The SEC has a huge deal with ESPN too. ESPN gets rights to games not picked up by the Network package.
But ESPN gets the prime time slot. btw, I've *heard* that the LSU/Bama game will be the 2:30ct slot on CBS. Just seems that since networks can show certain games in certain regions and others in others, that they could take a couple more Saturday prime times for games even if just for the 'southern' region... and show their precious reruns to the rest of the nation.
But why on Earth would we want LSU to become a regional broadcast and not a national one? We're THE team to watch this season and people are complaining that their Saturday night in Death Valley is suffering. As others have stated, we could suck again, and no one would want to watch us. Living out of state, I am happy any and all times that LSU is on national television--whether it's 11 a.m. or 10 p.m., like that Washington game a couple of years ago. And for what it's worth, the crowd for last year's 8 p.m. kickoff with WVU was so inebriated that there were fans passing out all over the place around me before the game even started. Is that what people are complaining about not being able to enjoy?
ESPN gets the prime time slot? Well, yes. They do choose to show games in primetime. But they show games from noon til midnight.
I live out of state too; I was trying to make the point that IF CBS wanted to do so they could. Obviously, they believe CSI/whatever reruns compete against ESPN better, because like it or not not everyone in the nation watches football. *shrugs* Can't have our cake and eat it too. Just seems like if both LSU and Bama stay undefeated until the 11/5 game that more $$ would be made by CBS to put it in the Saturday 8pm/7pm primetime slot than the mid afternoon one... a LOT of people *work* Saturday's - we all know how many commercials are shown.
I think in the end....if showing a game on Saturday night would make more money they would.....if they could. So then. 1. Would it make more money? 2. Can they air it at 8pm if they want to?
That's it in a nutshell. You've identified the major factors. But, I'm with the Traditionalists because I also have a sense of loss with regard to the "Lost Tradition". The night games in Tiger Stadium's Death Valley give us an advantage over the opponent. THAT is a very important tradition. ALL we can do is ask the LSU administrators to let the SEC and CBS know that we DO have this important tradition of night games, and could they somehow take this into consideration . . . and maybe throw us a bone in this department?
Do you really think that even if CBS and the SEC office were neutral, that the rest of the SEC members would be willing to grant LSU that request? I don't.
I can't speak for others...but I don't drink so it's not the reason for my opposition. I just hate a well-known tradition has come to an end over money. This is the first time since 1935 we'll NOT have a night game at home versus a conference opponent. Asking for one meaningful night game at home is not too much. As much as I enjoyed playing in Dallas and West Virginia, I would "now" like to see our four OOC games be played in Tiger Stadium to ensure we have a few night games. In addition to the weather I enjoy the atmosphere of night games. I like seeing the full moon...or lightning in the distance...the colors of the replay screen and scoreboards...the cool breeze...etc. I'm a night owl and love the experience that doesn't exist during the day. ALL Tiger games are great but the night games really come to life. I think it's more than alcohol. It sucks leaving home at 6-7 a.m. to prepare for a game at 11:20 a.m. Nobody is suggesting or hoping LSU starts losing in order to play night games. We simply want a fair balance of starting times.
