Big Ten Network....trend for other leagues to follow or big mistake?

Answer 1

the big ten really picked a whopper for the debut game
but i do believe the SEC fans would support a network
Lincoln financial of course carries some games but i would
love to see an SEC network
not sure about other conferences, but my guess big 12 and pac 10 would follow suit eventually

bottom contributer mentioned pay per view, the only way to see Florida vs. Troy st. this week is pay per view, and i usually go to the games but because of a family illness i can't this week but i sure am glad its on pay per view

Answer 2

I think it was a great idea, regardless of whether Fox can make a profit on this network, the schools all have guaranteed money. Money that comes from the state is never enough to run a college, and not a dime of it supports athletics (athletic departments have to support themselves). If most universities had to exist on State funding and tuition alone they'd fold, and forget competitive academics and research programs. Having the BTN, especially if it signs more carriers and if it is included in basic packages, will increase national coverage for ALL Big Ten schools not just Michigan and Ohio State. I think that will benefit recruiting, which is an area most Big Ten schools suffer in. A wider audience could also help increase enrollment. And it gives coverage to athletics that rarely if ever get television exposure. This is a win for the schools. I think it's a trend major conferences will follow, or we could see a few conferences combining to form a network.

Answer 3

I think it is a shameless money grab by the Big Ten member universities (and significant shareholder Fox Cable Networks), but unfortunately, I think it will end up being profitable. >:(

Fans that simply want to watch specific college matchups will end up paying for a network that will go unwatched for the majority of the year (ooooh, Big Ten water polo is on: must-see TV!) And these fans (and possibly non-fan customers as well) will pay for it with increased cable/satellite bills.

Even if major games are shown on national TV this year, the Big Ten will slowly start migrating big games to their network. Look at what has happened with the NFL Network: regular season games that people care about are now only available to those who pay extra for the network.

Is it a mistake? If the league cares about its alumni and fans, then yes. But I don't think it does, at least not more than it does making an excessive profit off of them.

Answer 4

Big mistake if the Universities start making money on a network it wont be long for them to block out the regular networks for coverage. And eventually your favorite big games Mich.vs. OSU, UCLA vs. USC etc. will become pay-per-view. If that works then so to will the Bowl games become pay only. If the networks are free and stay free then I'm for them, but I just cant believe the Big Ten is doing this just for the fans.

Answer 5

Mistake... problem is greedy networks, in this case it is FOX. I emailed local cable here in VA, Cox, to protest the Big Ten Network not being aired.

Cox responded basically saying they aren't getting it but the more popular games will still be on ABC & ESPN networks.

"The Big Ten Conference sold rights to several conference sporting events to Fox Cable Networks, which created a regional sports channel, the Big Ten Network.
At this time, Cox has no plans to carry the regional Big Ten Network in markets outside the Big Ten region. Please note that many of the major Big Ten football and basketball games will be televised on
ABC, ESPN, ESPN2."

Answer 6

Wow, a number of people answering this question seem very ill-informed. First off, for those that claim they can't get the Big Ten Network (BTN) where they live, you're wrong. I live in Arizona and have DirecTV. Not only do I get the BTN as part of my basic package, I don't have to shell out $100+ this year for the ESPN Gameplan, just to watch a few games that are not broadcast by ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC. (Also, on September 6th, Dish Network announced that they would also begin carrying the BTN as part of their "America's Top 100" and higher packages.)

Secondly, it's not PPV and the BTN does not want consumers to have to pay extra for it. That is one of the main reasons why they are having problems with some of the main cable operators in the Big Ten area. Granted some cable companies don't want to pay what BTN is asking, but BTN doesn't want them to add it to a special sports tier because they want it to be available on your expanded basic cable channels (or the equivalent for satellite). Also, if you're use to subscribing to the ESPN Gameplan, chances are you probably won't see a single Big Ten game this year on that plan.

The BTN has committed to providing coverage of every Big Ten football game this year that is not already being covered by ESPN, ESPN2 or ABC. Taken from the BigTenNetwork.com FAQ page: "Once ESPN and ESPN2 have selected their games, all remaining games will be produced and distributed by the Big Ten Network."

Also, some fans in the Big Ten (especially us Ohio State and Michigan fans) might not be aware that last year 8 Big Ten football games were not aired AT ALL! The BTN has committed to making sure every game is aired.

Now, personally I love it. I agree that during some times when football, baseball and basketball aren't dominating TV the programming could be very weak. I also think it's cool (but a tough task) that BTN has promised to be gender-equal by 2010 (equal coverage of mens and womens sports). Being a big Buckeye fan that grew up in Ohio, it's nice having the BTN out here in Arizona. I feel connected again to my home state and the team I love to follow.

The BTN also has some nice programming, with many of their hosts and sports analysts coming from ESPN and other sports networks. During football season each coach usually has a local TV show that they participate in each week. Now with the BTN those shows are available to everyone and not just those people who live in the immediate area.

A few years ago the Big Ten Conference was the first conference to test "Instant Replay" during conference games. The following year almost all other major conferences adopted the same instant replay method after seeing its success in the Big Ten Conference. I see no reason why the Big Ten Network won't have the same result.

The schools in the conference win and all of us who are fans of those schools win.

Answer 7

This is a big trend, the NFL has it and I am sure in college sports you will see the SEC, Big 12 and PAC 10 conference all do this soon if not other conferences.

Answer 8

Im just hoping that they keep showing Big 10 games on regular TV.... I live in an area that doesnt carry the Big 10 network.... Other than gameplan, there would be no way for me to watch....

GO BLUE!!!!

Answer 9

i don't think it will work, b/c of "gameplan". Also all our games are atleast on pay-per-view. I don't see how the major programs will make more money this way, b/c they get large percentage of their televised games and pay per view games.

Answer 10

big mistake