It may feel like every college football bowl game you tune into is on ESPN—and that’s no coincidence. Bowl games this year are predominantly hosted on ESPN and its sister networks, with a whopping 32 out of 35 bowl games airing on ESPN platforms. Given that ABC and ESPN are both part of the Disney family, this gives the entertainment giant near-complete control over bowl season broadcasts. Let’s explore why this is the case, what it means for viewers, and how the broadcasting landscape shapes up for college football’s bowl games.
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ESPN’s Dominance in College Bowl Broadcasting
ESPN has long held a dominant position in sports broadcasting, and college football is no exception. With bowl games this year largely under the ESPN banner, it highlights how crucial the network is for college football fans. Out of 35 bowl games scheduled for the postseason, ESPN and its networks will host 32 of. The only other broadcasters in the mix include CBS, FOX, and ABC, each securing one game. However, since ABC is owned by Disney, that means ESPN essentially has 33 of 35 bowl games under its umbrella.
Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) and ESPN’s Bowl Game Monopoly
For fans of industrial organization and economics, ESPN’s stranglehold on college football bowl game broadcasting can be measured by the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI). The HHI is used to determine market concentration, with a score closer to 10,000 indicating a monopoly. If you count ESPN and ABC as separate entities, the HHI for bowl game broadcasts is 8384, which is incredibly high. But if you count ESPN and ABC as the same entity (which is more realistic, given their shared ownership by Disney), the HHI jumps to a staggering 8906. For reference, a completely monopolized market would have an HHI of 10,000, meaning Disney’s control over bowl game broadcasts is nearly absolute.
Why So Many Bowl Games Are on ESPN
The question then becomes: why are so many bowl games this year on ESPN? There are several reasons behind this.
- Exclusive Broadcasting Rights: ESPN has invested heavily in securing exclusive broadcasting rights for college football. Over the years, the network has built strong relationships with the NCAA, bowl game sponsors, and major conferences to ensure it controls the majority of college football broadcasts.
- Disney’s Sports Focus: ESPN is one of Disney’s most valuable assets, and sports remain a key part of Disney’s broader strategy to attract viewers. College football, particularly during the bowl season, draws millions of viewers, making it a lucrative opportunity for ESPN.
- Multi-Platform Strategy: By airing games across various ESPN platforms (including ESPN, ESPN2, and streaming via ESPN+), Disney can leverage multiple revenue streams, from traditional TV advertising to subscription-based services. The company benefits from having a near monopoly on bowl games, driving more subscriptions to ESPN+ and other digital platforms.
- Increased Viewership Potential: Bowl games, especially those involving well-known teams or prestigious matchups, are highly anticipated events. By hosting the majority of these games, ESPN ensures it captures a significant portion of football fans, which boosts its advertising revenue during the lucrative holiday season.
Breakdown of Bowl Game Broadcasting for 2023-2024
Here’s a detailed breakdown of how the broadcasting rights are distributed for bowl games this year:
- ESPN Networks: 32 games
- ABC: 1 game (though part of Disney, it is counted separately by some due to different programming)
- CBS: 1 game
- FOX: 1 game
As you can see, ESPN completely dominates the landscape, with minimal competition from other networks. While CBS and FOX have historically aired select games, their presence is quite limited in recent years.
What This Means for Viewers
For college football fans, ESPN’s near-complete ownership of bowl game broadcasting can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it guarantees that fans have a single platform where they can watch the majority of games. This ease of access is certainly convenient for those already subscribed to ESPN’s services.
However, for those who aren’t subscribed to ESPN or its streaming platforms like ESPN+, the concentration of games on one network may feel limiting. CBS and FOX, for instance, don’t require a subscription for certain games, making them more accessible to casual viewers. As ESPN continues to dominate, there’s a greater push for fans to sign up for its paid services, particularly as the network looks to grow its digital presence through ESPN+.
Historical Context: The Evolution of Bowl Game Broadcasting
It wasn’t always this way. Back in the 1990s and early 2000s, bowl games were spread more evenly across major networks like ABC, CBS, and FOX. However, as ESPN grew in prominence, it made a concerted effort to secure exclusive broadcasting deals with college football conferences and the NCAA. Over the years, this has led to ESPN securing the rights to air the majority of bowl games, reducing the role of other networks.
ESPN’s dominance in college sports extends beyond football, as the network also holds broadcasting rights for college basketball, baseball, and other NCAA sports. For football fans, though, the rise of ESPN’s control over bowl games has been the most noticeable shift, as it has become increasingly difficult to catch games on non-ESPN networks.
The Future of Bowl Game Broadcasting
As ESPN continues to expand its digital offerings, even more bowl games will likely be pushed toward streaming platforms like ESPN+. This shift toward streaming is already happening in other sports, as seen with Major League Baseball and the NFL offering exclusive games on streaming platforms.
Moreover, the growth of streaming services and the changing dynamics of how viewers consume content could lead to even more consolidation in sports broadcasting. For now, ESPN holds the lion’s share of bowl game broadcasts, but as competitors like Amazon and Apple enter the sports broadcasting arena, the future may hold more options for fans.
What to Expect from Bowl Games This Year
For now, if you’re planning on watching bowl games this year, you’ll likely need access to ESPN and its network of channels. While CBS and FOX still air a couple of games, they pale in comparison to the sheer volume offered by ESPN. As Disney continues to leverage its ESPN and ABC properties to dominate the bowl game landscape, football fans will have to stay tuned to see how future broadcasting deals shape up. Will other networks make a comeback, or will ESPN continue to reign supreme? Only time will tell.
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