Big Ten Network
The Big Ten Network has a legitimate beef with the cable industry.
The network does belong on the same tier as ESPN, ESPN2, etc. BTN will have games on its network that normally would have been on ABC or ESPN.
That is something the NFL Network can't say. The eight to 10 lives games on NFLN are just games that normally would have been played on Sundays and would not have been seen nationally. Say the Browns are on NFLN, the network is required by the NFL to put the game on a local over-the-air channel, too. So I can see NFLN being put on a sports tier only because it truly is a network for the diehard NFL fan.
Right now OSU will have, at least, two games on BTN, and if you don't have DirecTV, you aren't going to see the games. Same with the Buckeyes basketball team.
In the end, Time Warner and its brethren need to get a deal done for the fans of college sports.
August 14th, 2007 at 5:57 pm
So much for spending a Saturday afternoon watching the Buckeyes on TV. Whoop-de-doo. I'm not spending another red cent on cable just to watch a few games. Like mom used to say, go outside…get some fresh air. Thank heavens for radio.
August 14th, 2007 at 11:31 pm
Has anybody heard if DISH TV is going to have the BTN on?
August 15th, 2007 at 1:28 am
Do you want to know which two Ohio State games you're going to miss because of the absolutely fabulous Big Ten Network? Akron and Youngstown State. Whoopie.
Cable systems don't have to get anything done with the Big Ten Network. It's blackmail, pure and simple. The majority are low-rent games. There are so many cable networks out there, so many games, it's already overkill. Yes, there may be some decent games when they get around to the basketball season, but again, there is such a proliferation of regional cable networks and games available to watch out there, other than the hardcore folks, who really cares?
August 15th, 2007 at 10:39 am
I agree–who cares?! and double-ditto that for the No Fun League !! I really resent, NFL especially, these networks trying to enlist people to lobby the cable company for them. If they can't make a deal, they both lose–no skin off my back.
August 15th, 2007 at 11:39 am
Technically, I suppose it's extortion, not blackmail. Anyway, with the exception of the fanatics, who really cares?
Hey, Ron, any plans for you to bail ship, too? The handwriting is on the wall, dude.
It just occurred to me … since the name "Titanic" is already taken, can I call it the Plutonic?
February 14th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
I understand your beefs, but be thankful that you are not a sports fan in Canada. We get to watch endless hours of curling, soccer or 10 year old boxing. The real kicker is "spelling bees". I did not know that that was a sport. And when our beloved sports network does finally pick something up from ESPN, it is generally about 2 weeks old. Be thankful for what you have and enjoy,