Big Ten Network President Says Channel Is Making A Profit

Big Ten Network President Mark Silverman said that the net is "making a profit, and looking to improve its programming," according to Don Walker of the MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL. The net is currently "available in 22 of the top 25 media markets around the country," and Silverman said, "Going from where we were to now is a huge step." SNL Kagan analyst Derek Baine said that the Big Ten Net "has been one of the most successful cable network launches in history." He estimated that the network  will "grow to more than 60 million subscribers by 2013 and will generate $112[M] in cash flow by that time." Walker noted the net has "proved profitable for the 11 member universities," as the rights fee is $70M, granting each member school $6.3M. Fox has an equity stake in the net, and Silverman said "once Fox recoups its investments in a few years, there will be additional profits that schools will get." Silverman added that he "hopes to double the profitability of the network next year," and "at the same time, the network next year will reach its goal of gender equity in programming." (JSONLINE.com, 3/2). The Big Ten Net currently has 35 million subs (THE DAILY).