The Bowl Championship Series no longer is available on free over-the-air broadcast TV, thanks to the expiration of its deal with Fox following the 2009 season. This is the first year of a new deal between the BCS and ESPN that includes exclusive television, radio, digital, international and marketing rights for the Fiesta, Orange and Sugar Bowls from 2011-2014 and the BCS title game from 2011-2013.
The Rose Bowl will continue to be televised on ABC through 2014 under a separate contract. ABC will host the BCS championship game in 2014.
I spoke with ESPN/ABC lead college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit about the games and partnership with ESPN.
Herbstreit on ESPN getting the BCS Bowls » Watching the BCS bowl games on Fox made me sick. I have nothing against Fox, the way they produced the games or the fine broadcasters that did the games. That was fine. My problem was that ESPN/ABC was the home of college football all season and then we did not get to do the most important games of the year. Now things are back as they should be and ESPN will be able to close out a very exciting season with Auburn and Oregon in the BCS championship game.
Herbstreit on the BCS title game » This is really going to be a fantastic game. You have two teams that really have been the class of their respective conferences and have been very impressive in winning the big game. You have Cam Newton, who is the best player in college football, going up against an Oregon team that is fast and as athletic as any team in the country.
Herbstreit on other games of interest » I give great credit to the Rose Bowl for picking TCU to face Wisconsin. There is no doubt that TCU deserves a place in the BCS picture and going to the Rose Bowl is something very special. I know that the players, coaches and fans will truly enjoy the experience. Plus the matchup between TCU and Wisconsin should be a real fun one to watch. The Sugar Bowl game with Arkansas taking on Ohio State is another great one. I know that Buckeye fans are really looking forward to showing an SEC team that they can beat them. They have not had a great deal of success with them recently but this OSU team matches up well with the Razorbacks.
Examiner columnist Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this!
