FYI ...

Was ambling along and grabbed NIU estimated TV viewership numbers. The only one showing up was ...

Game #4 v Kentucky 555k (ESPN2)

The Tulsa and Vanderbilt games did not register on Sports Media Watch, but ESPN+ numbers (Tulsa) are not counted/registered and CBSSports (Vandy) was too low (I guess). Also obviously depends on what other games are on that day.

Here's another tap from SMW ... number of games that "counted" viewership by G5 conference ...
Week 9 inclusive ...

MWC 22
AAC 15
MAC 14
SBC 12
CUSA 7

Some notes and thoughts:
... One reason for MWC having so many in-conference games (about 1/2) is because they kick off at a later time zone when the "competition" is lower. Also, they have Air Force and Boise State, two nice draws.
... AAC's main draws were Houston, Cincinnati and UCF, all of which are moving to the Big12
... SBC's games were 2/3 vs P5 and 1/3 vs in-conference. The in-conference might have been a result of them beating Notre Dame, Nebraska and Texas A&M. App State did get ESPN GameDay. This would be a nice profile for the MAC, but ...
... only ONE of the MAC games was NOT vs a P5 ... Toledo vs San Diego State. Also, ESPN+ numbers are never posted that I have seen.

OK, now ... attack, attack, attack! Or just enjoy. Or lament. Or whatever.

The SBC and AAC have better contracts with ESPN than we do.

They were smart and only give ESPN one or two (max) matchups on any given weekday. So they get to have their games on ABC, ESPN or ESPN2. Helps when you aren't cannibalizing your own ratings with three matchups on same day and similar hours. Also they don't need to worry about any of their matchups being relegated to ESPN3/+ on a weekday.

(11-04-2022 01:21 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  The SBC and AAC have better contracts with ESPN than we do.

They were smart and only give ESPN one or two (max) matchups on any given weekday. So they get to have their games on ABC, ESPN or ESPN2. Helps when you aren't cannibalizing your own ratings with three matchups on same day and similar hours. Also they don't need to worry about any of their matchups being relegated to ESPN3/+ on a weekday.

The Ball State - Toledo game next week is on the main ESPN. Have we ever had a regular season game on ESPN?

What's this got to do with STF?

GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(11-04-2022 01:48 PM)pantone1935 Wrote:  What's this got to do with STF?

GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nothing. Who said it has something to do with him?

(11-04-2022 01:53 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(11-04-2022 01:48 PM)pantone1935 Wrote:  What's this got to do with STF?

GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nothing. Who said it has something to do with him?

We can only talk about STF or Hammock. Message board rules. You didn't know that?

(11-04-2022 01:21 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  The SBC and AAC have better contracts with ESPN than we do.

They were smart and only give ESPN one or two (max) matchups on any given weekday. So they get to have their games on ABC, ESPN or ESPN2. Helps when you aren't cannibalizing your own ratings with three matchups on same day and similar hours. Also they don't need to worry about any of their matchups being relegated to ESPN3/+ on a weekday.

Dang. Amazing what a real conference can get away with.

(11-04-2022 02:14 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(11-04-2022 01:53 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(11-04-2022 01:48 PM)pantone1935 Wrote:  What's this got to do with STF?

GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nothing. Who said it has something to do with him?

We can only talk about STF or Hammock. Message board rules. You didn't know that?

Dammit! I have to pull out and read the rule book again! In the meantime, you have the right to whack me with that rule book. Give me a good whack. I really need it!

(11-04-2022 02:15 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(11-04-2022 01:21 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  The SBC and AAC have better contracts with ESPN than we do.

They were smart and only give ESPN one or two (max) matchups on any given weekday. So they get to have their games on ABC, ESPN or ESPN2. Helps when you aren't cannibalizing your own ratings with three matchups on same day and similar hours. Also they don't need to worry about any of their matchups being relegated to ESPN3/+ on a weekday.

Dang. Amazing what a real conference can get away with.

ESPNU coverage is essentially worthless. Games don't even register TV ratings on that channel. See below example.



I think when this current MAC deal is up in 2027 that the conference should find new TV partners.

ESPN is a declining brand. Their subscriber base is down 24% since 2011.

There are many other streamers available besides just ESPN3/+. Time to move on to an up-and-comer. Amazon Prime has 2.5x the subscribers as ESPN channel and 9x the subscribers as ESPN+. Netflix even more.

(11-04-2022 01:44 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(11-04-2022 01:21 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  The SBC and AAC have better contracts with ESPN than we do.

They were smart and only give ESPN one or two (max) matchups on any given weekday. So they get to have their games on ABC, ESPN or ESPN2. Helps when you aren't cannibalizing your own ratings with three matchups on same day and similar hours. Also they don't need to worry about any of their matchups being relegated to ESPN3/+ on a weekday.

The Ball State - Toledo game next week is on the main ESPN. Have we ever had a regular season game on ESPN?

Looks like the only ESPN game for entire MAC midweek schedule this season.

There are two MAC games on Nov 22. The only coverage listed is ESPNU/ESPN+. Neither is going to be on ESPN/ESPN2 and one MAC game is relegated to ESPN+.

(11-04-2022 06:19 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(11-04-2022 02:15 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(11-04-2022 01:21 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  The SBC and AAC have better contracts with ESPN than we do.

They were smart and only give ESPN one or two (max) matchups on any given weekday. So they get to have their games on ABC, ESPN or ESPN2. Helps when you aren't cannibalizing your own ratings with three matchups on same day and similar hours. Also they don't need to worry about any of their matchups being relegated to ESPN3/+ on a weekday.

Dang. Amazing what a real conference can get away with.

ESPNU coverage is essentially worthless. Games don't even register TV ratings on that channel. See below example.



I think when this current MAC deal is up in 2027 that the conference should find new TV partners.

ESPN is a declining brand. Their subscriber base is down 24% since 2011.

There are many other streamers available besides just ESPN3/+. Time to move on to an up-and-comer. Amazon Prime has 2.5x the subscribers as ESPN channel and 9x the subscribers as ESPN+. Netflix even more.

You don't have to tell me that. I've been saying ESPNU is worthless for years.

MAC is down recently but still lots of eyes on it. Things are cyclical.

In addition to regular Thursday ESPN game, the Sun Belt getting more Saturday ESPNU and NFL Network games this week and next. The MAC has nothing to offer on Saturday so completely boxed out. Need to scale back down the midweek significantly and start getting back to more last season Saturday games. I would take a Saturday game on ESPNU or NFL Network over a Tuesday on ESPNU or ESPN+ all day.

(11-04-2022 01:44 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(11-04-2022 01:21 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  The SBC and AAC have better contracts with ESPN than we do.

They were smart and only give ESPN one or two (max) matchups on any given weekday. So they get to have their games on ABC, ESPN or ESPN2. Helps when you aren't cannibalizing your own ratings with three matchups on same day and similar hours. Also they don't need to worry about any of their matchups being relegated to ESPN3/+ on a weekday.

The Ball State - Toledo game next week is on the main ESPN. Have we ever had a regular season game on ESPN?

In 2006 NIU played Miami Ohio and it was on a Sunday night on BooYah. They may have had more but that one I remember