The Big Ten Network

by stonewall435 on Aug 28, 2007 4:56 PM EDT

The Big Ten Network that is... and the more I think about it, the more I don't like it.

In case anyone hasn't noticed, ESPN has already dropped significant "face time" for anything Big Ten. Now, obviously they can't advertise handling most Big Ten games because the BTN is picking up all those not already claimed by other networks. However, this doesn't seem to bode well for subsequent seasons where the TV schedule hasn't been set yet.

Say the BTN resolves all the issues and everyone who wants to see Big Ten games, gets to see them. What does this do to coverage of Big Ten football on other national outlets? Especially with ESPN, who has a history of dropping coverage of sports with which it no longer has much interest (Hockey) and hyping sports it has an interest in (NASCAR).

I'm not sure how much national attention plays into recruiting, but I know it has some part. I just see the Big Ten Network only bringing regional coverage to marquee programs of national interest like Michigan, OSU and Penn State. I can definitely see ESPN downplaying the importance of Big Ten schools because they don't have the rights to cover the games anymore.

I can see College Gameday never visiting a Big Ten school again.

The concept behind the Big Ten Network just seem so remarkably short-sighted in this regard. It wasn't broken... why try to fix it?

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Comments

I Disagree

This network wasn't made for football games. It isn't going to be broadcasting the big matchups like PSU-OSU, MU-OSU, etc. It will simply take the crappy games (NU vs. Minn) off of ESPN gameplan, and onto, hopefully, extended basic cable.

I don't have any problem with that.

You need not worry about ESPN "ignoring" the Big 10. Their success is still tied to this conf. Don't get paranoid now. There are a lot of Big 10 writers who have a lot of power in the national polls as well. The BTN isn't going to make the conf. disappear.

Even though I feel the brass at Bristol are currently in bed with the Big East, its because they need college football as a whole to do well, not just the Big 10.

In my previous diary, i said there will be as many as 21 PSU basketball games on the BTN in the Pittsburgh market. I got to see like 4 games on TV last year. THAT is what the BTN is for. Increased exposure of other sports, and basketball on weeknights.

You do know PSU men's volleyball has been kicking ass lately, right? This will give us the chance to see them earlier than the NCAA Final Four.

Is it as exciting as the major sports? Probably not, but I'll take it over the Cup Stacking championships, or Scrabble Championships, which have been on ESPN and the Deuce lately.

God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...Put 2 and 2 Together!!!

by Adam Bittner on Aug 28, 2007 7:31 PM EDT reply actions

Yes, I understand all that...

...but how much longer until Delaney starts putting the pressure on for the more marquee match ups?

I love PSU Volleyball, and would be eager to watch it more often. I think the concept with the minor sports is great, just worried that it will regionalize what was already national.

by stonewall435 on Aug 28, 2007 9:31 PM EDT reply actions

I wouldn't worry about it

I dont think Delaney would be that stupid. If he can have people all around the world watch his teams on ABC Sat. nites, why would he put his best games on regional TV?

Sounds like a flawed plan to me.

Also, you gotta realize, if he did that, it would defeat the purpose of the Rose Bowl embargo to stave off a playoff. He'd be trying to take down the networks that are giving him what he wants: no playoff.

it would be really stupid from his standpoint.

God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...Put 2 and 2 Together!!!

by Adam Bittner on Aug 28, 2007 10:14 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks for your patience

This is starting to make a bit more sense to me now. As a displaced Pennsylvanian (I'm in Florida) kinda hard to not be able to see Penn State play on Saturdays (either at the Beav or on TV). Just hope this doesn't backfire.

by stonewall435 on Aug 28, 2007 10:28 PM EDT reply actions

No I understand

If things continue to go like this, I'll be in the dark too, and that will pis me off. However, I'll be more upset with Comcast than the BTN. $1.10 is worth it, and I don't know what the problem is. They're already chargig us through the nose as it is.

I may be in the minority, but I'm excited for PSU basketball this year. Even though they arent great, they're fun to watch, and I'll be disappointed if they arent on TV.

God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...Put 2 and 2 Together!!!

by Adam Bittner on Aug 28, 2007 11:16 PM EDT reply actions

Is that the price?

$1.10? Is that per household/per month? Where did you get that info? Why don't they just let US pay for it? I'd pay the extra $1.10 a month.

I'm so confused by this whole Cable showdown. Comcast has a HUGE customer base in the B10, why don't they want to keep them satisfied?

"A setback is only a setup for a comeback." -Drew Brees

by WeARE on Aug 29, 2007 9:37 AM EDT reply actions

Price

Comcast says it will charge subscribers an extra $1.10 per month if they put it on basic cable in the states that host Big Ten schools. States outside of the Big Ten region would pay $0.10 if the BTN were put on basic cable. But Comcast would rather put the BTN on the extended network and charge users a few dollars more for the network since they see it as niche programming.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

Hail to the Lion!

by BSD on Aug 29, 2007 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions