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TechnographBig Ten Network a letdown
By Kevin Spitz
Posted: 9/12/07 Section: Columns
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One in 23 Americans subscribe to DISH network and I am one of them. So why should I care that Comcast/Insight won't be carrying the Big Ten Network?
I have season tickets to Illini sporting events, so I don't even depend on the Big Ten Network to get my daily dose of Illini action.
And what's with this academic programming it's supposed to be offering? If I really enjoyed watching Big Ten academic programming, I'd go see the live showing starting at 8 a.m. every day at Foellinger Auditorium.
The fact of the matter is the Big Ten Network is not really meant for students like us.
But of course it isn't. Why would it be?
Before the birth of the Big Ten Network the people who actually tuned into watch Big Ten football already found almost every game on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Plus or other local stations. So, really, what service does the Big Ten Network bring to fans of the Big Ten?
According to the Big Ten Network Web site, "The Big Ten Network will provide unprecedented access to an extensive schedule of conference sports events and shows." In essence, all this does is add redundancy to Big Ten fans who already find more than enough information through all sorts of different media outlets.
The true Big Ten fan already watches Big Ten athletics and already gets in-depth analysis through all sorts of means. What the Big Ten Network is really doing is discouraging the casual fans across the nation from turning on a Big Ten sporting event.
According to the Big Ten Network Web site, the channel will only be found on DISH Network's "America's Top 100 Package" in the eight states that house Big Ten schools beginning early 2008. This effectively makes the Big Ten a "niche" market on the level with conferences such as the Ohio Valley, Atlantic 10 and Mid American Conference - conferences that you would only see if you lived near the school you wanted to watch.
A BCS conference such as the Big Ten should not try and limit itself from exposure; it should be looking for as much national exposure as it possibly can; if you take the Big Ten Conference out of sight, you take it out of mind as well.
I have season tickets to Illini sporting events, so I don't even depend on the Big Ten Network to get my daily dose of Illini action.
And what's with this academic programming it's supposed to be offering? If I really enjoyed watching Big Ten academic programming, I'd go see the live showing starting at 8 a.m. every day at Foellinger Auditorium.
The fact of the matter is the Big Ten Network is not really meant for students like us.
But of course it isn't. Why would it be?
Before the birth of the Big Ten Network the people who actually tuned into watch Big Ten football already found almost every game on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Plus or other local stations. So, really, what service does the Big Ten Network bring to fans of the Big Ten?
According to the Big Ten Network Web site, "The Big Ten Network will provide unprecedented access to an extensive schedule of conference sports events and shows." In essence, all this does is add redundancy to Big Ten fans who already find more than enough information through all sorts of different media outlets.
The true Big Ten fan already watches Big Ten athletics and already gets in-depth analysis through all sorts of means. What the Big Ten Network is really doing is discouraging the casual fans across the nation from turning on a Big Ten sporting event.
According to the Big Ten Network Web site, the channel will only be found on DISH Network's "America's Top 100 Package" in the eight states that house Big Ten schools beginning early 2008. This effectively makes the Big Ten a "niche" market on the level with conferences such as the Ohio Valley, Atlantic 10 and Mid American Conference - conferences that you would only see if you lived near the school you wanted to watch.
A BCS conference such as the Big Ten should not try and limit itself from exposure; it should be looking for as much national exposure as it possibly can; if you take the Big Ten Conference out of sight, you take it out of mind as well.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 23
Paul
posted 9/12/07 @ 7:22 AM CST
I completely agree. I saw the big ten network this weekend, and it looked like a high school A/V project. I'm sick of the athletic department of this school pushing for all of these unnecessary "Improvements". (Continued…)
Jon
posted 9/12/07 @ 8:57 AM CST
I understand your view point. However I don't completely agree with your comments. If you live in a the college town of a Big Ten school. . .or if you live in the state of the Big Ten school that you are a fan of. (Continued…)
Mike
posted 9/12/07 @ 10:13 AM CST
This article not only seems to be missing the point of the Big Ten Network, but also contains factually inaccurate information. For one, Dish Network is not the only way to get the BTN; it's also available on DirecTV. (Continued…)
Ken Plants
posted 9/12/07 @ 11:34 AM CST
I agree with what you wrote. I spent 40 years of my life in Wisconsin and Michigan and have retired to South Carolina. We will never see the BTN without a dish. (Continued…)
Mike2
posted 9/12/07 @ 12:37 PM CST
While I complete agree with the article in regards to the stadium, and am particularly unhappy with the move of the student section, as an alum living hundreds of miles from Champaign, I completely DISAGREE with the comments on the BigTen network. (Continued…)
David '90
posted 9/12/07 @ 2:22 PM CST
The Big Ten Network, so far, has been adequate. It's had some good games, and the announcing crews are very good - since many of them have considerable experience doing Raycom/ESPN+ games in the past, or more. (Continued…)
mark
posted 9/12/07 @ 2:45 PM CST
Wow. You do realize that Puttingfansfirst.com is bought and paid for by Comcast Cable? That's some unbelievably bad research there, dude.
Dan
posted 9/12/07 @ 2:56 PM CST
I found this article very offensive and sincerely wish that you be fired from your position with the Daily Illini you racist bigot.
Brad
posted 9/12/07 @ 3:14 PM CST
This article brings up many valid points. The Big Ten network allows fans of the conference to see more in depth coverage of their teams. However, these fans that really care would look up stats and coaches interviews without the aid of a network's dedication. (Continued…)
Eric '10
posted 9/12/07 @ 3:24 PM CST
I am happy that I have the Big Ten Network at here, but will be very upset if when I return home for Winter Break, where I have Comcast, that I wont have the Big Ten Network. (Continued…)
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