Dish Launches Big 10 Network

[aaronc]

I also noticed that I have several Big 10 alternate channels as well. Does that mean we could be able to flip through several games at a time, or will there be blackouts? Anyone have any idea?

Yes. You can watch them all.

[Tom Bombadil]

I doubt very many people outside B10 states will add the sports pack for B10 games.

There are a LOT of B10 fans living outside of B10 states. B10 universities are amongst the largest in the USA and collectively graduate something like 80,000+ people a year. Many of them move to other states. And then there are all of the retirees who lived in Illinois, Ohio, PA, etc who moved south and/or west.

When Michigan, Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Penn State play outside of the region, they draw large crowds.

When Wisconsin played UCLA in the Rose Bowl a few years back, there were 75,000 Badger fans at the game. They outnumbered UCLA fans 3:1.

I'm not saying the BTN is going to garner high ratings, but there is a surprising level of interest in the B10 in states like Florida, California, Arizona, New York, New Jersey, and a fair amount of interest in the bordering states of Kentucky, Missouri, West Virginia, and the Dakotas.

The BTN recognizes that interest is out there and this is the reason why they pushed to get national coverage.

[elbodude]

This is nice, but I still want FSNBA HD!!!!

[wonko]

The BTN recognizes that interest is out there and this is the reason why they pushed to get national coverage.

Yeah, I'm sure it had nothing to do with advertising revenue or anything.

[Derwin0]

There are a LOT of B10 fans living outside of B10 states.

I know there are, as are ACC/SEC/Big 12 fans outside of their states, which is why I said "Those that would add it, probably already have it."
That's why I have the sports pack, to catch ACC or SEC games that the Fox sports nets have. The addition of an SEC channel to the sports pack wouldn't change things for me, nor most of the out of markets SEC fans either.

[GeorgeLV]

When Wisconsin played UCLA in the Rose Bowl a few years back, there were 75,000 Badger fans at the game. They outnumbered UCLA fans 3:1.

Wisconsin fans are crazy. UNLV has actually sold quite a few season ticket packages to Badger fans desperate for a seat at Saturday's game. (Yeah it's a trip to Vegas, but UNLV is a mid-major cellar dweller in football.)

[jldhawk]

Thank you CHARLIE!

[OrangeandBlue33]

I enjoyed watching a couple hours of programming last night. I was impressed with the quality of the broadcast.

The studio production was excellent and the quality of the Michigan replay was spectacular - and I'm just talking about the SD feed. I was switching back and forth between the Michigan replay and the Indy - Saints game and it was almost like night and day. My local feed of NBC REALLY looked poor compared to the video quality of the broadcast from the Big 10 Network.

Well done!

I liked it so much I think I'll go out to eat at Buffalo Wild Wings tonight and thank them for sponsoring the Big 10 Network!

[Posty-McPOst]

I agree about the production quality. The two sets of announcers I've heard have both been solid. I think OSU fans would take the #7 team which includes Butler By'not'e.This guy Mike Hall in studio was the ESPN "Dream Job" winner a few years back ironically. The HD highlights on ESPN last week looked really good.

I haven't seen anyone post the alt feed channels so here they are.

Saturday 9/8 Noon ET
439 Akron @ OSU (HD on 9467)
440 BGSU @ MSU
441 Nevada @ NW
442 Miami (OH) @ MINN
443 E ILL @ Purdue

7pm ET
440 W ILL @ ILL

8pm ET
439 Syracuse @ Iowa (HD on 9467)

[Tom Bombadil]

Yeah, I'm sure it had nothing to do with advertising revenue or anything.

Advertising revenue is dependent upon ratings & viewers. If no one outside of the B10 states were watching, the BTN wouldn't be able to up their advertising charges.

Simply being on TV doesn't mean you can sell advertising.