This year, ND is playing against Washington State in San Antonio. There will be a game against Navy in Dublin, Ireland in a few years. Just two examples of neutral sites.

NBC has the rights to show eight Fighting Irish games in 2009. ABC/ESPN have committed to airing three of the road games. The Pittsburgh game is still to be determined.

CBS will broadcast the U.S. Open women’s singles final from 8 to 10 p.m. eastern Sept. 12. Serena Williams will probably be there. Her opponent? Your guess is as good as mine; the bracket is a mess like I’ve never seen in a women’s major draw.

CBS has been running U.S. Open coverage from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. eastern all three days of Labor Day weekend. The men’s semifinals–which could feature Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic–are set for the afternoon of Sept. 12.

It’s clear CBS wants to finish U.S. Open coverage before turning its focus to college football. That’s likely one reason Fox Sports Net will start airing some SEC games, in addition to the Pac-10 and Big 12. Granted, the premiere of the SEC on FSN (Charleston Southern-Florida) left something to be desired.

SEC sold its TV rights beginning this season in a 15-years package. Just talking numbers, CBS is paying $825 million and ESPN $2.25 billion. CBS gets 1st dibs on SEC games. ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU/ESPN Regional/ESPN on ABC gets its picks next. Except 3:30 Eastern game on CBS, almost every other SEC conference game and SEC home game will be on an ESPN channel. ESPN channels will show other SEC sports from swimming to gymnastics to golf to softball and baseball, especially ESPNU.

Each school gets about $17 million a year just in TV money from CBS and ESPN. Add in other TV deals (each school can show 1 football game on PPV, Florida has a 10/$100 million deal with Sun Sports) and you’re talking big dollars. Schools are making $20+ million a year before they sell any tickets or sponsorships or get bowl game/championship dollars.

I mention all that because Notre Dame collected more TV money than any other school until this year. NBC pays them $9 million a year for home football games.

I’d no idea what CBS’ ratings were last fall with repeats and 48Hours. I would like to think that SEC on CBS in primetime could compete but I’d be biased as I’m a huge NCAA Football fan. I think in years past the Tennessee/Florida games broadcast in primetime have done respectfully? If they promoted it? I’d think the could generate interest. LikeHotpcoket said, I’m paraphrasing and plagiarizing, “build it and they will come” But like you astutely noted we’re not Les Moonves. He could and probably would make Julie Chen a sideline reporter for all I care I’d just like to see the SEC on every Sat night.

What with NBC’s ratings the more I thought about Rugby the more I liked it as NBC needs to try something. Anything. I think Neuterd Dame on in prime is a great idea; don’t get me wrong. That being said, what with their opponents having contractual conference agreements adn tie-ins? I gotta believe it’s impossible. Maybe just call it “Sat Sports” night in the Fall. Have some Rugby, get Nascar, Soccer, with an emphasis on the Irish? How ’bout on the nights they don’t have the Irish, play the best sports themed movies? Or they could air episodes of Sports Dramas/Comedies in between the Irish home football games with the scripted series going nonstop once fall is over? Clearly I’m thinking outta the box too.

Today: Tonight? Not THAT’S hilarious! Although you know? I wouldn’t put it past em. I don’t think my TV can handle much more of Al Roker though. Methinks Meredith’s Laz y boy would vibrate though!

…as for the Irish, gbd, the road games would be a good investment for them, better than “Ice Road Truckers: Mongolia”, or “Law and Order: Jaywalking” (starring Jay Leno, which would keep the “Tonight Show” off of the air on one weeknight, at least) would be.

I’m trying to think what major conference games NBC could cop as well, but I don’t think any major conferences are available to them, unlike ABC, who can get any games ESPN have access to.

NBC could get rugby league from England and/or Australia, or else force FOX (whose sister companies own the local rights in England and Australia) to pick them up here to keep NBC from having them, thus maybe keeping FOX from competing for other sports properties, so NBC can cop them.

Way out of the box? If you’ve ever seen rugby league, you wouldn’t think so – hits as hard as football, no body pads, no timeouts, no commercial breaks during play, eighty minutes of play in about 2 hours of time – what’s not to love?

Or else, NBC could have “Today: Tonight”, and buy some La-Z-Boy recliners for Matt Lauer and his colleagues, since they would live at 30 Rock 24/7

Hotpocket: As far as Notre Dame on Sat in prime? NBC only has N. Dame home games. So unless they got rights to ALL the Irish’s games, which just isn’t possible, juggling a fall schedule with Notre Dame home games seems highly unlikely. That and Notre Dame is no longer the power they used to be and even if they start to win with their weak schedule, would there really be enough interest? I ‘spose with NBC lackluster line up it couldn’t do any worse.

That would be awesome if NBC moved Notre Dame games to prime time. Imagine their Saturday and Sunday ratings helping get them to third place.

…the Satellite TV News website said that CBS’ SEC schedule starts in two weeks, on September 19th, with Tennessee versus Florida…

…my guess is that CBS did not have rights for non-conference SEC games.

http://www.satellitetv-news.com/tag/2009-sec-football-on-cbs-college-sports-network/

SEC on CBS on September 19th, gbd

And, I’ve suggested this before, but imagine Notre Dame in primetime on NBC – everyone would watch in order to cheer them, or their opponents, on

Robert – at least VMI won last night