You would think TV execs would prioritize retaining that huge audience until the end of a game, rather than worrying about the 20% of viewers on the left coast who might miss the beginning of an earlier start time.

As for the Rose Bowl, who cares about their time pref. They should either play by the same rules as the other bowls, or get booted from the playoff rotation and become a glorified exhibition game for B10/P10 also-rans. The semis should either be 1PM/4PM or 4PM/7PM. Give us working stiffs in the East a break!