Pac-12 Networks Will Not Broadcast Any Football Games During First 6 Weeks

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Pac-12 released their football schedule on Saturday morning.

Although the television broadcast information or kickoff times were not announced, the conference announced that none of the Pac-12 games through the first six weeks will be televised on the Pac-12 Networks.

All 36 games will be televised on either ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, FOX or FS1.

“The schedule announced today is highlighted by exciting and tough matchups that will showcase the depth of our Conference and position our teams well for CFP consideration and postseason Bowl opportunities,” said Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott.  “Importantly, our return to football competition will continue to place the health and safety of our student-athletes and all those connected to Pac-12 football as the highest priority.”

Pac-12 TV Deals

According to the Pac-12 contract, the conference has an agreement with both ESPN (ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU) and FOX (FOX, FS1) that started in 2012 and was a 12-year deal through 2023-24.

For regular season football games, the Pac-12 has to provide 44 total games, 22 to each ESPN and FOX networks. The Pac-12 Networks will televise the remaining football games where Pac-12 controls media rights.

Doing the math, the six game regular season would be 36 games provided for ESPN and FOX to televise. If you count the seventh week, that is another six games, leaving 42 games to be broadcast. That’s why the Pac-12 Network is not televising any of the regular season games through the first six weeks. Just looking at the contract and the amount of games, it’s likely they won’t broadcast any games this season.

Utah’s Schedule

Week 1: Saturday, Nov. 7 vs. Arizona

Week 2: Friday, Nov. 13 at UCLA

Week 3: Saturday, Nov. 21 vs. USC

Week 4: Saturday, Nov. 28 at Arizona State

Week 5: Saturday, Dec. 5 vs. Oregon State

Week 6: Friday, Dec. 11 at Colorado

🚨 ANNOUNCED 🚨 The 2020 #Pac12FB Schedule‼️🏈

More info ➡️ https://t.co/is8iNnKAn8#BackThePac pic.twitter.com/EztU2bMgZe

— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) October 3, 2020

Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for KSLSports.com and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports. You can download and listen to the podcast, here.