I am looking at this because I read people here and on Twitter saying the days of games that kickoff after 7:00 MT are over. ESPN and Fox deals with conferences not named the Big 12. Will there be as money no, but IMO they will happen. I only mentioned the deals that are signed, so of course not the PAC 12.
Of course these conferences have deals with other networks like CBS, NBC and CBS sports network and the ACC/SEC have conference TV networks.
Note:
There are the following windows that Fox and ESPN Networks use on Saturdays (all times MT):
10:00 to 10:30 AM kick-offs: ABC, ESPN Networks, Fox and FS1 use this window most Saturdays.
1:30 to 2:00 PM kick-offs: ABC, ESPN Networks, Fox and FS1 use this window most Saturdays.
5:00 to 6:00 PM kick-off: ABC, ESPN Networks, Fox and FS1 use this window most Saturdays.
Games that kickoff after 7:00 PM: ESPN Networks and FS1 use this window most Saturdays. (Note both ABC and Fox the past couple of seasons have picked up one or two games a year in this time frame)
That sounds like a lot of spots in the first three window for Big 12 games, but not really since the two networks have a lot of games they need to fit into all the window. Plus early in the year Fox/FS1 has MLB and ESPN2 the US Tennis open.
First let’s look at the Big 12 deal starting next year:
ESPN is the primary rightsholder. They will have priority for choosing the top four selections for the entire season and then roughly alternate with FOX Sports through the top 20 selections.
Starting with the 2025 season, all institutional rights will be removed and part of the national TV packages.
Games not aired by ESPN or FOX Sports will be on ESPN+
The other conferences that ESPN and Fox have deals with.
ACC (thru 2036-37):
ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU
It does not appear that there are any limits/minimums in terms of number of games over a season for the ACC with their national TV contracts. The ACC is guaranteed a game on Labor Day by ESPN
AAC (2031-32)
The American Athletic Conference has a contract with ESPN Networks for all of their football television rights. ESPN will guarantee the conference a minimum of 40 games to air on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU with a minimum of 20 games on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2. ESPN+ will also carry games.
Big Ten (2029-30):
Up to 27 total games to air on FOX & FS1 in 2023. Starting in 2024, the maximum number will increase to 32 games.
Most games on FOX broadcast network will air at 12pm Eastern time.
FOX Sports will have the first choice of the weeks they want the top choice of games.
Four Big Ten Championship games, all in odd numbered season (2023, 2025, 2027 and 2029)
CUSA (2027-28)
ESPN Networks: Eight games for linear TV networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU) and all games not airing on linear TV by either TV partner for ESPN+
Starting with the 2023 season, C-USA will schedule all October games to air on weeknights. This is where ESPN will select their football games for ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU. Both rights agreements expire after the 2027-28 athletic year.
MAC (2026-27):
The MAC has a national cable contract with ESPN Networks. The contract runs through the 2026-27 athletic year. ESPN's contract includes the ability to sublicense games and guaranteed coverage for all MAC games.
The previous contract allowed for at least six regular season games will air on ESPN or ESPN2, plus a minimum of five games on ESPNU. ESPN+ will be used for any game not distributed on some form of national or regional television. ESPN is working with the schools to self-produce ESPN+ content, providing them with production equipment.
An agreement to sublicense games to CBS Sports Network from ESPN appears to have been extended past its 2022-23 athletic year expiration date.
MWC (2025-26):
The Mountain West has a pair of national TV contracts with CBS Sports and FOX Sports. Each partner retains the right to air up to 23 games in their primary packages.
CBS Sports is considered to be the "primary" TV partner. They will be able to choose the top seven football games each year, then alternate with FOX Sports for the rest of their picks. CBS Sports must air at least three games on their broadcast network and has retained the right to air an additional ten games after each partner selects their 23 games. The extra ten games can air on CBS, CBS Sports Network or the Paramount+ streaming service. Up to five games can air on Friday nights, which does not include games airing on special dates like Labor Day, the Friday after Thanksgiving, etc. CBS Sports also has rights to Boise State's four MW road games.
FOX Sports's package includes the rights to Boise State home games and the conference's football championship game. The conference championship can air on Friday or Saturday on either FOX or FS1. Games can air on FOX, FS1 or FS2. Similar to CBS Sports, up to five games can air on Friday nights, excluding special dates. FOX Sports' package has a range of 16-23 games that can be chosen.
SEC (2033-34)
ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU
The deal provides the network, including ABC, up to 15 premier football games, including the SEC championship game.
Besides the games that will be on ESPN Networks: ESPN+ will have the right to stream one nonconference football game and two nonconference men's basketball games per SEC school each season. All told, ESPN+ will carry up to 14 nonconference football games and up to 20 nonconference men's basketball games annually.
Sun Belt (2030-31):
The Sun Belt has an agreement with ESPN, starting with the 2020-21 athletic year and ending with the 2030-31 athletic year through an additional three year extension. With the new extension, a minimum of 15 football games, up from a minimum of ten games, will air on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU with the conference's football championship game on ABC, ESPN or ESPN2 on a Saturday.
Through the regular season, the contract extension will allow more games to be televised on Saturdays. ESPN digital platforms such as ESPN+ can also select games throughout the season.
Starting with the 2022 season, select games will be sublicensed from ESPN to NFL Network.
Source: https://mattsarzsports.com/Season/Contents/football2023
Of course these conferences have deals with other networks like CBS, NBC and CBS sports network and the ACC/SEC have conference TV networks.
Note:
There are the following windows that Fox and ESPN Networks use on Saturdays (all times MT):
10:00 to 10:30 AM kick-offs: ABC, ESPN Networks, Fox and FS1 use this window most Saturdays.
1:30 to 2:00 PM kick-offs: ABC, ESPN Networks, Fox and FS1 use this window most Saturdays.
5:00 to 6:00 PM kick-off: ABC, ESPN Networks, Fox and FS1 use this window most Saturdays.
Games that kickoff after 7:00 PM: ESPN Networks and FS1 use this window most Saturdays. (Note both ABC and Fox the past couple of seasons have picked up one or two games a year in this time frame)
That sounds like a lot of spots in the first three window for Big 12 games, but not really since the two networks have a lot of games they need to fit into all the window. Plus early in the year Fox/FS1 has MLB and ESPN2 the US Tennis open.
First let’s look at the Big 12 deal starting next year:
ESPN is the primary rightsholder. They will have priority for choosing the top four selections for the entire season and then roughly alternate with FOX Sports through the top 20 selections.
Starting with the 2025 season, all institutional rights will be removed and part of the national TV packages.
Games not aired by ESPN or FOX Sports will be on ESPN+
The other conferences that ESPN and Fox have deals with.
ACC (thru 2036-37):
ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU
It does not appear that there are any limits/minimums in terms of number of games over a season for the ACC with their national TV contracts. The ACC is guaranteed a game on Labor Day by ESPN
AAC (2031-32)
The American Athletic Conference has a contract with ESPN Networks for all of their football television rights. ESPN will guarantee the conference a minimum of 40 games to air on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU with a minimum of 20 games on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2. ESPN+ will also carry games.
Big Ten (2029-30):
Up to 27 total games to air on FOX & FS1 in 2023. Starting in 2024, the maximum number will increase to 32 games.
Most games on FOX broadcast network will air at 12pm Eastern time.
FOX Sports will have the first choice of the weeks they want the top choice of games.
Four Big Ten Championship games, all in odd numbered season (2023, 2025, 2027 and 2029)
CUSA (2027-28)
ESPN Networks: Eight games for linear TV networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU) and all games not airing on linear TV by either TV partner for ESPN+
Starting with the 2023 season, C-USA will schedule all October games to air on weeknights. This is where ESPN will select their football games for ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU. Both rights agreements expire after the 2027-28 athletic year.
MAC (2026-27):
The MAC has a national cable contract with ESPN Networks. The contract runs through the 2026-27 athletic year. ESPN's contract includes the ability to sublicense games and guaranteed coverage for all MAC games.
The previous contract allowed for at least six regular season games will air on ESPN or ESPN2, plus a minimum of five games on ESPNU. ESPN+ will be used for any game not distributed on some form of national or regional television. ESPN is working with the schools to self-produce ESPN+ content, providing them with production equipment.
An agreement to sublicense games to CBS Sports Network from ESPN appears to have been extended past its 2022-23 athletic year expiration date.
MWC (2025-26):
The Mountain West has a pair of national TV contracts with CBS Sports and FOX Sports. Each partner retains the right to air up to 23 games in their primary packages.
CBS Sports is considered to be the "primary" TV partner. They will be able to choose the top seven football games each year, then alternate with FOX Sports for the rest of their picks. CBS Sports must air at least three games on their broadcast network and has retained the right to air an additional ten games after each partner selects their 23 games. The extra ten games can air on CBS, CBS Sports Network or the Paramount+ streaming service. Up to five games can air on Friday nights, which does not include games airing on special dates like Labor Day, the Friday after Thanksgiving, etc. CBS Sports also has rights to Boise State's four MW road games.
FOX Sports's package includes the rights to Boise State home games and the conference's football championship game. The conference championship can air on Friday or Saturday on either FOX or FS1. Games can air on FOX, FS1 or FS2. Similar to CBS Sports, up to five games can air on Friday nights, excluding special dates. FOX Sports' package has a range of 16-23 games that can be chosen.
SEC (2033-34)
ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU
The deal provides the network, including ABC, up to 15 premier football games, including the SEC championship game.
Besides the games that will be on ESPN Networks: ESPN+ will have the right to stream one nonconference football game and two nonconference men's basketball games per SEC school each season. All told, ESPN+ will carry up to 14 nonconference football games and up to 20 nonconference men's basketball games annually.
Sun Belt (2030-31):
The Sun Belt has an agreement with ESPN, starting with the 2020-21 athletic year and ending with the 2030-31 athletic year through an additional three year extension. With the new extension, a minimum of 15 football games, up from a minimum of ten games, will air on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU with the conference's football championship game on ABC, ESPN or ESPN2 on a Saturday.
Through the regular season, the contract extension will allow more games to be televised on Saturdays. ESPN digital platforms such as ESPN+ can also select games throughout the season.
Starting with the 2022 season, select games will be sublicensed from ESPN to NFL Network.
Source: https://mattsarzsports.com/Season/Contents/football2023
