FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

BIG TEN NETWORK PROGRAMMING

Q: Why doesn't the Big Ten Network televise every Big Ten football or men's basketball game?

A: There are several contributing factors. In college athletics, the home team or home conference holds the television rights to its events. The Big Ten Conference only holds the rights to events hosted by a Big Ten school. When a Big Ten team plays a non-conference road game, the hosting school, conference or tournament organizer holds the television rights for those games and thus decisions already have been made regarding how those games are televised.

For football, the Big Ten Conference has divided those rights among the Big Ten Network, ABC and the various ESPN networks. For basketball, the Big Ten Conference has divided those rights among the Big Ten Network, CBS and the various ESPN networks.

The Big Ten Network televises more Big Ten basketball games than any other network. The Big Ten's television partners will combine to nationally televise more than 200 Big Ten men's basketball games in 2009-10. No conference had more games televised nationally than the Big Ten in 2008-09.

The creation of the Big Ten Network ensured that every Big Ten HOME football and men's basketball game will be televised or streamed. Overall, only a few men's basketball games are streamed to avoid conflicts with other men's basketball games and exclusive ESPN windows and even fewer (just a handful of road non-conference games) received no coverage.

Q: Why is there not more coverage of the bands during football games?

A: Big Ten marching bands are an important part of the tradition and pageantry of game day on campus. We are currently exploring ways to incorporate the bands into the network's coverage of football Saturdays.

Q: How do you select which Olympic sports events (e.g. field hockey, soccer, wrestling, etc.) air on the network?

A: We are constantly evaluating what Big Ten fans want to see and viewer feedback is important to us. The network's overall programming goal is to show events that the most fans want to watch.

The programming selection process is complicated because there are many factors at work. From a scheduling perspective, most Big Ten events (in all sports) take place on weekday nights and weekends. Oftentimes, the network is already televising a different live event involving other schools or other sports. In addition, the Big Ten Network strives to be fair to all universities and to all sports. Another important aspect of the decision-making process is finding appealing matchups.

Q: Why don't you show more ice hockey?

A: Because the Big Ten does not sponsor ice hockey, there are rights issues. Big Ten teams compete in the CCHA and the WCHA, two conferences which have other television arrangements. Thus, only a few games are made available to the Big Ten Network each year. In the future, we certainly hope to add more hockey games to our broadcast schedule.

In 2009-10, we are able to stream some hockey games. You can view the schedule and sign up at video.bigtennetwork.com.

BIG TEN NETWORK VIDEO STREAMING

Q: Why do you stream basketball games on the Internet?

A: The Big Ten Network's streaming initiative allows every Big Ten home men's basketball game to receive either live television or internet coverage, a claim that no other conference can make. It also gives Big Ten women's basketball more coverage than any other conference in the country.

As it has in years past, the Big Ten Network will once again televise 100+ Big Ten men's basketball games and 50+ women's basketball games and every one of the games will be available in high definition. That's more than any other network.

However, the men's basketball non-conference schedule often includes overlapping games, which the network cannot air simultaneously.

The Big Ten Network streams all men's basketball exhibition games (nearly all of which had not been televised in recent years) and also streams some non-conference games where there are conflicts with other Big Ten Network men's basketball telecasts and exclusive ESPN windows. For games that are streamed, the network is contractually unable to televise those games on a live basis.

Every other major conference also streams some games and also has games that have no live television or internet availability.

Q: What games are available for streaming?

A: In 2009-10, the Big Ten Network is streaming a number of games in volleyball, exhibition and selected non-conference men's basketball, selected non-conference and conference women's basketball, men's ice hockey, women's ice hockey, wrestling, baseball and softball. More sports may be added throughout the year. Schedules will be posted as they become available on the Schedule page at video.bigtennetwork.com.

Q: Why doesn't the Big Ten Network stream its televised games?

A: Contractual agreements between the Big Ten Network and its cable and satellite affiliates prevent the domestic (U.S., Canada and the Caribbean Islands) streaming of any events at the same time they are airing live the Big Ten Network. Users outside of the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean may watch Big Ten Network televised football and men's basketball games online at www.BigTenTicket.com.

Q: Why is the Big Ten Network charging for streaming this year?

A: The Big Ten Network has made a significant financial investment in the latest streaming technology to bring fans an advanced experience available that compares to an HD telecast. Many other conferences and universities also charge to view live streamed events. The Big Ten Network's rate per event is much lower than the rates charged by other conferences and universities outside of the Big Ten.

Q: Do I need to get the Big Ten Network at home in order to watch streamed games online?

A: No. The only requirement to access the network's streaming product is a high-speed internet connection.

Q: Is there a school or conference subscription package available as opposed to purchasing each game individually via pay-per-view?

A: This season, individual per-per-view ($2.99 per event) is the only option. However, you will be able to purchase more than one event at once.

Q: How can I pay for my streaming package?

A: All major credit cards are accepted. Step-by-step instructions will walk you through the process.

Q: If I purchase a game and then am not able to watch it live, what are my options?

A: All games that you purchase will be available on your account page under "My Games." You can watch these games on-demand until the end of the season.

FINDING THE BIG TEN NETWORK:

Q: What's the best way to find out the Big Ten Network channel number if my cable company has changed it?

A: The best way to find out the channel location of the Big Ten Network is to check your on-screen channel guide or contact your video provider. We also continue to update our Big Ten Network ChannelFinder feature on our website to reflect the latest changes as they are given to us by cable, satellite and telco providers. In most cases, you should be able to learn your new channel number by entering your zip code and service provider through ChannelFinder.

Q: Who can get the Big Ten Network?

A: The Big Ten Network is available to up to 75 million homes nationwide. The Big Ten Network is available across North America on satellite providers such as DIRECTV, DISH Network and Shaw Direct (Canada), telco companies such as Verizon FiOS and AT&T U-Verse, and on cable in 19 of America's top 20 media markets.

The network has cable distribution agreements with Cablevision, Charter Communications, Comcast Cable, Cox Communications (Cleveland, Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Omaha), Insight Communications, Mediacom, Time Warner Cable, RCN, WOW!, Rogers Cable (Canada), Shaw and Shaw Direct (Canada) and about 300 additional cable operators across North America.

Customers of DIRECTV and DISH Network have access to the network regardless of where they live. Verizon FiOS and AT&T U-Verse offer the Big Ten Network in their service areas.

Cable subscribers inside the eight Big Ten states receive the network on either an expanded basic or digital basic level of service.

Outside the eight states, cable operators who carry the network make it available on a variety of packages.

Select markets where the network is available are listed below. If you do not see your city listed here, contact your local cable system office to see if there are plans to add the network. You may also enter your zip code in the ChannelFinder feature to find out if the Big Ten Network is already available in your area.

WHERE TO FIND THE BIG TEN NETWORK
Albuquerque & Santa Fe, NM – Comcast	Atlanta – Comcast, AT&T U-Verse
Austin, TX - AT&T U-Verse, Time Warner	Bakersfield, CA – Bright House
Baltimore – Comcast, Verizon FiOS	Birmingham & Tuscaloosa, AL – Bright House, Comcast
Boston – Comcast, Verizon FiOS	Charlotte, NC – Time Warner
Chattanooga – Comcast	Chicago, IL – Comcast, Mediacom, RCN, WOW, AT&T U-Verse
Cleveland, OH – AT&T U-Verse, Buckeye, Cox, Massillion Cable TV, Time Warner, WOW	Colorado Springs, CO – Comcast
The Dakotas (Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Fargo/Moorehead, Bismarck – Midcontinent	Dallas, TX – Time Warner, Verizon FiOS
Denver – Comcast	Detroit, MI – AT&T U-Verse, Comcast, Bright House, WOW, Wyandotte, D&P Cable, Broadstripe
Fort Myers/Naples, FL – Comcast	Fresno, CA – AT&T U-Verse, Comcast
Greensboro, NC – Time Warner	Hartford & New Haven, CT – AT&T U-Verse, Comcast, Cab;evision
Hawaii – Time Warner	Houston, TX – Comcast, AT&T U-Verse
Indianapolis, IN – Bright House, Comcast	Jacksonville, FL – Comcast
Kansas City – AT&T U-Verse, Comcast, Sure West Communications, Time Warner	Knoxville – Comcast
Lexington, KY – Insight	Los Angeles, CA – AT&T U-Verse, Verizon FiOS
Louisville, KY – Insight	Memphis – Comcast
Miami-Fort Lauderdale – Comcast , AT&T U-Verse	Minneapolis, MN – Comcast, Charter, Mediacom, Midcontinent, US Cable
Montgomery County, MD – Comcast	Nashville – Comcast
New Castle, DE – Comcast	New Jersey (statewide) – Cablevision, Comcast, Service Electric
New York City – Cablevision, Comcast, Time Warner	Oakland, CA – Comcast, AT&T U-Verse
Oklahoma City – AT&T U-Verse	Philadelphia, PA – Comcast, RCN, Service Electric Cable TV, Verizon FiOS
Orlando, FL – AT&T U-Verse, Bright House, Comcast	Pittsburgh, PA – Comcast, Verizon FiOS
Palm Desert, CA – Time Warner	Providence, RI – Comcast, Verizon FiOS
Phoenix – Cox, Orbitel Communications, Western Broadband,	Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto, CA – Comcast, AT&T U-Verse, Surewest
Portland, OR – Comcast, Verizon FiOS	San Antonio, TX – AT&T U-Verse, Time Warner
Raleigh, NC – Time Warner	San Francisco-San Jose, CA – Comcast, AT&T U-Verse
Salt Lake City – Comcast, All West Utah, Inc.	South Carolina (statewide) – Time Warner
San Diego, CA – AT&T U-Verse, Time Warner	Tampa-St. Petersburg-Sarasota, FL – Bright House, Comcast, Verizon FiOS
Seattle-Tacoma – Comcast, Verizon FiOS	Tucson, AZ- Comcast, Western Broadband, Cox
St. Louis, MO – AT&T U-Verse, NewWave	Washington, D.C. – Comcast , Verizon FiOS
Topeka, KS – Cox	Wichita, KS – AT&T U-Verse, Cox Cox
Virginia Beach, VA – Verizon FiOS
West Palm Beach-Ft. Pierce, FL – AT&T U-Verse, Comcast

Q: What are "Extra Football Game Channels?"

A: "Extra Football Game Channels" are part-time channels that the Big Ten Network provides to cable, satellite and telco systems which allow the network to offer multiple football games simultaneously to viewers. Due to the nature of how the Big Ten schedules football games on Saturdays, the Big Ten Network often must televise several games at once.

In order to satisfy fans of all schools, the network has offered all of its affiliates the opportunity to make these "Extra Football Game Channels" available to their subscribers. However, they are only available for Big Ten Network programming on football Saturdays.

Q: Do I get "Extra Football Game Channels?"

A: The majority of our cable, satellite and telco affiliates in the eight Big Ten states carry our ""Extra Football Game Channels,"" while many outside the Big Ten region are continuing to make these channels available. The decision whether to carry "Extra Football Game Channels" is made by your cable company's local office. Our GameFinder feature is updated weekly during the football season so you can determine if your local system offers "Extra Football Game Channels," and if so, where to find them in your channel lineup. If you do not get these channels, you can call your local cable office to let them know you are interested.

Q: Why doesn't the Big Ten Network have "Extra Football Game Channels" for basketball? [I have DISH/DIRECTV, and my online channel guide always lists Big Ten Network alternates.]

A: The "Extra Football Game Channels" are only available during the 13 football Saturdays of the season, which are finite windows during a time when there are few other sports taking place. The non-conference basketball season overlaps with many other sports, and so NHL, NBA and other regional football and basketball games are also taking place on the weekend and on weekday nights when basketball games air.

During the conference portion of the basketball season, the Big Ten schedules games in such a way where there is no overlap. Consequently, there is no need for "Extra Football Game Channels" during the conference schedule.

DISH Network changes its on-screen channel guide template infrequently, and so the alternate channels are listed, even though they are not available to us except during the football season. DIRECTV only lists Big Ten Network "Extra Football Game Channels" during football season.

Q: How has the Big Ten Network affected television exposure for Big Ten athletics and how does it compare to other conferences?

A: The Big Ten Network is one of several media partners involved with Big Ten sports. Through the Big Ten Network and other outlets, the Big Ten enjoys the most exposure, particularly national exposure, of any conference in the country.

The previous television agreement included a number of football and basketball games which received limited distribution via ESPN Regional. In addition, many games did not receive any television coverage at all. The creation of the Big Ten Network has dramatically increased the number of nationally televised Big Ten games in football and basketball, as well as a wide variety of sports.

Now, every single home Big Ten men's basketball game receives either television or internet coverage. During the 2009-10 men's basketball season, 211 of the Big Ten's 251 regular season games (including home, road and neutral site games) will be televised. That is 84 percent. As the table below illustrates, no other conference receives such comprehensive coverage.

	Games	Coverage	TV	Stream	None
Big Ten	251	94% (236)	84% (211)	10% (25)	6% (15)
Big 12	279	79% (220)	79% (220)	0& (0)	21% (59)
Big East	341	73% (258)	71% (252)	2% (6)	28% (98)
SEC	282	70% (197)	70% (197)	0% (0)	30% (85)
ACC	271	70% (192)	69% (188)	1% (4)	30% (79)
Pac-10	220	65% (144)	65% (144)	0% (0)	35% (76)

Q: Why isn't my cable company carrying the Big Ten Network?

A: The Big Ten Network has deals with over 300 cable operators, both inside and outside of the Big Ten states, including Canada, and the network is now available to approximately 75 million households. We have not been able to agree on business terms with every single cable operator but we continue to work to make the Big Ten Network available to every home. If you haven't already, you may want to consider communicating with your cable company to let them know that there is a desire for Big Ten Network programming in your area.

REQUESTS:

Q: How can I get a DVD copy of a Big Ten Network programming?

A: We are currently unable to fill requests for DVDs of individual programs. However, we do offer four DVDs for sale: The Greatest Stories of Michigan State Basketball, The Greatest Stories of Michigan Football, Illinois Football: The Journey and Minnesota Basketball: The Journey.

ABOUT THE BIG TEN NETWORK:

Q: Why was the Big Ten Network created?

A: The Big Ten Network was created to provide the conference with more national exposure for Big Ten sports while enhancing its existing television agreements with ABC/ESPN and CBS.

The conference wanted to control more fully the advertising environment in which its events were aired (the network accepts no alcohol or gambling advertising), dramatically increase exposure for women's sports and other NCAA sports that had not previously been widely televised and improve distribution for football and men's basketball games that were previously available only on a local or regional basis.

By all accounts, the network has become a stunning success. In fact, the network is well on its way to becoming a global media company, with an incredible brand, multi-platform revenue stream, numerous new media initiatives, and worldwide distribution. The network has enjoyed tremendous success in its short tenure, being nominated for the "Best in Sports Television" Award by the Sports Business Journal and winning various marketing awards for our Coaches Marketing Campaign.

Perhaps the best part of the Big Ten Network is that the universities share in its success. In addition to their rights fees, the universities receive a profit share of the network, increased exposure for their programs, and perhaps most importantly an equity stake in a lucrative network which will only increase in value down the road.

The network launched on August 30, 2007, and is on the air 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. The Big Ten Network was the first network in cable or satellite television history to reach 30 million subscribers within its first 30 days on the air and is now available to more than 75 million households across the U.S. and Canada.

The Big Ten Network is a joint venture between subsidiaries of the Big Ten Conference and Fox Cable Networks.

Q: How has the Big Ten Network affected television exposure for Big Ten athletics and how does it compare to other conferences?

A: The Big Ten Network is one of several media partners involved with Big Ten sports. Through the Big Ten Network and other outlets, the Big Ten enjoys the most exposure, particularly national exposure, of any conference in the country.

The previous television agreement included a number of football and basketball games which received limited distribution via ESPN Regional. In addition, many games did not receive any television coverage at all. The creation of the Big Ten Network has dramatically increased the number of nationally televised Big Ten games in football and basketball, as well as a wide variety of sports.

FOOTBALL: Of the 88 Big Ten football games in the 2008 football season, 87 were televised (exception: Northwestern at Duke) and 86 were nationally televised (additional exception: Illinois vs. Western Michigan, a neutral-site game in Detroit). That amounted to 99 percent television coverage and 98 percent national television coverage. No other conference had more than 70 percent of its games on national television.

MEN'S BASKETBALL: In men's basketball, 97 percent of Big Ten games in 2008-09 were televised or streamed. Eighty-two percent were televised and 79 percent were nationally televised. Just three percent (eight games out of 262) received no live television or streamed coverage. As the table below illustrates, no other conference receives such comprehensive coverage.

For example, in 2008-09, the Big Ten had only eight games that received no live coverage. Every other major conference had at least 48 games that went without live coverage.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: The network also separates itself in the area of women's basketball. The Big Ten Network once again will televise 55 women's basketball games, 46 regular season and nine Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament games during the 2009-10 season. Those 55 games already represented the most televised women's basketball games of any network. In addition, the network will stream approximately 100 more games on BigTenNetwork.com this season.

OLYMPIC SPORTS: Other sports such as baseball, field hockey, soccer, softball, volleyball and wrestling have enjoyed major upgrades in television coverage. All of these sports had previously received little to no television coverage. The Big Ten Network annually televises more than 170 Olympic sport events and 17 Big Ten Championships were televised to a national audience. Nearly every event is produced in high definition. The network is augmenting that level of coverage by streaming up to 200 additional events this season that would not have previously received television coverage.

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