5th Tier* Programming At Last!
by Kevin HD on Aug 14, 2008 10:03 AM EDT
in Big Ten Conference
39 comments
*I mean this in jest, of course. See explanation here.
Whether you are sitting at your desk, at home in your living room, or reading from some type of outdated computer lab, I think a collective fist pump is in order. The 45-degree version is recommended.
Comcast will begin to air the BTN this Friday, August 15th.
We did it. You, me, and the great guys over at puttingfansfirst.org all survived a full season of BTN-less football in our homes. We owe it all, of course, to the local bars with TV's and the fake friends we made simply because they owned satellite dishes.
When the deal was finally leaked, the thought of Costal Carolina live on my crappy TV was comforting. Temple too.
Mark Silverman, president of the BTN, said two of Penn State's first four games will be televised by the network, the other being the Sept. 20 game with Temple, also in Beaver Stadium.
"The rest of the games are determined during the season, but we do know we're going to do at least one more Penn State game and possibly two," Silverman said from BTN headquarters in Chicago.
No word yet on what Big Ten games we are talking about, but you can rest assured it will probably not include prime-time games at Ohio State, at Wisconsin, or home contests against Illinois and Michigan. Michigan State also seems unlikely because if it's "final game" implications.
Enter paradigm shift. Where last season meant a no-questions-asked trip to the bar, I find myself with no such excuse this season (not that it won't happen). In addition, I usually enjoyed the BTN announcing teams, much more than anything ESPN has to offer, and so I find myself hoping for the full four game slate.
The complete list of BTN games can be found here. For those of you a little more eager to check out the programming, Northwestern is the feature program on Friday. The App State game airs during the first hour of Sunday (12:00am) is excellent DVR material. The first look at a Penn State basketball game airs Saturday morning at 4 am, one that is highly recommended. Penn State football doesn't air until Tuesday, with a replay of the 2004 PSU v Illinois game.
Update: Channel listing, for your reference...
Philadelphia - 257
Indianapolis - 57
Michigan - (maybe?) 255
West Virginia - (unconfirmed) 72
State College - (unconfirmed) 55, 257, 191, TBD
Springfield, IL - (unconfirmed) 70
Harrisburg - (unconfirmed) 59, HD at 257
Reading- (unconfirmed) n/a, 257, n/a, overflow 801-804
Pottsville- (unconfirmed) 37, 257, 191, overflow 801-804
Lebanon- (unconfirmed) 67, 257, 191, overflow 801-804
Lancaster- (unconfirmed) 58, 257, 191, overflow 801-804
Harrisburg- (unconfirmed) 59, 257, 191, overflow 801-804
York (Suscom)- (unconfirmed) 64, 257, 191, overflow 801-804
Washington, DC - Available on both Digital and with the Sports Package (you don't need both) - 404 (Digital) or 257 (Sports), overflow 801-804
If you have any updates or additions, go ahead and leave them in the comment section.
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Airing...
in all places but the Philly area.
by Screen Name 20 on Aug 14, 2008 10:17 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Comcast confirmed
Philly area will have BTN tomorrow!
by WETSU on Aug 14, 2008 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I commented down below, but check it now.
I’m getting it RIGHT NOW! One day early.
Kevin
by kevinmc on Aug 14, 2008 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Awesome...
now if I can just figure out a way to rig my tv-bunny ears to pick up digital, I’m set!!!
by Screen Name 20 on Aug 14, 2008 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
try putting foil on the ends
I hear that works.
Kevin @ Black Shoe Diaries
by Kevin HD on Aug 14, 2008 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
are you sure?
not in philly, but it sounds like it will be available. I have no idea what it takes to get channel 257, however.
In the Philadelphia market (including South Jersey), the network will launch on channel 257, on Comcast’s Digital Classic service. If you have basic digital service, you will be able to get BTN.
Kevin @ Black Shoe Diaries
by Kevin HD on Aug 14, 2008 10:21 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
one downside
what will my excuse be for heading to the bar at 11:30 on a Saturday morning? Admitting I have a problem seems like the first step onto a very slippery slope…
by millzners on Aug 14, 2008 10:24 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Tell Your Wife........
that you sense she has been flustered lately and that you are going to leave the house to give her alone time. If you don’t have a cool wife like mine who only tells me to call her if I have too much to drink so I don’t drive home, then come up with a way to make her feel like you are doing her a favor by going to watch the game.
Otherwise, as Galen alluded to……..drop your drawers, look in the mirror and make sure your unit is still connected. :)
Eric Watters Atlanta, Ga.
by ech2os on Aug 14, 2008 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
that is by far
the biggest downside.
Kevin @ Black Shoe Diaries
by Kevin HD on Aug 14, 2008 10:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You guys make me sick!!
“Where last season meant a no-questions-asked trip to the bar, I find myself with no such excuse this season”
“what will my excuse be for heading to the bar at 11:30 on a Saturday morning?”
Excuse to go to the bar?!?! How about I’m going to drink, be around other guys that like football and probably get into a fight with a mouthy ND/Michigan/OSU fan- all legit reasons.
If you have a wife/significant other use the “bonding” excuse, they’re emotional creatures and will understand that sort of lingo, if you’re single, why in the HELL are you looking for an excuse! Consider your “dude card” formally revoked.
by Galen on Aug 14, 2008 10:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Spoken like a guy without a Wife.
For the Glory; National Champions 1982, 1986, 1994,
by jesse. on Aug 14, 2008 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
His Mom said
no women were allowed in the basement
by PSU Nick on Aug 14, 2008 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
actually
on the ‘comcast chat’ right now.
Very interesting note:
Washington is included in the Big Ten states. I am still searching on what channel will you be able to access the network.
Kevin @ Black Shoe Diaries
by Kevin HD on Aug 14, 2008 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
which is funny b/c i just signed up for the sports pack yesterday, there are fees for both adding and canceling.
Kevin @ Black Shoe Diaries
by Kevin HD on Aug 14, 2008 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
comcast never seems to disappoint in customer service
i wish i could copy and paste this chat im having right now.
im being told, even though DC is somehow in the big ten footprint, that i wont get the channel until the 27th.
Kevin @ Black Shoe Diaries
by Kevin HD on Aug 14, 2008 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Congratulations, Comcasters...
Now you’ll get to see every awful Big Ten school’s 30-second promo commercials on an endless loop.
Turn to me, just believe…I’ll take you ther-eee-errr-eee-errr-eee-errr-eee-errrrrrrr.
by Run Up The Score on Aug 14, 2008 11:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Thanks a lot
That’s going to be stuck in my head for the rest of the day.
by Highland Tom on Aug 14, 2008 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
BTN in State College
Do i have to get a box in state college if i want to watch the BTN? I have comcast out by state college park and hook up right into the wall. will i have it? i have no idea?
For the Glory of Old State
by PSULion29 on Aug 14, 2008 11:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The BTN
I love it more for the hoops games. Having lived away from State College for the past ten years, last year was the first chance I had to follow the basketball team’s entire season and I loved it.
Mike
Black Shoe Diaries
by BSD on Aug 14, 2008 11:30 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
BTN -- My Thoughts
I am a DirecTV guy, so I have had the BTN for awhile now. The main reason that I enjoy the channel is knowing that I get a couple of PSU games w/o having to worry about whether I need to go somewhere to watch them. I must warn you BTN newbies, though, there is some serious garbage on this network. I mean serious garbage.
Also, maybe I am overly sensitive, but there doesn’t seem to be as much focus on PSU sports as there is on some other schools.
by Rocky Mountain Nittany Lion on Aug 14, 2008 11:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Amen to that
The commercials absolutely suck. It’s nothing but promos for other shows and the cheezy school promos. Hopefully now that they are on Comcast the ratings will improve and they can bring in some decent advertising. I imagine they are counting on it revenue-wise. You can’t run a network without paid advertising.
Mike
Black Shoe Diaries
by BSD on Aug 14, 2008 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Give it time
especially now that it’s broadened should be more attractive to advertisers and hopefully will bring more variety. It’s still going through the growing pains of developing content
by PSU Nick on Aug 14, 2008 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
"as there is on some other schools."
a quick look at the schedule and it’s clear you aren’t overly sensitive. There are multiple OSU and UM games on almost daily, PSU runs more like ‘weekly’.
Although it’s not all their fault, it sounds like Illinois and Michigan get press for some type of practice series, something I doubt seriously that Paterno would be interested in.
Kevin @ Black Shoe Diaries
by Kevin HD on Aug 14, 2008 11:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Guys check your channels now
I am actually viewing Big Ten Network right now! I was supposed to get it tomorrow! 1991 Ohio State vs. Michigan State in baksetball.
Kevin
by kevinmc on Aug 14, 2008 12:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
And the novelty will wear off in about
Five….four…three…two…..one……
For the Glory; National Champions 1982, 1986, 1994,
by jesse. on Aug 14, 2008 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
True
Give it time. Is this channel going to come in HD on Comcast???
Kevin
by kevinmc on Aug 14, 2008 1:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yes, 800-something....
+ 4 overflow channels.
www.pinkertonpark.com
by rahpsu92 on Aug 14, 2008 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Comcast Boston will air Big10 starting tomorrow!
I’m getting weepy…tears of joy. Now I won’t have to wonder what those Coastal unis look like.
by boston_zenos on Aug 14, 2008 2:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
How do you know?
I’m North of Boston & wondering if I’ll get it. What channel number is it going to be?
by Elihu on Aug 14, 2008 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I found it at channel 285...
in Andover, but is says not available. I guess I’ll need to get the Sports Tier or something if I want to see it.
by Elihu on Aug 15, 2008 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
FYI
i was told by comcast (not that it makes this true) that several people, myself included, aren’t actually getting the channel until the 27th. The 15th is the beginning of some type of ‘preview’.
I guess I’m just suggesting you make a call.
Kevin @ Black Shoe Diaries
by Kevin HD on Aug 15, 2008 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Like someone posted...
Any news on when people in State College will get it? I have Comcast but not digital.
I was out in the trenches, which enables me to paint such a powerful picture, like Apocalypse Now.-Cormega
by OMEGAMAN on Aug 14, 2008 4:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
BTN in State college
I live out by state college park in the park forrest area… check channel 55 i’m watching it right now on there.
For the Glory of Old State
by PSULion29 on Aug 15, 2008 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
BTN is now live in Boston on Comcast
I was watching an entire hour last night devoted to a practice live from Columbus…great way to start, ehhh…bias aside, its on the air here in Boston and I’m elated to have this niche channel. I do pay for the “sports” package or whatever its called, to get the NFL network (and a few crappy fox sports stations & tennis channel???) in the past two seasons.
by boston_zenos on Aug 17, 2008 9:33 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Channel 285/ 885 in HD for Boston
HD? Coastal Carolina, I can see you coming.
by boston_zenos on Aug 17, 2008 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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