Ohio State fans wandering aimlessly through the desert that is the offseason are set to have their thirst quenched Wednesday night.
The first episode of Scarlet and Gray Days, the BTN's behind-the-scenes look at Camp Meyer 2015, airs Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET, with following episodes debuting at the same time in the subsequent weeks.
Many people will assume this will be a Hard Knocks-style show, but that simply won't be the case. As BTN's president Mark Silverman explained at Big Ten Media Days, the NFL can dictate the coverage to NFL teams. With Scarlet and Gray Days, it's Ohio State that will have the final say as to what is and isn't aired.
A more apt comparison, according to Silverman, would be the BTN's renowned documentary series, The Journey. It probably won't be too far off from Training Days, an ESPN-produced documentary series about Meyer's first camp in 2012.
Given the lack of final editorial control and unfettered access, Silverman could only guarantee three episodes, but he's hoping to conjure four episodes out of the network's trip to Columbus. Each episode will be approximately 30 minutes.
"It's not really a ratings-driven, financially-driven decision. It's more brand building," Silverman told Cleveland.com's Bill Landis. "We want people to think more fondly of BTN. There's no revenue attached to it. There's no profit share of the show or anything like that."
(What Ohio State is getting in return, obviously, is a nationally-televised showcase of the program for recruits.)
"I think you'll be able to see some fun interesting things," Silverman said. " There's so many great story lines, I think we can provide some additional coverage of those stories in these shows ... I'm not looking to do anything more than broadcast a great show that Ohio State fans want and I think the school is gonna provide us the ability to do that."
The series will be narrated by J.K. Simmons, an Oscar-winning actor, and more importantly, a devout Ohio State fan.
Here are some clips to whet your appetite until then:
A new number, a new position, and a new start for Braxton Miller: http://t.co/70z6ofsbkd
— Land-Grant Holy Land (@Landgrant33) August 17, 2015
Urban Meyer: We will not go into Game 1 in Blacksburg, VA not nine strong Thats absolutely not negotiable." http://t.co/y39urFk7T6
— Land-Grant Holy Land (@Landgrant33) August 17, 2015
Can it be Wednesday at 7 p.m. already? http://t.co/kG0R6xYVYC
— Land-Grant Holy Land (@Landgrant33) August 18, 2015
