ESPN is broadcasting the softball CWS. That event is taking top billing on the flagship channel (ESPN). That means the regional games will be on ESPN's other channels: ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, etc.

Given today is a weekday, it probably doesn't benefit ESPN's interest (viewership) by broadcasting all of the games during the workday. That's why there is only 1 game being broadcast before 6:00 pm ET.

I think most would agree ESPN2 is the most widely circulated channel outside of ESPN. With games on ESPN out because of the softball world series, ESPN2 is next on the hierarchy. The network execs probably want to put teams on that channel who will bring in the highest viewership. So it's probably no coincidence that games involving Tennessee (defending champ) and LSU (probably the most popular program in the entire sport) are on ESPN2 tonight.

Tennessee and Wake Forest are schools both located in the Eastern time zone. If that was the "late" game on ESPN2, first pitch would be at 9:00 pm local time. That's why they get the "early" start. LSU and UALR are central time zone programs. Thus, in order to (1) get LSU on the top available channel (ESPN2) and (2) to start the game at a time that will (hopefully) allow the game ahead of it to be completed, 8:00 CT is the start time.

LSU fans should take it as a badge of honor. Of the teams still playing today, ESPN considers LSU as a major draw...even against a largely unknown opponent. That's why ESPN wants to put LSU on their most marquee channel available.

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Posted by Tiger Ugly

Baton Rouge

Member since Jul 2008

16664 posts

Posted on 6/2/25 at 1:19 pm to Alt26

quote:

LSU fans should take it as a badge of honor. Of the teams still playing today, ESPN considers LSU as a major draw...even against a largely unknown opponent. That's why ESPN wants to put LSU on their most marquee channel available.

Well, I get that college baseball does not get good t.v. ratings and that LSU will always get the highest viewership so that's always part of the consideration. But hell man, 3 nights in a row. Can't we they be more creative on this?

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Posted by lalouisiane

Member since Jul 2017

341 posts

Posted on 6/2/25 at 1:34 pm to Alt26

quote:
ESPN is broadcasting the softball CWS. That event is taking top billing on the flagship channel (ESPN). That means the regional games will be on ESPN's other channels: ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, etc.

Put us on the Ocho for all I care. Would be nice to not be leaving the ball park after midnight.

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Posted by Alt26

Member since Mar 2010

32195 posts

Posted on 6/2/25 at 1:51 pm to Tiger Ugly

quote:
Well, I get that college baseball does not get good t.v. ratings and that LSU will always get the highest viewership so that's always part of the consideration. But hell man, 3 nights in a row. Can't we they be more creative on this?

Friday's rain delay backed everything up on Saturday. Game 2 was originally scheduled for 5:00 pm. However, because Game 2 on Friday didn't end until late, the network pushed the DBU/UALR start time back an hour to 2:00 pm. That, then pushed the LSU game on Saturday back into the late window. Had their been no delay on Friday, LSU would have started at 5:00 pm on Saturday. The Sunday game (I think) was always scheduled for 8:00 pm.

Monday's games were all TBD because the networks couldn't know how many there would be until late Sunday night. If there were only 2-3 games today, then the scheduling may have been different. However, with 6 games on the schedule, ESPN is trying to get as many as possible in the evening schedule.

Now, I think you could argue the USC/OSU game should be a late start given both are west coast programs. But ALL ESPN cares about is viewers. They know LSU fans will watch. That's why they are broadcasting LSU on its (most) marquee channel in the evening at a time the workday is over for all time zones.

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