With this being CBS's 25th year covering The Road To The Final Four. I was wondering has CBS Sports been the home to March Madness ever since it started? With that said I doubt CBS Sports would ever let March Madness go they do such a fine job of coverage and all.
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Road To The Final Four - 25 Years on CBS
- Thread starter radiolives
- Start date
M
mrpariot
Guest
> With this being CBS's 25th year covering The Road To The
> Final Four. I was wondering has CBS Sports been the home to
> March Madness ever since it started? With that said I doubt
> CBS Sports would ever let March Madness go they do such a
> fine job of coverage and all.
>
ESPN was actually the first to extensively televise early round games of the tournament, some live and some on tape delay, back in March 1980 (just six months after the network signed on). Then, ESPN had extremely limited reach -- it was only when CBS became the broadcast home of the tourney and a part of the NCAA marketing machine that the event really became known as "March Madness.?
> Final Four. I was wondering has CBS Sports been the home to
> March Madness ever since it started? With that said I doubt
> CBS Sports would ever let March Madness go they do such a
> fine job of coverage and all.
>
ESPN was actually the first to extensively televise early round games of the tournament, some live and some on tape delay, back in March 1980 (just six months after the network signed on). Then, ESPN had extremely limited reach -- it was only when CBS became the broadcast home of the tourney and a part of the NCAA marketing machine that the event really became known as "March Madness.?
> > With this being CBS's 25th year covering The Road To The
> > Final Four. I was wondering has CBS Sports been the home
> to
> > March Madness ever since it started? With that said I
> doubt
> > CBS Sports would ever let March Madness go they do such a
> > fine job of coverage and all.
> >
> ESPN was actually the first to extensively televise early
> round games of the tournament, some live and some on tape
> delay, back in March 1980 (just six months after the network
> signed on). Then, ESPN had extremely limited reach -- it
> was only when CBS became the broadcast home of the tourney
> and a part of the NCAA marketing machine that the event
> really became known as "March Madness.?
>
NBC was the broadcast home of the tournament before CBS. They basically showed the weekend games only. ESPN aired games that were produced by NCAA Productions and syndicated to stations in the home markets of the teams involved. These games put ESPN on the map as the offerings they had at that time consisted of the CFL and Australian Rules Football.
> > Final Four. I was wondering has CBS Sports been the home
> to
> > March Madness ever since it started? With that said I
> doubt
> > CBS Sports would ever let March Madness go they do such a
> > fine job of coverage and all.
> >
> ESPN was actually the first to extensively televise early
> round games of the tournament, some live and some on tape
> delay, back in March 1980 (just six months after the network
> signed on). Then, ESPN had extremely limited reach -- it
> was only when CBS became the broadcast home of the tourney
> and a part of the NCAA marketing machine that the event
> really became known as "March Madness.?
>
NBC was the broadcast home of the tournament before CBS. They basically showed the weekend games only. ESPN aired games that were produced by NCAA Productions and syndicated to stations in the home markets of the teams involved. These games put ESPN on the map as the offerings they had at that time consisted of the CFL and Australian Rules Football.
> ESPN was actually the first to extensively televise early
> round games of the tournament, some live and some on tape
> delay, back in March 1980 (just six months after the network
> signed on). Then, ESPN had extremely limited reach -- it
> was only when CBS became the broadcast home of the tourney
> and a part of the NCAA marketing machine that the event
> really became known as "March Madness.?
>
I don't recall CBS using the "March Madness" branding until the late 80s or so (wasn't "March Madness" originally used by the Indiana high school championship tournament, but never trademarked?).
> round games of the tournament, some live and some on tape
> delay, back in March 1980 (just six months after the network
> signed on). Then, ESPN had extremely limited reach -- it
> was only when CBS became the broadcast home of the tourney
> and a part of the NCAA marketing machine that the event
> really became known as "March Madness.?
>
I don't recall CBS using the "March Madness" branding until the late 80s or so (wasn't "March Madness" originally used by the Indiana high school championship tournament, but never trademarked?).
K
KML0224
Guest
The classic Bird and Magic matchup from 1979 aired on NBC.<P ID="signature">______________
The 2006 New York Yankees...on to title #27!</P>
The 2006 New York Yankees...on to title #27!</P>
M
Mediafrog
Guest
> NBC was the broadcast home of the tournament before CBS.
> They basically showed the weekend games only. ESPN aired
> games that were produced by NCAA Productions and syndicated
> to stations in the home markets of the teams involved.
Although hard to believe now, the NCAA tournament was not considered a top shelf sporting event prior to the 1980's. NCAA marketing hype kicked in about the same time as the growth of ESPN and other cable sports networks, which greatly expanded public consciousness of the March tourney.
Decades ago, it was actually the NIT that got most of the attention.
> They basically showed the weekend games only. ESPN aired
> games that were produced by NCAA Productions and syndicated
> to stations in the home markets of the teams involved.
Although hard to believe now, the NCAA tournament was not considered a top shelf sporting event prior to the 1980's. NCAA marketing hype kicked in about the same time as the growth of ESPN and other cable sports networks, which greatly expanded public consciousness of the March tourney.
Decades ago, it was actually the NIT that got most of the attention.
K
KML0224
Guest
> Decades ago, it was actually the NIT that got most of the
> attention.
>
Today the NIT is known as the National-You're-The-65th-Best-College-Basketball-Team-In-The-Country-Invitational-Tournament.
Seriously, it was a much bigger deal when the University Of Connecticut men won that in 1988.
<P ID="signature">______________
The 2006 New York Yankees...on to title #27!</P>
> attention.
>
Today the NIT is known as the National-You're-The-65th-Best-College-Basketball-Team-In-The-Country-Invitational-Tournament.
Seriously, it was a much bigger deal when the University Of Connecticut men won that in 1988.
<P ID="signature">______________
The 2006 New York Yankees...on to title #27!</P>
> Seriously, it was a much bigger deal when the University Of
> Connecticut men won that in 1988.
Actually, in Indiana, the Hoosiers won the tournament in 1979, but they would have much rather played in and won the NCAA. The NCAA adopted their 64 team format in 1985. UCLA's run in the 60s and 70s probably provided more cache to the NCAA as well as their coverage on NBC. (Dick Emberg was the tournament voice, joined in the late 70s by Billy Packer and Al McGuire. Packer made the move to CBS when they got the Final Four package.)
> Connecticut men won that in 1988.
Actually, in Indiana, the Hoosiers won the tournament in 1979, but they would have much rather played in and won the NCAA. The NCAA adopted their 64 team format in 1985. UCLA's run in the 60s and 70s probably provided more cache to the NCAA as well as their coverage on NBC. (Dick Emberg was the tournament voice, joined in the late 70s by Billy Packer and Al McGuire. Packer made the move to CBS when they got the Final Four package.)
J
Joseph_Gallant
Guest
During the 1960's and 1970's, CBS televised the NIT semifinals (then held as a doubleheader on a Saturday afternoon) and finals (held the next day, a Sunday afternoon). Those were the only three NIT games nationally televised.
For some of that time, the NCAA's weren't on network TV, not even the championship game. And in fact, some teams refused NCAA invites to go to the NIT.
Slightly Off-Topic Trivia: There was a time when the NIT and the NCAA's did not collide schedule-wise and a school could compete in both. In fact, City College Of New York (which I believe is now known as New York University) actually won both tournaments in the same year, 1950. But CCNY's victories were tainted after a point-shaving scandal was discovered. CCNY's 1950 double-victory could have made college basketball a major spectator sport on a nationwide basis, but the scandal is said to have badly hurt the appeal of college basketball as a spectator sport for years to come.
For some of that time, the NCAA's weren't on network TV, not even the championship game. And in fact, some teams refused NCAA invites to go to the NIT.
Slightly Off-Topic Trivia: There was a time when the NIT and the NCAA's did not collide schedule-wise and a school could compete in both. In fact, City College Of New York (which I believe is now known as New York University) actually won both tournaments in the same year, 1950. But CCNY's victories were tainted after a point-shaving scandal was discovered. CCNY's 1950 double-victory could have made college basketball a major spectator sport on a nationwide basis, but the scandal is said to have badly hurt the appeal of college basketball as a spectator sport for years to come.
J
Joseph_Gallant
Guest
From 1982 until about 1990 or so, CBS only teleivsed one late night game on each of the first two days of the tournament, one regional semifinal in late night on the second Thursday, one regional semi in late night the second Friday, weekend games through the semifinals, and a prime-time broadcast of the championship game.
For the last fifteen years or thereabouts, CBS has held the rights to the entire tournament, hence the daytime and primetime broadcasts during the first two days of the tournament as well as a primetime doubleheader of regional semifinals on the second Thursday and second Friday of the tourney.
For the last fifteen years or thereabouts, CBS has held the rights to the entire tournament, hence the daytime and primetime broadcasts during the first two days of the tournament as well as a primetime doubleheader of regional semifinals on the second Thursday and second Friday of the tourney.
J
Joseph_Gallant
Guest
KML0224 remembers:
> The classic Bird and Magic matchup from 1979 aired on NBC.
And it was the highest-rated basketball telecast, college or pro, until Michael Jordan started leading the Chicago Bulls to numerous NBA titles during the 1990's. It is still (by far) the highest-rated college basketball telecast ever.
If my memory serves me correct, the Boston Celtics already had the NBA rights to Larry Bird and the Los Angeles Lakers already had the NBA rights to Magic Johnson at the time the 1979 NCAA finals were held. If that's the case, part of the reason for the huge TV numbers may have been big ratings in Boston and Los Angeles as local NBA fans tuned-in to see "the future of their local NBA clubs". With Los Angeles the number-two TV market and Boston the number-five or six TV market, healthy numbers in those cities certainly could have helped boost the national ratingss.
> The classic Bird and Magic matchup from 1979 aired on NBC.
And it was the highest-rated basketball telecast, college or pro, until Michael Jordan started leading the Chicago Bulls to numerous NBA titles during the 1990's. It is still (by far) the highest-rated college basketball telecast ever.
If my memory serves me correct, the Boston Celtics already had the NBA rights to Larry Bird and the Los Angeles Lakers already had the NBA rights to Magic Johnson at the time the 1979 NCAA finals were held. If that's the case, part of the reason for the huge TV numbers may have been big ratings in Boston and Los Angeles as local NBA fans tuned-in to see "the future of their local NBA clubs". With Los Angeles the number-two TV market and Boston the number-five or six TV market, healthy numbers in those cities certainly could have helped boost the national ratingss.
> (wasn't "March Madness" originally used
> by the Indiana high school championship tournament, but
> never trademarked?).
>
I've never heard anything but 'Hoosier Hysteria' used to describe the ISHAA tournament...and that even rarely since they went class in the late 90s. (Not a fan of class sports...especially when it causes the hometown school to play its sectional anywhere between one and three hours away -- so much for using a Marti.)
> by the Indiana high school championship tournament, but
> never trademarked?).
>
I've never heard anything but 'Hoosier Hysteria' used to describe the ISHAA tournament...and that even rarely since they went class in the late 90s. (Not a fan of class sports...especially when it causes the hometown school to play its sectional anywhere between one and three hours away -- so much for using a Marti.)
C
ChrisTheListener
Guest
> > Seriously, it was a much bigger deal when the University
> Of
> > Connecticut men won that in 1988.
>
> Actually, in Indiana, the Hoosiers won the tournament in
> 1979, but they would have much rather played in and won the
> NCAA. The NCAA adopted their 64 team format in 1985. UCLA's
> run in the 60s and 70s probably provided more cache to the
> NCAA as well as their coverage on NBC.
Unfortunately for Indiana, they just lost to Gonzaga.
And unfortunately for UCLA, they play the Zags next.
~CTL
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"Welcome to radio-info.com...where we hate everything!!!!! You people are radio's equivalent to the two old guys in the balcony on the Muppet show!"
~FoReal?</P>
> Of
> > Connecticut men won that in 1988.
>
> Actually, in Indiana, the Hoosiers won the tournament in
> 1979, but they would have much rather played in and won the
> NCAA. The NCAA adopted their 64 team format in 1985. UCLA's
> run in the 60s and 70s probably provided more cache to the
> NCAA as well as their coverage on NBC.
Unfortunately for Indiana, they just lost to Gonzaga.
And unfortunately for UCLA, they play the Zags next.
~CTL
<P ID="signature">______________
"Welcome to radio-info.com...where we hate everything!!!!! You people are radio's equivalent to the two old guys in the balcony on the Muppet show!"
~FoReal?</P>
C
ChrisTheListener
Guest
One thing I must say: Props to Greg Gumbel and the entire CBS productions staff (moreso to the amazing production staff) of this tournament. They put on an amazing 48 games this weekend. Yes, we fans often find ourselves complaining about switches or dropped games, but the reality is, they do an amazing job given the almost unmannagable circumstances.
Congrats on a great job, and thank you, CBS.
Picks for the rest of the Tourney?
In the Final Four:
Gonzaga over Duke
UConn over Boston College
Gonzaga National Champs
Anybody else?
~CTL<P ID="signature">______________
"Welcome to radio-info.com...where we hate everything!!!!! You people are radio's equivalent to the two old guys in the balcony on the Muppet show!"
~FoReal?</P>
Congrats on a great job, and thank you, CBS.
Picks for the rest of the Tourney?
In the Final Four:
Gonzaga over Duke
UConn over Boston College
Gonzaga National Champs
Anybody else?
~CTL<P ID="signature">______________
"Welcome to radio-info.com...where we hate everything!!!!! You people are radio's equivalent to the two old guys in the balcony on the Muppet show!"
~FoReal?</P>
K
karaokelegend
Guest
The time has come for CBS to televise all regional semifinal games Thursday and Friday. You could have games at 12, 2:30, 7, and 9:30. This would avoid such nightmare scenarios as Duke and NC State playing at the same time. WJZY picked up the NC State/Wisconsin game last year. It's a wonder they haven't started this.
K
KeithE
Guest
> I don't recall CBS using the "March Madness" branding until
> the late 80s or so (wasn't "March Madness" originally used
> by the Indiana high school championship tournament, but
> never trademarked?).
Yes. I remember the term going back to at least the '60s (I grew up in Indiana). But since Indiana split its tournament into classes several years ago, I just isn't the same. :-(
> the late 80s or so (wasn't "March Madness" originally used
> by the Indiana high school championship tournament, but
> never trademarked?).
Yes. I remember the term going back to at least the '60s (I grew up in Indiana). But since Indiana split its tournament into classes several years ago, I just isn't the same. :-(
C
ChrisTheListener
Guest
> It's a wonder they haven't started this.
No it isn't. Primetime!
They can avoid that kind of thing if they want. Just set up the schedules so that it doesn't happen.
They can't play regional semis at 12 noon. 3 reasons. First, and as far as the networks are concerned, most importantly... Primetime. Notice how Duke and other popular schools are always in Primetime, even for their first round game. UConn, Texas, Duke, UNC, and others this year.
Second, think about people at work and kids in school. I hate being at work and not having a place to watch the game (no tv in my office). Alot of times, the games aren't on the radio, so I'm left with my AOL Dial-up internet to try and do the job. And for the kids. The one thing I HATED when I was in school was when there was a sporting event, any sporting event, that I was missing. Sometimes teachers would follow the games for us, but it just not as good. Same with most of America at work.
And finally, games at noon and 2:30 my not sound so bad for you or me, but think about the west coast. That would mean a game in Oakland at 9 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING!! Ya, I can see it. Gonzaga vs. UCLA, in Oakland, at 9am. I think not.
So, those are the three reasons for having games all in Primetime. Besides, missing one game is not as big a deal anymore with MMOD, and the Realtime Scoreboard CBS has across the top, A GREAT INVENTION!!!! (Plus, think about it. In the first round, we miss 3 games at a time. 1 game is not that big a deal.)
~CTL<P ID="signature">______________
"Welcome to radio-info.com...where we hate everything!!!!! You people are radio's equivalent to the two old guys in the balcony on the Muppet show!"
~FoReal?</P>
No it isn't. Primetime!
They can avoid that kind of thing if they want. Just set up the schedules so that it doesn't happen.
They can't play regional semis at 12 noon. 3 reasons. First, and as far as the networks are concerned, most importantly... Primetime. Notice how Duke and other popular schools are always in Primetime, even for their first round game. UConn, Texas, Duke, UNC, and others this year.
Second, think about people at work and kids in school. I hate being at work and not having a place to watch the game (no tv in my office). Alot of times, the games aren't on the radio, so I'm left with my AOL Dial-up internet to try and do the job. And for the kids. The one thing I HATED when I was in school was when there was a sporting event, any sporting event, that I was missing. Sometimes teachers would follow the games for us, but it just not as good. Same with most of America at work.
And finally, games at noon and 2:30 my not sound so bad for you or me, but think about the west coast. That would mean a game in Oakland at 9 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING!! Ya, I can see it. Gonzaga vs. UCLA, in Oakland, at 9am. I think not.
So, those are the three reasons for having games all in Primetime. Besides, missing one game is not as big a deal anymore with MMOD, and the Realtime Scoreboard CBS has across the top, A GREAT INVENTION!!!! (Plus, think about it. In the first round, we miss 3 games at a time. 1 game is not that big a deal.)
~CTL<P ID="signature">______________
"Welcome to radio-info.com...where we hate everything!!!!! You people are radio's equivalent to the two old guys in the balcony on the Muppet show!"
~FoReal?</P>
J
Joseph_Gallant
Guest
Re: How To Get More Regional Semifinal Games On TV
Maybe one solution is to have regional semifinals on the second Thursday and second Friday of the tournament start at 5:05, 7:35, and 10:05 P.M. Eastern time.
The early (5:05 ET) and late (10:05 ET) games would be seen across trhe entire network. The middle (7:35 ET) games would still be seen on a regional basis, but this way, (1) CBS gets a tripleheader, but would not get any regional semifinals on weekday afternoons prior to 5 P.M. Eastern; (2) The scheduling can be adjusted so what happened in North Carolina last year (two local teams playing in the "sweet sixteen" round at the same time) doesn't happen again; (3) Four of the six regional semifinals would be seen across the entire network, and (4) Viewers of any one CBS affiliate would get to see six of the eight regional semifinal games.
One other compromise that would get all eight regional semifinals telecast across the entire network is this: The regional semifinals would be expanded to three nights (Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday). The first night, Wednesday, two regional semis would be broadcast at 7:05 and 9:30 P.M. Eastern. On the other two nights of regional semifinals (Thursday and Friday), there would be a tripleheader at 5:05, 7:35, and 10:05 P.M. Eastern time on each evening. This way, all eight regional semifinals would be telecast across the entire network.
Maybe one solution is to have regional semifinals on the second Thursday and second Friday of the tournament start at 5:05, 7:35, and 10:05 P.M. Eastern time.
The early (5:05 ET) and late (10:05 ET) games would be seen across trhe entire network. The middle (7:35 ET) games would still be seen on a regional basis, but this way, (1) CBS gets a tripleheader, but would not get any regional semifinals on weekday afternoons prior to 5 P.M. Eastern; (2) The scheduling can be adjusted so what happened in North Carolina last year (two local teams playing in the "sweet sixteen" round at the same time) doesn't happen again; (3) Four of the six regional semifinals would be seen across the entire network, and (4) Viewers of any one CBS affiliate would get to see six of the eight regional semifinal games.
One other compromise that would get all eight regional semifinals telecast across the entire network is this: The regional semifinals would be expanded to three nights (Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday). The first night, Wednesday, two regional semis would be broadcast at 7:05 and 9:30 P.M. Eastern. On the other two nights of regional semifinals (Thursday and Friday), there would be a tripleheader at 5:05, 7:35, and 10:05 P.M. Eastern time on each evening. This way, all eight regional semifinals would be telecast across the entire network.
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