‘Rare ESPN W’: Fans applaud network’s major college football change
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Networks are constantly tinkering with their broadcast presentations heading into a new college football season. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see a number of different score bugs, camera angles and other features on display starting this weekend.
Over at ESPN, they’re permanently removing something that has been a fixture on college football telecasts since the 1990s. The BottomLine ticker is no more, the network confirmed to Front Office Sports Wednesday.
End of an era
The rolling ticker at the bottom of the screen, which has already been taken off College Football Playoff games and other major events, like the NBA and NHL playoffs, is now gone for good. Regular season games on all Disney/ESPN properties–ABC, ACC Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, and SEC Network–will no longer utilize the BottomLine.
“We’re always looking for ways to better serve sports fans. By removing the BottomLine during live action, we’re creating a cleaner presentation that keeps the focus where it belongs—on the field,” an ESPN spokesperson told the outlet.
Many–but not all–fans are thrilled
Combing social media, it is clear that a large portion of college football enthusiasts felt like the BottomLine was a relic from an earlier time period that had outgrown its utility.
“Rare ESPN W,” said the College Sports Only X account.
“As someone who DVRs games and watches them later when I get free I am a BIG FAN OF THIS,” one fan added.
“Overdue would be an understatement,” said another.
“Best news I’ve heard all week! I’ve always enjoyed that games on NBC or CBS don’t have a distracting ticker, glad ESPN is following suit.,” a third fan said.
While many people like the change, others took a more cynical approach.
“Translated: we don’t want people realizing other games may possibly be better and switching away to another network,” said one of them.
“This is an awful decision,” added NFL Draft analyst Tyler Forness.
“Score one for the corporate partners. Can’t be letting fans have visibility to scores of more compelling games if they’re carried by different networks,” another fan chimed in.
New season around the corner
Week 0 is almost here, with the first Saturday slate of games three days away. Four of them are on ESPN networks, including TCU-North Carolina (noon ET, ESPN) from Ireland and NC State-Virginia (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).
The first full week of college football games starts Thursday, Aug. 29.
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