The Fox affiliate in Lexington, Kentucky, came under fire Saturday for broadcasting high school basketball games instead of the showdown pitting No. 2 Ohio State against undefeated No. 5 Indiana.
As viewers in the rest of the U.S. watched that much-awaited Big Ten battle, WDKY Fox 56 broadcast several high school games.
Fox viewers in Lexington, KY (Fox 56 News; WDKY) are being treated to high school basketball instead of the Indiana-Ohio State game. 📺😵💫pic.twitter.com/MrNFWjKqpV
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 23, 2024
After the Great Crossing vs. Boyd County game concluded, some fans might have thought Fox 56 would go immediately to the Ohio State-Indiana clash. No such luck. A game between the girls teams from George Rogers Clark and West Jessamine high schools tipped off.
A new high school basketball game has tipped off on Fox 56 (WDKY) in Lexington, KY, instead of the Indiana-Ohio State football game. pic.twitter.com/FecEjnEcmn https://t.co/k5zOkd9Phr
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 23, 2024
The Ohio State-Indiana game has huge College Football Playoff and Big Ten Championship implications. To make the station’s decision to preempt the game even more baffling, the high school games were preseason exhibitions. Also, both the Buckeyes and the Hoosiers have many fans in the Lexington area, as Ohio and Indiana border Kentucky.
The station made a business decision to air the games, as host of the “Fox 56 Home Team Showcase” tournament. A message on the station’s website reads, “The FOX 56 Home Team Showcase is the latest example—an eight-team, four-game event, highlighting boys and girls high school basketball teams across central Kentucky. Plans for the 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. live showcase have been in the works since May.”
The FOX 56 Home Team Showcase is the latest example—an eight-team, four-game event, highlighting boys and girls high school basketball teams across central Kentucky. Plans for the 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. live showcase have been in the works since May.
From their website.
— Dylan Gronlund (@DylanGronlund) November 23, 2024
So the station had already sold commercial spots and made other commitments for the tournament. Still, it seems inexcusable, almost unfathomable, that such a thing could happen.
Fans were livid about the situation.
I’m no broadcast exec, but i’m pretty sure choosing HS BB Scrimmages over a top 5 CFB matchup in late November, with a Big Ten Title Game spot on the line isn’t smart https://t.co/P3zwCWqmic
— Brent Jones (F/K/A Jonesbrent570) (@Brentjones_89) November 23, 2024
Yeah I’m pissed https://t.co/cI9o6mJvyq
— Macey (@5Volforlife) November 23, 2024
Interesting decision https://t.co/UWRtJvUEpW
— James C. Hamilton (@hamiljc) November 23, 2024
No, because I should not have to do that this is absolutely ridiculous
— nope (@3_bet_u) November 23, 2024
It’s great to see a local TV station support high school sports in its area, but really, could this tournament not have been scheduled for another day?
[WDKY Fox 56 Louisville]
