NEWS
Charter, Big Ten Network block off big game
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by Bridget Roby
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
As the University of Wisconsin football team prepares to play the No. 1 ranked team in the nation this Saturday, most Badger fans will not be able to watch the drama from the comfort of their apartments or homes.
The new Big Ten Network, which will be broadcasting Saturday’s game against Ohio State, is still far from reaching an agreement with Charter Communications, Madison’s primary cable provider, according to Mike Vest, media relations manager for the Big Ten Network.
"We’re miles apart in the negotiations," Vest said. "We’re at a standstill with Charter, and we’re not expecting to make a deal for quite some time."
Unfortunately for Badger fans, this means most of Madison will be left in the dark for the third consecutive week as the network has exclusive rights to broadcast the Badger game. The network has already televised three UW football games this fall, and according to Vest they plan on covering 19 men’s basketball games later this year.
According to John Miller, director of communications for Charter, negotiations are moving slowly because both companies have yet to retreat from their original positions regarding how the network should be offered to customers. While the Big Ten Network would like to see the network featured on Charter’s expanded basic service, the cable company insists such a deal would be unfair to customers, as it is more expensive than most networks they currently offer.
"Our policy all along has been that we’re more than willing to carry the network, but due to the cost, they would automatically be the third-highest cost service on our expanded basic services," Miller said. "The cost is way out of line for what services are on expanded basic, especially for a new service."
Miller said Charter has offered that the Big Ten Network be broadcasted as part of their digital sports tier or as an a la carte service. Vest, however, said the network should have a spot on the expanded basic services because Badger fans should not have to pay extra to watch their teams’ games.
"We feel this is important programming not just to Madison, but to the people in the state of Wisconsin," Vest said.
Anonymous (October 30, 2007 @ 7:38am):
What is the home phone number of the person in charge of the Big 10 network? I think they need a few thousand harassing phone calls.
It's time to put the pressure on, sports fans.
Anonymous (October 30, 2007 @ 7:39am):
F*** Charter
Anonymous (October 30, 2007 @ 8:03am):
THE BIG TEN NETWORK IS STEALING THE 3RD WISCONSIN GAME IN A ROW FROM FANS!!! AND THIS TIME IT'S VS. OSU!! THAT IS GOING TOO FAR!!! I HATE THE BTN!!!!!!!!!
Anonymous (October 30, 2007 @ 8:23am):
Charter is a horrible terrible company.
Anonymous (October 30, 2007 @ 9:35am):
I think I hate the big ten network.
Why exactly did this damn channel need to be created again?
Anonymous (October 30, 2007 @ 10:03am):
fuck charter and fuck the big ten network.
Anonymous (October 30, 2007 @ 12:29pm):
If the Big Ten Greedwork persists past this football season, it's time to hit them where it hurts: subscriptions, cash money.
Cancel your cable and watch the games at your local bar (or in person). Also, just watch your favorite TV shows on the internet.
Anonymous (October 30, 2007 @ 12:58pm):
I LOATHE THE EXISTENCE OF THE BIG 10 NETWORK. WITHOUT THEM, WE WOULD LIKELY HAVE GOTTEN TO SEE WI V. OHIO ST. & THE PAST 2 GAMES IN THE COMFORT OF OUR HOMES! WITH THE BTN, WE SEE NONE OF THEM. NOT TO MENTION WHAT THEY'LL DO TO BASKETBALL SEASON! F*CK THEM!!!!
Anonymous (October 30, 2007 @ 1:34pm):
the university should buck up and broadcast the game on the jumboscreens at camp randall. encourage fans to tailgate, and get a gameday atmosphere for the event. it might be too late to do it, but they'd score some major points in my book.
Anonymous (October 30, 2007 @ 4:49pm):
Charter sucks but the BTN sucks even more. I don't want to go to crowded bars to watch games, I want to watch them sitting on my own damn couch.
Charter is right, the BTN should be available on regular cable and no one should have to pay extra for games they got for free before this dumb network came around...
Anonymous (October 30, 2007 @ 6:15pm):
"Anonymous (October 30, 2007 @ 10:03am):
fuck charter and fuck the big ten network."
"We welcome your thoughts, but please keep your feedback thoughtful, on-topic and respectful. Offensive language, personal attacks, or irrelevant comments may be deleted."
Way to go BH...the above comment may be "on-topic," but I'm not sure about "thoughtful." Also that whole "offensive language" part...hmmm
Anonymous (October 30, 2007 @ 7:51pm):
the big ten and charter are a bunch of coperate jerks who think they can bully people around and laugh at them... charter should shut the fuck up and give the people the channels... i have 100 channels that i pay for and dont watch i could care less about that granny sitting in her paid off house and retired with a boat load of cash.. but tells charter i dont like sports ... dont make me pay more... fuck them people.. watch your info commercials .. and pay more.. because we have to pay more for you stupid channels...
Anonymous (October 31, 2007 @ 12:37am):
both are to blame. we should bitch at the big ten network and cancel our charter.
Anonymous (November 1, 2007 @ 9:25am):
Fans need to stop whining and start leaving charter for a service that carries BTN or NFL network. This is the only way to hit these people. (In their wallets)
Anonymous (November 2, 2007 @ 4:28pm):
This rests all on the BTN, not Charter. BTN are the ones stirring the pot here and creating a problem. Why should Charter have to add $12 per customer to their bottom line? BTN should let Charter provide the service a la carte and those of us who want it can pay the $12 but grandma in middleton shouldn't have too!
Anonymous (November 2, 2007 @ 8:20pm):
Why exactly did we even need the BTN? What was wrong with how the games were broadcast before? I saw nearly every game and I didn't have to worry about this crap. I'm sick of them both.
Anonymous (November 7, 2007 @ 8:49am):
Well, everyone has the same idea. We hate charter. Heres the problem. The alternative is getting a dish. Also, charter says it will cost $12 per household. The big ten network only wants $1.10 per household. They want it included in base packages so everyone pays $1.10. Charter is marking it up to $12. That is how they operate. Pay whatever for some new home shopping networks or some new bullshit that no one even watches. The only way we win, is by leaving charter. If that means poking holes without permission, having to sign a 2 year contract, and paying about the same, I'm in. Charter's internet has been great, but as far as tv goes they suck. DirecTV offers the BTN, NFL network, and more than 70 HD channels compared to the 19 I get through charter. If you can, leave charter. Thats the only way you can get what you want. Bitching isn't going to change their mind. $$$$ is all the think about. If you want, get direcTV and save $300 on any TV over $1000 at circuit city. Win Win situation.
BOB STAKES (November 8, 2007 @ 7:22pm):
You dont pay extra for shopping channels moron... they pay to be their. And as far as Satellite they didnt have to use there valuable bandwith to place it in their "EXPANDED/BASIC" package. They can package it with whatever they want. Cable is limited on expanded basic channels... for now until the digital switch.
Anonymous (November 19, 2007 @ 8:29pm):
Why would the universities collectively do this to their fans??
Anonymous (February 1, 2008 @ 12:22pm):
fuck the big ten network and even the nfl network for that matter. these people have enough money and just want more. greedy pricks, now i cant watch any of my favorite teams because there always on the btn wtf!!!. fuck the network to hell
Anonymous (February 9, 2008 @ 3:37pm):
Madison sold out all they want is the money. Well i pay taxes for the school and team i am an alum i paid to go to school and now i have no opportunity to watch basketball. I think i will become a duke fan i have had more of their games televised on espn than wisconsin on any channel i can get.
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