CBS’s Jim Nantz rolled out the old bromide, “It’s a whole new ballgame,” during a conference call last week.
But this time, the bromide fit the occasion.
Nantz was noting that the NCAA Tournament, with 68 teams, begins Tuesday night in Dayton, Ohio, replacing the traditional at-large, one-game play-in. Actually, it’s a whole new ballgame for college hoops fanatics.
In the early rounds, fans will be able to view games of their choosing on four networks — CBS, TNT, TBS and truTV.
Not familiar with truTV?
Formerly known as Court TV, the cable network reaches 92 million out of the 167 million cable viewers nationwide.
Regular programming includes “Hardcore Pawn,” “Las Vegas Jailhouse” and “Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura” — series obviously designed for college hoops fans.
(You’re allowed to snicker here.)
This wall-to-wall coverage is the result of the NCAA’s 14-year, $10.8 billion deal with CBS and Turner Broadcasting.
CBS Sports president Sean McManus admits the agreement was a direct result of the anticipated bid by ESPN to take over all aspects of the men’s tourney.
CBS, aware it couldn’t compete financially against ESPN for the entire package, worked with David Levy, president of Turner Sports, for the long-term deal that begins in Dayton on Tuesday and Wednesday (truTV) with games that will bring the field down to the traditional 64 by Thursday.
Overall game coverage: CBS (26), TBS (16), truTV (13) and TNT (12).
All games will be online.
CBS will have exclusivity from the Elite Eight through the championship April 4.
Such scheduling is designed to eliminate the traditional hopscotching CBS previously provided in the opening rounds. With a click of the remote, couch potatoes can select games they want to see.
The scoreboard, on the top left hand corner of the screen, will keep viewers posted on games on other channels.
Television coverage will mix CBS’s college announcers with the TNT crew that covers the NBA.
And a trio will replace the duo on Final Four Saturday and in the championship game, with TNT’s Steve Kerr working with Nantz and Clark Kellogg.
The trio “practiced” on CBS over the weekend during the Big Ten Tournament.
A mixture of CBS and TNT talent will be at courtside on the four networks during early tournament play.
Studio reports will originate from New York and Atlanta, with CBS’s Greg Gumbel and TNT’s Ernie Johnson sharing the main anchor chairs.
Of course, the inimitable Charles Barkley will be in the mix. He and Kenny Smith auditioned on CBS on Sunday.
Local angle: CBS’s Seth Davis, during the network’s selection show, quickly voiced disappointment that Colorado wasn’t picked.
Hockey hoopla.
NBC and Versus are working hard during a four-day TV binge to remind viewers that pucks and ice rinks remain an alternative to hoops and hardwood floors.
Washington beat Chicago 4-3 on Sunday on NBC.
Other games, scheduled on Versus: San Jose at Chicago (6 p.m. Monday), Carolina at Buffalo (5:30 p.m. Tuesday) and Washington at Detroit (5:30 p.m. Wednesday).
Radio lines.
ESPN Deportes Radio (102.3 FM) has acquired Spanish broadcasting rights to broadcast the 34 games of the Rapids, the defending Major League Soccer champions. The season opener against Portland airs at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Front Range Sports Network, home of The Ticket 87.7 FM, operates the 102.3 frequency.
Longtime Denver journalist Dusty Saunders writes about sports media each Monday in The Denver Post. Reach him at tvtime@comcast.net.
Packer: Thumbs down on TV plan
Billy Packer, who called 34 consecutive Final Fours for CBS before leaving in 2008, is not a fan of the new TV schedule.
In a recent USA Today interview, Packer, while crediting CBS for getting Turner Sports to share the expensive rights fees, believes “the NCAA was only interested in maximizing its revenues rather than finding a better way to show the tournament.”
Packer said ESPN would have been a better venue, partially because it features broadcasting talent that regularly covers the college scene.
He’s not a fan of bringing TNT’s NBA announcers to the NCAA Tournament, saying “the NBA is a different sport.”
Packer claims viewers “will miss the old system” of being switched to the hottest action.
And he doesn’t like the tourney expansion to 68 teams.
“It’s all about money and political correctness, not tournament quality.
“Are those new games going to be better than what you can watch on ESPN (tonight).
“No. Why play them?”
