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NBC Sports names B1G programs expected to appear on Peacock exclusive broadcasts
By Paul Harvey
Published:
NBC Sports is gearing up for its first season broadcasting B1G football as a part of the landmark media rights deal for the conference. On Wednesday, NBC released teams the network expects to appear on Peacock exclusive broadcasts.
According to an NBC Sports press release, the network expects 7 of the top 25 teams on the Preseason AP Poll to play on games streamed exclusively on Peacock. B1G teams already confirmed to appear on Peacock include Michigan, Penn State and Michigan State to go along with a Peacock-only Notre Dame broadcast.
The other programs NBC revealed it “expects” to appear on games streamed directly to Peacock include Ohio State, Wisconsin and Iowa, but those games are “to be confirmed” and are “pending Big Ten flexible scheduling after Week 3.”
Fans may remember that the selection process for weekly games was a topic of discussion in the B1G’s new media rights deal as the league works to divvy up games in a manner that appeals to 3 networks. Ex-B1G commissioner Kevin Warren referred to the process as a “draft selection mosaic.”
Following the completion of the media rights deal, NBC Sports chairman Pete Bevacqua told ESPN the network was “incredibly comfortable with the way the picks will work” in the game selection process. Bevacqua also said “There’s a real system of how it works in terms of picks” while maintaining confidence NBC would get great games in the deal.
Based on those previous comments by Bevacqua, it’s possible NBC has already been guaranteed games with the teams it referenced in Wednesday’s press release. Either way, fans in the B1G will have to adjust to the new media deal with some of the top programs in the conference headed for streaming-only broadcasts at certain times this fall.
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.