For the first time since 2005, the networks will not have Tim Tebow to trumpet during the college football season.
Love him or hate him, though, the former Florida quarterback drove discussion at every level of the media and thus, in theory at least, had an impact on television ratings.
How big of an impact? The man responsible for CBS’ SEC coverage seems to think the answer to that question is a big one.
Speaking to the Birmingham News, CBS Sports executive vice president of programming Mike Aresco was asked what effect a Tebow-less SEC would have on ratings. You know the stories of Tebow and the circumcision of Filipino boys? Aresco believes something else will get lopped off because of Tebow — viewers.
“It is going to be different. You don’t have (Tim) Tebow now,” Aresco said. “That’s something you notice immediately. Some of the numbers Tebow was responsible for. You can’t underestimate star power in television. Even if we do well in ratings, maybe they’ll be slightly lower. I guess it’s a question of expectations. You want people to have reasonable expectations. Obviously, the very beginning of the season will go a long way toward what kind of season we’ll have.”
I understand the “power” of Tebow, but could one player leaving realistically be expected to impact the ratings so much that it causes them to drop?
I’m quite certain Mr. Aresco knows knows more about television than I, but that just seems, on the surface, to be an utterly asinine assumption and giving way more credit to one individual than is deserved. The SEC was wildly successful long before Tebow came on the scene; they’ll be the same long after he’s been gone.
Then again, the man can make foreskin disappear with the snip of his fingers…
The SEC existed before tebow, trust me on that one, it will be just fine without the little pussy.
OMG!! Is this a joke?? I mean come on College football has been around for quite some time and we’ve seen the icons of the game play college ball and this post sounds like its hanging on by a thread because of one little eager achiever from the swamp!
You should consult the Bronchos! He has yet to prove he’s all that!!
I’M WAITING ON THOSE NFL HITS, BRING EM ON CAUSE BAMA FOLDED HIS BUTT LIKE A LOUNGER!!
U people took the bait:
@ JT–he made the foreskin disappear so your head would pop up…..
@wrathchild– JT hates Tebow so he sucked U & Donna into starting the hate Tebow crap to generate hits!!!
Pussy? That Pussy smoked your a$$. Tebow is a good person/Winner–journalists R the ones that promote the hate!!!!
@ Donna–Consult the Broncos???? Wake up!!!
1–Tebow the #1 selling jersey in the NFL
2–Tebow shoes sold out in 15 min
3–Tebow’s Bronco teammates to a man sing his praises. They have been with him 10-12 hrs a day every day & they know what he is all about.
He is the type of man anyone would want their daughter to marry or their son to grow up like.
TMZ, the Enquirer & every other sleaze rag would pay a mil plus for dirt on Tebow. If there were skeletons they would be out because anyone with dirt could become an instant millionaire.
Tebow lives his life the way U see him
& it is infectous in a good way to everyone that spends any time with him. Never has there been a college player that was such a “goody two shoes” that everyone wanted to prove he couldn’t be that open, honest, caring & truthful.
** HE IS—IT’S A FACT–LIKE IT OR NOT **
I am not saying he will ever be a starting qb in the NFL–he never said that either! It’s not about that. It’s about all the bashing of a kid for flaunting what is most important to him—his Religous beliefs.
Tim Tebow is a man’s man….a blue collar type. He will do whatever it takes, tough as nails & wills his team to wins. Tebow never had all the skills of a polished Qb but he has the skills of a winner which brings out the best in his teammates & makes a team the better for it.
“JT hates Tebow”
You could not be more wrong.
@JT
They took the bait …Now U did….
I honestly think the ratings will be down.
Yes, the SEC is a powerful conference. The true fans and all the college students will watch the games. But there were a lot of people who watched Florida games solely because Tebow was playing.
Factor in the loss of a freak of a tight end and their defensive leader… the ratings may be down A LITTLE for UF games at least.
Well, I guess you got me blitz. Dadgum you…
Just trying to have a little fun….JT
@ Sean Martin
Agree with your assessment to a point. The Gators will be a more fun team to watch this yr. than last. The Gators will open it up, stretch the field with Brantleys arm & gash em with our 2 4.3 backs. Dubose is healthy–Percy’s replacement who was injured last yr & we have another freak in the making at TE. The Gators will ahve the biggest & best OL in the country.
They avg 6’4 1/2, 320 & all R at least 310, quick, strong & anchored by All Amer Mike Pouncey.
No matter how good the Gators R this yr–2011 they will be even better as they have 6 true freshman potential “freaks” in waiting.
wrathchild,
pu$$y? I would be willing to bet a lot of money on Tebow beating your a$$ like a drum and not breaking a sweat.
You may not like Tebow, but any reasonable human being won’t call him a pu$$y if they ever watched him play the game.
As for the thought that the SEC will lose ratings because of Timmy moving on, nope, ain’t gonna happen. The SEC was the best conference before Timmy and will continue to be after him as well. He is just another in a long line of SEC greats.
@ Donna,
Tebow was 2-1 against Bama during his college career. He has 2 national titles, whereas your senior class only won one.
As for this topic, the SEC will have just as many viewers. Tim’s a great kid, but SEC passion doesnt go away…..and neither do their viewers.
I’m not worried, God wouldn’t let timmy beat my ass.
@ Blitz4848:
You have now proven that you are either a encyclopedia or insurance salesman! Took the bait?? Give me a break I’m sure JT has better ways to flaunt his writing talents than piddle around with Tebow and company, which judging by the extent of your sales pitch you are obviously trying to move up the cooperate later from salesman to PR director! Mmmmm, I think I labeled you that a week or so back in another post.
T-shirts, jockey shorts, jock straps, snickers, and all other sales he might be involved in right now has as much to do with his NFL capabilities and survival as the damn price of rice in China!
Team mates singing his praises! Why not continue what you all in the gator nation started, Urban must have surely sent some “hand holders” to the “mile high” country as he always had someone holding his little bitty hand in the swamp!!
I don’t make fun of his religious beliefs they are his own and he is entitled to his beliefs, as far as the GOD you all started building him up as, yea we’ll see how well the GOD works out in the NFL.
He still has to prove himself on the field
WETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT!
cooperate later
Sorry you got me at a busy time! should have been Corporate Latter!
@ Donna
Did U get lost on something????
I never said Tebow was a God. I think I said he may NOT even make it as an NFL Qb.
I defended his qualities–not how he played. Even though as was pointed out he was 2-1 vs Bama.
U went off on some tirade about jis playing and I was talking about his character. U might want to SLOWLY reread what I posted as your tirade was like apple & oranges!!!!!
As far as trying to be something U aren’t–don’t think JT ever needed U to post for him–he does fine on his own.
Remember ” the thread” was about Tebow’s popularity not just his playing.
Let your “we folded him like a lounger” remark slide yesterday but Tebow trashed Bama in the previous yr SEC Ch game U conveniently forget. I think Tebow, the non passer was able to throw “3” TD passes to win that game 31-20.
Think your vent was a bit convoluted.
@ Blitz4848:
I addressed your post like you posted it! I give him credit for being a good player, “great” is still a stretch in my opinion. As far as a GOD, if you take a deep breath and reread my post I included the entire “gator fan base” in that, and actions speak louder than words my friend, your original post just proved that. There was no need for you to go off on your “tirade” as you call it because there are some who don’t agree that his absence will make college football a past time!
By all accounts his character is flawless at least what we know of him. I can’t touch that and as I gave him credit in my post, morally he seems to have his head straight, now wether it stays that way once the millions and the fame hit have yet to be seen.
He has some fine accomplishments but hold off on that how “HE” beat us, I think he had a team to help him and not like the damn Lone Ranger did he and he alone accomplish that. Again, you gave no KUDOS or credit to anyone else in regards to the “2 national championships” but him. Did he pass the ball on all those TD’s to himself? NO, did he kick every field goal they made? NO! I’m sorry if you can’t understand that you can’t make him all that and a bag of chips one minute and then do a complete 180 when it doesn’t suit your debate.
Yes, this article was about Tebow’s popularity, but when you start moving your defense arguement to the “championships he won”, yea think you and the rest of the gator nation need to admit that he’s not superman and that feat could have even been possible without him!
As far as JT goes, I don’t believe I questioned his abilities nor did I ever say he needed me. You might need to stay out the sun for while, I guess even gators aren’t immuned to the heat!!