[NU Sports] Interesting article ...

[Jonathan Hodges]

Eric,

I would say that I completely agree with your argument.

The BTN IS a niche network, BUT the Big Ten isn't asking for anything out of
the ordinary.  In fact, there are a TON of niche networks on extended basic
cable (analog), including Versus - Comcast's own national specialty sports
network, along with the likes of Speedvision and others.  The fact is that
Comcast is being extremely HYPOCRITICAL by refusing to carry the BTN yet
trumping its own networks such as Versus and even the mtn (the Mountain West
conference's network, which is carried by almost nobody).  Also throw in the
fact that Comcast feels jealous after Fox was awarded the partner deal with
the Big Ten to run the network that apparently they were bidding for as
well.

On the other side, while I wish that the deals would get done and the BTN
would get on extended basic for everyone in the region, right now I just
want a way to watch the games at home (I'm on Comcast, of course) - and I
know that I'm willing to pay a little extra for a sports tier to get the
games.  (I know satellite is an option, but it is a huge hassle for
renters).

In any case, the fact is that the two sides need to come together to get the
deal done.  Comcast is being hypocritical, and the BTN is being especially
demanding for such a young network, but there has to be a middle ground.
Obviously Comcast took to the air first with its combative ads (on the TV,
radio, and in print), while the BTN had to follow suit.  I don't think we'll
see the end of this until after the basketball season is over and the
ratings/subscriber fallout is complete.  Next summer is the best chance of a
deal getting done, but then again who really knows.  Also, I suspect once
one big cable operator signs on (Comcast, Time Warner, etc.) the other(s)
will follow.

Jonathan

On 10/31/07, Eric West <e-west at northwestern.edu> wrote:
>
> At 10:58 AM 10/31/2007, Roy Lamberton wrote:
> >Memo to the Big 10 Network - The BTN is a Niche product, even in the Big
> 10
> >states. The fans of the schools will pay good money, regardless of where
> they
> >live, to watch their team in action.
>
> See, this is the part of the argument that makes no sense to me. Lifetime
> is a niche product, too -- as is BET, Oxygen, Speedvision, EWTN, and
> dozens
> of other channels that I and many other people never watch -- yet cable
> has
> no problem charging us so that others can watch them. So what's suddenly
> wrong with those people returning the favor by paying a little extra so we
> can watch the BTN? And no, I won't pay $50 extra a month (or more) to
> switch to digital and then add some weak sports tier from Comcast (that
> doesn't even have ESPNU or CSTV, among others). I can just listen to the
> radio, or go to Chili's in Evanston and watch the game there.
>
> >Pretending that the AC/SEC/Big 12/Pac
> >10/WAC fans in Comcast or Time Warner markets will watch the BTN seems a
> >little
> >foolish, and I know Comcast has the sales numbers from ESPN+ to back that
> up.
>
> Why? As a college football fan, I enjoy watching all sorts of teams play,
> and I know I'm not alone. Ironically, because of Comcast Sports Network's
> triple-header last Saturday, I was able to watch more Pac-10 games in
> Evanston than Big Ten games. Somehow Comcast didn't have a problem making
> everyone in the Chicago area pay for three Pac-10 games on their channel,
> but it's a miscarriage of justice to charge them to watch Big Ten teams?
> The way I see it, the only difference -- and indeed, the only thing
> Comcast
> cares about -- is that the extra BTN money won't go to Comcast.
>
> I want to be on Comcast's side, but their arguments don't make sense and
> their incessant propaganda (including a two-month-old "Update" that keeps
> talking about how no one would want to see Michigan vs. Appalachian State)
> is maddening.
>
> ---
> Eric West
> e-west at northwestern.edu
>
>
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>



-- 
Jonathan W. Hodges
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