ESPN And BCS Agree To Terms On Broadcast Television Contract

BCS National Title Beginning in January 2011, the Bowl Championship Series is coming to ESPN.

Currently, ESPN is available in a little over 98 million homes in the United States. According to Nielsen, that is about 86 percent of all households with television sets. BCS commissioner John Swofford expects that number to grow by 2011. Of the households that watched the BCS title game on Fox last season, 95 percent had cable or satellite, ESPN said.

"The BCS will thrive on ESPN," said ESPN president George Bodenheimer. "This is a proud day for ESPN and an exceptional day for this great sport and its passionate fans."

The deal was announced on Tuesday that gives ESPN exclusive television, radio, digital, international and marketing rights for the Fiesta, Orange and Sugar Bowls from 2011-2014 and the BCS title game from 2011 to 2013.

According to the new deal, Rose Bowl will continue to be televised on ABC through 2014 under a separate, previous contract. The Rose Bowl is also slated to host the 2014 title game.

This means the Fiesta, Orange and Sugar Bowls, plus the BCS Championship Game, will be televised in prime time each January. There will also be a BCS show on ESPN to unveil the current rankings every Sunday.

The games will also be carried on ESPN Radio and ESPN Deportes Radio. Digital Media rights include operation of the official BCS Web site and the opportunity to simulcast the games online at ESPN360.com and on ESPN Mobile TV for mobile devices.