The Big Ten Network
Friend or Foe?

Chris Vannini

Where were you when Appalachian State upset Michigan?  I know I was jumping up and down with my friends in the Wonders Hall lounge when Michigan lost.  Unfortunately, only a small percentage of America saw it live. 

The Big Ten Network (BTN) has been in a long battle with Comcast over the availability of the network. Comcast believes that the BTN should be an option for those who want it by putting it in a sports package; however, the BTN wants to be a part of basic cable. BTN wants Comcast to charger $1.10 per customer which would make it one of the most expensive channels. That could force the cable company to raise its prices.  With so many big ten alumni and fans unable to watch their favorite teams, it will be interesting to see if people begin to demand the BTN or if there is a backlash against it.

Michigan State students seem to be in disagreement about the Big Ten Network.
One MSU student said, “I think it is good for Big Ten fans.  But I’m sure not everyone watches Big Ten football so I can understand why Comcast doesn’t want to offer it. If you’re not a Big Ten fan, it’s a waste of money.”

When I asked him if would be willing to pay more for it, he said he would not.  “The big games are ESPN anyway. I would just go to a bar to watch it if I needed to.” 
Other students disagree.

Another MSU said, “I would be willing to pay more and I can understand why I have to.  It is necessary for BTN to be more expensive because they have a select audience.”

Another student would be willing to pay, but only because he would be forced to. “I would pay more if that was the only way to watch Spartan basketball and football. I wouldn’t pay to see other Big Ten teams.”

As for programming, BTN doesn’t have a wide variety of shows (If I see Michigan-Ohio State again I’m going to throw up) but every single show that they do have grabs my interest.  Throughout the week they show repeats of games from the previous Saturday. I enjoy this because I am able to watch games that I missed while at the MSU game.  One game I can’t get enough of is Michigan’s upset loss to ASU, which has already been re-shown numerous times.  The Big Ten Network has quickly got into my rotation of channel flipping.

The Greatest Games Series appears to be a very popular aspect of the Big Ten Network.
One student likes the history. “It shows the rich history of the Big Ten and attracts the older audience as well.”

'Another student like seeing the Spartans of the past. “I like how they air older games. I like watching old Spartan games that I remember so well.

Five Michigan State games will be shown in the Big Ten’s Greatest Games series:

September 22- MSU beats Notre Dame with late touchdown from 2000
October 6- MSU completes greatest comeback in Division 1-A history, from last year
October 20- MSU upsets #1 ranked Ohio State in Columbus from 1998
November 3- MSU upsets #1 Michigan in Ann Arbor from 1990
November 10- MSU loses to Purdue in the last minute; from 1997

The Big Ten Network is Channel 23. One show on BTN is “Friday Night Tailgate”. On Friday Night Tailgate, two young employees of BTN tour around two Big Ten Campuses during game-day weekend and then rate them.  If anyone sees the Big Ten Network around campus, show a good time and how much better Michigan State is compared to the rest of the Big Ten.

One of the biggest parts of BTN is the televising of smaller varsity sports.  Many smaller sports like volleyball and soccer are being televised for the first time. Some students are glad to see this happen.

“I love how they show smaller sports. It is great for these athletes to get recognition like the football and basketball players. It gives gratification to athletes who deserve it just as much.” 

One MSU freshman, however, doesn’t like seeing this, “I don’t like it because no one watches it. If you like it, you’re probably at the game already. A majority of sports fans could care less about those rinky-dink sports. They better put baseball on if they’re gonna show women’s volleyball.”

There is a wide variety of opinion around campus on this topic.

People seem to enjoy the Big Ten Network, but not enough to pay more money for it. I hope they come to some sort of an agreement where we can get the Big Ten Network without having to pay so much for it.