I’d say some due to replay, some due to the fact that CBS seems to make it its goal to get the following sequence into every game: Score, commericals, kickoff, commercials, timeout (for any number of reasons… play clock, replay, warning, etc), commercials, punt, commercials. Also, for the first couple of years of the current replay system, the networks stayed on the game during replays and showed you the play from every angle… now they use them as opportunities for another commercial break.
Which is just to say that I blame greed at least as much as challenges
Anyone have average challenges actually used per game numbers?
<end hijack>
As for games, the NFL and the networks have made it abundantly clear that you have the inalienable right to see any games that they designate you as in the ‘market’ for, and no right whatsoever to count on any other non-national (sunday night, monday night, saturdays, holidays, etc) games unless you get NFL Sunday Ticket. I sort of wish the networks had some people with a clue who had the flexibility to switch to key games/situations (think March Madness coverage) (and particularly above “in-market” blowouts), but you can’t have everything.
“Due to contractual obligations of the local affiliate team we are leaving this amazing game heading towards an incredible finish so we can can fit in 10 minutes of commercials, 10 minutes of watching Mike Shannahan and Jake Plummer giggle on the sidelines, and 5 minutes of inane commentator face time, before the actual kick off”. :mad:
They actually pick games that are more regionally-friendly than best games. In Wis we’re stuck with the Bears, Lions or Vikings–and this year that really sucks.
Don’t worry PK, this sunday you get the Colts on CBS and the Bears/Steelers on FOX.
ANd as far as game times and commercials is considered, that’s worthy of a pit thread all by itself. It’s beyond ridiculous. For starters, td, commercial, kickoff, commercial,play… And now they’re even hawking movies and such on the pregame…I’ll stop now. Maybe I’ll start one sunday, since the Pack is on cable and I don’t have cable. Maybe that’s a good thing this year. :dubious:
Is anyone else thoroughly sick of CBS’s coverage of NFL games? I swear, all the play-by-play crew does any longer is shill for various CBS shows.
“Well, there’s another play starting. Be sure to watch CSI: Podunk Tuesday night on CBS; America’s Most Watched Network. Something just happened on the field. Tonight on 60 Minutes: In-depth revelations from some minor celebrity you don’t care about. Someone must have scored as the teams are lining up for a kickoff. Be sure to stay tuned for the halftime show featuring Bryant Gumbel and a bunch of washed-up jocks pontificating about this game and others.”
I can hardly stand to watch it any more. Thank Ogg my Seahawks are now in the NFC, so we’re usually on Fox. Fox doesn’t has so few prime-time shows left that they apparently hardly bother to promote them during the game.
