always that incredible by any stretch. Their schedule is not as good as what ABC has. Sometimes, the best Fox game will still have to go up against ABC and their 2nd or 3rd best game- and ABC's game would STILL win....

Also, I think the Pac 12 is going to have a major problem with this- as their games would never be considered as the top game....

It makes absolutely no difference to the Pac-12. Obviously, Fox is hoping to become more competitive in the noon hour. That is not a concern for the Pac-12, since a Pac-12 game would have to start at 9 AM in the morning to be shown in the noon hour. I agree, Fox is up against too many good games on Saturday Night and their football inventory is limited compared to Disney. Below is a Saturday Night schedule for the first two weekends in November of 2018:

Saturday Nov. 3rd (All times are EST)
Duke at Miami 7:00 pm ESPN2
ND at Northwestern 7:15 pm ESPN
UCLA at Oregon 7:30 pm FOX
Alabama at LSU 8:00 pm CBS
OU at Texas Tech 8:00 pm ABC

Saturday Nov. 10th
Auburn at Georgia 7:00 pm ESPN
Miami at Georgia Tech 7:00 pm ESPN2
Florida State at ND 7:30 pm NBC
Texas at Texas Tech 7:30 pm FOX
Clemson at BC 8:00 pm ABC

In the month of October, Fox is televising post-season baseball, so they are not always available to broadcast college football on those weekend evenings.

(05-16-2019 11:33 AM)SoCalBobcat78 Wrote:  It makes absolutely no difference to the Pac-12. Obviously, Fox is hoping to become more competitive in the noon hour. That is not a concern for the Pac-12, since a Pac-12 game would have to start at 9 AM in the morning to be shown in the noon hour. I agree, Fox is up against too many good games on Saturday Night and their football inventory is limited compared to Disney. Below is a Saturday Night schedule for the first two weekends in November of 2018:

Saturday Nov. 3rd (All times are EST)
Duke at Miami 7:00 pm ESPN2
ND at Northwestern 7:15 pm ESPN
UCLA at Oregon 7:30 pm FOX
Alabama at LSU 8:00 pm CBS
OU at Texas Tech 8:00 pm ABC

Saturday Nov. 10th
Auburn at Georgia 7:00 pm ESPN
Miami at Georgia Tech 7:00 pm ESPN2
Florida State at ND 7:30 pm NBC
Texas at Texas Tech 7:30 pm FOX
Clemson at BC 8:00 pm ABC

In the month of October, Fox is televising post-season baseball, so they are not always available to broadcast college football on those weekend evenings.

In each of those weeks last season, Fox already had what I assume they thought of as their "Game of the Week" at 12 noon ET: Nebraska-Ohio State on Nov. 3, and Ohio State-Michigan State on Nov. 10.

So maybe this is less of a change in Fox's schedule than their hype would suggest.

(05-14-2019 09:06 PM)johnintx Wrote:  I don't know about fans in the Eastern time zone, but 11 am kickoffs in the Central time zone are a bear, especially for fans attending the games. Go to any OU board and read the complaints. It's one of the primary complaints our fans have about the Big 12. Last season's first two home games were played at 11 am and 12 pm, respectively. Weather in Oklahoma is never perfect, but an 11 am kickoff in September is brutal. But, Fox pays the Big 12 big bucks, so kickoffs are often at 11 am. It is what it is. Every conference has them (except the Pac-12, as long as they stay in their time zones).

11 am (12 Eastern) was once where non-marquee matchups were dumped. As mentioned elsewhere in this thread, Fox is finding that they can get better ratings with a good matchup at noon Eastern than by going against ABC/ESPN at night or against the CBS SEC game.

No doubt. It always boggles my mind when the Michigan/Ohio State fans actually *demand* the early time slot because it's definitely not a positive at all for Central Time Zone teams. I couldn't stand those 11 am kickoffs when I was a student (when I rarely functional at that hour after being out on Friday night) and they're not any better now as an adult. That difference between a 12 pm start and an 11 am start feels monumental. I feel perfectly fine watching NFL games that start at 12 pm Central Time on Sunday, but those 11 am Central Time games for college football feel insanely early.

(05-16-2019 12:05 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(05-14-2019 09:06 PM)johnintx Wrote:  I don't know about fans in the Eastern time zone, but 11 am kickoffs in the Central time zone are a bear, especially for fans attending the games. Go to any OU board and read the complaints. It's one of the primary complaints our fans have about the Big 12. Last season's first two home games were played at 11 am and 12 pm, respectively. Weather in Oklahoma is never perfect, but an 11 am kickoff in September is brutal. But, Fox pays the Big 12 big bucks, so kickoffs are often at 11 am. It is what it is. Every conference has them (except the Pac-12, as long as they stay in their time zones).

11 am (12 Eastern) was once where non-marquee matchups were dumped. As mentioned elsewhere in this thread, Fox is finding that they can get better ratings with a good matchup at noon Eastern than by going against ABC/ESPN at night or against the CBS SEC game.

No doubt. It always boggles my mind when the Michigan/Ohio State fans actually *demand* the early time slot because it's definitely not a positive at all for Central Time Zone teams. I couldn't stand those 11 am kickoffs when I was a student (when I rarely functional at that hour after being out on Friday night) and they're not any better now as an adult. That difference between a 12 pm start and an 11 am start feels monumental. I feel perfectly fine watching NFL games that start at 12 pm Central Time on Sunday, but those 11 am Central Time games for college football feel insanely early.

Go live on the west coast with 9am college games and 10am NFL games. Actually really enjoyed watching games while eating breakfast. Watch FB all day long if you'd like, from 9am to midnight

(05-16-2019 02:44 PM)RutgersGuy Wrote:  

(05-16-2019 12:05 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(05-14-2019 09:06 PM)johnintx Wrote:  I don't know about fans in the Eastern time zone, but 11 am kickoffs in the Central time zone are a bear, especially for fans attending the games. Go to any OU board and read the complaints. It's one of the primary complaints our fans have about the Big 12. Last season's first two home games were played at 11 am and 12 pm, respectively. Weather in Oklahoma is never perfect, but an 11 am kickoff in September is brutal. But, Fox pays the Big 12 big bucks, so kickoffs are often at 11 am. It is what it is. Every conference has them (except the Pac-12, as long as they stay in their time zones).

11 am (12 Eastern) was once where non-marquee matchups were dumped. As mentioned elsewhere in this thread, Fox is finding that they can get better ratings with a good matchup at noon Eastern than by going against ABC/ESPN at night or against the CBS SEC game.

No doubt. It always boggles my mind when the Michigan/Ohio State fans actually *demand* the early time slot because it's definitely not a positive at all for Central Time Zone teams. I couldn't stand those 11 am kickoffs when I was a student (when I rarely functional at that hour after being out on Friday night) and they're not any better now as an adult. That difference between a 12 pm start and an 11 am start feels monumental. I feel perfectly fine watching NFL games that start at 12 pm Central Time on Sunday, but those 11 am Central Time games for college football feel insanely early.

Go live on the west coast with 9am college games and 10am NFL games. Actually really enjoyed watching games while eating breakfast. Watch FB all day long if you'd like, from 9am to midnight

Love the 9AM games here on the west coast. When the game is over I have the rest of the day to do whatever.

(05-16-2019 12:05 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(05-14-2019 09:06 PM)johnintx Wrote:  I don't know about fans in the Eastern time zone, but 11 am kickoffs in the Central time zone are a bear, especially for fans attending the games. Go to any OU board and read the complaints. It's one of the primary complaints our fans have about the Big 12. Last season's first two home games were played at 11 am and 12 pm, respectively. Weather in Oklahoma is never perfect, but an 11 am kickoff in September is brutal. But, Fox pays the Big 12 big bucks, so kickoffs are often at 11 am. It is what it is. Every conference has them (except the Pac-12, as long as they stay in their time zones).

11 am (12 Eastern) was once where non-marquee matchups were dumped. As mentioned elsewhere in this thread, Fox is finding that they can get better ratings with a good matchup at noon Eastern than by going against ABC/ESPN at night or against the CBS SEC game.

No doubt. It always boggles my mind when the Michigan/Ohio State fans actually *demand* the early time slot because it's definitely not a positive at all for Central Time Zone teams. I couldn't stand those 11 am kickoffs when I was a student (when I rarely functional at that hour after being out on Friday night) and they're not any better now as an adult. That difference between a 12 pm start and an 11 am start feels monumental. I feel perfectly fine watching NFL games that start at 12 pm Central Time on Sunday, but those 11 am Central Time games for college football feel insanely early.

I'm glad someone else noticed the difference between a 12:00 kickoff and a 11 am kickoff. 11 am is brutal when attending a game in person, and even worse if driving more than an hour to a game. It's not optimal for watching on TV, but it's doable. The Central time zone is the only one that has a large number of games at 11 am local time. There are a handful of games in the Pac and MWC at 11 am or 11:30 am local time, but not nearly as many as are played in the B12, B1G, and SEC.

11 am kickoffs aren't going away, but the paying fans hate them.

(05-16-2019 10:50 AM)Wedge Wrote:  

(05-14-2019 09:06 PM)johnintx Wrote:  But, Fox pays the Big 12 big bucks, so kickoffs are often at 11 am. It is what it is. Every conference has them (except the Pac-12, as long as they stay in their time zones).

I think the networks move games to whatever time they want, as long as their TV contracts permit it. IIRC the Pac-12's contracts allow them to set football game times anytime between noon and 8 pm local time. And I think they agreed to not move any team's homecoming game to late night, after a dispute a few years ago.

Yes..I meant that the Pac-12 won't have a kickoff at 9 am PT/12 pm ET. If they were to expand eastward, they would get to have 11 am games in the Central time zone. I don't see that happening, but that's a topic for hundreds of other threads on this board.

Of course, the Pac gets the opposite end of that stick, with games at 7:30 pm local time/late night in the rest of the country.

(05-16-2019 11:44 PM)johnintx Wrote:  

(05-16-2019 10:50 AM)Wedge Wrote:  

(05-14-2019 09:06 PM)johnintx Wrote:  But, Fox pays the Big 12 big bucks, so kickoffs are often at 11 am. It is what it is. Every conference has them (except the Pac-12, as long as they stay in their time zones).

I think the networks move games to whatever time they want, as long as their TV contracts permit it. IIRC the Pac-12's contracts allow them to set football game times anytime between noon and 8 pm local time. And I think they agreed to not move any team's homecoming game to late night, after a dispute a few years ago.

Yes..I meant that the Pac-12 won't have a kickoff at 9 am PT/12 pm ET. If they were to expand eastward, they would get to have 11 am games in the Central time zone. I don't see that happening, but that's a topic for hundreds of other threads on this board.

Of course, the Pac gets the opposite end of that stick, with games at 7:30 pm local time/late night in the rest of the country.

The 7:30 games would be fine if everyone knew at the start of the season which games were at 7:30, or if each team had no more than one home game moved on less than two weeks' notice. The #1 issue with start times is the TV guys not setting the game times farther in advance.

Guess they aren't banking on 2 PAC-12 teams being good and being a FOX matchup... or they want to air them at 9 AM, haha.

(05-20-2019 07:56 PM)CardinalJim Wrote:  This is the perfect strategy for an aging Big Ten audience.

Forbes: Why Louisville is Becoming America’s Aging Capital
https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/...ff71ed315d

(05-20-2019 07:56 PM)CardinalJim Wrote:  This is the perfect strategy for an aging Big Ten audience.

(05-20-2019 08:30 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  

(05-20-2019 07:56 PM)CardinalJim Wrote:  This is the perfect strategy for an aging Big Ten audience.

Forbes: Why Louisville is Becoming America’s Aging Capital
https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/...ff71ed315d

Great strategy by Louisville. A lot of money in healthcare and insurance.

(05-20-2019 09:29 PM)TexanMark Wrote:  

(05-20-2019 08:30 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  

(05-20-2019 07:56 PM)CardinalJim Wrote:  This is the perfect strategy for an aging Big Ten audience.

Forbes: Why Louisville is Becoming America’s Aging Capital
https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/...ff71ed315d

Great strategy by Louisville. A lot of money in healthcare and insurance.

They are taking care of B1G alums. Could be the gateway to the B1G adding them in 2040.

MichaelMulvihill
@mulvihill79

College Football Viewership Through Week 4:

All Networks +4%

CFB On FOX +44%

FOX Noon Window +78%

(09-24-2019 12:42 PM)Hokie4Skins Wrote:  MichaelMulvihill
@mulvihill79

College Football Viewership Through Week 4:

All Networks +4%

CFB On FOX +44%

FOX Noon Window +78%

The Fox noon window is such a bull**** stat....
Fox last year weeks 1 thru 4 aired exactly 2 noonish games. FAU/Oklahoma and UCLA/Oklahoma.... So not exactly apples to apples at all...

It's gone up from 2.20 million to 3.13 million.

What's been more impressive frankly has been CBS. They've gone up from 4.5 million up to 6.3 million in their 3 broadcasts so far.

(05-16-2019 10:35 AM)Renandpat Wrote:  Remember that FOX is once again trying to challenge College GameDay (at least the last hour of it). This time, it will air on FOX broadcast stations as opposed to FS1.

By having their "best game" on immediately following the pre-game show, they are hoping people will tune in there as opposed the Rinaldi sob story to celebrity picks and headgear in the final hour of GameDay.

Doesn't work for me, LOL. On Saturday, I watched GameDay all the way up through the headgear like I always do, then flipped over to FOX for Michigan/Wisconsin.

(05-16-2019 11:35 PM)johnintx Wrote:  

(05-16-2019 12:05 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(05-14-2019 09:06 PM)johnintx Wrote:  I don't know about fans in the Eastern time zone, but 11 am kickoffs in the Central time zone are a bear, especially for fans attending the games. Go to any OU board and read the complaints. It's one of the primary complaints our fans have about the Big 12. Last season's first two home games were played at 11 am and 12 pm, respectively. Weather in Oklahoma is never perfect, but an 11 am kickoff in September is brutal. But, Fox pays the Big 12 big bucks, so kickoffs are often at 11 am. It is what it is. Every conference has them (except the Pac-12, as long as they stay in their time zones).

11 am (12 Eastern) was once where non-marquee matchups were dumped. As mentioned elsewhere in this thread, Fox is finding that they can get better ratings with a good matchup at noon Eastern than by going against ABC/ESPN at night or against the CBS SEC game.

No doubt. It always boggles my mind when the Michigan/Ohio State fans actually *demand* the early time slot because it's definitely not a positive at all for Central Time Zone teams. I couldn't stand those 11 am kickoffs when I was a student (when I rarely functional at that hour after being out on Friday night) and they're not any better now as an adult. That difference between a 12 pm start and an 11 am start feels monumental. I feel perfectly fine watching NFL games that start at 12 pm Central Time on Sunday, but those 11 am Central Time games for college football feel insanely early.

I'm glad someone else noticed the difference between a 12:00 kickoff and a 11 am kickoff. 11 am is brutal when attending a game in person, and even worse if driving more than an hour to a game. It's not optimal for watching on TV, but it's doable. The Central time zone is the only one that has a large number of games at 11 am local time. There are a handful of games in the Pac and MWC at 11 am or 11:30 am local time, but not nearly as many as are played in the B12, B1G, and SEC.

11 am kickoffs aren't going away, but the paying fans hate them.

FWIW, I live in the Central time zone and absolutely LOVE the 11 AM kickoffs on my TV. My attitude is I want to see the games as soon as possible.

IMO, the Central time zone is easily the best for watching college and the NFL. Not too early, not too late, just right.

(09-24-2019 12:56 PM)stever20 Wrote:  

(09-24-2019 12:42 PM)Hokie4Skins Wrote:  MichaelMulvihill
@mulvihill79

College Football Viewership Through Week 4:

All Networks +4%

CFB On FOX +44%

FOX Noon Window +78%

The Fox noon window is such a bull**** stat....
Fox last year weeks 1 thru 4 aired exactly 2 noonish games. FAU/Oklahoma and UCLA/Oklahoma.... So not exactly apples to apples at all...

It's gone up from 2.20 million to 3.13 million.

What's been more impressive frankly has been CBS. They've gone up from 4.5 million up to 6.3 million in their 3 broadcasts so far.

From "ABC tops FOX at Noon on otherwise weak Saturday":

Quote:Last Saturday’s Pittsburgh-Penn State college football game averaged a 2.1 rating and 3.20 million viewers on ABC, marking the day’s highest rated and most-watched Noon ET game. Penn State’s win, which peaked at 4.2 million viewers from 3:45 PM ET through the conclusion, edged Ohio State-Indiana on FOX “Big Noon Saturday” (2.0, 3.05M).

The game was the first of the young season to top “Big Noon” head-to-head. The final nationals were a reversal from the metered market overnights, which saw FOX ahead of ABC, 2.4 to 2.3.

The timeslot win was a bright spot on a day when all three ABC games declined. Pittsburgh-Penn State was down only slightly from last year (Oklahoma State-Iowa State: 2.2, 3.35M) and 2017 (UCLA-Memphis: 2.2, 3.24M). Keep in mind it began a half-hour later than scheduled due to a weather delay.

NOTE: ABC/ESPN hasn't posted Week 4 data yet as far as I can tell.