The finish of Bengals-Panthers wasn't exactly pretty: After an exciting 60 minutes of regulation culminated in a 34-34 deadlock when Graham Gano nailed a last-second field goal, the game went to OT... when it kept going... and going... and going, until it ended in a 37-37 tie.
As Deadspin explains, Fox had selected this game for "bonus coverage," meaning those not in NFL markets would have to watch the entire game while the 4 p.m. slate of kickoffs got underway. Many people did not like this:
Dear Bengals, please win so @FOX will change the game over to the @Seahawks.
— jmcclimans (@jmcclimans) October 12, 2014
I don't want to see overtime bonus coverage @fox please switch to the game scheduled #Seahawks #Cowboys
— Heath Centazzo (@HeathActor) October 12, 2014
Are you fucking kidding me, @Fox? Switch to the #Seahawks game!!! #NFL
— The Fine Variety (@thefinevariety) October 12, 2014
Shame on @Fox for keeping this damn OT game and not showing Dallas vs Seahawks
— MKIDFRESH (@mkidfresh) October 12, 2014
@fox show the damn #Cowboys game...you didn't show the whole bengals game so why give us OT...back to the regular scheduled program
— IG@dablakdrphil (@dablakdrphil) October 12, 2014
No offense but I don't care about this game @FOX please put on the Cowboys game like scheduled
— Allyssa (@HeyitsAllyssa) October 12, 2014
@Fox why are you can playing the Bengals game?? WTH?
You said you're playing the #Cowboys game!
So irritating
— Joshua Hensley (@joshua_hensley) October 12, 2014
Hey @fox if you don't put the Falcons/Bears game on the late slot in Fort Wayne I'll kill someone <3
— #RiseUp #FreeGurley (@HashtagRiseUp) October 8, 2014
Deadspin noted that this made people most angry in the Oregon market: where most people are Seahawks fans
But there was nothing they could do about it, because of broadcast regulations. Broadcast regulations are bad.