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Big Ten Network Sports Channel to Launch August 2007
You may have heard about the Big Ten Network sports channel, which will go live in August 2007. At the moment, the only way for you to get this channel in the Greater Boston area is by switching to DIRECTTV or DISH Network. If you want your cable provider to carry this channel, call 1-866-WANT-B10 to let them know your interest in receiving the network. Right now, major local cable providers such as Comcast do not carry this channel.
Why is this channel important to me?, you may ask. This channel will offer expanded coverage of Big Ten sports that we won't otherwise have, historic footage, coaches' shows, as well as academic content originating from the Big Ten Conference.
What if I don't have DIRECTTV or if my local cable provider doesn't carry the channel? Unfortunately, you will be unable to watch part of this year's Michigan football season! [Both of our official locations for watching Michigan Football — The Place (Boston) and Tommy Doyle's (Harvard Square) — will have all of the games available.] To date, the Big Ten Network is carrying exclusive coverage of the following games: Hey Wolverines, this is our season opener! Appalachian State (Sept. 1) as well as two games in a row, Northwestern (Sept. 29), Eastern Michigan (Oct. 6), [UPDATE and Purdue (Oct. 13), and possibly Michigan State (Nov. 3) which would be absurd to miss].
Don't miss any games this year! Click the read more link for more information and details on how you can help.
What is it? The Big Ten Network is a new national cable/satellite programming service dedicated to covering both the athletic and academic content of the Big Ten Conference. The network will operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The Big Ten Network is majority owned by the Big Ten Conference with Fox Cable Networks holding a minority interest. More information here.
How does the University of Michigan benefit? The University benefits from promotion of the University and the Big Ten Conference on a major new channel and from the financial terms of the contract which call for $7 million to be paid to Athletics.
What will be on the Big Ten Network?
- 35+ football games per season
- 105+ 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