CBS Passes on Iron Bowl, Costing Affiliates Heavy Ad Spending

After Auburn lost to Ole Miss at home 24-20, CBS canceled its original plans to air the Iron Bowl Saturday November 22. The 68th annual match up against rivals Auburn and Alabama will be on ESPN this year at 7:45 EST.

The CBS move cost its affiliates thousands as many stations across the south had planned on an extensive pre-game show and had already sold local ad time for the special. With the game being on CBS, its affiliates banked on having a high number of viewers for the pre-game. But with ESPN taking the reigns, viewers will make a channel switch along with the game.