How Will Husker Fans Get the Big Ten Network?
by Jon Johnston on Jul 30, 2010 7:00 AM CDT
in Conference Realignment
16 comments
I realize this is a bit pre-emptive, as I doubt we see a whole lot of Husker spors coverage on Big Ten Network (BTN) before Nebraska officially joins the Big Ten. Nebraska is contractually obligated to the Big 12 through the 2010 season. There's a possibility that Nebraska-owned programming will show up this season, but even if it doesn't, Husker fans may be interested in getting familiar with their new conference before that happens.
BTN just announced a whole bunch of new programming include the following shows:
Big Ten Icons (Tuesdays, 9 PM ET):
The network's fall programming lineup will be headlined by Big Ten Icons. Hosted by legendary sports broadcaster Keith Jackson, Big Ten Icons is the network's most ambitious project to date. The 20-episode series debuts Saturday, Sept. 18, and then airs Tuesdays at 9 PM ET. The program will count down the most iconic figures in Big Ten history, based on their collegiate playing careers. Each 30-minute documentary will spotlight one Big Ten Icon. Numbers 50 through 21 will be revealed on www.BigTenNetwork.com in advance of the program's television debut.
The Next Level (Thursdays, 8 PM ET):
Each episode of The Next Level, which debuts on Sept. 9, will spend a day with former Big Ten stars to learn about their lives in professional sports and society. Lavar Arrington, Dallas Clark, Joe Girardi, Dhani Jones, Muhsin Muhammad, Nick Swisher and others also will re-live their time on campus and share their personal stories of how competing in the Big Ten helped shape their professional careers.
Big Ten Film Vault (Tuesdays, 8 PM ET):
With hours of rare footage, some of which has never aired on national television, the Big Ten Film Vault debuts on Sept. 7 and will feature yearbook and highlight shows from the 1940's, 50's, 60's and 70's. Fans will see rare mic'ed up footage of Woody Hayes, Bo Schembechler and other Big Ten coaches. The narration for these shows was originally recorded by broadcasting legends such as Chick Hearn, Jack Brickhouse, Tom Harmon and Bill Flemming. The show will be hosted by Michigan alum and Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Dierdorf.
Imagine shows like these including Nebraska, and you get an idea on why you might be excited about the future.
No doubt there will be plenty of information available through Nebraska's regular media outlets over the next year on how to get the Big Ten Network.... in Nebraska. For out of state fans, I promise that CN will stay on top of the situation and assist you in figuring out how you're going to get all the Husker sports you can find.
Hate to sound like a shill, but I've had Dish Network for over ten years now. Originally choose them over my cable provider because the cable provider had a habit of opting for non-Nebraska games. I've had few complaints about the service.
Despite the constant offers for new DirecTV subscribers, I've stuck with Dish because it seems like DirecTV is geared more towards professional sports fans. I don't watch a lot of pro sports other than the NFL. Plus, Dish offers a multi-sports package for $5.99 a month that includes all of the Fox Sports channels (your normal subscription provides only the Fox Sports channel for your region/area), BTN, ESPN Classic, Comcast Sports channels, NFL Network, NFL Redzone, NHL Network, and some lesser-known channels such as Sun Sports and MSG.
Bottom line - the Dish Network Multi-sports package has a gob of value (and I'm not even being paid to say this, which is kind of a shame, actually).
CN has already established some contacts at BTN, and I asked them for an update on how Husker fans can get their network. Here's some information you might find valuable:
Here's some information on where to find the Big Ten Network:
The easiest way to find the Big Ten Network is to enter your zip code and cable/satellite provider at www.bigtennetwork.com/channelfinder.
Many Husker fans around the country may already receive the Big Ten Network through their current cable/satellite provider.
The network is currently available to about 75 million households in the United States and Canada, and has more than 300 cable/satellite affiliates including Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox, Mediacom, Charter, Cablevision, DIRECTV, DISH Network, AT&T U-Verse, Verizon FiOS and many more.
Inside the Big Ten's current eight states, the network is available on cable on expanded basic cable packages. Outside of the eight states, the level of service can vary. Channel numbers also vary by service area.
Here's a breakdown of the largest national providers as it stands today:
DIRECTV, AT&T U-Verse and Verizon FiOS subscribers around the country - no matter where they llve - already receive the Big Ten Network. Those channel numbers are 610 for DIRECTV, 650 for AT&T U-Verse, 85 for Verizon FiOS (585 for HD).
DISH Network subscribers inside the Big Ten current markets (so, excluding Nebraska) already receive the Big Ten Network on channel 439 (the HD channel is 9500). If you're outside of the current Big Ten markets, you must subscribe to Dish Network's Multi-Sport Pack.
Some Nebraska specific info... Cox subscribers in Omaha currently receive the network on their Sports and Information Tier on channel 233. Cable One subscribers in Sioux City receive the network on their expanded basic cable package on channel 78. And as I mentioned earlier, Nebraska residents who subscribe to DIRECTV, DISH Network, AT&T U-Verse and Verizon FiOS also receive the network.
A lot more information can be found on the BTN website.
Here are a couple of useful links:
Company Profile:
http://www.bigtennetwork.com/corporate/index.asp
Frequently Asked Questions:
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Just as long as Cox renames it
I believe it’s referred to in the channel guide as B10IA, or at least something close to that. The last two letters being IA, referencing Iowa. That’s gotta go by July of next year.
I think it's because Cox in the Omaha area is currently getting the "Iowa" feed...
…when there are multiple events going on, Cox puts the Iowa game on the “primary” channel and the other games go on the secondary channels. My guess is that there will be a “NE” feed next September. I think the only time they have multiple events is on football Saturdays.
I’m on Qwest Choice TV in Omaha, and I’ve been happy with their service for 11 years…other than a system failure that caused me to miss the first quarter of the NU/Missouri game. But if I don’t see BTN by next summer, I’m getting a dish in all likelihood. I priced Cox out 3 years ago when I got an HDTV, and found out it was almost as expensive as a dish, and didn’t carry some of the channels I wanted. Plus they internet service they priced me at was slower than what I have with Qwest.
I’ve continued to track the prices, and Dish Network still is the leader on price at this point for me. In fact, I just switched my mother in law from DirecTV to Dish; more channels for less, plus with Dish, one box controls two TV’s, meaning that she saves that extra charge as well.
by Husker Mike on Jul 30, 2010 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions
If I had a house, or a differently-oriented apartment
I’d go with satelite.
"I don't watch a lot of pro sports other than the NFL."
That is true of every single American who doesn’t live in NYC.
Time Warner
in most states has it as a 15 channel sports tier that includes BTN for 6.99. Some of the other channels are channels you already may have such as ESPN and some FSN channels.
My Online Conversation with Dish Regarding the BTN in Nebraska
Here is part of the transcript of my conversation with a Dish CSR regarding the BTN next year. It sounds like it is free IF you pay for the Everything Package. However it sounds like it’ll cost $6.99 if you don’t (regardless of the fact that we will be in the B10 Region).
Husker Forever: Ok, thanks. Last question.
(03hy) Tom H.5TN: Sure.
Husker Forever: I live in Nebraska. Nebraska is joining the Big 10 Conference next year. I currently have to Pay to get the Big 10 Network. I assume this will change sometime in the future as Nebraska becomes a part of the conference. Does Dish have a timetable or a date that this will go into effect? I ask because, from what I hear, they are starting to broadcast Nebraska Husker material on the B10 network right now.
(03hy) Tom H.5TN: Please give me two minutes while I check that for you.
Husker Forever: sure
(03hy) Tom H.5TN: Your patience is greatly appreciated.
(03hy) Tom H.5TN: Unfortunately, we are unable to disclose when this change will come into effect if it happens.
(03hy) Tom H.5TN: Our web site will be updated as and when this change happens.
(03hy) Tom H.5TN: I checked the big ten is part of your package.
(03hy) Tom H.5TN: You do not pay anything in addition for Big Ten.
Husker Forever: You say “If it happens” doesn’t Dish provide B10 to all states that are in the B10 Conference (as Nebraska will be next year)?
Husker Forever: Wait – what channel is it?
(03hy) Tom H.5TN: Please give me two minutes while I check that for you.
(03hy) Tom H.5TN: It is 439
(03hy) Tom H.5TN: if you have it.
Husker Forever: ok
Husker Forever: I’m not in front of my TV right now, but last I checked, that Channel did not appear on my guide
(03hy) Tom H.5TN: let me check if you get it.
(03hy) Tom H.5TN: If you do not get it then you can get it with Multi Sports package for only $7
Husker Forever: ok
(03hy) Tom H.5TN: I checked you can get many more for only $7 with big tem
(03hy) Tom H.5TN: ten
(03hy) Tom H.5TN: Big10 439 X
CSN Bay Area 419 X
CSN California 409 X
CSN Chicago 429 X
CSN Mid-Atlantic 424 X
CSN New England 435 X
FSN Arizona 415 X
FSN Cincinnati 427 X
FSN Detroit 430 X
FSN Florida 423 X
FSN North 436 Timberwolves X
FSN Northwest 426 X
FSN Ohio 425 X
FSN Pittsburgh 428 X
FSN Prime Ticket 411 X
FSN South 420 X
FSN Southwest 416 X
FSN West 417 X
Madison Square Garden 412 X
Madison Square Garden Plus 413 X
Mid-Atlantic Sports Network 432 X
New England Sports Network 434 X
SportsNet New York 438 X
SportSouth 437 X
SportsTime Ohio 431 X
Sun Sports 422 X
Husker Forever: Did you see if I get the Big 10 right now?
(03hy) Tom H.5TN: Yes you can
(03hy) Tom H.5TN: I need to add Multi sports for it
(03hy) Tom H.5TN: If you add it now
(03hy) Tom H.5TN: You can see 439 channel in 2 minutes
Husker Forever: Do I have to pay for it?
(03hy) Tom H.5TN: No
(03hy) Tom H.5TN: it will be billed.
(03hy) Tom H.5TN: It is $7 for all the channels above.
Husker Forever: I’m not interested in any of the other channels. Let me ask you this…. what regions or states or areas get the Big 10 for free?
(03hy) Tom H.5TN: There is no region who gets it for free.
(03hy) Tom H.5TN: There is a package to get it.
Husker Forever: I was under the impression that Dish subscribers in Michigan, Ohio, Penn., Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana got it for free
(03hy) Tom H.5TN: It is America’s top 200 plus Multi Sports.
Husker Forever: Because they were in the Big 10 Region and had state schools in the conference
(03hy) Tom H.5TN: You cannot have the least package with dish and have Big tem
(03hy) Tom H.5TN: Ten*
(03hy) Tom H.5TN: All customers must subscribe to package that has big ten
Husker Forever: Ok…. so just so I am clear…. subscribers in those states who say they get the Big 10 are part of the “Everything Package”?
(03hy) Tom H.5TN: Yes it is part of that package.
(03hy) Tom H.5TN: You got it.
(03hy) Tom H.5TN: You can get it for $7 only with many more sports stations
Husker Forever: And, even if I lived in those states, I’d have to pay for it unless I got the “Everything Package”
(03hy) Tom H.5TN: It is America’s top 200 and above.
Husker Forever: I guess I was misinformed – I was told ALL Dish Subscribers in those states get B10 at no extra charge
Husker Forever: What do I get now, the 200 or 250?
(03hy) Tom H.5TN: I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused to you.
(03hy) Tom H.5TN: it is 200 and you just need to add Multi Sports
Husker Forever: no- it’s ok…. it was not from a Dish CSR… it was from conversing with other Dish Subscribers over the last couple of months.
Husker Forever: Ok- I will think about it and get back to you. Thanks for your time.
(03hy) Tom H.5TN: I would like to apologize on behalf of DISH Network for the way that your issue was handled by our representative.
Husker Forever: it’s ok. Thanks
(03hy) Tom H.5TN: We take our customer service seriously and strive to be the best in our industry. Please understand that as a growing company, we are continuously training all of our employees and constantly re-evaluating our customer service.
that
doesn’t sound correct.
Dish shows BTN as part of 120+, 200, and 250.
Let me see what I can find out for you and everyone else.
Go Big Red Nebraska!
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by Jon Johnston on Jul 31, 2010 9:19 AM CDT up reply actions
My guess is that BTN is considered a regional sports network...
…and thus only appears in the 120+ and above packages in “Big Ten” areas. At this time, Omaha is not considered a “Big Ten” area. For my zip code in Omaha, I get Altitude and two FSN channels. But if I put in a Council Bluffs zip code, I get Comcast Chicago, FSN Midwest, and the Big Ten Network.
Translation: until Dish &/or the Big Ten declare Nebraska to be “Big Ten Country”, you’ll have to sign up for the Multi-Sports package to get BTN in Nebraska.
by Husker Mike on Jul 31, 2010 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions
Cable will provide
I can tell you this, I wouldn’t worry too much about it. The Big Ten states don’t get it for free, but it is on the basic cable package, so if I pay for ESPN i also get the Big Ten Network. The lawyers at the Big Ten are working on a deal to make sure Nebraska is included on that deal.
I don’t have citations or links, but that’s how they do it. In Columbus, Ohio, I had to go to a bar to watch the pre-season games tOSU played b/c Time Warner in Columbus didn’t want to give into the pay us $.80 for every dollar, they gave in and now it is part of the basic cable package. The same will happen in Nebraska. By the time the Huskers join it will be easy to get the Network.
Not necessarily...
I know that it took over a year for Mediacom in Iowa to pick up BTN, and it took over two years for Cox Cable in Omaha to pick it up … even in Council Bluffs.
I really doubt my cable company (Qwest Choice) will pick it up, but you never know.
Big Ten Network
You can purchase streaming individual events at the Big Ten Network. For $2.99 each.
Nebraska's missing the WELCOME commercials?
That sucks – I’ve been watching BTN this summer like crazy and every other commercial break has their inspiring “The Big Ten Network welcomes Nebraska to the Big Ten Conference!” commercial, with clips of Nebraska sports, classrooms, and ending with a wide shot of a sold out Memorial Stadium on a Saturday. I guess I assumed, because of those commercials, that BTN was already on regular cable in Nebraska. I have it as channel 66 on cable (I have one step above the cheapest package) in Champaign, IL, and had it on a similar channel (with the same Comcast package) when I lived in Arlington, VA until 2008.
Here's the thing with BTN...
I believe BTN reaches less than 50% of the cable households in this country. I think ESPN reaches 95 to 100 million households, while BTN only hits 45 million in the US. BTN is carried quite well in Canada, and I think that takes BTN to 75 million in north America.
And as you might expect, in Big Ten areas, I think BTN has pretty good market penetration, but outside of their region, it’s usually only on digital packages.
Not everybody misses it though. I know Cox in Omaha has it on digital cable, and they may be forced to add it to basic cable in the next year or so.
I just wanted to say...
I cannot tell you how happy, as I died in the wool Buckeye, that I am that Nebraska is joining the Big Ten (the conference name that means something, is a pricelss and valuable marketing entity, and contrary to what the SEC trolls say, yes, the Big Ten can count!!!!!! Our universities are far superior in intellect and academics—it’s about a centuries long tradition of excellence, something parvenus will never understand).
Nebraska comes into the Big Ten where they’ve always belonged. Hey Cornhuskers, have you seen the commercials on the Big Ten Network (something the SEC doesn’t have, BTW) welcoming Nebraska into the conference? The first time I saw it I had chills down my spine. I am so happy the Big Ten is rolling out the red carpet for Nebraska. It is only fitting. College football royalty joining College football royalty and all.
All things in college football are cyclical. The SEC will fall from their (cheating) pedestle soon and things will change. I cannot wait to see the first Nebraska-Ohio State Big Ten Championship game. That will be one for the ages. And I will be rooting for the Buckeyes.
Did I mention I loathe those ignorant rednecks in those lowly 2nd and 3rd tier SEC universities?
OSU-78
And I was going to say, but forgot,,,
Nebraska! Win the north and thump the Longhorns in the championship game! You have to!!!
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