while you were all asleep dreaming of michigan touchdowns...
THE BIG TEN NETWORK AND TIME WARNER REACHED AN AGREEMENT!!!!
The Big Ten Network cleared its last major hurdle Monday night and reached an agreement in principle with Time Warner Cable to be carried by the provider. The agreement would make the Big Ten Network accessible in both Ohio and Wisconsin, allowing fans in those states to watch the Buckeyes and Badgers play their season openers Saturday. Time Warner Cable was the last major cable provider in the Big Ten area not to carry the Big Ten Network. It will carry the network as part of its expanded basic package.
The likely agreement ends a week of bickering that began with a letter from Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith to Buckeyes fans urging them to switch from Time Warner Cable to another provider because negotiations had reached a standstill. Despite some harsh words from both sides, the Big Ten Network and Time Warner Cable found common ground.
The Big Ten Network also is nearing an agreement with Mediacom and should reach the entire league market this season.


no word on out of staters having it in place by this weekend... but the final hurdle has been cleared and the finish line is seconds away.

That's great news for TWC customers!

i'm just glad that Michigan has the most televised games year in and year out.  It's rarely a problem to watch them in my area.

 

Time Warner isn't the last major cable provider not to have Big 10 Network...Charter is fairly large itself, especially in West Michigan.

You wouldn't believe the crap I had to go through today with Dish Network... 

If you're a NEW customer, you can sign up for the Silver TurboHD package that includes the BTN.  However, if you happen to be a loyal customer, that option isn't available to you (not until January I was told).  When I moved in to the new place back in the early spring, I signed up for the HD only package that at the time included the BTN and all was well... that is until they took the channel off my programming package claiming it was a "free trial" (insert level headed anger here).  Fine, I thought, I'll just wait until August and deal with it at that point.

So I call in today and basically say, I notice that the new programming packages include the BTN, I was wondering what I could do to switch my programming over to a package that includes that channel.  After 40 minutes of explaining and re-explaining this over and over again I am told that the only solution I have is to upgrade to an America's Top ____ package with the Silver HD package... and this will only cost me DOUBLE what it would cost a new customer to get a package with the BTN in it.

Needless to say, I informed them at that point that Comcast happily supplies the BTN... and suddenly they were able to offer me the America's Top ____ upgrade with the Silver package (and BTN) at a substantial discount through December... which gets me to January when I can simply downgrade to the new TurboHD package...

What an incredible headache... all over just trying to get my BTN back.  Don't get me wrong I love the channel, but I think it's ridiculous that Dish rips it's customers who aren't "new" like that.

http://www.maizenbrew.com/

What the mind can conceive, the mind can achieve; and those who stay will be Champions.
GO BLUE!

expanded basic, do u have to notify tw or is it automatically added as an extra channel ?
calling them now.
thanx

buckeye by birth , WOLVERINE BY CHOICE !! GO BLUE

channel 22 yeah baby[link=http://www.crawlersmileys.com/?d=1&sm=Baloons%3A9514&][/link]

buckeye by birth , WOLVERINE BY CHOICE !! GO BLUE

You guys can thank Gene Smith, OSU AD, for forcing this to happen.

A day after he sent an email to the entire OSU student body telling them that Time Warner was not going to get the BTN, encouraging them to switch providers that did carry BTN, TW offered to show the Ohio State games on a pay-per-view basis. 4 days later, a complete deal has been struck.

Props to Gene Smith for forcing the issue on Time Warner. Personally, the apartment that I live in has a contract with TW so I couldn't even opt for a different provider. This is great news for the millions of customers who have TW.

AVBucks2521


You guys can thank Gene Smith, OSU AD, for forcing this to happen.

A day after he sent an email to the entire OSU student body telling them that Time Warner was not going to get the BTN, encouraging them to switch providers that did carry BTN, TW offered to show the Ohio State games on a pay-per-view basis. 4 days later, a complete deal has been struck.

Props to Gene Smith for forcing the issue on Time Warner. Personally, the apartment that I live in has a contract with TW so I couldn't even opt for a different provider. This is great news for the millions of customers who have TW.

he doesnt need to be thanked for anything if you ask me.   I love what he did and i think it was awesome for someone with such a prestegious position to do so.....  but later reports came out that  the only reason TWC offered that pay per view basis was because it was impossible for it to happen so they were just  blowing smoke up Gene Smiths ass.

zaco

AVBucks2521


You guys can thank Gene Smith, OSU AD, for forcing this to happen.

A day after he sent an email to the entire OSU student body telling them that Time Warner was not going to get the BTN, encouraging them to switch providers that did carry BTN, TW offered to show the Ohio State games on a pay-per-view basis. 4 days later, a complete deal has been struck.

Props to Gene Smith for forcing the issue on Time Warner. Personally, the apartment that I live in has a contract with TW so I couldn't even opt for a different provider. This is great news for the millions of customers who have TW.

he doesnt need to be thanked for anything if you ask me.   I love what he did and i think it was awesome for someone with such a prestegious position to do so.....  but later reports came out that  the only reason TWC offered that pay per view basis was because it was impossible for it to happen so they were just  blowing smoke up Gene Smiths ass.
they were going to reach an agreement no matter what. as the season approached.   Technically they havent even signed a deal yet.. just a "handshake" deal that will allow TWC to broadcast this saturdays games  while they iron out the rest of the details and sign on the dotted line.

Well, in Ohio, 4 out of 10 homes were receiving the BTN compared to 7 of 10 in Michigan. The issue of TW vs BTN was a much hotter debate on OSU boards than it was on Michigan boards. Considering that I belong to about 3 of each school, I'm begging you to take my word for it.

And, on those Ohio State boards, the news was incredibly negative regarding a possible deal between TW and BTN. There began to be talk that the BTN would be drawn out just like the NFL Network. It was almost a certainty that Buckeye fans who weren't lucky enough to have tickets were going to have to deal with another season of getting up at 7 AM to get to a local sports bar to watch the game.

This (to read letter click this):



was what sparked the deal.

AVBucks2521

zaco

AVBucks2521


You guys can thank Gene Smith, OSU AD, for forcing this to happen.

A day after he sent an email to the entire OSU student body telling them that Time Warner was not going to get the BTN, encouraging them to switch providers that did carry BTN, TW offered to show the Ohio State games on a pay-per-view basis. 4 days later, a complete deal has been struck.

Props to Gene Smith for forcing the issue on Time Warner. Personally, the apartment that I live in has a contract with TW so I couldn't even opt for a different provider. This is great news for the millions of customers who have TW.

he doesnt need to be thanked for anything if you ask me.   I love what he did and i think it was awesome for someone with such a prestegious position to do so.....  but later reports came out that  the only reason TWC offered that pay per view basis was because it was impossible for it to happen so they were just  blowing smoke up Gene Smiths ass.
they were going to reach an agreement no matter what. as the season approached.   Technically they havent even signed a deal yet.. just a "handshake" deal that will allow TWC to broadcast this saturdays games  while they iron out the rest of the details and sign on the dotted line.

Well, in Ohio, 4 out of 10 homes were receiving the BTN compared to 7 of 10 in Michigan. The issue of TW vs BTN was a much hotter debate on OSU boards than it was on Michigan boards. Considering that I belong to about 3 of each school, I'm begging you to take my word for it.

And, on those Ohio State boards, the news was incredibly negative regarding a possible deal between TW and BTN. There began to be talk that the BTN would be drawn out just like the NFL Network. It was almost a certainty that Buckeye fans who weren't lucky enough to have tickets were going to have to deal with another season of getting up at 7 AM to get to a local sports bar to watch the game.

This (to read letter click this):



was what sparked the deal.

Now if they would just release it to other regions :( 

Michigan National Championships 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1918, 1923, 1932, 1933, 1947, 1948, 1997

20-15-1 ND
57-41-6 OSU
67-25-3 MSU

BigBlue06


Time Warner isn't the last major cable provider not to have Big 10 Network...Charter is fairly large itself, especially in West Michigan.

Good news! http://umgoblue.com/aspplay/Charter-BTN-Agreement-m65346.aspx

scmgoblue


You wouldn't believe the crap I had to go through today with Dish Network... 

If you're a NEW customer, you can sign up for the Silver TurboHD package that includes the BTN.  However, if you happen to be a loyal customer, that option isn't available to you (not until January I was told).  When I moved in to the new place back in the early spring, I signed up for the HD only package that at the time included the BTN and all was well... that is until they took the channel off my programming package claiming it was a "free trial" (insert level headed anger here).  Fine, I thought, I'll just wait until August and deal with it at that point.

In the future, just call and ask whom you need to speak with to cancel service.  You're not going to cancel service, but they don't know that and in most cases it doesn't matter how sincere you aren't, they just need to hear the magic words in order to give you the cheap rate on a package or a big credit.  Every big company who craves market share (credit cards, cable, cell phones) has a retention department.  Retention depts are empowered to give you a lot more than just the average shmoe answering the phone.  You tell them you want to cancel and when they ask why, give them a reason and say "unless you can give me this deal I saw for new customers, I'm leaving"  You will have what you want in a matter of minutes.  I do it all the time when I want a new cell phone, a credit on my cable bill, more cash back on my credit card.  I will be calling my cable company this week in fact to get a credit b/c they still do not carry the Big Ten Network.

   Free TK   

zjgm02

scmgoblue


You wouldn't believe the crap I had to go through today with Dish Network... 

If you're a NEW customer, you can sign up for the Silver TurboHD package that includes the BTN.  However, if you happen to be a loyal customer, that option isn't available to you (not until January I was told).  When I moved in to the new place back in the early spring, I signed up for the HD only package that at the time included the BTN and all was well... that is until they took the channel off my programming package claiming it was a "free trial" (insert level headed anger here).  Fine, I thought, I'll just wait until August and deal with it at that point.

In the future, just call and ask whom you need to speak with to cancel service.  You're not going to cancel service, but they don't know that and in most cases it doesn't matter how sincere you aren't, they just need to hear the magic words in order to give you the cheap rate on a package or a big credit.  Every big company who craves market share (credit cards, cable, cell phones) has a retention department.  Retention depts are empowered to give you a lot more than just the average shmoe answering the phone.  You tell them you want to cancel and when they ask why, give them a reason and say "unless you can give me this deal I saw for new customers, I'm leaving"  You will have what you want in a matter of minutes.  I do it all the time when I want a new cell phone, a credit on my cable bill, more cash back on my credit card.  I will be calling my cable company this week in fact to get a credit b/c they still do not carry the Big Ten Network.

You are absolutely correct sir.  This is the way to do it with any mass media or communication product.  I worked for SBC selling Yellow Pages once upon a time (ok, a loooong time ago) and the second someone wanted to cancel their ad we were instructed to start cutting deals immediately.  I've called Time Warner 3 times to cancel my cable for DirecTV and all 3 times they cut me deals.  I've been getting the LA Times for free for 4 years now.  They set me up with 3 mos free and everytime the meter is about to go on I call to cancel.  They offer to extend it another 3 mos for free and this has gone on and on.  Circulation and viewership sells ads-whether you actually pay for it runs a distant 2nd.

I wish I knew when or if TimeWarner in So. Cal might offer the BTN.  Sucks being out here during football season.  I don't think I can take one more Pac-Ten game.

"I have marked down losses for Wisconsin, Michigan State, Penn State, and Ohio State. And then there could be others such as Illinois".-BigHouseFootball March 08

Great point ZJGM... going to keep that handy for next time, and I'm sure there will definitely be a next time.

http://www.maizenbrew.com/

What the mind can conceive, the mind can achieve; and those who stay will be Champions.
GO BLUE!

zaco


Plus I feel as if Time Warner losing a few customers was a very little part of their concern... They know that of their millions of customers,  only a few  will switch cable providers, some people dont have the option of doing that, and some people just find it a hassle.   I'm one of them, when I was living at home last fall, my parents weren't up for the hassle, when I moved, It was not an option for anything other than TWC bc of  the direction of my apartment.  

I agree.  My cable provider is just a local cable company and this was the attitude they took originally towards those who wanted the BTN.  I remember writing to them threatening to cancel my service with them and they basically said we're sorry to see you go...  Of course, I fell into the category of finding it to be too big of a hassle to switch to a dish.  I really don't know what caused a resolution to finally be met as their big sticking point was not wanting the BTN as a part of basic cable.  They wanted it to be a premium or HD package channel.  In the end, the BTN won out as it is indeed a part of our basic cable package.  I have the HD package so it really wouldn't have affected me one way or the other.  I just wonder how the BTN got their way in the end.  And notice, the BTN didn't get their way with TWC...

MichiganFanInOhio

zaco


Plus I feel as if Time Warner losing a few customers was a very little part of their concern... They know that of their millions of customers,  only a few  will switch cable providers, some people dont have the option of doing that, and some people just find it a hassle.   I'm one of them, when I was living at home last fall, my parents weren't up for the hassle, when I moved, It was not an option for anything other than TWC bc of  the direction of my apartment.  

I agree.  My cable provider is just a local cable company and this was the attitude they took originally towards those who wanted the BTN.  I remember writing to them threatening to cancel my service with them and they basically said we're sorry to see you go...  Of course, I fell into the category of finding it to be too big of a hassle to switch to a dish.  I really don't know what caused a resolution to finally be met as their big sticking point was not wanting the BTN as a part of basic cable.  They wanted it to be a premium or HD package channel.  In the end, the BTN won out as it is indeed a part of our basic cable package.  I have the HD package so it really wouldn't have affected me one way or the other.  I just wonder how the BTN got their way in the end.  And notice, the BTN didn't get their way with TWC...

How do you mean BTN didn't get their way with TWC?  From what I see they got exactly what they wanted, carriage on expanded basic, VOD, and HD carriage.  What am I missing?

TK23Blue




I wish I knew when or if TimeWarner in So. Cal might offer the BTN.  Sucks being out here during football season.  I don't think I can take one more Pac-Ten game.

 

I returned home from work yesterday and found the Big Ten Network on channel 610 comcast denver. I already had the entertainment package for the random football games from other conferences - what a joy.

I turned to the channel at 4:30pm and it was the Michigan Football Preview!

What a day to be alive!!!

Signature keeps being deleted! I'll leave it as - GO BLUE!