BTN Shows Strong Numbers; Warring With Comcast Over Games

Big Ten Network Touts Strong Numbers In First Release Of Widespread Ratings

Big Ten Network said that, among homes that receive the network, its college football games this season have ranked among the top-12 programs on ad-supported cable and satellite TV in their respective markets nine times, and 12 games rank in the top 50. BTN ratings are based on a much smaller universe than the broadcast nets since it still lacks carriage deals with several major cable operators. Within the BTN's universe, the net's Saturday afternoon football telecasts are averaging a 3.6 local Nielsen rating in major Big Ten markets, ahead of NBC (3.4) and CBS (1.8) for each network's season-to-date average for college football broadcasts.  ABC, which also broadcasts Big Ten games,  leads with a 4.9 (BTN).  BTN President Mark Silverman acknowledged the numbers are based on a "coverage rating."  The BTN "sees its strong ratings numbers within the systems where the network is available as a sign of interest" among fans.  Silverman: "This shows these aren't what goes on a sports tier" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 10/11).

Comcast Establishes Web Site As Part Of Campaign In BTN Carriage Dispute

TRADING BARBS:Comcast indicated that the per-subscriber fees BTN is asking the operator to pay "would amount to $13.20 a year, or $1.10 a month, making it more expensive than other broad-interest or sports-tier channels." The BTN "asserts that it has never pitched that price to Comcast; it says that because of its size, Comcast likely would pay about 90 cents per month per subscriber in Big Ten states, and just a dime for subscribers elsewhere" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 10/10).  In Chicago, Ed Sherman wrote both BTN and Comcast are running ad campaigns to tout their sides in the carriages dispute.  A Comcast ad in Sunday's Chicago Tribune carried the headline: "Why Won't The Big Ten Network Play Ball?," and in a letter to "fellow football fans," Comcast "seeks to 'separate BTN spin from the facts of these negotiations.'" But Sherman wrote Comcast "doesn't have all the facts right." BTN "never said it would air the league's best games." The "most egregious 'spin' on Comcast's part is the assertion BTN is offering  games ABC/ESPN didn't want." A Comcast Web site states columnists call the games on BTN "fifth-tier." Sherman: "That simply isn't true."  BTN is airing Purdue-Michigan and Indiana-Michigan St this week, and either Wisconsin-Ohio State on November 3 or Illinois-Ohio State on November 10.  But Comcast VP/Communications Richard Ruggiero said, "In virtually all cases, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 have chosen not to carry (the games that air on BTN)" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 10/10).

CHALLENGES: HDNet co-Founder Mark Cuban indicated that "there's no question that it's difficult for independent nets" to gain carriage.  Cuban: "So many of the big media companies force networks that no one watches onto distributors." NFL Network Dir of Communications Seth Palansky added, "There are definitely issues here that it seems like the government is going to have to get involved in to help solve."  Palansky acknowledged cable distribution is "far from going well. ... That's really why we're going to push the regulatory angle" (CABLEFAX DAILY, 10/10).

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