On the latest release of The Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast, Sports Business Journal’s John Ourand marveled at the job NBC did to secure the Big Ten’s media rights, which is expected to be announced in the coming week.
“NBC played possum,” Ourand said. “For the longest time, I didn’t think they were serious. I had heard that their early bids were really tepid. Didn’t suggest that they were very serious. They already have a Notre Dame game that goes in there, and now they’re going to have the Big Ten. So they’re going to have Notre Dame leading into the Big Ten on Saturday night. They have the most watched primetime telecast going on –what are we at now? 11 years running? — on Sunday Night Football. And they’re gonna have, on the weekends, a really strong lineup.”
Ourand also pointed out the importance of NBC’s streaming platform, Peacock, in the deal and what that could mean for its future.
“Peacock is going to have some exclusive games. I can’t imagine — it’s certainly not going to be Ohio State/Michigan — but they’re going to have some exclusive games. And I can tell you, as a Maryland fan, if that exclusive game is Maryland versus Indiana, I’m subscribing to Peacock. That’s the whole point of streaming. It gets you into these really passionate, local fan bases and gets them to stream those games.
“NBC, coming from nowhere, to get what I think is a really good package — because I’ve been told ESPN’s deal did not include direct-to-consumer on ESPN+, it was a strict linear television deal — so NBC was able to do this for this for Peacock, which they need to build.”
Andrew Marchand, sports media columnist for The New York Post, pointed out more games on Peacock could potentially be better for fans than fewer exclusives.
“When you add one game here and one game there, it will annoy people,” Marchand said. “Maybe they get your service, or maybe you’re teaching people not to watch all your games.”
Rodney Aleshire
August 5, 2022 at 4:29 pm
Acho and Wiley were great!!! Sure will miss those guys trading thoughts!! The two most intelligent men working the same show ever!!!!
Rob
August 9, 2022 at 12:26 pm
This show has been going downhill since Willey left. Acho is very intelligent and Willey was a perfect counterpoint to him, I like Joy but I prefer her on Colin’s show. Shady is a whatever to me, I can take him or leave him. Acho also seems to be struggling a little bit since Willey left. This was the best show in FS1’s line up and the most intelligent. Willey will be missed.
Tak
August 9, 2022 at 3:00 pm
Agreed. Acho tries way too hard as the main host and it’s hard to watch. Like Whitlock a lot better than him, and his takes most of the time are asinine
Terry Morning
August 9, 2022 at 3:51 pm
I watched the show since that dude Marcellus Wiley left the show and it is definitely NOT the same..nothing against my man Acho, but Marcellus was the man..so much swagger and knowledge..I think the ratings will go down..bring that dude please..
Troy
August 10, 2022 at 11:26 am
Nope, this was my favorite duo. Can’t watch it with just Acho and friends. He get pushed around to much.
Tony
August 8, 2022 at 3:17 pm
The show has been unwatchable ever since Jason Whitlock left.
Tim Contreras
August 9, 2022 at 3:07 pm
100% agreed.
Christopher Daniels
August 8, 2022 at 5:50 pm
I like joy and shady but they aren’t wiley .it’s super crazy he’s the best at football fs1 is crazy.you had two if the most smartest people in the business on the show.shady is good but he’s nowhere compared to wiley.
Josh
August 9, 2022 at 2:04 pm
Very unfortunate. I loved the Wiley and Acho pairing. Ill have to find something else unless they give Wiley another show. I always appreciated Wiley logical take to every conversation, non race card take etc.
Steven
August 9, 2022 at 3:44 pm
Just wrong.Straight Blasphemy. One of the best two Man teams ever.
Michael Lyon
August 9, 2022 at 3:47 pm
Yeah I’m not a fan of Acho and Joy ! I think Joy was great with Herd ! But I think Willey gave Acho too much credit and it backfired ! But I think there better off sticking to Football cause some of there takes on basketball are as good as there basketball skills , pathetic ! Please don’t turn into ESPN !
Freddy
August 9, 2022 at 4:36 pm
Bring back Dat Dude!
Samuel Hawkins
August 9, 2022 at 7:47 pm
What a wack choice to remove Wiley. The show is not the same. Not really a fan of it now