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Frequently Asked Questions
Updated July 11, 2008
Q: Who can get the Big Ten Network?A: The Big Ten Network has distribution agreements with Comcast (launching August 15, 2008), DIRECTV, DISH Network, AT&T U-Verse, Verizon FiOS, Insight Communications, WideOpenWest, RCN, Service Electric and more than 230 cable operators across the country and is available to up to 55 million people nationwide. The network is available to about 70 percent of homes in the Big Ten's eight-state footprint. Below is a graphic that illustrates the network's availability in the eight-state area.
Last fall, the Big Ten Network became the first new network in cable or satellite television history to reach 30 million subscribers within its first 30 days. However, we will not be satisfied until we have distribution agreements to reach every fan in the Big Ten's eight-state region.
Q: Does Comcast carry the Big Ten Network?
A: Yes. Comcast will add the Big Ten Network on August 15, 2008, in time for football season.
For more information on Comcast, please view our Comcast FAQ.
Q: Where do negotiations stand with Verizon FiOS?
A: Verizon FiOS has just announced that it will offer Big Ten Network on its most widely available level of service, beginning in Fort Wayne, Ind., and rolling out to all states where the service is available, including Pennsylvania, New York, California, Texas and Florida, home to millions of Big Ten alumni, as well as New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, Oregon, Delaware, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Q. Where do negotiations stand with the remaining large cable operators, such as Time Warner, Charter and Mediacom?
A. We are currently in conversations with Time Warner, Charter and Mediacom, and are hopeful that we will be able to reach an agreement. With the Comcast agreement and deals with 230 other cable operators and the two major satellite providers, the Big Ten Network has shown its commitment to successful negotiations, and a willingness to be flexible enough to reach an agreement that is fair and reasonable.
Q: Why was the Big Ten Network created?
A: A few years ago, Big Ten Conference executives met with ABC/ESPN executives to discuss extending the conference's expiring football and basketball agreements. In that meeting, the Big Ten was told that as part of a renewal, the conference would need to move some football games to Thursday nights, that it would have more games than ever before appear on ESPN platforms that did were not broadly distributed, and that it would not receive the additional exposure for women's athletics it was seeking.
Following this meeting, the Big Ten decided to fully evaluate having its own network to complement its national television agreements. The conference determined that it could form a network that would include football and basketball games, while also greatly increasing the number of women's and Olympic sports seen on television.
In addition, by controlling its own network, the Big Ten could avoid airing beer commercials, gambling ads and infomercials.
Subsequently, the Big Ten went back to ABC/ESPN and renewed its agreement, which also increased the number of games seen on those networks. And, importantly, the Big Ten was able to retain enough live games and the rights to classic games to launch the Big Ten Network.
The network launched on August 30, 2007, and is on the air 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.
The Big Ten Network is a joint venture between subsidiaries of the Big Ten Conference and Fox Cable Networks. Fox has a proven track record of successfully launching other networks.
Q: Why didn't the Big Ten reach distribution agreements before launching its network?
A: Unfortunately, the cable industry doesn't work that way. All networks add distribution after they are launched. Although it provides little consolation to those who don't receive it, the Big Ten Network is a success by television network standards. The network was the first in history to reach 30 million households within 30 days of launch. However, we will not be satisfied until we have distribution agreements to reach every fan in the Big Ten's eight-state region.
Q: Why was the Big Ten Network created when fans used to watch the games for free?
A: The notion that all Big Ten games were on free, over-the-air TV is incorrect. In 2005 and 2006, 13 Big Ten football games were not televised at all. During that same time, football games were moving from being regionally or locally syndicated so that they could be seen on over the air stations to other ESPN platforms that were not widely available, a total of 42 games. Similarly, in 2006, 85 men's basketball games received no television coverage, while 16 contests were on either ESPNU or ESPN360. The trend of games moving away from local syndication would have continued with or without the Big Ten Network.
With the Big Ten Network, every home Big Ten football and men's basketball game will now be produced for a national audience. We believe that fans within the Big Ten's eight-state footprint should be able to see these games on their existing expanded basic cable package. Outside the eight states, fans would likely have to subscribe to a different level of service.
Additionally, beginning February 17, 2009, the entire television industry will undergo a transition from analog to digital service Consumers will no longer be able to receive television signals without additional equipment. For more information on the "digital transition," click here.
Q: Why won't the Big Ten Network agree to be placed on a sports tier in Big Ten Country?
A: There are many reasons.
- Cornerstones to the Community. The Big Ten Conference includes ten public institutions and one private university which act as cornerstones to their local communities and that are very important to the people who attended these schools or live nearby. We believe it's important that these same local communities have complete access to these institutions and their programming.
- The network warrants widespread distribution. The Big Ten Network has wide appeal, particularly within the eight-state Big Ten region. The evidence of this is that, on cable/satellite systems that currently carry the network, ratings for its Saturday football games have consistently ranked among the top 12 programs among all cable programs across all networks. Ratings for football telecasts have also rated higher than college football on NBC and CBS, and in some markets have rated higher than the baseball playoffs on TBS. Programming this popular within Big Ten Country deserves to be broadly distributed.
- All regional sports networks are carried on expanded basic. Although the network is the first of its kind and will distribute all its programming throughout the country, its local appeal is comparable to regional sports networks (commonly known as "RSN's," such as Fox Sports Net Detroit, or Comcast SportsNet Chicago). All of these networks are carried on expanded basic cable, and not a sports tier.
Q: How many men's and women's basketball games were on the network during the season?
A: During the 2007-08 season, the Big Ten Network produced 140 regular season men's basketball games, plus three Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament games. Including postseason play, there were 20 Illinois games, 19 Indiana games, 25 Iowa games, 15 Michigan games, 15 Michigan State games, 19 Minnesota games, 19 Northwestern games, 14 Ohio State games, 17 Penn State games, 18 Purdue games and 21 Wisconsin games on the Big Ten Network.
The network also had 64 women's basketball games, more than any other network. Including the postseason, games by school were: Illinois, 10; Indiana, 10, Iowa; 10; Michigan, 10; Michigan State, 10; Minnesota, 11; Northwestern, 12; Ohio State, 9; Penn State, 12; Purdue, 10; and Wisconsin, 9. Nine of those games were Big Ten Tournament games.
Q: Will the Big Ten Network carry the games I want to see?
A: The Big Ten Network carries more Big Ten football games and more Big Ten basketball games than any other network.
Each year, the network will televise about 40 football games, 140 men's basketball games, 55 women's basketball games, dozens of Big Ten Championship events. The network also televises portions of the Big Ten Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament. Nearly all of these games are televised in stunning high-definition.
Plus, the Big Ten Network goes beyond game day. The nightly studio show, Big Ten Tonight, covers your favorite teams with more interviews, highlights and analysis than anyone else. The shows Big Ten Friday Night Tailgate, Big Ten Extra Points, Coaches Q&A, the Big Ten Women's Show and The Journey bring you closer to your teams than ever before.
The Big Ten Network is your one-stop destination for Big Ten coverage.
Q: How do you handle multiple games at once? Which game will I get to see?
A: The Big Ten Network sometimes will air multiple football games at the same time, and will regionalize the games so that we can cater to each specific market. Fans will see the games they care most about. We offer the games we are not broadcasting in certain markets to our distribution partners to air on their ""overflow"" channels, so that fans who live outside their university's state can watch their teams. These overflow channels are only available during the football season.
DIRECTV, DISH Network and AT&T U-Verse carry our "overflow" games. For cable subscribers, the decision whether or not to air Big Ten Network ""overflow"" games will be made by their cable operator. Check BigTenNetwork.com each week during the football season to get specific overflow channel information for DIRECTV, DISH Network and AT&T U-Verse. If you are a cable subscriber, check with your provider.
Q: On what level of service does DIRECTV offer the network?
A: DIRECTV offers the Big Ten Network on its CHOICE Package, DIRECTV's most widely distributed programming package. As of July 30, the network will move to DIRECTV Channel 610 as part of a system-wide sports channel realignment. Check local listings or your DIRECTV channel guide for program information.
Q: Does DIRECTV carry the Big Ten Network in HD?
A: Yes, DIRECTV carries the Big Ten Network in both standard-definition and high-definition on channel 220. (Beginning July 30, the network can be found on channel 610.) This fall, overflow football games can be found on neighboring channels 608, 609, 611, 612 and 615. These channels are also available in both standard-definition and high-definition.
Customers must have an MPEG4 HD receiver and 5-LNB satellite dish in order to receive the Big Ten Network in HD from DIRECTV.
Q: Why doesn't the Big Ten Network use its overflow channels to carry other events?
A: Overflow channels are only available to the Big Ten Network on football Saturdays.
Q: On what level of service does DISH Network offer the network?
A: Inside the eight states with Big Ten universities, Big Ten Network is available on DISH Network's America's Top 100 Plus package. Outside the eight states, subscribers to America's Top 100 Plus also will need to purchase DISH's Multi-Sport Pack.
Q: Why did DISH Network change the level of service?
A: Big Ten Network and DISH had agreed the network would reside within America's Top 100 Plus in the eight Big Ten states after DISH's national customers had an opportunity to see the network's initial football and basketball seasons. That preview ended in March 2008. AT100+ includes all of the top regional sports networks and national sports networks like Big Ten Network, and is DISH's equivalent of the expanded basic level of service on cable.
Q: How can fans outside of the eight-state region see the Big Ten Network?
A: Customers of DIRECTV and DISH Network have access to the network regardless of where they live. Verizon FiOS and AT&T's U-Verse are rolling out the channel across the country. Comcast, which has more than 24 million subscribers, many outside the eight Big Ten states, has not yet determined where it will carry the network or on what service level. As soon as we are aware of what Comcast decides, we will post it here on BigTenNetwork.com.
The Big Ten Network is interested in working with all television distributors nationally. To find out which operators in your area carry the Big Ten Network, use the zip code finder feature on BigTenNetwork.com.
Q: How much programming does the Big Ten Network broadcast in high-definition?
A: In just its first year, the Big Ten Network produced more original HD than any other sports network in history. We produced more than 400 events, Big Ten Tonight, The Journey and nearly all of our other programs in HD, totaling more than 1,000 hours of original HD content. If you do not have a high-definition television, you will still be able to receive all of our programming in standard definition.
Q: Does the Big Ten Network stream games via the Internet?
A: Yes. In our first year, we streamed 10 men's basketball games and 10 spring football games. As we move forward, we are working hard to create and execute a broadband video strategy that will complement the high-quality programming found on our network. Several factors will play a role in determining the breadth and depth of our broadband streaming offering, including rights issues and negotiations with cable and satellite providers. Keep an eye on BigTenNetwork.com for the latest information.
Q: How are the Big Ten Network's profits be distributed?
A: The Big Ten Network is a joint venture between the Big Ten Conference and Fox Cable Networks. All fees and any other revenues to the conference will be shared equally among all 11 Big Ten institutions and the conference office. This increased financial support will help the universities to continue providing broad-based athletic programs, while enhancing the experience for all students on our campuses. For example, some schools are using the money to finance more scholarships, while others are building much-needed new facilities.
Broadcasting & Cable: Arbitrator Finds for MASN in Time Warner Cable Dispute
Indiana Alumni Magazine: A TV game show
The Gazette: BTN a good deal if you can get it
Minnesota Daily: Too many reasons not to have BTN
IUHoosiers.com: Valuing the Big Ten Network
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Big Ten Network worth watching
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Basically, satisfy fans
Columbus Dispatch: OSU fans race clock to score TV dish
Media Daily News: Cable operators must carry Big Ten or lose subs
Indiana Alumni Magazine: A TV game show
The Gazette: BTN a good deal if you can get it
Minnesota Daily: Too many reasons not to have BTN
IUHoosiers.com: Valuing the Big Ten Network
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Big Ten Network worth watching
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Basically, satisfy fans
Columbus Dispatch: OSU fans race clock to score TV dish
Media Daily News: Cable operators must carry Big Ten or lose subs
