ABC to Broadcast FCS title game.

[gsf23nd]

Just heard an announcement that ABC will broadcast title game this year.

[wapiti]

This is good to hear. I am not sure what quality the play by play and color will be, but this should allow me to watch the game.

[Professor Chaos]

That's fantastic news! Hopefully it will stay that way and hopefully more FCS playoff games will find their way onto the national networks or better time slots on the national networks. To this point it looks like the only network slot determined is for the title game: https://www.ncaa.com/championships/football/fcs/broadcast-info

[AmsterBison]

Wow! That's a big step up.

[TheKingpin28]

This is what the FCS needs. Good thing to hear.

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[ASU33]

This is HUGE news!

[PAllen]

It's about dang time. Haven't the D-II and D-III games been on major networks for a while? Of course, now that we have a true national audience, it will be Wofford vs. Villanova in the final in front of 3000 people.

[IBleedYellow]

Holy. ****.

[Gil Dobie]

Great news, now the Bison need to take care of business and get back to Frisco.

[McCowboys]

https://www.ncaa.com/championships/football/fcs/road-to-the-championship

[Sader87]

Good news but wasn't it on ABC already during much of the 1970s-1990s?

[Lorne_Malvo]

If its Beth Mowens it will be bad for the FCS.

[Professor Chaos]

Good news but wasn't it on ABC already during much of the 1970s-1990s?
If Wikipedia is to be trusted it was:

1978-1981: ABC Sports
1982: CBS Sports
1983: ABC Sports
1984: Satellite Program Network (whatever that is/was)
1985-1989: ESPN
1990-1994: CBS Sports
1995-2001: ESPN
2002-2018: ESPN2

[Outsider1]

Excellent news!!

[Derby City Duke]

Let the might Mouse roar!

[Derby City Duke]

Which fan bases will travel heavily enough together to fill Toyota Stadium? I know JMU/NDSU did. I think JMU/YSU was about 1,000 short of the reduced capacity.

[IBleedYellow]

Which fan bases will travel heavily enough together to fill Toyota Stadium? I know JMU/NDSU did. I think JMU/YSU was about 1,000 short of the reduced capacity.

90% of the FCS won't fill up Toyota Stadium.

[Derby City Duke]

90% of the FCS won't fill up Toyota Stadium.

Hence the question.

[Professor]

Nice , welcome to ABC.

[mvemjsunpx]

I wish they'd go back to making it a night game.

[Professor Chaos]

Which fan bases will travel heavily enough together to fill Toyota Stadium? I know JMU/NDSU did. I think JMU/YSU was about 1,000 short of the reduced capacity.
I care less and less about this honestly. If you look at the majority of bowl games they're played in half empty stadiums too. I'd much rather the NCAA planned the FCS title game to accommodate demand to a reasonable degree if two teams like JMU, Montana, or NDSU met up rather than worry about the optics if two teams like Wofford, Towson, or Maine met up.

[Bisonoline]

If its Beth Mowens it will be bad for the FCS.

Why? I have found her to be much more listenable than many in her profession.

[Grizzlies82]

I'm glad to hear this!

[Bisonoline]

It would be nice if they changed the KO to 2-3 pm.

[JayJ79]

Why? I have found her to be much more listenable than many in her profession.

better than Joe Buck, at least.

[Derby City Duke]

I care less and less about this honestly. If you look at the majority of bowl games they're played in half empty stadiums too. I'd much rather the NCAA planned the FCS title game to accommodate demand to a reasonable degree if two teams like JMU, Montana, or NDSU met up rather than worry about the optics if two teams like Wofford, Towson, or Maine met up.

Nobody expects big crowds at the Poulan Weedeater Bica Raton Cherry Pie Bowl. But when you are advertising a championship game I think the optics take on a bit more importance. Just glad it’s off the Deuce; if we could just work on the start time.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

This is sweet! I loved watching the 1-AA Title games on CBS. Always felt like a big event!

[caribbeanhen]

I wish they'd go back to making it a night game.

or just a game

[SUPharmacist]

better than Joe Buck, at least.

Anyone is better than Joe Buck. Which is sad, because I loved Jack Buck. As far as Beth Mowins, don't know much about her, but I thought she was solid for the Iowa-NDSU game a few years back.

Any chance more ABC coverage could draw the HBCUs into the fold. Their top teams bring great crowds and great bands and would be a real plus in the long run (even if it may take a few years to be more competitive).

[Bison56]

better than Joe Buck, at least.

Dream team Joe Buck, Cris Collinsworth, and Jay Walker

[Bisonoline]

Dream team Joe Buck, Cris Collinsworth, and Jay Walker

xeekxxeekxxeekxxeekx

Jay-----------"when I played in the league" Walker?????? He is the worst. Only to be out-worsted by local FCS talent on when there games are streamed.

[Ivytalk]

Good. Hope the FCS can stay with a major network for the Natty.

[Panther88]

Good for the powerhouse teams of the FCS.

Any extra $$$ involved?

[PAllen]

better than Joe Buck, at least.

Joe Buck isn't even good at calling a baseball game anymore.

[PAllen]

Dream team Joe Buck, Cris Collinsworth, and Jay Walker

and Kirk Herbstreit talking about his trip to/coaches of/players in some other game or some other inane events that have nothing to do with the game at hand, but tell us all we never wanted to know about what Kirk or the network is really interested in.

[PAllen]

Dream team Joe Buck, Cris Collinsworth, and Jay Walker

and Kirk Herbstreit talking about his trip to/coaches of/players in some other game or some other inane events that have nothing to do with the game at hand, but tell us all we never wanted to know about what Kirk or the network is really interested in.

[caribbeanhen]

Good news but wasn't it on ABC already during much of the 1970s-1990s?

December 1974 ABC covered the Div2 semifinal game from Baton Rouge Louisiana

Delaware 49
UNLV 12

the game was later coined the wing T clinic and at least one kid was hooked

[MR. CHICKEN]

and Kirk Herbstreit talking about his trip to/coaches of/players in some other game or some other inane events that have nothing to do with the game at hand, but tell us all we never wanted to know about what Kirk or the network is really interested in.


....IT'S CALLED.......FILLIN' UP AIR TIME........WOOD YA WANT....DEAD SILENCE......BETWEEN PLAYS........PERSONALLY.....AH LIKE DUH STORIES.......WHILE PLAYERS ARE CARTED OFF DUH TURF......OR REPLAY BOOFF......HOLDS UH SIDE BAR......IN DETERMININ'.......TRUE OUTCOME UH PLAY........AH SPENT DUH EVENIN'....WHIFF JAY........AS PV A&M.....DROPPED UH DOUBLE OT....TA JACKSON STATE.......PENALTY MARRED FIASCO.....29 FLAGS FO -250 YDS.....REFS CALLED IT TIGHT.....BIG PLAYS AN' TD'S CALLED BACK........AS TEAMS SKIRMISHED PRIOR TA KO........WALKER HAD PLENTY UH TIME TA KILL......BRAWK!

[walliver]

If Wikipedia is to be trusted it was:

1978-1981: ABC Sports
1982: CBS Sports
1983: ABC Sports
1984: Satellite Program Network (whatever that is/was)
1985-1989: ESPN
1990-1994: CBS Sports
1995-2001: ESPN
2002-2018: ESPN2

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_Program_Network
Quick answer: The Satellite Program Network eventually evolved into CNBC. And the NCAA paid for the game to be broadcast.

An interesting link from the wikipedia article: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/30866152/iaa_playoffs_spell_trouble_money/

[100%GRIZ]

better than Joe Buck, at least.
Disagree 100%! Can not stand her, I will mute the game!

[100%GRIZ]

It would be nice if they changed the KO to 2-3 pm.
Anywhere between 3pm & 5pm eastern would be ideal since the 2 teams playing will be from west of the Mississippi River!

[Daytripper]

90% of the FCS won't fill up Toyota Stadium.

Any Southland team would likely make a good showing just because of proximity.

- - - Updated - - -


Anywhere between 3pm & 5pm eastern would be ideal since the 2 teams playing will be from west of the Mississippi River!

Later start would make for better tailgating, also.

[Grizzlies82]

Hopefully this would also entail a slight bit more promotion prior to the game. Or at least treat a "Championship" game as if it were more than mere filler.

Typically ESPN treated it as if it were a Mid-American conference volleyball game... "Oh yeah, next Saturday there is a football game at 8 in the morning, or some inconsequential time. Watch it if your TV happens to be on at that time. Tune in, or not, we really don't give a damn."

[Panther88]

and Kirk Herbstreit talking about his trip to/coaches of/players in some other game or some other inane events that have nothing to do with the game at hand, but tell us all we never wanted to know about what Kirk or the network is really interested in.

Okay, give my alums a break. They do their best (Herbstreit and Walker), considering.

It's great that ABC is broadcasting 2 FCS powerhouse teams.

[Professor Chaos]

Hopefully this would also entail a slight bit more promotion prior to the game. Or at least treat a "Championship" game as if it were more than mere filler.

Typically ESPN treated it as if it were a Mid-American conference volleyball game... "Oh yeah, next Saturday there is a football game at 8 in the morning, or some inconsequential time. Watch it if your TV happens to be on at that time. Tune in, or not, we really don't give a damn."
This is a good point. You'd think if ESPN execs felt good enough to put this game on ABC they feel good enough to run a few more promos for it.

[ASU33]

Anyone is better than Joe Buck. Which is sad, because I loved Jack Buck. As far as Beth Mowins, don't know much about her, but I thought she was solid for the Iowa-NDSU game a few years back.

Any chance more ABC coverage could draw the HBCUs into the fold. Their top teams bring great crowds and great bands and would be a real plus in the long run (even if it may take a few years to be more competitive).

I doubt it. The HBCUs already have a nice Deal with ABC for The Celebration Bowl. You'll still get an at-large and Tennessee State and Hampton.

[Sader87]

December 1974 ABC covered the Div2 semifinal game from Baton Rouge Louisiana

Delaware 49
UNLV 12

the game was later coined the wing T clinic and at least one kid was hooked

Remember watching those D2, later 1-AA games on ABC as a kid. Was Randall Cunningham on that UNL team? Probably.

Central Michigan used to be really strong in D2 back then too if memory serves.

UMass lost the first 1-AA title game on ABC to Florida A&M in 1978...lot of local kids on that Minutemen team.

[mvfcfan]

They should put the NDSU / SDSU game on ABC tomorrow. Maybe they'll still be on ABC in the rematch. :D

[caribbeanhen]

Remember watching those D2, later 1-AA games on ABC as a kid. Was Randall Cunningham on that UNL team? Probably.

Central Michigan used to be really strong in D2 back then too if memory serves.

UMass lost the first 1-AA title game on ABC to Florida A&M in 1978...lot of local kids on that Minutemen team.

funny you mention Central Michigan, they ripped the feathers off the Hens the next week in the Div2 Finals

Randall Cunningham? I don't think so

[JayJ79]

Any chance more ABC coverage could draw the HBCUs into the fold. Their top teams bring great crowds and great bands and would be a real plus in the long run (even if it may take a few years to be more competitive).

Is there really much of a chance of a HBCU making the FCS title game in today's FCS? (even if the HBCU conferences sent their champions to the playoffs)
Unless ABC decided to cover the entire playoffs (which will never happen), I don't see the HBCUs giving up their "Celebration Bowl" or whatever it is called, as long as it has its own network TV slot.

[GAD]

I doubt it. The HBCUs already have a nice Deal with ABC for The Celebration Bowl. You'll still get an at-large and Tennessee State and Hampton.
It will not happen coverage has nothing to do with it. As long as playoffs start on Bayou Classic/Turkey Day Classic weekend the SWAC won't send there champ

[Professor Chaos]

There will be additional changes to the TV spots in this year's playoffs according to HERO Sport's Sam Herder, instead of the first semi being on Friday both semis will be on Saturday and the 2nd semi is once again relegated back to ESPNU (both semis were on ESPN2 last year for the first time I could remember):

https://twitter.com/SamHerderFCS/status/1192454128485707776

*sigh* One step forward (ok, maybe two steps forward) with the championship game moving to ABC and one step back losing the Friday night semifinal and sending one semi back to the U.

[TheKingpin28]

There will be additional changes to the TV spots in this year's playoffs according to HERO Sport's Sam Herder, instead of the first semi being on Friday both semis will be on Saturday and the 2nd semi is once again relegated back to ESPNU (both semis were on ESPN2 last year for the first time I could remember):

https://twitter.com/SamHerderFCS/status/1192454128485707776

*sigh* One step forward (ok, maybe two steps forward) with the championship game moving to ABC and one step back losing the Friday night semifinal and sending one semi back to the U.The friday night semifinal was something special. Way to ruin a good thing.

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[Professor Chaos]

The friday night semifinal was something special. Way to ruin a good thing.

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Bowls ruin things again. It was pointed out on Bisonville that the Frisco Bowl was moved to Friday night at 6:30PM CT and is being broadcast on ESPN2. I'm sure a 25% full Toyota Stadium will make for much better TV on Friday night on ESPN2 than a packed and electric Fargodome has made for the last 7 years before this.

[TheKingpin28]

Bowls ruin things again. It was pointed out on Bisonville that the Frisco Bowl was moved to Friday night at 6:30PM CT and is being broadcast on ESPN2. I'm sure a 25% full Toyota Stadium will make for much better TV on Friday night on ESPN2 than a packed and electric Fargodome has made for the last 7 years before this.How much money do you think they paid to be moved to that timeslot? So why not move the game to ESPN on friday night? Oh I know, it would make too much sense and take away from their precious 7-5 vs 6-6 MACtion vs The American teams.

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[Professor Chaos]

How much money do you think they paid to be moved to that timeslot? So why not move the game to ESPN on friday night? Oh I know, it would make too much sense and take away from their precious 7-5 vs 6-6 MACtion vs The American teams.

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Friday nights on ESPN is the NBA's territory from late October through April and they do quite well IIRC... one of the few areas in live sports programming that isn't leaking viewers in the networks' target 18-44 demographic.

[TheKingpin28]

Friday nights on ESPN is the NBA's territory from late October through April and they do quite well IIRC... one of the few areas in live sports programming that isn't leaking viewers in the networks' target 18-44 demographic.Not going to lie, totally forgot basketball was on espn.

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[ST_Lawson]

Not going to lie, totally forgot basketball was on espn.

Not going to lie, totally forgot basketball was a thing.

[PaladinNation]

I tried to do some digging on the net but I came up empty - the Furman/Western Carolina 1983 Semi-Final matchup was broadcast nationally on ABC.
I'm also pretty sure that an APP/FU regular season matchup was broadcast on ABC during that same Dick Sheridan era.

Excited to see the championship game get a real national broadcast again…

Edit: I was wrong the Furman/WCU semi-final matchup was broadcast nationally on CBS.

[dewey]

There will be additional changes to the TV spots in this year's playoffs according to HERO Sport's Sam Herder, instead of the first semi being on Friday both semis will be on Saturday and the 2nd semi is once again relegated back to ESPNU (both semis were on ESPN2 last year for the first time I could remember):

https://twitter.com/SamHerderFCS/status/1192454128485707776

*sigh* One step forward (ok, maybe two steps forward) with the championship game moving to ABC and one step back losing the Friday night semifinal and sending one semi back to the U.

F***! The Friday night semifinals are awesome especially from a packed house at the Fargodome.

Looks like we will be going to the semifinals on Saturday.

Dewey

[MR. CHICKEN]

Not going to lie, totally forgot basketball was a thing.

...........NOT GONNA LIE...........FO'GOT......PRO BASKETBALL.......IS UH THING.......AWK!