Big Ten Network

[RLC65]

Delaney suggests that cable viewers do/did not choose such offerings as the Food Network, Golf Channel, or ESPN 2, etc. Thing is, those channels are enormously popular with many. I do think the B10 made a serious mistake in judgment in expecting cable companies to include the Network in basic coverages rather than sports tier type coverage.
Where I live, (and I assume mostly elsewhere) a sports tier is carried with digital coverage and one can choose one or a combination of sports tier, movie tier, etc. Digital costs me an additional amount, but the sports tier within digital is not an extra expense above that, (unless one chooses multiple tiers...I do not.)
Personally, I would be perfectly happy to see the Network included in my additional cost digital coverage, or beyond that, I would be happy to pay an additional fee, much like the GamePlan fee was, to see the Network in the context of I want to see it and others may not.

Go Bucks!

[Buck94]

Originally Posted by RLC65

Delaney suggests that cable viewers do/did not choose such offerings as the Food Network, Golf Channel, or ESPN 2, etc. Thing is, those channels are enormously popular with many. I do think the B10 made a serious mistake in judgment in expecting cable companies to include the Network in basic coverages rather than sports tier type coverage.

However, since the BTN was able to get DirecTV to agree to provide the channel as part of it's basic package, this will put competitive pressure on the cable providers. Directv can say they give more channels for roughly the same cost as cable. So, it actually helps the BTN.

[OSU SPORTS]

Originally Posted by RLC65

Delaney suggests that cable viewers do/did not choose such offerings as the Food Network, Golf Channel, or ESPN 2, etc. Thing is, those channels are enormously popular with many. I do think the B10 made a serious mistake in judgment in expecting cable companies to include the Network in basic coverages rather than sports tier type coverage.
Where I live, (and I assume mostly elsewhere) a sports tier is carried with digital coverage and one can choose one or a combination of sports tier, movie tier, etc. Digital costs me an additional amount, but the sports tier within digital is not an extra expense above that, (unless one chooses multiple tiers...I do not.)
Personally, I would be perfectly happy to see the Network included in my additional cost digital coverage, or beyond that, I would be happy to pay an additional fee, much like the GamePlan fee was, to see the Network in the context of I want to see it and others may not.

Go Bucks!

I would not say that the Golf Channel and Food Network are "enormously popular with many". The point was that the BTN is worthy of being included in the basic cable package. You have to remember that the BTN is a HD 24/7 product. There is no reason for the BTN to settle for anything less than being included on the basic cable package. They have a good business model, a partner who is familiar with the policies and actions of the cable industry and a product that is just as desirable as other basic cable products. It's just like any new business venture, it will have growing pains. IMO, Comcast won't agree in the first year. Comcast is one of the worst run companies in any sector. Time Warner might agree, maybe a 50/50 proposition.

[Buck94]

Originally Posted by OSU SPORTS

I would not say that the Golf Channel and Food Network are "enormously popular with many". The point was that the BTN is worthy of being included in the basic cable package. You have to remember that the BTN is a HD 24/7 product. There is no reason for the BTN to settle for anything less than being included on the basic cable package. They have a good business model, a partner who is familiar with the policies and actions of the cable industry and a product that is just as desirable as other basic cable products. It's just like any new business venture, it will have growing pains. IMO, Comcast won't agree in the first year. Comcast is one of the worst run companies in any sector. Time Warner might agree, maybe a 50/50 proposition.

Given the fact that I am a Dish customer, I would be curious as to what you think they might do. They have not been very aggressive in their announcements, yet the continue to add HD channels and provide the most national HD channels of any provider. I think Dish will add the BTN at the last possible moment and flip the switch. They are moving all of the Voom channels to MPEG4 in mid-August, which will open up a great deal of bandwidth (Source, DBSTalk.com).

[OSU SPORTS]

Originally Posted by Buck94

Given the fact that I am a Dish customer, I would be curious as to what you think they might do. They have not been very aggressive in their announcements, yet the continue to add HD channels and provide the most national HD channels of any provider. I think Dish will add the BTN at the last possible moment and flip the switch. They are moving all of the Voom channels to MPEG4 in mid-August, which will open up a great deal of bandwidth (Source, DBSTalk.com).

Let me say first that I'm not that familiar with the operations of the Dish Network. I feel comfortable giving opinions on Comcast or Directv, as I know about there operating mode. If I was going to speculate on the Dish Network, I would guess they would sign the BTN. The reason being is that they are in direct competition with Directv. I can't see how they can afford to let Directv have another advantage over them. Later this year Directv will launch more satelites. These new sats will boost Directv's HD capacity to the top. They will have the most HD stations anywhere. I would think that the Dish Network would look at signing the BTN as merely the cost of doing business, regardless of the demand.

[Buck94]

Originally Posted by OSU SPORTS

Let me say first that I'm not that familiar with the operations of the Dish Network. I feel comfortable giving opinions on Comcast or Directv, as I know about there operating mode. If I was going to speculate on the Dish Network, I would guess they would sign the BTN. The reason being is that they are in direct competition with Directv. I can't see how they can afford to let Directv have another advantage over them. Later this year Directv will launch more satelites. These new sats will boost Directv's HD capacity to the top. They will have the most HD stations anywhere. I would think that the Dish Network would look at signing the BTN as merely the cost of doing business, regardless of the demand.

I appreciate your insight. Regarding the new satellites, the latest DirecTV launch was to get capacity to match what Dish already has in place. Once Dish moves the remainder of their programming to MPEG4 they will add even more capacity and they are also planning on adding more satellites. DirecTV might still be playing catch up in terms of bandwidth. Also, Dish just added more channels and will be adding a few more in August and September to maintain their lead in terms of HD programming (# of channels).

Where DirecTV is the clear leader is in sports programming by having exclusivity to NFL Sunday Ticket, but they pay a price in bandwidth to carry this versus new programming.

This is as I understand it from reading the DBSTalk.com site.

[OSU SPORTS]

Originally Posted by Buck94

I appreciate your insight. Regarding the new satellites, the latest DirecTV launch was to get capacity to match what Dish already has in place. Once Dish moves the remainder of their programming to MPEG4 they will add even more capacity and they are also planning on adding more satellites. DirecTV might still be playing catch up in terms of bandwidth. Also, Dish just added more channels and will be adding a few more in August and September to maintain their lead in terms of HD programming (# of channels).

Where DirecTV is the clear leader is in sports programming by having exclusivity to NFL Sunday Ticket, but they pay a price in bandwidth to carry this versus new programming.

This is as I understand it from reading the DBSTalk.com site.

That forum is a mess. Make sure your virus protection on your computer is up to date when visiting that place. There is a lot of mis information, on both sides, regarding capacity at both Directv and Dish. Most of the "real" information is proprietary and not easlily verified. I hope it works out for you wtih the BTN.

[Buck94]

Originally Posted by OSU SPORTS

That forum is a mess. Make sure your virus protection on your computer is up to date when visiting that place. There is a lot of mis information, on both sides, regarding capacity at both Directv and Dish. Most of the "real" information is proprietary and not easlily verified. I hope it works out for you wtih the BTN.

Thank you for the heads up...I didn't realize it was that way, but it should not be surprising. I hope Dish adds BTN as well. It seems to me that we (consumers) are the real winners as long as Dish and D* continue to respond to each other and offer more HD content. I used to be with D*, then switched to Dish. I have no problem switching back to D* again.

[OSU SPORTS]

Just to let you know, they are offering some great incentives for new customers at Directv. It might be worth a switch for that reason alone. BTW, I don't work for Directv, in case you wondered.