B1G, TV Partners, and the White Out

[CaliLion79]

See Link. Segment from a State College radio show.

Typical talking points except about 3 minutes in one of the guys raises the question as to why the B1G doesn't give the White Out the respect it deserves as a one-of-a-kind unique event and shoehorn it into a primetime late Sept-early Oct timeslot vs. a top-shelf opponent. From a conference-wide marketing and branding standpoint, it makes total sense -- essentially have the conference treat the White Out with the same reverence they treat the "always last week of the season" OSU-Mich game.

Yes, from an aesthetic standing, the Whiteout is just as eye-catching against Illinois as it would be for Oregon/Mich/OSU, but if there are no stakes to the game itself then it's not gonna keep fringe TV viewers with no rooting/gambling interest from changing the channel. Just feels like the league gives the White Out second-class status for reasons that escape me.

 

[kgilbert78]

See Link. Segment from a State College radio show.

Typical talking points except about 3 minutes in one of the guys raises the question as to why the B1G doesn't give the White Out the respect it deserves as a one-of-a-kind unique event and shoehorn it into a primetime late Sept-early Oct timeslot vs. a top-shelf opponent. From a conference-wide marketing and branding standpoint, it makes total sense -- essentially have the conference treat the White Out with the same reverence they treat the "always last week of the season" OSU-Mich game.

Yes, from an aesthetic standing, the Whiteout is just as eye-catching against Illinois as it would be for Oregon/Mich/OSU, but if there are no stakes to the game itself then it's not gonna keep fringe TV viewers with no rooting/gambling interest from changing the channel. Just feels like the league gives the White Out second-class status for reasons that escape me.

Ohio State and Michigan. That's the reason.

 

[Tgar]

See Link. Segment from a State College radio show.

Typical talking points except about 3 minutes in one of the guys raises the question as to why the B1G doesn't give the White Out the respect it deserves as a one-of-a-kind unique event and shoehorn it into a primetime late Sept-early Oct timeslot vs. a top-shelf opponent. From a conference-wide marketing and branding standpoint, it makes total sense -- essentially have the conference treat the White Out with the same reverence they treat the "always last week of the season" OSU-Mich game.

Yes, from an aesthetic standing, the Whiteout is just as eye-catching against Illinois as it would be for Oregon/Mich/OSU, but if there are no stakes to the game itself then it's not gonna keep fringe TV viewers with no rooting/gambling interest from changing the channel. Just feels like the league gives the White Out second-class status for reasons that escape me.

The Big Ten office and the Commissioner are powerless. The networks hold all the cards and pay all the money. The networks only care about inventory of good games. The White Out is meaningful to the fanbase and to recruits that see it up close. Other than that, the spectacle, in and of itself brings in no eyeballs. Play a crappy team, expect crappy ratings.

 

[BobPSU92]

Ohio State and Michigan. That's the reason.

In other words, f*ck us. Well, f*ck everyone besides Tosu and um, but f*ck us more.