NBC is out

[laxtreme56]

This has been speculated upon before, but it seems NBC is out. The late start and new deal with NASCAR seems to be the reasoning. Another reason why this merger needed to happen, Fox can't broadcast the full 43 game slate, plus they were losing a sizable rights deal.

[4th&long]

This has been speculated upon before, but it seems NBC is out. The late start and new deal with NASCAR seems to be the reasoning. Another reason why this merger needed to happen, Fox can't broadcast the full 43 game slate, plus they were losing a sizable rights deal.

LA - beat me to it.

That's big but not surprising news - and likely plays into the league going from a rumored 10-12 teams (5/6 games a week) back to 8 teams (4 games a week). Then again I mentioned CW as a possibility, don't rule them out yet for 1 game a week.

And Bingo on why this merger needed to happen. And this was likely to happen in 2025 anyway with potential NBA-NBC deal. Despite the spin the ESPN deal was not good. Now in a reworked deal with 2 vs 4 games ESPN/ABC likely will pay more with Fox on board and its XFL 2020esq all over again.

NBC coverage last season took a hit including the weak promo for the USFL championship.

J Larsen picked up on report too.



>> James Larsen@JamesLarsenPFN
Breaking: NBC will not carry any games for the #USFL-#XFL merger, per @Ourand_SBJ.

This is not surprising, given the March 30th start date. NBC carried the USFL 2023 Championship (1.2M viewers).

According to Ourand, games will be split between ABC, ESPN, FOX, & FS1. #UFL
9:11 PM · Dec 4, 2023<<

And Fox not using FS1 never made sene to me either, FS1 needs the programming.

Here's the PFN article:

https://pfnewsroom.com/news/nbc-out-as- ... fl-league/

[4th&long]

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/A ... rce=search

>> That’s because the merged league will start its new season on March 30. NBC has commitments to carry golf events over the first few weeks of the new season and couldn’t commit to the football windows.

That means that the games will be split between ESPN/ABC and Fox/FS1. <<

With Easter w/e being when USFL kicked off to big numbers in 2022 the league likely decided to start Easter w/e 2024 (Easter Sunday is March 31, 2024). But that has NBC out. I'm sure the league ran that by NBC but they are likely using that as an excuse to get out of the contract with Nascar and likely NBA coming to NBC.
Now the 8 game rumor, a chg from what we heard for a long while, makes even more sense.

At any rate its Not good news. Having ESPN is a big plus and avoiding FX is good but the devil is in the details. I still think the CW can play a part whether that's 2024 or 2025.

Is ABC/ESPN prepared to carry enough games during NBA / NHL playoffs? Now we know why things aren't finalized - I'm also now a bit concerned.

[nickp1991]

Only one of these broadcasters have a streaming platform that can be accessed without a TV provider

[johnnyangryfuzzball]

NBC didn't seem to have a problem starting the day before Easter in 2022 so this seems to be a lame excuse. Plus if it were that much of an issue NBC could have done what ESPN and ABC did this past year and take a partial package.

They wanted out and didn't have confidence in this league. I mean... golf???

[4th&long]

NBC didn't seem to have a problem starting the day before Easter in 2022 so this seems to be a lame excuse. Plus if it were that much of an issue NBC could have done what ESPN and ABC did this past year and take a partial package.

They wanted out and didn't have confidence in this league. I mean... golf???

Its highly speculated in the media that NBC will pick up NBA in 2025/26. I was hoping that they'd stay on thru 2025 with USFL but they got out now using this change as a reason. The USA games did poorly and with streaming underperforming in general got out. They likely would not have the # of games in 2024 and beyond they get now and with 3 nets the television would be watered down. Besides they would be the 3rd partner in the deal, Fox and ESPN would be #1 and #2. I got the sense last year they were losing interest as they did a poor job promoting.

Easter in 2022 was 2 weeks later on April 17th, so what the say has merit but still not the only reason.Also they'd no longer be dealing with just Fox, now its Fox & RBC/Rk/DG. They already dissed Rock by canceling Young Rock. They also picked up Smackdown for $287mm a year starting in Oct 2024. Also with the writers strike over they can focus more on scripted shows in general.

Having two competing spring FB league in 2023 is looking to be a negative. This was always my concern.

[4th&long]

https://xflnewshub.com/xfl-news/xfl-usf ... ast-games/

>> The merger and the ensuing broadcast partnership changes are influenced by various factors, including a new deal with NASCAR and the likely addition of NBA games to NBC’s schedule. These developments are reshaping the broadcast landscape for spring football.

As the year draws to a close, insiders hint at a quiet December, with significant news and updates anticipated in January. The merged league’s journey, with its new broadcast partners, is poised to be a pivotal chapter in the evolution of spring football’s broadcasting and viewership.<<

No surprise on the NASCAR, and NBA coming to NBC as its signed and rumored. Also they have the Olympics this in 2024.

The later insider "hint" of no real news in Dec is more disconcerting though not surprising.

[MGB01]

Not sure we're supposed to be mourning this--if NBC was a significant benefactor, different story, but not here. And no need for a third partner, not even if it were 16, in this case. Plus between their meh USFL coverage and today's final Curt Gowdying of Al Michaels, among many other things to be sure, it looks they're hellbent on marking the 20th anniversary of being on the bottom (post-Friends and the debut of something called The Apprentice) by rushing back. Granted with SNF it won't happen but damned if they aren't giving it an honest effort.

Some real concerns out there, this ain't one.

[laxtreme56]

Not sure we're supposed to be mourning this--if NBC was a significant benefactor, different story, but not here. And no need for a third partner unless it's going to be more than 12 teams, which is unlikely. Plus between their meh USFL coverage and today's final Curt Gowdying of Al Michaels, among many other things to be sure, it looks they're hellbent on marking the 20th anniversary of being on the bottom (post-Friends and the debut of something called The Apprentice) by rushing back. Granted with SNF it won't happen but damned if they aren't giving it an honest effort.

Some real concerns out there, this ain't one.

NBC was paying a rights fee in the low 8 figures plus covering production costs. That’s $12-15 million less in revenue now. I’d be a bit concerned.

[MGB01]

Not sure we're supposed to be mourning this--if NBC was a significant benefactor, different story, but not here. And no need for a third partner unless it's going to be more than 12 teams, which is unlikely. Plus between their meh USFL coverage and today's final Curt Gowdying of Al Michaels, among many other things to be sure, it looks they're hellbent on marking the 20th anniversary of being on the bottom (post-Friends and the debut of something called The Apprentice) by rushing back. Granted with SNF it won't happen but damned if they aren't giving it an honest effort.

Some real concerns out there, this ain't one.

NBC was paying a rights fee in the low 8 figures plus covering production costs. That’s $12-15 million less in revenue now. I’d be a bit concerned.

If the leagues were continuing separately, yeah (which would be the USFL's concern, not the XFL's). Unless ESPN/ABC is out, which hasn't been reported anywhere, one is replacing the other.

Does anybody really think that even a 12-team league would have three broadcast network partners? Hell the NFL didn't even have two when they were a 16-team league leading up to the merger.