Who is commentating Iowa State vs Iowa? How to watch the Cy-Hawk clash on NBC, Peacock and Compass Media
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Iowa State and Iowa meet in one of college football’s fiercest rivalry games, and viewers in the UK should note that the main broadcast is being carried on NBC in the United States, with Peacock USA also showing the game for subscribers and geo-restricted viewers.[2][3] In addition, Compass Media is providing an alternate radio-style broadcast, giving fans another way to follow the Cy-Hawk showdown, while the contest kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET / 00:30 UK time on Saturday 13 September 2026.[1][2]
The NBC presentation features a strong seasoned crew led by Paul Burmeister on play-by-play, with Todd Blackledge as analyst and Kathryn Tappen on the sidelines.[2] Burmeister has long been associated with NBC’s football coverage and is known for a polished, clear style, while Blackledge brings major college football credibility after a long broadcasting career built on his experience as a former Penn State quarterback and longstanding analyst across national networks. Tappen is one of NBC Sports’ most familiar voices and has covered major events across football and beyond, adding newsroom experience and sideline authority to the broadcast.[2]
For the alternate Compass Media call, Tim Cates is listed as presenter, with Gregg Daniels as main commentator and Tiki Barber as co-commentator.[1][14] Compass Media Networks is well known in American sports radio for carrying NFL and college football content, and its sports division says it covers select football match-ups alongside its better-known NFL rights portfolio.[13] Daniels has become a regular voice for Compass Media’s college basketball and football output, while Cates has served as a studio host for the network and has worked in Los Angeles sports radio. Barber, a former NFL running back and Pro Bowl star, has also built a broadcasting career after retirement, giving the alternate feed a name recognisable to both US and UK audiences.[1][14]
The game itself is a major early-season test for both programmes, with Iowa and Iowa State both entering the matchup unbeaten and the fixture again carrying the intensity that makes the Cy-Hawk rivalry such a standout on the college football calendar.[2][3][8] Played at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, the meeting routinely draws national attention because of the rivalry history, the regional bragging rights and the expectation of a tight, physical contest in front of a loud home crowd.[2][15]
For British fans, the most important detail is that this is not a Sky or ITV broadcast, but a NBC/Peacock production in the US with a separate Compass Media option.[2][3] That makes Peacock the key streaming platform to check for live access, while NBC remains the flagship television channel for the main US coverage.[2][3] If watching from the UK, availability will depend on rights and geo-access, so fans should verify local streaming options before kick-off.
In broadcasting terms, the matchup combines a high-profile national network team with a strong alternate audio option, giving viewers a choice between NBC’s polished television production and Compass Media’s more direct, radio-led style.[1][2] With rivalry football, a late kick-off for UK audiences and several familiar names behind the microphones, Iowa State at Iowa has all the ingredients of an appointment-to-view college football broadcast.
For more on the competition, see the NCAA Division I FBS official page.
Article generated: 13 September 2026, 00:31 GMT