Big Ten Network (BTN)

[Dryden]

I'm am, in no way, advocating BTN or anything like it, but I have to say that nothing about any of this is, or was, ever free. Before this, you had Gameplan, which you no longer have to pay for. And, of course, you had to pay for cable/DTV for the ESPN networks. And then there is ABC, which you may not pay to receive if you have rabbit ears, but it definitely "ain't" free. There is a huge cost associated with producing/televising football games, and that cost is bourne by someone, always.

Not having to buy Gameplan should save many of you $120. So, for some, this will work out to be cheaper. For others, it will not work if they cannot get satellite service.

A lot of people have a very myopic view of this, and you're absolutely correct that the games weren't 'free' before, those were pay-networks too, it just happened to work out that we all already had them, outside of ESPNU last year, of course.

This is nothing new, though. I don't remember the exact year, but I recall all of us going through this in the mid-90s when a Minnesota game was moved to ESPN2, which most of us didn't have then.

There are more Div-1A teams and more TV networks now than ever before, yet somehow there still isn't enough network TV space to show all of it. Many of our games are regional broadcasts, and often times people in communities outside Columbus have had their Buckeye coverage preempted if the game became a blowout. The Big Ten network should prevent that (at least once conference play rolls around). If the Big Ten Network carried only two conference games a week (between three time slots: 12:00, 3:30, and 8:00), then you only need to land three more games between four other networks: ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU. That allows every single Big Ten conference game to be televised every Saturday, each one across all of "Big Ten Country," if not nationally.

The Big Ten network would allow an Ohio State fan that lives in Pennsylvania, Michigan, or Wisconsin to finally get an Ohio State game that would otherwise be bumped on a regional feed for his state's "home" team, if those teams happened to be playing different opponents at the same time.

So, these aren't games that are being "moved" from free channels to a new pay channel. These are extra games that are finally being broadcast on a nationally available channel that wasn't even there before. For example, on Sep 1 you have Oklahoma State at Georgia on ESPN2 at 6:45, Purdue at Toledo on ESPNU at 7:00, Kansas State at Auburn on ESPN at 7:45, and Tennessee at California on ABC at 8:00.

Now, people in the Great Lakes territory can actually choose to watch Bowling Green at Minnesota at 8:00 on the BTN if they want to, without an additional fee for something like GamePlan.

 

[jlb1705]

Good post, Dryden.

The problem (for me at least) is that I was already paying for and receiving that content before, and now I'm still paying the same amount and not receiving it. Furthermore, I am not at this point being allowed the opportunity to pay for it. I would gladly pay for this content under nearly any arrangement short of buying a house so I can get DirecTV - that has to be the dumbest shit I've ever read. I can see both sides of this argument. I think it should be a part of the standard package - The BTN is no more a niche product than half of the standard package already is. However, if it takes getting it put on a sports tier package or something to take care of this issue, then I'm OK with that. I already subscribe to that package so I can get CSTV, the FCS regional channels and NBATV. I'd be willing to pay a higher price for that package including the BTN (and NFL Network - HELLO?!)

The problem as I see it rests on the parties on both sides of this issue. Both claim to be acting on behalf of the interests of the fans/consumers, yet neither party seems to have taken into account what we really want.

 

[matcar]

A lot of people have a very myopic view of this, and you're absolutely correct that the games weren't 'free' before, those were pay-networks too, it just happened to work out that we all already had them, outside of ESPNU last year, of course.

This is nothing new, though. I don't remember the exact year, but I recall all of us going through this in the mid-90s when a Minnesota game was moved to ESPN2, which most of us didn't have then.

There are more Div-1A teams and more TV networks now than ever before, yet somehow there still isn't enough network TV space to show all of it. Many of our games are regional broadcasts, and often times people in communities outside Columbus have had their Buckeye coverage preempted if the game became a blowout. The Big Ten network should prevent that (at least once conference play rolls around). If the Big Ten Network carried only two conference games a week (between three time slots: 12:00, 3:30, and 8:00), then you only need to land three more games between four other networks: ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU. That allows every single Big Ten conference game to be televised every Saturday, each one across all of "Big Ten Country," if not nationally.

The Big Ten network would allow an Ohio State fan that lives in Pennsylvania, Michigan, or Wisconsin to finally get an Ohio State game that would otherwise be bumped on a regional feed for his state's "home" team, if those teams happened to be playing different opponents at the same time.

So, these aren't games that are being "moved" from free channels to a new pay channel. These are extra games that are finally being broadcast on a nationally available channel that wasn't even there before. For example, on Sep 1 you have Oklahoma State at Georgia on ESPN2 at 6:45, Purdue at Toledo on ESPNU at 7:00, Kansas State at Auburn on ESPN at 7:45, and Tennessee at California on ABC at 8:00.

Now, people in the Great Lakes territory can actually choose to watch Bowling Green at Minnesota at 8:00 on the BTN if they want to, without an additional fee for something like GamePlan.

Yes, I agree with all you've said. I think it ultimately WILL come at a cost, especially for folks outside of the B10 market. And perhaps it SHOULD come at a cost since this is a somewhat regional network rather than a sports network such as ESPN which covers the entire nation. Honestly, I don't see why this couldn't end up in a sports tier. Then people can decide what they are willing to pay for.

 

[heisman]

No guarantees about the timing of the HD service. And certainly no guarantees that the out-of-market feeds that DirecTV picks up will be delivered in HD by DirecTV.

And it's not just ESPN, it's ESPN2 as well. That's why you're at 50%.

Whats not true? My Service rep said BTN is going to be high def and you wont see any Buckeye games unless they are National ESPN...

BTN is going to be in HD, but as matcar alludes, no guarantee by Directv of when it will be in HD. Also, BTN has signed with over 70 cable operators and more importantly ATT U-verse, which will be available in Columbus by the end of the year. So, don't be confused that it's not on cable, just maybe not on the cable system that's available to you.

 

[gold_pants]

Then people can decide what they are willing to pay for.

Until cable is completely ala carte then I have never decided what I want to pay for. Yes for the sports tier and movie tiers this is correct but not for the majority of the channels. We have the digital package but even on the basic service of 70 channels there are only 30-32 that I would want to "pay for" if they were not packaged together.

 

[OHSportsFan]

However, if it takes getting it put on a sports tier package or something to take care of this issue, then I'm OK with that. I already subscribe to that package so I can get CSTV, the FCS regional channels and NBATV. I'd be willing to pay a higher price for that package including the BTN (and NFL Network - HELLO?!)

Same here. I would gladly pay extra for the channel. I also already have the Digital Sports package (I do get NFL Network though ). But this isn't even an option yet.

This side of the holdup is on the shoulders of the BigTen. I know the Digital Cable companies are trying to get the package in the sports tier, but if that happens then the BigTen doesn't get $$$, as they'd only receive $$$ based on subscribers. Sounds like a pretty novel idea to me, get paid based only on the people who actually want it (that's how most other business work). Why the hell are they trying to get more out of this Network (in its first year)?!

 

[matcar]

Until cable is completely ala carte then I have never decided what I want to pay for. Yes for the sports tier and movie tiers this is correct but not for the majority of the channels. We have the digital package but even on the basic service of 70 channels there are only 30-32 that I would want to "pay for" if they were not packaged together.

Yes, you are correct, I was merely referring to whether they'd be willing to pay for BTN.

Like most consumers, I'd like to see a proposal for what ala carte programming would cost. I think there's more to it than the simple thought that the cable companies are against it. Let's face it, they just want to make money being a provider and I'm not sure why ala carte programming prevents that from happening. I've heard the argument that popular networks and home shopping networks support the less popular networks on any cable package...makes sense, but I'm not sure why the cable company really cares one way or another. I'm assuming there are still some technical hurdles that haven't been fully flushed out and that there might be legel/political reasons why less desirable networks are forced upon people through packages. But that's a conversation for another thread...but I'd like to know more about that.

 

[BB73]

Fiu's satire on BTN's programming.

cfn.cavalcade.of.whimsy

The first day of programming on the Big Ten Network has just been announced ?
- 11 am: The symbolic launch time was going to be 10 am, but like the misnamed league itself, it starts at 11.
- 11 am to 11:01 am: Great Ohio State Performances vs. the SEC
- 11:01 am to 11:05 am: Ads for the Big Ten Network
- 11:05 am to 11:30 am: Dr. Phil: Helping Michigan State cope with living in Michigan?s shadow
- 11:30 am to 12:30 pm: The Jim Tressel Variety Hour. Along with his always edgy monologue, watch as the Buckeye coach performs magic, does a little soft-shoe, and joins Sanjaya to bring down the house with a rendition of ?Besame Mucho.?
- 12:30 to 12:31: Great Moments in Non-Revenue Sports History
- 12:31 to 12:40: Ads for the Big Ten Network
- 12:40 to 12:42: Michigan Running Backs and the NFL
- 12:42 to 1: Ads for the Big Ten Network
- 1 to 2: Flavor of Zook
- 2 to 3: The BTN True Hollywood Story: Iowa and the 1986 Rose Bowl
- 3 to 4: The Joe Paterno Party Machine. The legendary head coach welcomes Common, Hot Dollar, and Maroon 5
- 4 to 5: Pat Fitzgerald is 35 ? and Coaching
- 5 to 6: Battle of the Mediocre Former Head Coaches. Watch as John Gutekunst, John Mackovic, Jim Colletto, Bobby Williams and Don Morton compete in media relations, film study, booster kissing and maintaining institutional control.
- 6 to 7: What Not To Wear: Stacy and Clinton raid Joe Tiller?s wardrobe and subject him to the 360-degree mirror in an attempt to makeover the Purdue head coach
- 7 to 7:30: Ads for the Big Ten Network
- 7:30 to 8: Top Chef: Trying to recreate the Wisconsin experience with brats, La Bamba burritos and Parthenon gyros
- 8 pm to 11 am: A loop of the Total Gym infomercial, hosted by Chuck Norris and Christie Brinkley

 

[jlb1705]

Same here. I would gladly pay extra for the channel. I also already have the Digital Sports package (I do get NFL Network though ). But this isn't even an option yet.

This side of the holdup is on the shoulders of the BigTen. I know the Digital Cable companies are trying to get the package in the sports tier, but if that happens then the BigTen doesn't get $$$, as they'd only receive $$$ based on subscribers. Sounds like a pretty novel idea to me, get paid based only on the people who actually want it (that's how most other business work). Why the hell are they trying to get more out of this Network (in its first year)?!

How on Earth are you getting NFL Network on TW?

 

[CleveBucks]

If anybody ever gets a Time Warner rep on the phone, ask them two things for me (and post their answers)

1) You want to give customers a choice of whether to receive the BTN. Why did you not give your customers the choice of receiving SportsTime Ohio, a network of similar format that covers a team a lot less appealing in the Columbus market?

2) You want to be "fair" in placing the BTN on a sports tier, so that customers don't have to pay for channels they don't want. Is the sports tier more than $1.10/month, and are the other crap channels on the sports tier free? How about the other 150 lame-ass channels on the prerequisite digital package?

 

[OHSportsFan]

How on Earth are you getting NFL Network on TW?

*points to Location*

I've got Comcast here in Indianapolis. Though I still get many of the same basic channels in the "Sports Package" (NBA TV, Fox College Sports, CSTV, Tennis Channel (?!), and of course NFL Network).

 

[jlb1705]

My bad, I thought you were saying you somehow had NFL Network on Time Warner.

 

[suza271]

I would pay any amount Comcast asked me to pay if I could just add that channel. Let them fight their fight about the sports tier or the basic tier, while I hand over my money for the channel.

I'm practically ready to hand them a check for $120 (price I would pay for Gameplan), just so they will add BTN. It's funny, Comcast never missed a chance until now to rip me off.

 

[DaddyBigBucks]

Sadly, for me this decision came down to three words:

Video-On-Demand


I can go to sports bars to see my Buckeyes. But as a father of a toddler, living without Video-on-Demand is unthinkable. Going to a sports bar four times or so in the course of a year is a small price to pay to keep something that my son enjoys every single day.

alas, I'm sticking with cable (Comcast - no BTN, no FSN Ohio, no ESPNU)

PS: VoD and PPV are very different things, so if you're going to start in about that, don't.

 

[suza271]

I agree. I am thinking of canceling Comcast, but the one thing that keeps me from doing so is the OnDemand feature. But, I have a Tivo, so if I can get DTV, I'm gonna go for it.