The Big Ten Network premiered today in a move that could possibly change the way college sports are broadcast. It is likely that the other BCS conferences are taking a close look on the successes and failures of the new network. Currently, the BTN has agreements in place with DirecTV and Insight Communications in the Evansville and Columbus, Ohio markets. However, most Hoosiers will not access to at least 6 conference games this season. Most IU fans are part of Insight, which will become a part of Comcast Cable at the end of the year.
Comcast and the BTN have been engaged in a PR debate over how the channel will be distributed. Basically, the BTN wants the channel on basic package at a price of $1.10 to Comcast. Comcast wants the BTN to be on a sports tier which would cost customers an extra 5 dollars a month.
I can only remember a few IU games that have not been on TV in the past decade. There will likely be an uproar from IU fans if negotiations between the BTN and Comcast are not settled by the start of hoops season.
Coach Sampson commented on the network during his press conference last weekend.
His thoughts on the BTN "For me, the Big Ten Network...I think it has a chance to be a positive in a lot of ways. There is part of it I'm not sure I understand completely, but I know Rick (IU Athletics Director Greenspan) is excited about it and to me that's a good thing."
In response to the fact that currently many IU fans don't get the network "We don't play a game on TV until November. If we get to November and that's an issue than I'd probably be concerned about it."
On the importance for fans to have access to every game "Hopefully that will not be a problem because the most important entity to our program is No. 1, our players, and No. 2, our fans. Or 1a and 1b. This thing is all about our players and the fans, that's it. It's important that our fans have access to our games I know that."
What are your thoughts? Who is more to blame, the BTN or Comcast? Will you switch to DirecTV to ensure seeing all of IU's games?
