A new and better FBS thread

[NDSU92]

There will still be 3rd tier tv rights but I am guessing the powers that be are pretty much over the the major tv providers telling the MW they have to have 8 PM football games in the cold or 9 o'clock starts for basketball..

MW deals have all been predicated upon late night slots..That just kills attendance..

I don’t disagree at all. If NDSU can make $2M+ per year on a local + streaming contract, the MW will do just fine. Having free reign over your home start times is very nice!

[The_Sicatoka]

Having free reign over your home start times is very nice!

Free reign aside from conference requirements, but your point stands.

[BigHorns]

There will still be 3rd tier tv rights but I am guessing the powers that be are pretty much over the the major tv providers telling the MW they have to have 8 PM football games in the cold or 9 o'clock starts for basketball..

MW deals have all been predicated upon late night slots..That just kills attendance..

Looks like current MWC deal runs thru 2025-26.
Does renegotiation get triggered if SDSU leaves? Or that's up to CBS/Fox?

[MWC]

Yes..The tv providers can change the payout if San Diego State, or anyone else leaves. That is the reason for the hefty exit fees..

[OrygunBison]

Having free reign over your home start times is very nice!

I think folks here vastly underestimate the harm that the late games will do to attendance, TV/streaming viewership, and the brand overall.

[NDSU92]

I think folks here vastly underestimate the harm that the late games will do to attendance, TV/streaming viewership, and the brand overall.

Very much agree. No one is interested in 10pm Central kickoffs. I mean, I am and I think it would be fun but the average fan, no.

[OrygunBison]

Very much agree. No one is interested in 10pm Central kickoffs. I mean, I am and I think it would be fun but the average fan, no.

Viewership even suffers here in Pacific Time. It's very common for games to be still going by midnight and a lot of people have tuned out by then.

(Admittedly, I don't have the numbers to back that up. I just know from my own behavior as well as anecdotally from friends and acquaintances.)

[BigHorns]

Very much agree. No one is interested in 10pm Central kickoffs. I mean, I am and I think it would be fun but the average fan, no.

I like the MWC, a lot. But 10pm would be rough, if that were mandated.
Maybe MWC can change this if a streaming provider steps up with money.

Seems like it would likely not change before 2026-27, unless there's a way to end the current deal.

[MWC]

The start times are not mandated by the MW..It is what the tv providers want in exchange for televising the games. Fox and CBS do not want to televise MW games during the day because those are the time slots for the big boy conferences.

With streaming, the MW and any other conference can play at 1PM on a Saturday.

[Hammerhead]

Most Saturdays I'm lucky if I can watch the 10:00 PM news without falling asleep.

I like the MWC, a lot. But 10pm would be rough, if that were mandated.
Maybe MWC can change this if a streaming provider steps up with money.

Seems like it would likely not change before 2026-27, unless there's a way to end the current deal.