NBC Sports Previews On-Campus Studio Set for B1G College Countdown

NBC Sports
(Image credit: NBC Sports)

STAMFORD, Conn.—NBC Sports unveiled a rendering of its on-campus studio set for B1G College Countdown presented by Genesis, which will debut in nine days at Penn State as NBC and Peacock kick off their Big Ten Football schedules on Saturday, Sept. 2. 

The set is part of NBC Sports new package of Big Ten Games on Saturday night.  In 2022, the Big Ten announced a seven-year, $7 billion media deal with CBS, NBC and Fox allowing the three networks to broadcast their games starting in 2023 and running through the 2029-30 season.

B1G College Countdown will lead into each B1G Saturday game on NBC and Peacock. In addition, College Countdown presented by Genesis will lead into the two Notre Dame primetime games on NBC and Peacock.

NBC Sports said that the set will be located at a strategic location close to the stadium and that the open-air set will allow students, alumni and fans from both schools to view and interact with the B1G College Countdown team as they preview the upcoming game and provide news and commentary on the day in college football. 

The location will also allow NBC flexibility to showcase unique parts of each school’s college football traditions in and around the stadium. The NBC Sports studio team will utilize the set throughout the day of college football coverage leading up to B1G Saturday Night on NBC and Peacock.

In addition, NBC Sports has created a companion B1G Yards presented by Genesis fan experience, which will be on-location at each Saturday night game. NBC Sports and the universities will collaborate on a school-specific B1G Yards at each campus, highlighted by spirit team appearances, giveaways, spray-paint tattoos, a face-paint station, and a DJ deck called The Peacock Perch.

“We are thrilled to partner with Genesis on this unique opportunity to combine Big Ten and Notre Dame Football's dedicated fanbases with new, immersive experiences backed by the power of the NBCUniversal portfolio,” said Peter Lazarus, executive vice president, advertising & partnerships, NBC Sports. “Together, we are tapping into the power of sports to create long-lasting connection and impact with brands and fans alike.”

NBC Sports kicks off coverage of the 2023 college football season this Saturday, Aug. 26, as Notre Dame travels to Dublin, Ireland, to play the Navy Midshipmen at Aviva Stadium at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. Coverage begins with College Countdown presented by Genesis at 2 p.m. ET on Peacock.

On Saturday, Sept. 2, NBC Sports debuts its Big Ten Football package with two of college football’s top programs – Penn State and Michigan – opening their 2023 seasons with home games.

At Noon ET, exclusively on Peacock, the Big Ten champion and Associated Press preseason No. 2 Michigan Wolverines open “The Big House” against East Carolina.

At 7:30 p.m. ET, on NBC and Peacock, the AP preseason No. 7 Penn State Nittany Lions, Rose Bowl winners this past winter, host West Virginia at Beaver Stadium in the schools’ 50th meeting, but first since 1992. The Nittany Lions and Mountaineers played 31 times between 1960-92.

NBC Sports’ FBS college football games announced to date are:

Date Time (ET)            Matchup                                    Platform

Sat., Aug. 26 2:30 p.m. Navy vs. No. 13 Notre Dame (in Ireland) NBC, Peacock

Sat., Sept. 2 Noon East Carolina at No. 2 Michigan Peacock

Sat., Sept. 2 3:30 p.m. Tennessee State at No. 13 Notre Dame NBC, Peacock

Sat., Sept. 2 7:30 p.m. West Virginia at No. 7 Penn State NBC, Peacock

Sat., Sept. 9 Noon Delaware at No. 7 Penn State Peacock

Sat., Sept. 9 7:30 p.m. Charlotte at Maryland NBC, Peacock

Sat., Sept. 16 2:30 p.m. Central Michigan at No. 13 Notre Dame Peacock

Sat., Sept. 16 5 p.m. No. 10 Washington at Michigan State Peacock

Sat., Sept. 16 7:30 p.m. Syracuse at Purdue NBC, Peacock

Sat., Sept. 23 7:30 p.m. No. 3 Ohio State at Notre Dame NBC, Peacock

Sat., Oct. 14 7:30 p.m. No. 6 USC at No. 13 Notre Dame NBC, Peacock

Sat., Oct. 28 3:30 p.m. Pittsburgh at No. 13 Notre Dame NBC, Peacock

Sat., Nov. 11 7:30 p.m. Michigan State at No. 3 Ohio State NBC, Peacock

Sat., Nov. 18 3:30 p.m. Wake Forest at No. 13 Notre Dame NBC, Peacock

Fri., Nov. 24 7:30 p.m. No. 7 Penn State at Michigan State (Ford Field) NBC, Peacock

NBC Sports’ Big Ten Football package features B1G Saturday Night on NBC and Peacock – marking the first time ever that Big Ten Football will have a dedicated weekly primetime game on a national broadcast network – and nine exclusive games on Peacock.

Peacock will simulstream all of NBC Sports’ college football games and studio shows airing on the NBC broadcast network this season, including B1G Saturday Night and Notre Dame Football home games, the company added. 

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George Winslow

George Winslow is the senior content producer for TV Tech. He has written about the television, media and technology industries for nearly 30 years for such publications as Broadcasting & Cable, Multichannel News and TV Tech. Over the years, he has edited a number of magazines, including Multichannel News International and World Screen, and moderated panels at such major industry events as NAB and MIP TV. He has published two books and dozens of encyclopedia articles on such subjects as the media, New York City history and economics.