Big 10 Network fees

Will the BTN be able to maintain the cash cow mentioned in the linked article below? Shouldn't the technology be in place in the near future to let consumers choose their programming and not need to buy a bunch of crap channels like BTN that they never watch. I know I wouldn't pay .70/month for it if given the choice.



"The BTN collects rights fees (via cable and satellite companies) of 70 cents to 80 cents per month from its subscribers in the eight-state footprint. Those in states such as Nebraska and New York, who get the channel via a sports tier, chip in about 10 cents per month."

Big Ten could see TV money skyrocket with expansion - Chicago Tribune

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by imnclone

Will the BTN be able to maintain the cash cow mentioned in the linked article below? Shouldn't the technology be in place in the near future to let consumers choose their programming and not need to buy a bunch of crap channels like BTN that they never watch. I know I wouldn't pay .70/month for it if given the choice.



"The BTN collects rights fees (via cable and satellite companies) of 70 cents to 80 cents per month from its subscribers in the eight-state footprint. Those in states such as Nebraska and New York, who get the channel via a sports tier, chip in about 10 cents per month."

Big Ten could see TV money skyrocket with expansion - Chicago Tribune

---

It has nothing to do with the technology. The BTN has negotiated with local cable compaies to force the BTN to be part of the basic package. That was the big hullabaloo in Iowa. I think Mediacom wanted it to be part of the sports tier and thus, cheaper, but the BTN played harball and said it was either part of the basic package or nothing at all.

Honestly, al a carte cable programming would be awesome, but it will never happen as the cable companies would lose a ton of money and it will never happen.

This was the big gripe two years ago when the BTN came to Iowa. Mediacom (and ISU fans) wanted it on an optional sports tier.

BTN held the games randsom for basic program and all the extra subscribers.

I will give a bit of due to the BTN... being able to watch college football in May/June is AWESOME. Even if it is B10 schools. Watched several games off and on this weekend.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by clone52

It has nothing to do with the technology. The BTN has negotiated with local cable compaies to force the BTN to be part of the basic package. That was the big hullabaloo in Iowa. I think Mediacom wanted it to be part of the sports tier and thus, cheaper, but the BTN played harball and said it was either part of the basic package or nothing at all.

---

Mediacom wanted it as part of the sports tier. Each person that wanted it would then pay. BTN got it included in the basic package so now everybody has to pay something.

I believe that somehow Direct TV has an interest in the BTN through Fox and Rupert Murdoch.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by clone52

It has nothing to do with the technology. The BTN has negotiated with local cable compaies to force the BTN to be part of the basic package. That was the big hullabaloo in Iowa. I think Mediacom wanted it to be part of the sports tier and thus, cheaper, but the BTN played harball and said it was either part of the basic package or nothing at all.

---

Agreed. The technology is already there. The only reason we haven't seen it yet is because they can get more money out of people that way. You said yourself you would pay 70 if you could choose.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Stormin

Mediacom wanted it as part of the sports tier. Each person that wanted it would then pay. BTN got it included in the basic package so now everybody has to pay something.

I believe that somehow Direct TV has an interest in the BTN through Fox and Rupert Murdoch.

---

Fox and Murdoch own 49% of the BTN.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hawkeyescott

Fox and Murdoch own 49% of the BTN.

---

And how much does Fox and Murdoch own of Direct TV?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hawkeyescott

Honestly, al a carte cable programming would be awesome, but it will never happen as the cable companies would lose a ton of money and it will never happen.

---

It will happen once people begin to drop their cable coverage in favor of online tv viewing. Obviously a long way down the road, but the consumers will win out.

Can you imagine the quality of programming if producers/directors/writers actually had to put out a good product or risk not being paid?

They added the BTN to my cable while also doubling the rates this month. I just dropped it - figuring that I can buy a few more power tools with the saved cash/extra time w/o tv and I'm not going to finance the BTN.

Where the Big Ten cash cow might starting drying up a bit is in the advertising area. If each superconference gets a TV network, there may be less BTN viewers, and the BTN may have to lower advertising rates a bit...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by clone52

It has nothing to do with the technology. The BTN has negotiated with local cable compaies to force the BTN to be part of the basic package. That was the big hullabaloo in Iowa. I think Mediacom wanted it to be part of the sports tier and thus, cheaper, but the BTN played harball and said it was either part of the basic package or nothing at all.

---

I was thinking more of "on demand" programming that is not on a predetermined schedule. Also, for the people who have enough bandwidth, there should be many options for distribution. If distribution prices continue to fall. It isn't unreasonable to think each school could have their own network or at least a menu of programming.

In general, it seems like we should have a programming search engine where you search for something of interest and then choose from the list of programming matches. At the end of the month, you pay for what you watched. Dream world I suppose.