August 28, 2007
Comcast pulls luncheon sponsorship over Big 10 Network
Ah, yes. Comcast versus the Big 10 Network... round 11,798 (or something like that).
It appears that the ongoing conflict between Comcast and the Big 10 Network, which has gone from backrooms to the newspapers to the internet, now has a new battlefield: the University of Minnesota football luncheon.
In an effort to distance itself from the Big 10, Comcast has pulled its annual sponsorship of the Gophers football luncheon, leaving the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce as the latest victim in the ongoing feud.
In the letter, which was obtained by the Star Tribune, Comcast's Twin Cities Region Vice President Bill Wright wrote that the decision was made "in light of reported plans by the Big Ten Network and Fox Sports to encourage Comcast customers to disconnect their service in favor of DirecTV, which is owned by the parent company of Fox."Wright also wrote that because Minnesota is a member of the Big Ten Conference, "our financial support and sponsorship of upcoming University and Big Ten events is being withdrawn."
The trickle down may mean that Comcast could pull its $60,000 annual advertising spend from the U, as well.
In an e-mail statement, Schubert said Comcast has been "openly attacked with false, misleading and inflammatory statements by Big Ten Network officials; regrettably, these same comments have appeared on the University's official sports department website."
In the meantime, fans in Comcast markets cannot receive the Big 10 Network.
I still contend that the Big 10 Network is playing a game of chicken with the cable companies, with demands that don't accurately reflect the market. B10N sees themselves as ESPN for the Midwest, while the cable companies sees them as a bad Fox regional knock-off.
Drama, drama, drama.
Comments:
gatorstud said:
posted on August 28, 2007 1:36 PM — 69.95.111.248 — link — abuse?
c'mon first and nole....it may not apply to you but, there are fans up here that would like to see their alma mater play.....reguardless of who they are...or what their record is....it is unfair to hold fans hostage while big companies fight it out....
once again it's money over what is right and wrong...plain and simple.....
jmho....
go gators ....and hokies
timmytomtom said:
posted on August 28, 2007 1:58 PM — 68.82.177.211 — link — abuse?
As a Comcast customer in Pennsylvania, I'm curious as to why ESPN Classic went dark over a month ago. When the channels go dark, it usually means an upcoming change in the channel selection.
The idiots better not be planning to add the Golf Classics channel or QVC2 or any other spinoff of Comcast owned cable channels...even tho I hate Rupert Murdoch and Fox, I will switch to Direct.
Brian said:
posted on August 28, 2007 6:28 PM — 69.250.168.62 — link — abuse?
This feud is getting uglier than my divorce. Neither side is coming out of this looking good. Comcast is protecting the mystery of how much they really pay for cable channels and BTN having so little faith in their product's appeal (or simple greed) insists on the basic tier.
Has BTN given a good explaination of not accepting the sports tier?
College Pigskin Fan said:
posted on August 28, 2007 9:18 PM — 4.244.0.177 — link — abuse?
News Corp (FOX) owned 39% of Direct TV, and made an agreement with Liberty Media. The deal is that News Corp (FOX) would give up their 39% ownership in Direct TV to Liberty Media in exchange for Liberty Media's part ownership in News Corp.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_tv
Comcast is to cable what Clear Channel is to radio, a monster. When you look on the Comcast Market Map, you'll see how big they are, not only in Big 10 country, but in SEC country.
http://www.comcastspotlight.com/sites/default.aspx?siteid=62&pageid=2466&subnav=1
Remember how the SEC is going to see how things work out with the Big 10 Network before they make a decision on the SEC Network? Unless the SEC Network goes to Direct TV or Dish Network, it won't happen.
JT said:
posted on September 1, 2007 9:21 PM — 71.213.229.218 — link — abuse?
Some e-bayers are marketing their tickets with saying like, "Don't wait to see if your cable provider will carry this game." The Big 10 Network is a bottom-feeder company, but they don't hold a candle to the corporate greed of Sinclair Broadcasting.
Cindy said:
posted on September 2, 2007 9:10 AM — 69.14.78.149 — link — abuse?
Attn. Cable Companies: DO NOT NEGOTIATE WITH THE BTN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Someone else will, once again, reap the financial benefits of this 'gimmick'. My cable company is going to televise all but one of the MSU games anyways - thanks WOW. Who needs the BTN - hopefully, none of us - ban it - do not subscribe.Tim said:
posted on September 2, 2007 11:28 PM — 71.227.11.12 — link — abuse?
My wife is a big fan of this network. Instead of watching Michigan get emabarassed, I was at the local shopping mall helping my wife pick out a pair of black shoes that complimented a dress that has been in our closet for 3 years and never been worn. I don't care what is going on behind the scenes, bottom line is someone initiated change motivated only by money. This change has hurt a lot of fans. If it isn't broke then don't fix it!! The Big Ten has been pulling in a ton of revanue over the past years. This change is only going to point out how many of their fans were "casual" viewers and can live without them. My guess is that if Comcast just says NO and looses a handfull of hardcore fans, their balance sheet will look better than if they were willing to pay the Big Ten Network's ransome.
rich beckerson said:
posted on September 4, 2007 9:27 PM — 68.41.121.156 — link — abuse?
I'm a season ticket holder mich. football.My daughter got married sat. 9/1/07, a date that will live in infamy. The game and the wedding conflicted so I had to listen to this history making fiasco on the radio. Iwas late for pre wedd. pictures. Now after all this B10N won't even post their football schedule for the season. How gutless can network get? If these bottom feeders telecast michigans road games I will be more upset than I am right now. If thats possible!!!
College Pigskin Fan said:
posted on September 5, 2007 7:07 PM — 4.255.9.72 — link — abuse?
I found two interesting sites about the Big Ten Network, pro and anti.
First about the pro. The Big Ten Network states that it is a local network. That is 100% false. They are a regional network. They also want you to fill in your address to see if you get the Big Ten Network in your area. If you don't, they have a link that reads, "take action". This is an attempt for the Big Ten Network for you, the consumer to do their bidding for them.
http://www.bigtennetwork.com/corporate/Networkbelongsonbasiccable.asp
Now the anti. They make some very good points about the Big Ten Network, and the $1.10 per cable subscriber fee they demanding from the cable companies.
http://www.puttingfansfirst.org/
With cable giants Comcast, Charter and Time Warner covering a big part of the Big Ten map, and with them not having any intentions on carrying the Big Ten Network, the Big Ten might have to syndicate their games on Fox stations since that's who they have the 20 year contract with for their Network. Otherwise, it will be the invisible Network.
low income apartments said:
posted on September 9, 2007 2:19 AM — 76.197.150.32 — link — abuse?
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Ben Prather said:
posted on August 28, 2007 11:24 AM — 150.176.192.1 — link — abuse?Comcast, with CSTV, also runs the mtn, which is not living up to its promises. Comcast is upsetting everyone in the NCAA football market.
This emergence of conference operated networking is going to take some time for the markets to adjust to. This year will be FUBAR, but I have better hopes for next year.
The networks are marketing their products for a little more than they are worth, and the networks are wanting to pay less than they are worth.
This year the Big Ten Network will get its ratings and they will know how much they are worth. Then it will all sort itself out.