[vincesanity82]

The University of Notre Dame and NBC Sports have reached agreement on a new five-year contract giving NBC the rights to televise Irish home football games from 2011 to 2015, extending the partnership between the University and network to 25 years.

A joint announcement of the extension was made Thursday (June 19) by NBC Sports & Olympics chairman Dick Ebersol, NBC Sports president Ken Schanzer and Notre Dame's president, Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C.
"We are absolutely thrilled to be continuing our landmark agreement with Notre Dame, the most storied brand in college sports," Ebersol said. "This new deal, which will bring us to 25 years as partners, is great tribute to the wonderful relationship that Ken Schanzer has built with the entire Notre Dame community."

Notre Dame, NBC extend football contract through 2015 :: Partnership between the University and network to reach 25 years

[vincesanity82]

this was a no brainer looking back at their stellar 3-9 season from last year..

[Lefty Noob]

Actually it was a five-year extension, considering the deal already ran through 2010.
Still, despite the bad record, the ratings must have still been good for NBC to pursue an extension at this point in time.

[Quack Attack]

You know what college football fans/Irish fans...this is why so many people hate Notre Dame football. I actually never have had anything against the Irish. I think NBC is stupid in extending these rediculous exclusive ND Irish contracts but apparently, there are enough fans out there in the market still watching. Hey, not me and a lot of other big time college fans but enough for the so-called experts at NBC to garner more contract extensions. I have to admit, I root for the Irish to lose in every game and they get special privilidges in that if they finish in the top 12 I believe...guaranteed a BCS bowl spot. This is the problem everybody hates about college football. Too many idiots such as University Presidents have control over this matter and are keeping college football from having what every college football sports fan really wants...a playoff system. I could go on and on...but I wont. Cheers!!!

[Lefty Noob]

See, a lot of people watch Notre Dame to see them win, and a lot of people watch Notre Dame to see them lose.
Either way, it's a win-win scenario for NBC, because a lot of people are watching.

[vincesanity82]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

See, a lot of people watch Notre Dame to see them win, and a lot of people watch Notre Dame to see them lose.
Either way, it's a win-win scenario for NBC, because a lot of people are watching.

I dont think thats the case, I think that enough people watch because simply its a college football game, who doesnt like watching college football regardless of the team? They couldve got better ratings with a better team though..

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by vincesanity82

I dont think thats the case, I think that enough people watch because simply its a college football game, who doesnt like watching college football regardless of the team? They couldve got better ratings with a better team though..

I disagree. Why does Notre Dame sometimes get bowl games over teams with more wins? Their fanbase is huge, and they've very passionate about Fighting Irish football. Likewise, there are many, many people who number themselves among the Notre Dame Haters of the world, and I'm sure they loved seeing the team go 3-9 last year, losing to teams they used to roll over in the past. Love 'em or hate 'em, people have very strong feelings about Notre Dame, and that equals big ratings.

[bears9]

I love watching the Notre Dame games on NBC, but lets face the facts the only they pick Notre is because they can't get anyone else. SEC is with CBS, Pac-10 is with FSN and ESPN/ABC, Big 12 is with FSN and ESPN/ABC, the ACC is with ESPN/ABC, same with the Big East. So unless they want to take C-USA or Mountain West (which I just remembered they can't because they are with Versus) or a smaller conference like that, Notre is their only way in.

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by Associated Press

The TV ratings last year, when Notre Dame went 3-9, averaged a 1.9 rating and a 5 share, down from an average ratings of 3.0 and a 7 share in 2006 when they were 10-3 and ranked No. 17 and a 3.6 ratings and a 9 share in 2005 when they were 9-3 and No. 9. The previous low ratings for Notre Dame football on NBC were 2.4 ratings and 6 shares in both 2003, when the Irish finished 5-7, and 2001, when they finished 5-6.

I guess I stand corrected. The 2005 Alamo Bowl even drew a 5.41, and the 2006 OSU vs. Michigan game netted a whopping 13.4 rating.

[dannan14]

Originally Posted by Quack Attack

Too many idiots such as University Presidents have control over this matter and are keeping college football from having what every college football sports fan really wants...a playoff system. I could go on and on...but I wont. Cheers!!!

Not everyone. Many people, like myself, realize that a playoff changes college football forever. The uniqueness evaporates and the bowls die with a playoff. And why shouldn't the University Presidents be the ones who decide? i could go on and on too, but maybe we might agree that it's a boring debate that has been done too many times for anything new to be presented.

NBC will continue the contract so long as it is profitable. That is their only motive. Last year's rating were and anomaly just as the team's horrible performance was an anomaly. The only things i dislike about the NBC contract are the idiots they have in the booth and on the sidelines most years, i would almost prefer Keith Jackson or John Madden (i can't stand either of them) than some of the guys NBC has picked (not all of course). The other dislike is that the ND game is the only one NBC plays.

i don't have satellite or cable because the only time i watch tv is when college football is on. i want a world where each of the original 'Big 3' networks has 3 or 4 games every week.