CBS' Jim Nantz on Flex Scheduling (1 Viewer)

[djcolts]

Jim Nantz was on an Indy sports talk show yesterday ("The Drive with JMV") talking about flex scheduling. He said:

1. NBC doesn't pick the games in flex scheduling - the NFL makes the scheduling changes (for both the Sunday night game and the 4:15 games).

2. NBC has a pre-selected game - and they only switch the game if the pre-selected game turns not be a game that most wants to watch. So, it isn't a tool to give NBC the best possible game if NBC already has, say, the 3rd best game of the week. It is only meant to switch away from bad game.

3. The December 10th Indy/Jax game was one of the games that CBS has protected - so that won't be an NBC game.

 

[Mungo Burrows]

ESPN could have used this the last couple weeks...

 

[diesel7982]

ESPN could have used this the last couple weeks...

Unfortunately, we'll likely never see this for an MNF game.Just too hard logistically to switch from a Sunday day game to a Monday night game.

 

[redman]

ESPN could have used this the last couple weeks...

Unfortunately, we'll likely never see this for an MNF game.Just too hard logistically to switch from a Sunday day game to a Monday night game.

On two weeks notice or so you'd think that they could manage it.

 

[meeka]

ESPN could have used this the last couple weeks...

Unfortunately, we'll likely never see this for an MNF game.Just too hard logistically to switch from a Sunday day game to a Monday night game.

The Vikings would have had to move to a Monday night in week 6 (I think) if the Twins/ A's series would have gone 5 games. They were taking a wait and see approach to see if they had to move the game. That would have given them 1 or 2 days notice about switching days. So it could happen. I would say that games being switched at least a week ahead would be enough time. Beats watching terrible Monday night games.

 

[Harpua]

NFL flexible schedule needs more flexibility

MICHAEL LEV

Register columnist

The NFL's flexible TV scheduling begins Sunday, and it's undoubtedly a boon for NBC and for us. Guaranteeing good prime-time games by moving one of the earlier contests is a good idea.

But the system the league put in place isn't perfect. It's yoga-instructor flexible, not Cirque du Soleil flexible. It has limitations.

For example, the league earmarked certain games for the eligible Sunday nights - Weeks 10-15 and 17 - when the schedule came out in April.

CBS and Fox could protect four games apiece in the first six weeks of flex, and one in Week 17, but not the earmarked ones. Moreover, CBS and Fox had to decide which Week10-15 games to protect in early October, after Week 4.

As we all know, a lot can change in a month's time in the NFL. Or not change.

The defending champion Pittsburgh Steelers got off to a slow start that only has gotten worse. Most expected a turnaround, including the folks at CBS, who protected the Pittsburgh-Carolina game in Week15, according to the Sports Business Daily.

Now, it's possible the Steelers will make a second-half run. But why make CBS choose so far in advance?

The league officially doesn't have to announce its flex plans until 12 days before kickoff (with the exception of Week 17, which has a six-day window). Doesn't it make more sense to give the networks that already are losing attractive games maximum time to make a critical decision?

And why pigeonhole games in April? Isn't the whole point that we don't know in early spring what will happen in late autumn?

One other factor to consider: Teams can't make an infinite number of appearances in prime time.

They're limited to no more than four on NBC and no more than five overall (with a sixth allowed for teams appearing on NFL Network).

Restrictions aside, it's better to have some flexibility than none at all. NBC is highly unlikely to have any "dog" games at the end of the season, and that's a revelation for producer Fred Gaudelli, who endured some late-season stinkers at ABC and ESPN over the previous 16 seasons.

The other day, NBC Sports chairman **** Ebersol asked Gaudelli: "How did you live without this in the past?"

Said Gaudelli: "You basically sat there and prayed and dreaded."

Gaudelli & Co. have Bears-Giants this Sunday, followed by Chargers-Broncos next week.

The other earmarked games, according to reports, are Eagles-Colts, Seahawks-Broncos, Patriots-Dolphins, Chiefs-Chargers and Steelers-Bengals.

All subject to change, of course.

http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/sport...cle_1349151.php

 

[Sidewinder]

ESPN could have used this the last couple weeks...

Unfortunately, we'll likely never see this for an MNF game.Just too hard logistically to switch from a Sunday day game to a Monday night game.

On two weeks notice or so you'd think that they could manage it.

Peter King was on with Dan Patrick within the past week or so, and talked about this. In his opinion, it has less to do with it being logistically feasible and more to do with alienating the fans by switching games at a point after people have made travel and lodging plans, etc etc. He essentially said, it's one thing to move a game from mid-day Sunday to Sunday night, but a totally different thing to move from mid-day Sunday to Monday night. Just his opinion. As someone who travels 4 hours each direction 8 times a year for home games, I see his point. Not saying I totally agree with it, but it would definitely be an inconvenience.

 

[redman]

ESPN could have used this the last couple weeks...

Unfortunately, we'll likely never see this for an MNF game.Just too hard logistically to switch from a Sunday day game to a Monday night game.

On two weeks notice or so you'd think that they could manage it.

Peter King was on with Dan Patrick within the past week or so, and talked about this. In his opinion, it has less to do with it being logistically feasible and more to do with alienating the fans by switching games at a point after people have made travel and lodging plans, etc etc. He essentially said, it's one thing to move a game from mid-day Sunday to Sunday night, but a totally different thing to move from mid-day Sunday to Monday night. Just his opinion. As someone who travels 4 hours each direction 8 times a year for home games, I see his point. Not saying I totally agree with it, but it would definitely be an inconvenience.

It's funny because this is where the rubber meets the road for the league between catering to the live audience for lesser dollars, or catering to the much larger TV audience (and advertisers) for much more dollars. It's an interesting dilemma and yes, I too would be PO'd as an out-of-town fan at a last minute switch. Note, however, that fans have to cancel such plans all the time with playoff baseball, basketball and hockey games that end up not being played because a team wins the series beforehand. It's not an unheard of phenomenon.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Flex or no Flex, the fan is winning with great games on Sunday Night...the NFL is smart in doing this and NBC is reaping the rewards with revenue...this means they will pony up again when they renegotiate in 3 or 4 years...that creates more money for owners, which means the salary cap will move up...thus the players make more money...thus the fans will end up with a better product...wash rinse repeat.

Trickle Down Economics can work.

 

[Mystery Achiever]

Note, however, that fans have to cancel such plans all the time with playoff baseball, basketball and hockey games that end up not being played because a team wins the series beforehand. It's not an unheard of phenomenon.

This is not a fair comparison. Anyone who buys a playoff ticket knows that the later games may not happen.