For an Illini fan, the Big Ten Network is the Illinois Network

For Illinois fans in state, across the Big Ten footprint, or throughout the nation, the Big Ten Network is the top source for Illinois athletics. Therefore we believe it should be distributed to the broadest possible audience. To ensure you have the network, log on to www.bigtennetwork.com, and enter your zip code. It will let you know the cable or satellite providers in your area and whether they have finalized plans to carry the Big Ten Network. If not, we request Illini fans contact their provider and stress how important it is for them to carry the Big Ten Network on their advanced basic tier.

This network will present many of the features that modern day sports fans expect. It will be offered in stunning high-definition television (HDTV) and will feature many well-known personalities covering conference athletics. Illini great Howard Griffith, for example, will serve as a studio analyst for Big Ten football.

Live broadcasts will be the signature programming. The network guarantees at least 35 football and 105 regular season men's basketball games, many of which will be the top games of each weekend. The network will also provide a nightly Big Ten studio show that will offer an in-depth look at the day's sporting events. Women's sports, which continue to increase in popularity, will have more coverage than ever before, highlighted by basketball, volleyball, soccer and softball. More than 170 Olympic sports events, including baseball, soccer, tennis, volleyball, softball, and swimming & diving, classic games and historical footage fans are used to seeing on such networks as ESPN Classic will also be shown.

Illinois Coaches Talk About the Big Ten Network

Ron Zook // Football "It is a very exciting time to be a part of the Big Ten Conference. To be a part of something as groundbreaking and trendsetting as the Big Ten Network is special. The Big Ten has so much national appeal and I know we have Illinois alums across the country who will greatly benefit from the widespread coverage that the Network is providing all Illini sports."		Bruce Weber // Men's Basketball "The Big Ten Network will be a tremendous benefit to our program. With the channel being available throughout the country, Illinois basketball will continue to enjoy increased national exposure. It will be popular with players, recruits and their families, as well as our fans. Over half of our games this season will be televised on the Big Ten Network, making it a must-have channel for Illini Nation."
Brad Dancer // Men's Tennis "The Big Ten Network is going to be an outlet for fans and alumni to catch some of Illinois' finest athletes in a more year-around setting. For tennis, this is a chance to help recruiting efforts and overall excitement about our sport as more fans will be exposed to tennis. This also is an avenue that will help our program and the Big Ten as a whole create new fans everyday for our sport. "		Michelle Dasso // Women's Tennis "The Big Ten Network is going to have a huge impact on the growth of college tennis. The more people that are exposed to the game wil quickly become hooked and lifelong fans of the sport. The Network is also going to pay huge dividends in the recruiting process with more exposure of the school, facilities, and atmosphere here at Illinois."
Mark Johnson // Wrestling "The Big Ten Network will enable us to showcase the sport of wrestling, which in the Big Ten is as good as it gets in the country. "		Dan Hartleb // Baseball "I'm very excited about the Big Ten Network and all the opportunities it will bring for Illinois Baseball.  Not only will it be an excellent recruiting tool, but it also will help us broaden our fan base and generate greater interest in both Illinois and Big Ten baseball.  College baseball is the second-largest revenue producing sport for the NCAA, and with the creation of the Big Ten Network, Big Ten baseball can continue to grow in popularity and national prominence. "
Don Hardin // Volleyball "The Big Ten Network will help us get the best kids in the Midwest excited about volleyball. Already we're getting the top recruiting classes. The Big Ten Network is hitting the volleyball scene at a perfect time when these great recruits are coming in."		Wayne Angel // Men's Track & Field "The network is going to mean a lot to the Big Ten as a whole because of the great exposure all of our programs will receive. You will be able to watch a game or a race and see athletes with the Illinois uniform on. That will give our university all kinds of kudos. It's a recruiting tool because people will see Illinois out there."
Janet Rayfield // Soccer "The Big Ten Network is going to make (our story) very tangible to the potential recruits across the country. We can share with them about Big Ten soccer, about Big Ten schools, about the Big Ten competitive environment and about what each of the programs are all about. That is going to be huge for us."

Frequently-Asked Questions

Official Sites: Big Ten Network  /  Big Ten Conference

What is the Big Ten Network?

The Big Ten Network is an exciting new television network that the Big Ten Conference is launching August 30, 2007 to nationally promote a wide array of Big Ten sports and academic programming, 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.

What will be on the Big Ten Network?

The following programming will be on the Big Ten Network and/or alternative Big Ten Network platforms:

• 39 football games per season
• 140 regular-season men's basketball games
• 55 regular-season women's basketball games
• Big Ten championship events
• Archived Big Ten events, including bowl games
• 170 Olympic sporting events
• Coaches' shows
• 660 hours of campus programming
• More high definition programming than any new television network in history
• An average of 70 events yearly per school

 

Will I have to pay more for the Big Ten Network?

We believe that if you live within the eight states of the Big Ten footprint, you should not have to pay any more to receive the network, which is why we are asking for the network to be carried on expanded basic cable. If you already get 50 to 60 channels as part of your basic cable/satellite package, we feel that the Big Ten Network should be part of that lineup. It's hard to imagine finding more than 50 channels more important to a viewer within the Big Ten community than the Big Ten Network.

Outside of the eight-state region, you may be required to subscribe to a digital level of service, which could include many other channels in addition to the Big Ten Network.

I want the Big Ten Network, but my cable company is not providing it. What can I do?

The most important thing you can do right now is tell your cable provider that you want the Big Ten Network on basic cable and recruit your friends to do the same. Call 1-866-WANT-B10 to record a message or patch through directly to cable companies. Tell them you want the Big Ten Network on expanded basic cable.

We also have national agreements in place with DIRECTV and AT&T U-Verse as well as nearly 100 smaller cable operators. Go to BigTenNetwork.com and enter your zip code to find a Big Ten Network provider in your area.

Are you going to make a deal with Comcast?

It is highly unlikely that Comcast will decide to carry the Big Ten Network before launch. Comcast customers should consider making alternative plans to view all of the football and basketball games scheduled to appear on the network. The Big Ten Network is having productive conversations with the majority of cable providers, but Comcast is unwilling to negotiate a deal at this time. The network will be carried by DirecTV at launch, so that is one option. Or you could call 1-866-WANT-B10 to let Comcast know your interest in receiving the network. But at this time, the network will not be carried by Comcast at launch.

Are you going to make a deal with my cable or satellite operator?

The Big Ten Network has national agreements in place with DirecTV, AT&T U-Verse as well as almost 100 cable operators within the Big Ten footprint.

We are in productive negotiations with nearly every other cable operator with the notable exception of Comcast and Insight systems that will be absorbed by Comcast later this year.

The most important thing you can do right now is tell your cable provider that you want the Big Ten Network on basic cable and recruit your friends to do the same. Call 1-866-WANT-B10 to record a message or patch through directly to cable companies. Tell them you want the Big Ten Network on expanded basic cable.

Or, go to BigTenNetwork.com and enter your zip code to find a Big Ten Network provider in your area.

As a DirecTV customer, will I be able to be able to see the Big Ten Network?

Yes. Every DirecTV customer will see the Big Ten Network at its launch on August 30 on channel 220. The network is available as part of its Choice - or most basic - programming package. The satellite provider has also committed to carrying the network's overflow games so subscribers will have access to all Big Ten Network games when multiple games are being produced. Call your DirecTV provider for more information.

How can fans outside of the eight-state region see the Big Ten Network?

All television distributors have been offered the Big Ten Network as an enhancement to their line-ups. If your cable provider is not picking up the Big Ten Network, you can call 1-866-WANT-B10 to let them know your interest in receiving the network.

You should know that we have significantly reduced the cost to cable operators to carry the network outside the Big Ten area, so we fully expect them to agree to do so. Even though the level of service cable/satellite providers may offer for the network may vary, we want to work with them so that if you're a fan who wants to order it, you'll be able to.

You can also call DirecTV, who has already reached an agreement with the network. To order DirecTV, call 1-888-999-0422.

Will the Big Ten Network carry the games I want to see?

The Big Ten Network will show more Big Ten football games and more Big Ten basketball games than any other network.
We will televise 39 football games in 2007 (36 in HD) and 140 men's basketball games this winter.

In the selection process for football, the Big Ten Network will be able to choose 2nd three times and 3rd three times during the 12-week season, so half the time the network will have either the second or third pick of games. Once ESPN and ESPN2 have selected their games, all remaining games will be produced and distributed by the Big Ten Network.

The Big Ten Network will televise 140 men's basketball games this winter, including 64 of the 99 in-conference match-ups.

The Big Ten Conference also has long-term agreements with ABC, ESPN and ESPN2. The Big Ten Network has a 20-year contract and will be the destination for more Big Ten coverage than any other network.

Will the Big Ten Network broadcast in high-definition?

The Big Ten Network will produce more original HD than any other network in history. We plan to produce more than 350 events and our nightly live studio show in HD, which will total more than 1,000 hours of original high-definition (HD) content in our first year alone. If you do not have a high-definition television, you will still be able to receive all of our programming in standard definition.

Isn't there a pre-existing business relationship with Big Ten Network and DirecTV?

The Big Ten Network is owned in majority by the Big Ten Conference. A minority owner of the Big Ten Network is Fox Cable Networks. Fox Cable Networks is a subsidiary of NewsCorp, Inc. NewsCorp, Inc. is also a minority owner of DirecTV, but is in the process of selling its stake in the satellite service to Liberty Media, LLC. The sale will not affect the Big Ten Network.

Why was the Big Ten Network created when we used to be used to watch the games for free?

Big Ten fans have seen fewer games appear on their expanded basic cable packages in recent years. During the last two years, Big Ten teams have appeared on ESPNU and ESPN360 - two channels that the vast majority of fans do not receive - a combined 57 times.

Last year, eight Big Ten football games and a whopping 85 men's basketball games were not televised at all.

With the creation with the Big Ten Network, that will never happen again. Every home Big Ten football and men's basketball game will now be televised and the revenues are distributed directly to our schools.

Finally, with regard to previously syndicated games on ESPN-Plus, it is important to note that cable subscribers were actually paying for those games as part of their cable package.

To summarize, the Big Ten Network will ensure that every home Big Ten football and men's basketball will be televised to national audience. Our stance is that fans within the Big Ten's eight-state footprint should be able to see these games at no additional charge on their existing expanded basic cable package.

Isn't the Big Ten being "greedy?"

All fees and any other revenues from this venture will be shared equally among all 11 Big Ten institutions and the conference office. This increased financial support will help our schools to continue providing broad-based athletic programs, while enhancing the experience for all students on our campuses. For example, some schools using the money to finance more scholarships, while others are building much-needed new facilities.

Is the Big Ten Network the second-most expensive national network?

Contrary to published reports, the Big Ten Network is not the second-most expensive network in the country. The Big Ten Network's rate specific to the Midwest is two-thirds less than what the marketplace has determined is fair for Comcast to charge for its own regional networks, which incidentally are on expanded basic cable. In addition, the cost of the Big Ten Network to operators everywhere else is less than at least 65 other national networks - including ESPN, CNN, TBS, TNT, Lifetime, Oxygen, A&E and just about any other station that appears on your expanded basic cable package.

Why should everyone pay for a "Big Ten tax?"

The Big Ten Network does not charge customers one penny. Cable and satellite companies pay to carry cable networks, including the Big Ten Network. The decision whether to raise rates is made by your provider, not by the Big Ten or the Big Ten Network.

Additionally, the Big Ten Network will provide the cable companies with outstanding revenue opportunities through local advertising sales and the sale of high-definition packages and video-on-demand.

In all likelihood, the cable companies would actually profit from the carriage of the Big Ten Network. Contrary to what you many have heard or read, they do not have to pass the asking price to the consumer.

If the cable companies stand to profit from the Big Ten Network, why are some not yet carrying it?

The cable companies want to put the Big Ten Network on a sports tier because they want to you to pay roughly $15-20 per month to receive digital service and then an additional $5-10 per month per subscriber.

The Big Ten Network does not want its fans to pay extra to follow their favorite teams. Additionally, no other sports tier channel will provide as much locally relevant programming as the Big Ten Network.

How will you handle multiple games at once? Which game will I get to see?

The Big Ten Network will frequently air multiple games at the same time, and will regionalize the games so that we can cater to each specific market. You will see the games you care most about. So, for example, assuming the game is on the network, if you live in Michigan or West Lafayette, you could see the Boilers play the Wolverines on October 13. On that same day, if you live in Iowa or Illinois, you could see the Hawkeyes play the Illini.

We also will offer the games we are not broadcasting in certain markets to our distribution partners to air on their "overflow" channels, so that fans who live outside their university's state can watch their teams.

DirecTV will carry all of our "overflow" games. For cable operators, the decision whether or not to air Big Ten Network "overflow" games will be made by the cable operator.

Will ESPN GamePlan or ESPN Full Court still carry Big Ten games?

\In years past, the only Big Ten games that appeared on ESPN GamePlan or ESPN Full Court were the regional ABC football games and the football and basketball games aired on ESPN Regional and ESPN Plus. Those regional ABC football games will now air on ESPN/ESPN2 out of market. The ESPN Regional/ESPN Plus basketball games will now be carried by the Big Ten Network.

Beginning in 2007, the only time a Big Ten ABC game might end up on GamePlan is in the rare instance that ABC is regionalizing a prime-time Big Ten game.There will be no Big Ten games on ESPN Full Court.

The Big Ten Network is making all of its games available to cable and satellite operators as part of their agreements to carry the network. Whenever the Big Ten Network is producing more than one game at a time, cable and satellite providers that have agreed to carry the Big Ten Network will be offered the chance to carry the additional games via "overflow" channels.

For example, let's assume that at noon ET one Saturday the Big Ten Network is producing two games (Penn State vs. Illinois and Michigan vs. Northwestern). If the Penn State-Illinois game is airing on the Big Ten Network, your cable or satellite system will be given the rights to carry the Michigan-Northwestern game on an "overflow" channel.

DirecTV will air all of our "overflow" games. For cable operators, the decision whether or not to air Big Ten Network "overflow" games will be made by the cable operator.

Overall, the Big Ten Network will be producing significantly more football and men's basketball games than have aired regionally in recent years, and these games will be made available to all cable and satellite systems as part of their contracts to carry the Big Ten Network.

Will the Big Ten Network stream games via the Internet?

We are working hard to create and execute a broadband video strategy that will enable the streaming of some of our games online (both live and/or on-demand). Several factors will play a role in determining the breadth of our broadband streaming offering, including rights issues and negotiations with cable and satellite providers. Keep an eye on this website for the latest information.

Why is it necessary to create a new network?

As a premier college athletic and academic conference, the Big Ten sees enormous opportunity to reach millions of Big Ten alumni and sports fans across the nation through this new national network. With the growing popularity of an increased number of sports and the incredible distribution of the Big Ten's more than four million alumni across the nation, the Big Ten feels an obligation to provide our fans with the most access to the most programming possible.

Who owns the Big Ten Network?

The Big Ten Network is a joint venture between subsidiaries of the Big Ten Conference and Fox Cable Networks. Fox has a proven track record of successfully launching other channels, which we believe will be a big factor in the successful launch of the Big Ten Network.

Where can I apply for a job with the Network?

Click here for more information on jobs and internships at the Big Ten Network.