Falcons vs Gophers - BTN

Spart43 · Post by **Spart43** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 4:06 pm

Just saw that our game with Minnesota will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network. Not sure what that will mean at this point but maybe a chance for those that can't make the trip to see the game.

http://www.bigtennetwork.com/news/index ... eSource=24

The Big Ten Network is a national television network, available to all cable and satellite providers nationwide, that will allow fans to see their home teams regardless of where they live. The network currently has national agreements in place with DirecTV and AT&T and also a local agreement with Buckeye CableSystem in Toledo, Ohio, for more than 150,000 subscribers in northwestern Ohio and southeastern Michigan. Additionally, the network has agreements pending with more than 40 other cable operators within the eight states of the Big Ten. In total, the network currently is available to viewers in 16 million homes.

Looks like Buckeye Cable System in Toledo is already on board.

Spart43 · Post by **Spart43** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 4:08 pm

Duh... just noticed the Michigan State game is also on the schedule...

BGSUFootballFan · Post by **BGSUFootballFan** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 4:32 pm

SWEEEEEEEEEEEET! That means I get to watch it for free and tape it! Maybe I won't have to buy the directTV pay-per-view pack this year like I did in '04 when we played Boomer Sooner!

BGDrew · Post by **BGDrew** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 4:36 pm

I would say that if you live in BG and have TW, I wouldn't hold my breath. I'm still waiting on ESPNU.

footballguy51 · Post by **footballguy51** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 4:38 pm

That bugs me. In BG, we have Time Warner. Are you telling me that I live in the hometown and can't watch the game? I work basically 7 days a week (with school and a job), so it's not like I can travel to the game.

NWLB · Post by **NWLB** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 5:45 pm

People in Columbus are nashing their teeth over the BTN. They don't seem sure if they should hate TW/Comcast/WoW for not agreeing to carry it, or the BTN for existing.

Personally, I resent the BTN trying to add more than a $1 per month to my bill for a network I couldn't give a damn about. Personally I think basic cable sucks, and much beyond that isn't worth what I do pay for it. I don't want even a dime added to my bill to underwrite OSU sports, and I don't care if the local twerps have to get digital cable to see the games.

Heck, in the 15 months I've lived down here, I almost never watched local programing at all. Makes a case for Ala Carte cable service. I'd pay $15 for the five channels I might actually watch, rather than double-or more-for the crap I don't.

hammb · Post by **hammb** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 8:52 pm

NWLB wrote: Heck, in the 15 months I've lived down here, I almost never watched local programing at all. Makes a case for Ala Carte cable service. I'd pay $15 for the five channels I might actually watch, rather than double-or more-for the crap I don't.

Depends what channels you actually do watch, really.

Most of us on these boards probably watch quite a bit of the ESPN networks. Those alone contribute to about $7-8 a month of your cable bill, and everyone else's as well. If the people who don't watch ESPN are able to opt out of paying that bill, you can bet that those who do watch them will pay $15 or more just for the ESPN networks. If you watch any of the other big name networks (MTV, TBS, TNT, Discovery, etc) you can bet those are all going to be more than $1/month each as well.

A la carte cable sounds good in theory, and would work well for the people that only watch the smaller networks, but those of us that are into sports would be paying out our rears for the ESPN networks; they're by FAR the most expensive part of your cable bill.

BGSUVA · Post by **BGSUVA** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 10:49 pm

is DirecTV picking up the BTN?

UK Peregrine · Post by **UK Peregrine** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 11:02 pm

BGSUVA wrote:is DirecTV picking up the BTN?

The Big Ten Network has national distribution agreements with DirectTV and the new AT&T U-verse service, as well as a major regional agreement with Buckeye Cable.

http://www.bigtennetwork.com/news/index ... eSource=26

BGFalconfromCincy · Post by **BGFalconfromCincy** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 11:44 pm

BGDrew wrote:I would say that if you live in BG and have TW, I wouldn't hold my breath. I'm still waiting on ESPNU.

Same problem down here in Cincy. Read in the paper couple of weeks ago TW is trying to make sure ESPNU is on by the time football season starts, can't remember what they said about BTN

hammb · Post by **hammb** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 8:19 am

Given that we are in Buckeye & Wolverine country if Time Warner doesn't pick up the BTN there will be some very angry mobs.

NWLB · Post by **NWLB** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 2:54 pm

I don’t see the cable networks giving in. Not this year anyway.

I have read a lot about the entire ala carte issue. And despite some thoughts as to how it might cost more, I’m still in favor of it. I do watch ESPN during the football season. I’d even pay to watch it during the season. But actually, it peeves me even more knowing that I’m paying $7 or more for it right now.

If the networks can’t produce enough of something people want to see, let the shrivel and die. I think the market will drive a lot of things in new directions anyway. I’d rather pay a couple of bucks to have games sent to my computer or DVR, than pay constantly for something I don’t make much use of.

1987alum · Post by **1987alum** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 2:57 pm

NWLB wrote:I don’t see the cable networks giving in. Not this year anyway.

I have read a lot about the entire ala carte issue. And despite some thoughts as to how it might cost more, I’m still in favor of it. I do watch ESPN during the football season. I’d even pay to watch it during the season. But actually, it peeves me even more knowing that I’m paying $7 or more for it right now.

If the networks can’t produce enough of something people want to see, let the shrivel and die. I think the market will drive a lot of things in new directions anyway. I’d rather pay a couple of bucks to have games sent to my computer or DVR, than pay constantly for something I don’t make much use of.

The trend is much more toward user-directed experiences, whether it's online or over the air (think of how individual songs on iTunes have replaced the quaint notion of the complete CD). It's not to far-fetched to forsee an almost total fee-per-use scenario on TV.

tekekini · Post by **tekekini** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 5:39 pm

I have Dish Network, So trust me I have been e-mailing them weekly if not daily.

I have also been e-mailing Big Ten Network.

It seems to me from what both are saying, Dish network is close to an agreement. Direct TV, Buckeye and At&T have already agreed.

There are 70 + local cable companies who have already reached agreements as well, they have just not been signed yet. They will not be announced until the deals are signed.

That is what I am being told.

Now where I live I do not have an option for Buckeye Cable, Time Warner, Wow, Comcast or anyone else. We have CT communications or one of the satellite companies. CT and Dish are both in negotiations. Dish sounds like they are close. If by mid August, Dish had not signed on, I will without hesitation pay the early contract termination and switch to Direct TV..I will be able to get Sunday ticket then as well so I can watch the Phins play!

But yes the falcons play Minnesota this year on the Big ten network..It will only be on the big ten network. When OSU and UT play, it will more than likely be a BTN televised game.

I am not mad at the cable companies for not jumping on board. I am mad at the BTN for existing.. There was nothing wrong with Big Ten coverage in our area. ESPN, ESPN 2 and ABC was full of lame boring Big ten games. The only ones I care about are OSU games. I dont need the Big Ten Network I do not need to see the other Big ten games. Just gimme the Bucks!

hammb · Post by **hammb** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 6:30 pm

tekekini wrote:. There was nothing wrong with Big Ten coverage in our area. ESPN, ESPN 2 and ABC was full of lame boring Big ten games.

And most of them are boring games too. I'm sorry, but there is almost always a better game on TV than your average OSU-Indiana game.

The Big 10, as a conference, has really not been too great the past couple seasons. OSU & UM have been top tier teams, but the rest of the conference has been down. PSU had a great year a couple season ago, but that was a fluke. Iowa has been down the past couple years as well. MSU has been bad for a few seasons now.

As a general rule I'd rather watch SEC football. I'm with you tek, I don't see what the point of a Big 10 network is. Over the past few seasons there are never more than 1, MAYBE 2, decent Big 10 games a week, and if you wanted to watch both they've always been available anyhow. I see no reason to put a station out showing a bunch of MSU-NW games...blech.

Of course if it gets BG some additional televised games, I will not complain.