Big 12 Football Follows the NHL to VERSUS

The ever-changing world of Big 12 television contracts just got a little crazier. The conference announced on Wednesday that FSN (Fox Sports Net) has agreed to sublicense five Big 12 games to VERSUS. Yes, VERSUS. Bring on the sad clown.

"The enhanced national exposure for Big 12 football on VERSUS is an asset," Big 12 Commissioner Kevin Weiberg said. "With games on ABC, FSN, ESPN and now VERSUS we have significantly expanded the reach of Big 12 football. We are pleased with this new agreement and appreciate the efforts of our partner FSN in bringing this opportunity to us."

Clearly Kevin Weiberg and I have different opinions on the meaning of the word "exposure." Hasn't he seen the ratings for the NHL? As this L.A. Times article notes:

"The network [VERSUS] is in 72 million television households, about 20 million fewer than ESPN or ESPN2."

I'm not even joking when I tell you that I have no idea if I actually get VERSUS. I know I have about a dozen FSN channels, another that shows auto racing and its off-shoots 24 hours a day, and numerous Spanish language networks. But VERSUS? Not so sure.

Unfortunately, it looks like I'll be scrambling through my on-screen cable guide come this fall. The first game the network will televise has already been announced as the September 15th Iowa State - Iowa game will be shown at 12:30 p.m. CST.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

6-07-2007 @ 10:37AM

Bruce Ciskie said...

Versus is generally terrible, and their coverage of the NHL is an embarrassment. But I thought they did a pretty fair job with the MWC games last year.

Hey, good for us. More games on TV, and perhaps more games in HD.

6-07-2007 @ 12:18PM

ken waller said...

Jeff - what kind of sports fan has no idea what sports channels he has (and probably pays for). As for Versus, they do a great job with hockey and I look forward to their coverage of the Big 12. Hopefully as you are scrambling through your on line channel guide, you won't miss the latest installment of National Bingo Night ... it's on ABC on Friday nights, by the way. Thanks for the heads-up, sports fan.

6-07-2007 @ 4:08PM

shane said...

Tom Rathman needs to be the head football coach at NEBRASKA.

6-07-2007 @ 4:22PM

Jeff Adams said...

Ken,

Why didn't I know whether or not I had VERSUS? Probably the same reason I didn't know whether or not I got the Style Network. I just never had a reason to check. Surprisingly this sports fan survives without a daily dose of America's Cup coverage and North American Hunter re-runs. But, you'll be happy to know I've since checked things out. I do get the Style Network, but not VERSUS. Which was kind of my whole point in noting the relative shoddiness of the Big 12 television contracts.

6-07-2007 @ 4:27PM

jmagu30192 said...

Who the hell is Tom Rathman?????

6-07-2007 @ 5:05PM

Tom Rathman was the fullback for joe montanna and jerry rice, taylor. coached by the legend who invented the west coast offense.

6-07-2007 @ 6:07PM

Adam said...

The more football games I can watch, the better. This is a good move, especially for VS, which has really become an awsome channel over the past year or so.

6-08-2007 @ 8:52AM

JMills said...

awesome might be crossing the line Adam, I wouldn't go that far.

6-08-2007 @ 11:21AM

Jeff - your Style Network anaolgy is scary. A real sports fan knows what sports channels he has and what is airing on every one of them. By the way Versus is in 72 million homes, double the Style Network. I guess when you say your a sports fan you just mean MLB and NFL. A real sports fan would be on the phone to their cable provider asking for the Versus Network - maybe even using this forum to ask others to do the same. Having been to an Iowa/Iowa State game, it's a rivaly game that shouldn't be missed.