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SportsFriday, August 17, 2007 1:30 AM CDT
Big Ten Network’s provider status still in talking stage
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CHAMPAIGN — If you care about Big Ten Conference sports, you have no choice but to care about the new Big Ten Network. This is becoming more and more apparent as fans begin to realize how many football and basketball games will be televised exclusively by the 24-hour-a-day network, which will launch Aug. 30, one day before Big Ten teams dive into the football season.

On Thursday, Mark Silverman, president of the Big Ten Network, and Jim Delany, commissioner of the Big Ten Conference, were in Champaign to beat the drum on behalf of the network.

The drum beating is necessary because the network remains at a standstill in distribution negotiations with five major cable and satellite providers, making millions of subscribers wonder if they’ll have access to the programming or if they should consider switching to an on-board network partner such as DirecTV.

Delany and Silverman did not paint an optimistic picture when it comes to negotiations with Comcast, the largest cable operator and the group that has a controlling interest in Insight Communications, which serves many Central Illinois customers.

“We remain in discussions with five major distributors,” Delany said. “Some negotiations are pretty mature. Some are pretty immature, in particular those with Comcast. We’re in the fourth quarter for our launch, but we’re in the first quarter (in negotiations) with Comcast.

“We’re totally committed to a broad-based distribution. They are insisting on a narrow sports tier distribution. That’s not something we can concede to.”

Just as it was two weeks ago, when Delany and Silverman spoke at the Big Ten football media day, the sticking point remains placement of the network within the expanded basic package. That’s what the Big Ten is pushing more. Comcast wants it placed on a sports tier for which it charges extra.

And while the Aug. 30 launch might be seen as a deadline, it’s not THE deadline.

There are several deadlines that could help the network turn up the heat on cable and satellite operators, and they will unfold one after another over the next few months. They are not really deadlines at all; they are occasions for the fan to feel the impact of having, or not having, access to the Big Ten Network.

One deadline is the start of football nonconference games on Sept. 1. That’s when fans in Ohio, for example, will realize they can’t see Ohio State’s opener against Youngstown State. The game will be available only on the Big Ten Network.

The start of Big Ten Conference play in football is the next deadline. That’s when fans will realize games such as Penn State vs. Ohio State could land exclusively on the Big Ten Network, and Illinois football fans will understand that a number of games will land on the network.

It could take the start of basketball season to make the significance of the Big Ten Network register. Two of every three Illini men’s basketball games will be televised only on the Big Ten Network.

Silverman and Delany hope deals are in place before then. The Big Ten Network will negotiate price, but insists it will not negotiate what it calls “carriage,” or placement within the expanded basic package of channels.

Delany stopped short of encouraging fans to make the switch to DirecTV. But he does hope fans will prod their operators with a phone call, letting them know they feel the Big Ten Network is important enough to be included in the expanded basic package, not something they wish to see placed on a sports tier for an added monthly fee.

Silverman said negotiations are proceeding better with Dish Network than with Comcast. “I believe we can get a deal done with another major provider before Comcast,” Silverman said.

Get area high school sports scores and statistics at Varsity Sports.

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Reader comments on this story - 9 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Nate wrote on Aug 31, 2007 1:58 PM:

" The goal of BTN is not to enable Big 10 fans to watch their favorite team play. The Big 10 is slowly pulling their programming out of network syndication where they make money based on program rating. The BTN wants the $1.10 per customer that the cable provider will have to pay in order to carry BTN on basic cable. At that point, ratings do not matter! Unfortunately, that additional cost will trickle down to the customers in some form. "

Paul wrote on Aug 20, 2007 8:34 AM:

" The Big Ten Network and Comcast has caught the fan in their cross fire. For those who switch cable or satellite providers I suggest diverting funds from your annual alumni contribution to defray costs. "

Illini Bloomer wrote on Aug 17, 2007 8:14 PM:

" Thank goodness for the smoking ban, because it looks like I'll be forced to watch the games at a bar. In the mean time, Big Ten and the cable companies need to come to some agreement, or the bars with a dish are going to get the money they are looking to make! "

I want to know... wrote on Aug 17, 2007 4:05 PM:

" There are a couple of key pieces missing everytime this story is written. First, I'm PRESUMING the Big Ten network is not offering their network for free. I'm PRESUMING they're wanting some kind of payment for carriage. It's usually a cost per subscriber. My guess is that number is somewhat out of line for other sports networks (except ESPN). Comcast/Insight has done their homework and I PRESUME must put the network somewhere in their lineup where they can at the very least turn a little profit. The hangup here seems to be more with Comcast/Insight figuring out how to make this move, as presented, good business for them. If the deal is right, the B10 network will be on Comcast/Insight. They have no bias against the Big Ten. In the end, the two sides both stand to win on some level so.....they'll compromise...and the deal will get done. Both sides stand to lose too much. Bank it. "

to Illini wrote on Aug 17, 2007 2:09 PM:

" "And if i'm screwed..then Comcast will be in major trouble. " Ooh, they must be shaking. Why is the Big 11 moaning so much about not wanting to be included in some sort of sports package. They do realize that sports fans is their target audience dont they? In the mean time, the 97% of local cable subscribers could care less about the Big 11 and could care less about footing the bill for the other 3%. If you are a hard core sports fan, regardless of what programs you cheer for you would gladly pay for the sports package. "

Give it Up! wrote on Aug 17, 2007 12:49 PM:

" Delaney obviously has an inflated view of the importance of Big Ten sports. Your average cable subscriber doesn't want to pay extra to get obscure Big Ten sports, or even football if it's IU vs. Illinois for cryin' out loud. "

Mistake wrote on Aug 17, 2007 10:42 AM:

" The big ten is greedy and thinks it is way more important than it is. Most of us will just catch whatever conference game the other networks are broadcasting and never miss big ten Field Hockey. The only real crime would be me having to pay a bigger cable bill for this joke of a network. "

Illini wrote on Aug 17, 2007 10:05 AM:

" If I miss an Illini football or basketball game because of this crap..then i'll be very upset. I am thrilled about the Big Ten Network..but if Comcast doesn't pick this up then i'm screwed. And if i'm screwed..then Comcast will be in major trouble. "

Big Ten wrote on Aug 17, 2007 10:03 AM:

" Big Ten is greedy!!! "

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