Every time networks take on cable companies both lose. Cable companies lose subscribers to dish and networks lose valuable advertising and subscription dollars. Don't know why they continue to fight the same battles.

brista21 Wrote:I think it generates interest beyond NYC. I think UConn can have some pull from the Boston and Rutgers from the Philly markets respectively. But even if there is only significant viewership in those markets that's massive in terms of raw numbers nationally.

That was my point exactly. Even if the game is only a strictly local regional game, the numbers would be comparable to just about any national broadcast.

mlb Wrote:I found it interesting that ABC passed on the Ohio State vs Wisconsin game this weekend (now on BTN) and is showing UC vs USF on ABC.

I find it hilarious. The mighty Big 10, and their flagship, currently ranked #1, Ohio State as they battle #19 Wisconsin. A battle between 2 ranked Big 10 programs, one of them the #1 team, supplanted by The BEast.

That IS funny.

The OSU fans here in Dayton are not happy... they are shocked that the game is only on the BTN.

mlb Wrote:The OSU fans here in Dayton are not happy... they are shocked that the game is only on the BTN.

Did you console them? They aren't used to turning the channel off ABC

I laughed and told them that UC would be on... of course, hopefully I won't get stuck with the Michigan game in Dayton because of being in "big 10" country. Either way I have the Gameplan so it won't matter. I just think it would be hilarious if UC was on at 3:30 around here while OSU was only on the BTN.

I guess a similar thing has been discussed in another thread, with RU-UConn being on the "U" Saturday. Seems like BTN is attempting to put the squeeze on the cable companies, trying to get into the "basic" lineup.

That is my question too. Did ABC reject the Big Ten/OSU or did the Big Ten/OSU reject ABC to get the game on the BTN?

Edit- I think I answered my own question. It appears the ABC decided to go with Michigan/Michigan State followed by Illinois/OSU instead of Wisconsin/OSU followed by Wisconsin/Michigan (or another game).

It sounds like Wisconsin was the team rejected. The BTN had to pick up OSU/Wisconsin. They can take the second choice over ESPN if they make a "wild card" choice.

I don't think they have the right to reject ABC, but I could be wrong. ESPN/ABC has first rights to pick games in all weeks I thought.

Either way, it is not sitting well with OSU fans.

BTN has the right to leapfrog ESPN/ESPN2 a set number of times during the season and once ABC (foolishly) took Michigan-Michigan St., there was no way that the Wisc-OSU game was going to go to ESPN.

Also, one OSU conference game had to go on the BTN, so either the Wisconsin game or the Illinois game was going to be selected. No way around that rule where every team had to have one conference game on the BTN.

Where did it say 1 conference game had to be picked up? Before the season the local papers said that only 1 game had to be picked up, in or out of conference. As a matter of fact, OSU had 2 games before the season and the local paper said they could have no more picked up or have up to 2 more picked up (appears it will only be the 1).

mlb - You are correct about OSU or the Big Ten not being able to reject ABC. I found this information in the Dayton Daily News about a conference game for each team needing to be on the BTN.

Dayton Dailty News Story

"Top-ranked Ohio State's game against unranked Wisconsin, a matchup between the teams picked to finish third and second in the conference, will air on the Big Ten Network at noon Saturday. It was an unexpected move for those who follow the conference's television happenings, including some Ohio State officials.

The BTN, which two months ago launched as an all-day, year-round channel dedicated to the Big Ten, has a deal with the conference that states at least one of each member's league football games must be broadcast on the network each year. ABC, through its contract, always has the first choice for games. The BTN sometimes has second choice, sometimes third.

On Sunday, the BTN learned that ABC chose Michigan's game against Michigan State to air at 3:30 p.m. Saturday and the Buckeyes' game against Illinois for Nov. 10, which left the game against Wisconsin on the Big Ten Network this weekend by default. ABC had already announced it will air the Ohio State-Michigan game on Nov. 17 at noon."

Hmmm, interesting. Thanks for hte info, LaRue.

Of course we don't know what level of influence the Big Ten has on ABC in terms of what games they choose. It could be substantial. I'm sure there is all types of back room wrangling going on.[/b]

mlb Wrote:Where did it say 1 conference game had to be picked up? Before the season the local papers said that only 1 game had to be picked up, in or out of conference. As a matter of fact, OSU had 2 games before the season and the local paper said they could have no more picked up or have up to 2 more picked up (appears it will only be the 1).

http://bigtennetwork.com/corporate/FactSheet.asp

LIVE EVENTS: The network will televise more than 400 live events during its first year. Almost all of the network's programming will be available in high definition.

Football

Each Big Ten football team will make 3-6 appearances on the Big Ten Network this fall
Each football team is guaranteed to make at least two appearances on the network per year and one of them will be a conference game
In all, the network will televise 38 football games in 2007
35 of the 38 will be televised in high-definition

can someone post the coverage map for abc's 11/3 games when it becomes available?

Hasn't come available yet, shocknawe. I'm anxiously awaiting it myself, as I hope to get the UC game in HD.

mlb Wrote:Hasn't come available yet, shocknawe. I'm anxiously awaiting it myself, as I hope to get the UC game in HD.

It won't be. Email I received from ESPN said only Michigan-Michigan St. would be in HD as of Monday. They have HD for Oregon St.-USC and FSU-BC, but not TAMU-OU in the 8pm slot.

Coverage Map for November 3rd (UC vs USF 3:30 ABC)
Matt and Gang, heres a better map then the one, I posted before

HDSportsGuide has the UC vs USF game in HD. Not sure who is right.

What the F's up with the NJ market showing the Big Fricken 11???