BTN "Cautiously Optimistic" About Reaching Deal With Comcast

Big Ten Network (BTN) President Mark Silverman said yesterday the network has been having "productive conversations" with Comcast since December, and he is "cautiously optimistic" a carriage deal could be reached with the MSO, according to Ed Sherman of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. Silverman: "We're looking forward to hearing from [Comcast], hopefully shortly." Comcast VP/Communications Richard Ruggiero "confirmed that discussions were ongoing."  Ruggiero:  "We've said all along we're trying to work out an agreement that makes sense for all of our customers."  Sherman writes, "That's a sharp departure from the previous tone. No negotiations took place in the fall as both sides knocked each other in ad campaigns." No deal was reached for football season, and with "conference basketball in full swing, the issue is bubbling up again." Silverman "says the BTN has addressed Comcast's concerns," and Sherman writes that likely means BTN has "dropped considerably from its initial asking price of $1.10 per subscriber" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 1/8).