Gregory Bull / Associated Press
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) runs against Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Michael Davis, left, and linebacker Drue Tranquill during the first half of an NFL football game in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022.
Monday, Sept. 12, 2022 | 11:34 a.m.
Week 1 of the NFL season provided a thrilling game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers on CBS. After a blocked extra point to end regulation and two missed field goals in overtime, the Steelers won in the final seconds.
Television viewers in Las Vegas, however, didn't get to see the finale.
CBS cut away from the game in Las Vegas on Sunday well before it ended to catch the start of the Raiders' season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers. Viewers in the Los Angeles area also missed out on a classic ending due to contractual TV obligations.
On Twitter, one fan wrote: "CBS cuts away from Steelers/Bengals OT in LA for Raiders/Chargers. Sunday ticket considers it a local game so it’s blacked out. Great system @NFL"
Las Vegas is now a primary market for the NFL, meaning FOX or CBS will switch to the Raiders game on time, regardless of the action in the preceding game. Prior to the Raiders' move from Oakland, Calif., Las Vegas was considered a secondary market, meaning local TV stations would carry the most popular game for that time slot.
Kickoff for the Raiders game this week was 1:25 p.m. at SoFi Stadium. Prior to 2012, afternoon games started at 1:15 p.m., but the 10-minute delay to 1:25 p.m. was made to help prevent situations like what happened Sunday.
Even with later start, however, some longer games are preempted. The situation can be especially frustrating for sports bettors who have money riding on the outcome of a game when the networks break away.
The Raiders face the Arizona Cardinals this Sunday at 1:25 p.m. on CBS. Las Vegas viewers will see the Miami Dolphins-Baltimore Ravens game or the New England Patriots-Pittsburgh Steelers match in the preceding 10 a.m. window.
Danny Webster can be reached at 702-259-8814 or [email protected]. Follow Danny on Twitter at twitter.com/DannyWebster21.
