Big 12 takes aim at increasing its TV footprint

**3GenClone** · 09-18-2009, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by mustangcy

I still have little faith any of this will happen. My guess is we sign another crappy contract with FSN and spice it up with some more VS. games.

I hope we aren't carried on VS as their viewership has dropped so much that their channel is starting to get cut from cable providers. I think the SEC has left themselves vulnerable with their contract with ESPN/ABC, as they would be the conference that would have the most viewership to have their own SEC Network. Mid-level SEC teams have their games shown on ESPN Gameplan, but that channels costs a fee - so Miss. St, Kentucky & Vandy fans would be at a loss to watch their teams play on ESPN or ESPN2 and those schools would not benefit from coverage to potential recruits or fans. A restructuring of the FOX Sports deal makes the most sense - increase the Big 12 coverage and keep the PAC 10 and everyone is happy... but nothing would trump a Big 12 Network

**jdoggivjc** · 09-18-2009, 02:07 PM

Metro area populations for the Big 10
Chicago (#3) - 9.6 million
Detroit (#11) - 4.4 million
Minneapolis/St. Paul (#16) - 3.2 million
St. Louis (#18) - 2.8 million
Pittsburgh (#22) - 2.3 million
Cincinnati (#24) - 2.2 million
Cleveland (#26) - 2.1 million
Columbus (#32) - 1.8 million
Indianapolis (#33) - 1.7 million
Milwaukee (#39) - 1.5 million
Dayton (#62) - 0.8 million
Grand Rapids (#66) - 0.8 million
Akron (#71) - 0.7 million
Toledo (#79) - 0.7 million

Not to mention state populations:

Big 10 (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin): 67 million

Big 12 (Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas): 46.3 million

That's a big difference in TV sets.

**jdoggivjc** · 09-18-2009, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by HandSanitizer

Don't forget the most important one:)
73. Des Moines-Ames, IA

Which list you looking at? I have Des Moines at #91

**CarolinaCy** · 09-18-2009, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by jdoggivjc

Not to mention state populations:

Big 10 (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin): 67 million

Big 12 (Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas): 46.3 million

That's a big difference in TV sets.

The Big 10 states could have 100 million people living in them and it would still be irrelevant to this discussion. Bottom line is that 46 million people is definitely a large enough audience for this to happen.

**Omaha Cy** · 09-18-2009, 02:26 PM

The moutain west network is fine and dandy, but they only air a handful of games per week.....probaly less in OOC considering they have to be road warriors this time of year. So dont buy into thinking that network is the example of awesome. It's got a long ways to go, but its laid the foundation..

While there is a share of B12 game not televised right now, once conference play starts the viewing situation starts to shake out much better with only 6 games needing to be televised. Last year I believe roughly 80% of all B12 conference games were on TV, if not a little more.

Things can always be better, especially with home games for the B12 in OOC play...but the current deal isnt as bad as it could be. I'd like more available for sure, but thankfully the deal with FSN for now is pretty good.

**acgclone** · 09-18-2009, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by CarolinaCy

The Big 10 states could have 100 million people living in them and it would still be irrelevant to this discussion. Bottom line is that 46 million people is definitely a large enough audience for this to happen.

I think there is a much higher percentage of "college football" fans in the Big 12 states, compared to the Big 10. They have a much higher population, but some of that might be offset by more passion about college football in the Big 12 region.

You have a lot of huge NFL fans in that region that might be casual college fans and I think it is opposite in the Big 12 region.

That might negate some of that big difference.

**Omaha Cy** · 09-18-2009, 02:29 PM

Also, a Big 12 network might not allow Nebraska to rape the fan base for $30 PPV OOC games like they do now. Would be a shame if that program shriveled up and died because of lacking funds.....

**milrtym** · 09-18-2009, 02:33 PM

If we don't do our own stand alone we should look at NBC and their deal with ND. Getting on their family of channels is appealing. What cable or dish provider doesn't have NBC, USA, A&E, MSNBC, Telemundo, etc.. The biggest hurdle is to get around NBCs coverage of the 3rd round of some golf tournament.

**theshadow** · 09-18-2009, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by FD Cyclone

Also, a Big 12 network might not allow Nebraska to rape the fan base for $30 PPV OOC games like they do now. Would be a shame if that program shriveled up and died because of lacking funds.....

The $29.95 is the price set by FSN, not the schools. If the schools want a non-selected game on TV bad enough, that's the price for PPV. Nebraska is playing three Sun Belt teams -- which isn't enough to draw an FCS selection. Their only other TV outlet by rule is PPV, unless they kickoff at 9 a.m. or 9 p.m. (outside the regular broadcast windows).

**delt4cy** · 09-18-2009, 02:53 PM

Dallas with 9.3M people???

2025 called, it wants it's projected population figure back.

**jbhtexas** · 09-18-2009, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by milrtym

If we don't do our own stand alone we should look at NBC and their deal with ND. Getting on their family of channels is appealing. What cable or dish provider doesn't have NBC, USA, A&E, MSNBC, Telemundo, etc.. The biggest hurdle is to get around NBCs coverage of the 3rd round of some golf tournament.

NBC also has Universal Sports, which (at least in my market), is broadcast OTA on the NBC affiliate's secondary HD channel. Universal sports is an "olympic" sports network, but I'm guessing a little football revenue wouldn't hurt things...

**jbhtexas** · 09-18-2009, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by delt4cy

Dallas with 9.3M people???

2025 called, it wants it's projected population figure back.

Yeah...should be closer to 6.5 million.

**CarolinaCy** · 09-18-2009, 03:00 PM

Originally Posted by delt4cy

Dallas with 9.3M people???

2025 called, it wants it's projected population figure back.

My bad, it was actually 6.3 million from the table I was looking at. Good catch.

**kingcy** · 09-18-2009, 03:08 PM

Why dont the put Big 12 games on Fox, the real Fox that everyone gets.

**Haverhill** · 09-18-2009, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by acgclone

I think there is a much higher percentage of "college football" fans in the Big 12 states, compared to the Big 10. They have a much higher population, but some of that might be offset by more passion about college football in the Big 12 region.

You have a lot of huge NFL fans in that region that might be casual college fans and I think it is opposite in the Big 12 region.

That might negate some of that big difference.

Have you been to Ohio??? Have you been to Michigan??? Have you been to Wisconsin??? Have you been in Pennsylvania???

It's a draw, don't discount the passion of football in those states compared to Big 12 States.