Where do you get this idea that 24 of the largest tv markets are in the southeast? That’s just asinine. The pac 12 and big 10 have larger markets than the sec.
It isn't TV markets its college football TV markets. It comes from Nielsen Ratings. You would be 100% correct in stating that Los Angeles, for example, is a far bigger TV market for TV in general, but for college football TV viewership it is way down the list....Birmingham is much bigger. People in Birmingham tune in ESPN at 9 am on Saturday and stay tuned into college football games broadcast across various networks until 10 PM most Saturdays. UCLA and USC doesn't garner nearly as much viewership. In terms of college football players shilling products on TV the SE is where its at because that is where people watch college football on TV. Hard to imagine Bryce Young selling Dr. Pepper on American Idol in New York....but Its just about a sure thing to see that in Charlotte, NC during a Alabama / Arkansas game. It will also air in LA but no one will see it other than the few displaced SEC fans unfortunate enough to be forced to reside in that godless place. In Montgomery if a TV is on during that game it is going to be tuned into that game, most likely.