We're now just days away from the official kickoff of the college football season. And this season, Big Ten fans will have a whole new opportunity to watch their favorite teams play, no matter where they live. In just two days the Big Ten Network will be launching. But not everyone will have easy access to the new channel.
More than 100 cable companies within eight Big Ten states have agreed to pick up the new network, but some of the larger companies are still in negotiations. That means a great majority of the viewing area here in Michiana isn't going to be able to tune into the Big Ten network. For example, larger cable operators like Comcast, Time Warner, and Dish Network, haven't reached an agreement with the Big Ten Network. Comcast officials think the network should be placed in the sports-entertainment tier package, for people who pay for that specific package.
But Big Ten Network officials disagree. They say there is such a demand for the Big Ten games in the Midwest that the network should be under the basic package. “This should be one of those 70 channels and we feel agreement-- with the other 100 operators who have all agreed with us and are already carrying the network on that level of service,” says Mark Silverman, President of the Big Ten Network.
“And for the vast majority of customers who wouldn't want to pay another $13 a year, just for the channel on extended basic, we don't want to burden those customers with what is a tax that goes to Fox and the Big Ten,” says Rich Ruggiero, spokesperson for Comcast.
The Big Ten Network’s President says they're currently available to viewers in about 17-million homes. Currently, if you have Direct TV or AT&T as your provider, you will be able to pick up the Big Ten Network.
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More than 100 cable companies within eight Big Ten states have agreed to pick up the new network, but some of the larger companies are still in negotiations. That means a great majority of the viewing area here in Michiana isn't going to be able to tune into the Big Ten network. For example, larger cable operators like Comcast, Time Warner, and Dish Network, haven't reached an agreement with the Big Ten Network. Comcast officials think the network should be placed in the sports-entertainment tier package, for people who pay for that specific package.
But Big Ten Network officials disagree. They say there is such a demand for the Big Ten games in the Midwest that the network should be under the basic package. “This should be one of those 70 channels and we feel agreement-- with the other 100 operators who have all agreed with us and are already carrying the network on that level of service,” says Mark Silverman, President of the Big Ten Network.
“And for the vast majority of customers who wouldn't want to pay another $13 a year, just for the channel on extended basic, we don't want to burden those customers with what is a tax that goes to Fox and the Big Ten,” says Rich Ruggiero, spokesperson for Comcast.
The Big Ten Network’s President says they're currently available to viewers in about 17-million homes. Currently, if you have Direct TV or AT&T as your provider, you will be able to pick up the Big Ten Network.
Discuss Add this link to... Bury
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