Big Ten Network

[MTown]

http://www.the-ozone.net/football/2007/BTNspin.htm

This is an article from the O-Zone that breaks down the situation between cable companies and the Big Ten Network. Pretty good read.

[longtimefirsttime]

Here are parts of the article that stand out to me.
"A total of something over 100,000 people have made some noise. The remaining 62,900,000 haven't said a word." That sums it up. The demand to pay extra for third-rate programming doesn't appeal to most people.


"The problem the Big Ten Network faces is that they will not have the first choice of football games. Three weeks out of the season they will have the second choice behind ABC, for another three weeks they will have the third choice behind ABC and ESPN, and for six weeks they will have the fourth choice behind ABC, ESPN and ESPN2."

So in other words, if it's a big game you'll still get to see it. I can live with listening to the blowout wins against Youngstown State and Kent State on the radio. The "other filler" programing doesn't appeal to me.

"For the record, here is what some other networks charge cable operators.
ESPN - 2.91
YES - 2.15
NFL Network - .75
NBA TV - .35
Disney Channel - .79
TNT - .89
USA - .49
CNN - .44
Nickelodeon - .41"

So they want more than the NFL Network and almost as much as TNT & USA combined? What a crock.

Thank you Massillon Cable for trying to keep customer's costs down and for not giving in to these extortion attempts.

[longtimefirsttime]

"Massillon Cable president discusses the Big Ten Network"
http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=373349&Category=17&fromSearch=yes&subCategoryID=30

[DAWGH8R]

I have 6 or 7 BIG TEN NETWORK channels on my DISHNETWORK !! WOO HOO !!!:thumbsup:

[MTown]

Thankfully we get the Bucks on ESPN this week. I still feel that BTN has no business demanding to get on basic cable. It's no better than ESPNU and even has a long way to go to catch ESPN2....both of which are on the upper tier.

[GrowlingTiger87]

Thankfully we get the Bucks on ESPN this week. I still feel that BTN has no business demanding to get on basic cable. It's no better than ESPNU and even has a long way to go to catch ESPN2....both of which are on the upper tier.

I think you are EXACTLY right on the money with this post. I think they are trying to rip us off, and honestly, for what?

[massillonmarine]

I think it's a complete crock that we can't see the Buckeyes in action. For gosh sakes, you can't put any more people in those stands, can you? I bet they could rip that stadium down and build a 200,000 seat stadium and sell that puppy out too.

[MTown]

I think they are trying to rip us off, and honestly, for what?

They are trying to leverage the Cable companies with football and basketball....the problem is that most weeks the BTN has the 4th choice of the game of the week. ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 all pick a game before BTN. The only time that someone is going to miss a big time game is the week that Ohio State plays Wisconsin. Most likely ABC will pick up that game, and in that week BTN gets 2nd pick...Michigan/Michigan St is also that week. There will be some unhappy folks in TSUN.

This whole thing is leaving a bad taste in my mouth...to the point that I hope the network does not survive.

[GrowlingTiger87]

They do seem to be trying to force our hand, and it really does stink to high heaven.

[longtimefirsttime]

They are trying to leverage the Cable companies with football and basketball....the problem is that most weeks the BTN has the 4th choice of the game of the week. ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 all pick a game before BTN. The only time that someone is going to miss a big time game is the week that Ohio State plays Wisconsin. Most likely ABC will pick up that game, and in that week BTN gets 2nd pick...Michigan/Michigan St is also that week. There will be some unhappy folks in TSUN.

This whole thing is leaving a bad taste in my mouth...to the point that I hope the network does not survive.

I hope the cable companies hold firm. I didn't miss much by not seeing the Youngstown State and Akron games. The games were on the radio and ESPN did frequent updates whenever anything happened. DishNetwork is running an ad about people missing the Michigan/Appalachian State game. How many people truly cared about that game before it was played?

The BigTen Network is a trial balloon. Many of the other major conferences are waiting to see if it survives or fails, and will then plan accordingly.

[DAWGH8R]

Did anyone watch the Illini roll today ????

[DAWGH8R]

BG had 3 catches for 19 yards. The game was so out of hand , so early, that the passing game wasn't really needed ! Illinois only attempted 20 passes, completing 15.:no1:

[longtimefirsttime]

Did anyone watch the Illini roll today ????

Absolutely! There were a couple closeup shots of BG. One was when they had a comfortable lead. He caught a pass and got ankle tackled. You could see the anger on his face. That guy has always been a competitor.