There's a policy among TV networks to provide free commercials to their advertisers if ratings don't meet projections. These are called make goods and for the companies that bought time on Fox Sports 1, they received make good ads on the World Series on the Fox Mothership. 

Advertising observers are now monitoring FS1's ratings to see if make goods will be provided for Fox's next big event, Super Bowl XLVIII in in February. 

Since Fox Sports 1 launched in August, it's been averaging 261,000 viewers, well below ESPN's audience of two million in primetime. However, the channel which Fox Sports 1 replaced, Speed had been averaging 151,000 viewers.

Up until now, Fox Sports 1 had been offering live college football, a few boxing and UFC cards, some UEFA soccer games and been mostly depending on studio programming. Starting tonight, Fox Sports 1 and 2 will be increasing its live game inventory with college basketball so the ratings could go up between now and the Super Bowl.

But if the ratings continue to underperform, come February we may hear of Fox Sports 1 advertisers receiving some prime Super Bowl XLVIII ad slots. 

[Advertising Age]

About Ken Fang

Ken has been covering the sports media in earnest at his own site, Fang's Bites since May 2007 and at Awful Announcing since March 2013.

He provides a unique perspective having been an award-winning radio news reporter in Providence and having worked in local television.

Fang celebrates the four Boston Red Sox World Championships in the 21st Century, but continues to be a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan.