Big Ten Network (BTN)

[osugrad21]

ABJ

Big Ten Network, Time Warner talks lag Buckeyes' first game is Aug. 30, so Northeast Ohioans may be left out
By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal sports writer

Published on Friday, Aug 08, 2008
COLUMBUS: The Beacon Journal learned Thursday that a deal between the Big Ten Network and Time Warner Cable remains far from a reality as the Ohio State Buckeyes prepare to begin what many expect to be another march toward the BCS National Championship Game.
The Buckeyes kick off the season Aug. 30 against the Youngstown State Penguins at Ohio Stadium.
''We're a little concerned that the pace of negotiations with Time Warner may not allow us to reach an agreement in time,'' Big Ten Network spokeswoman Elizabeth Conlisk said.
When BTN launched last season most of Northeast Ohio got left on the sidelines for several Buckeyes games, and that could be the case this season as well.
The Buckeyes home game against Troy University on Sept. 20 will be carried by BTN and, according to a source, the Minnesota-Ohio State game set for Sept. 27 in Columbus will also air on BTN.
Cont...

[LitlBuck]

Dispatch

Big Ten Network
TV talks continue, but time almost up
Saturday, August 9, 2008 3:12 AM
By Jeffrey Sheban
The Columbus Dispatch

Still huddling with time running out.

That's the status of talks between Time Warner Cable and the year-old Big Ten Network as Ohio State's season opener in football approaches.

Negotiators for the dominant cable provider in central Ohio and the network continue to meet to avoid a repeat of last season, when many fans had no access to four OSU games broadcast by the network.
Time Warner spokeswoman Judy Barbao said the plan is to strike a deal before Aug. 30, when the Buckeyes play host to Youngstown State on the Big Ten Network.

The president of the Big Ten Network, though, is worried that time is slipping away.

"We're definitely concerned that the pace of negotiations isn't moving quickly enough," Mark Silverman told The Dispatch. "We've had some preliminary talks with Time Warner, but we hope they will become more substantive quickly. There's still time, but we're a long way apart, and we've got a lot of ground to cover."

The stakes rose yesterday when it was learned that Ohio State's Big Ten opener -- Sept. 27 against Minnesota -- is likely to be shown on the Big Ten Network. That would place three of the Buckeyes' first five games -- Youngstown State, Troy (Sept. 20) and Minnesota -- on the Big Ten Network.

The network is likely to pick up a second conference game.

Silverman wouldn't specify any sticking points between the sides. "It's not one area -- we're significantly apart," he said.

Continued

[Oh8ch]

BTN still hasn't figured it out. Televise a road game and all the season ticket holders go ape and call TW. I have stayed with TW so far because I have yet to miss a game.

[heisman]

Originally Posted by Oh8ch

BTN still hasn't figured it out. Televise a road game and all the season ticket holders go ape and call TW. I have stayed with TW so far because I have yet to miss a game.

At MSU or NU would be the only possibilities this season.

[osugrad21]

ABJ

Cable giant yanks chains of OSU fans Football fans losing patience may defect
By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal sports writer

Published on Tuesday, Aug 12, 2008
For Ohio State fans, the continuing battle that could leave them scrambling to find a place to watch Buckeyes games is almost as bad as being pulverized in two consecutive BCS National Championship Games.
Three of the first five games will land on the Big Ten Network this fall, and again, Time Warner Cable has no deal with the network. That means local tavern owners again will reap the benefit of Buckeye Nation's collective misery. It's easy to go into all the arguments that led to the standoff last year.
There's a big difference, however. The situation has changed ? significantly. Back then, Time Warner stood arm-in-arm with its competitor, Comcast, the No. 1 video service provider in the country, to say ''no'' to what they viewed as an overdemanding rookie network.
The network asked for a $1.10 price per subscriber that it consistently said was negotiable as long as it landed in the expanded basic area of service in Big Ten Conference states. Cable companies argued that it wasn't fair for everyone to have to pay that, as if the bottom line couldn't handle it. The only guarantees in life are death, taxes and cable television rate increases.
Cont...

[RB07OSU]

Me and dad are starting to look around since Time Warner won't get it together before season. It will be a hassle but the only TV I really watch avidly is OSU football and some other games. If I can't do that with TW, why have it?

[Redhawk]

3 days till BTN hits comcast, for those of us lucky enough to have it....

[jenkinswoody]

Well I finally broke down and made the switch from Time Warner to Direct TV. TWC raised my bill at the wrong time of year. I hate the freakin' BTN but can't live another year without it (plus Direct is adding Dayton HD locals in Oct). I spent waaaay to much money at the local pub last year. Besides, nothing like watching the Bucks in your underwear- huh!? I discovered the hard way that the practice is generally frowned upon at most bars.

Anyway, I would encourage anyone considering a switch to another provider to read threads on a dish forum first..........I used this one and it allowed me to get many freebies that I wouldn't have recieved otherwise. It definitely helps your negotiating skills when you know what others have gotten for free or at very low cost. Don't forget to get a referal number from someone and join AAA- It'll save you $290 off your bill.

Here's what I used for Direct. Hope it helps.
How to get an additional $240 off as a new DirecTV customer - DBSTalk.Com

[LitlBuck]

O-Zone: Just spent 30 minutes with Mark Silverman of the BTN.


The above post on the O-Zone summarizes an interview that the editor of the O-Zone had with the head of the BTN. He basically said that Fox was in charge of negotiations and it was not the Big 10 Network that was actually doing the negotiations. He also stated that it ever were not for the BTN many of the Big 10 basketball and football games would have been put on ESPNU and that cable subscribers would have had to update their services because of that.

If indeed that is true, I would have to agree with him because in order for me to get ESPNU I would have to add a sports tier which cost about $5.50 on Insight. I have no idea what other cable companies carry ESPNU for free.

[Oh8ch]

If indeed that is true, I would have to agree with him because in order for me to get ESPNU I would have to add a sports tier which cost about $5.50 on Insight. I have no idea what other cable companies carry ESPNU for free.

The difference is that pretty much everyone offers ESPNU - so at least you have the option of picking it up without changing service providers. TW does not offer you a BTN option at any price.

[BuckeyeTillIDie]

I've had Time Warner, WOW, and now DirecTV.

In short, DirecTV > both.

[CleveBucks]

Originally Posted by Oh8ch

The difference is that pretty much everyone offers ESPNU - so at least you have the option of picking it up without changing service providers. TW does not offer you a BTN option at any price.

WOW doesn't offer ESPNU.

Most don't offer ESPNU without getting digital cable. BTN is on analog cable.

Besides, why give your money to ESPNU/Disney when the Big Ten can profit off of it.

No ESPNU HD either.

[exhawg]

How long does it take to get DirecTV installed? I'd like to hold off as long as I can, but TW's time is running out. I wonder if they realize how important it is that they get their [censored] in gear? Just got a thing in the mail that I can pick up Windstream DSL for $20 (no phone) and I can use the AAA discount on DirecTV.

[heisman]

Originally Posted by exhawg

How long does it take to get DirecTV installed? I'd like to hold off as long as I can, but TW's time is running out. I wonder if they realize how important it is that they get their [censored] in gear? Just got a thing in the mail that I can pick up Windstream DSL for $20 (no phone) and I can use the AAA discount on DirecTV.

My install took about 2 hours. I switched to Direct last year after Comcast announced they would not carry BTN. Best move I ever made (tv-wise). Directv is superior in every way to cable. You won't be disappointed.

[ntd]

I just ordered DirecTV...they're installing on Sunday (kind of amazing that they'd do it on Sunday and with short notice)

Can't wait to see the Buckeyes kick it off