Ad Disclosure
The new B1G media rights deal is giving the conference the networks of CBS, NBC, and FOX as broadcast partners until the 2029-2030 season. However, not everyone is liking the move, especially fans of college basketball who will now need a Peacock subscription to watch certain games.
This will also effect other winter sports such as women’s basketball, hockey, and wrestling on BTN as well, as the channel takes on more men’s basketball coverage. This new contract with the 3 major networks is reported to be worth north of $8 billion.
College basketball fans let people know what they think about the new media rights deal on social media. The change to Peacock isn’t sitting well with most people apparently. It looks like you can’t make everyone happy. Some fans may need to compromise in the near future if they want to watch their favorite teams.
Here are the some of the reactions to the news:
Losers
ESPN (bad for espn, bad for Gameday, bad for stranglehold on bowls and CFP. Ouch)
Big Ten basketball (ESPN partially replaced by Peacock…ouch)
Other winter sports (women bball, hockey, and wrestling going to lose shelf space on BTN as they take on more men Bball)
— Ben Koo (@bkoo) August 18, 2022
While there are several positives with the new Big Ten deal, it is tough that men’s and women’s basketball fans will need a Peacock subscription to watch some of the games in the future.
— Chase Brown (@chaseabrown__) August 18, 2022
Putting B1G basketball games behind the Peacock paywall is a disaster for the hoops programs. Still an incredible amount of cash. https://t.co/26XagJArb7
— CJ Mordock (@CJMordock) August 18, 2022
Fascinated to see how B1G men’s and women’s basketball programs come to feel about about not ever being on ESPN and how many games are apparently headed straight for Peacock.
— Mark Ennis (@MarkEnnis) August 18, 2022
thinking about “indiana football/men’s basketball/women’s basketball on peacock” and hey man no thanks, I’m good
— crimson quarry (@crimsonquarry) August 18, 2022
Hope B1G fans are prepared to watch games on peacock. Under the new media rights agreement, peacock will broadcast 8 regular season football games, as many as 47 regular-season men’s basketball games, and 30 regular-season women’s basketball games.
— Jay Stephens™ 🎙 (@JayStephens07) August 18, 2022
Exposure wise, the new Big Ten deal is lousy for men’s basketball, which have significant fan bases. ESPN was far better for viewership and convenience than FSI and Peacock will be. However, they are all getting richer so I think they’ll find a way to deal.
— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) August 18, 2022
Only part of this media deal that’s not good for fans is Peacock getting some games. Fingers crossed they never get an MSU Football game and get one game max for basketball
— Daily MSU (@daily_msu) August 18, 2022
how early is too early to complain about the format and accessibility of football & basketball games on Peacock?
— Ben Kenney (@benzkenney) August 18, 2022
Grant Bricker covers the B1G for Saturday Tradition. His previous stops include the Williamson Homepage and Nashville Post.