Red River Rivalry Moving To Fox Sports 1 In 2016

For the first time in 18 years, the Red River Rivalry between OU and Texas at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas will be moving to Fox Sports 1 from ABC. Fox shares the Big 12 broadcasting rights with ABC/ESPN, and this year they had their choice of games on October 8. The reason that the most popular rivalry game in the Big 12 won’t be aired on FOX’s broadcast channel is that this date interferes with the Major League Baseball playoffs.

Per Nielsen estimates in 2015, ABC was available to around 113 million homes, compares to 85 million homes for Fox Sports 1, leading to a an almost certain decrease in viewership of the Red River Rivalry in 2016. Last years’ OU-Texas game drew 4.99 million viewers on ABC. Unsurprisingly, fans of both sides were less than pleased on Twitter.

*UT starts losing*

OU fans: We'll be fine

*SEC/Big 10 get big pay days*

OU: Ok, well that sucks

*OU/Texas put on FS1*

OU: TIME TO LEAVE

— Joe Erwin-Buettner (@JoeBuettner) June 1, 2016

Wow. The Red River Shootout got moved to FS1. How the mighty have fallen.

— Carrington Harrison (@cdotharrison) June 1, 2016

Rough day for Oklahoma: The Red River Rivalry goes to FS1, Baker Mayfield rule shot down, Texas smacks them down on expansion.

— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) June 1, 2016

So the Red River Rivalry is being pushed to FS1 while BYU vs Utah is getting primetime coverage on FOX. Digest that for a moment.

— Lafe Peavler (@LafePeavler) June 1, 2016

Tues: ESPN created the LHN to keep the Red River Rivalry on ABC. Wed: The Red River Rivalry is moving to FS1. pic.twitter.com/PHfYrKhXvu

— Matthew Watkins (@MWatkinsTrib) June 1, 2016