Comcast Cable v Big Ten Network

I went home to PA this weekend...and it was a problem...i think in big 10 areas comcast is exerting their bitch-dom

The Big 10 network is a stupid idea. Yes you get the die hards who are going to pick it up...but then again, it cuts off more people from the games.

We were really ticked about the Big 10 network in Columbus, but one of the major cable networks picked it up and then, of course, Ohio State is good so ABC usually picks up the Buckeyes anyways...

If including the Big Ten network forces up my cable bill then I say no, I wouldn't watch it anyways. But for those who are interested blame the Big 10 for trying to force this on the cable company all the time knowing that the cable provider would have to boost their price to the customer.

The question is, why isn't ABC carrying the games? Is the Big Ten network refusing to give up the rights for the games to ABC or is the Big Ten Network doing some people a favor? Is ABC refusing to air the games so then the Big Ten Network picks the games up and televises them so at least some people can watch them? Personally, I think it's the former. The Big Ten network is keeping the big time draws for so they can build themselves up. But I don't know this for fact.

Comcast is the worst. I would really be interested in organizing a boycott against them. Their basic cable and internet are already expensive enough, they know that most people aren't going to subscribe to the Big Ten network. My guess is that they had a squabble with the Big Ten network over money, so now the two are acting like little kids, trying to prove that each can survive without the other. Only the fans suffer. Comcast is greedy.

Guys, for the companies, it's all about profit, not the customer, but hey......they got rid of the NFL Network for paid digital cable subscribers like my family.

Cable Television will soon go the way of the dinosaur. Cable TV use to have a monopoly on television and to some degree like to think they still do. I got rid of cable 2 years ago and haven't regretted it for 1 second. My local cable company does not carry VS (no NHL then), does not have the BTN but has 45 home shopping channels. If you don't like cable go DirecTV and enjoy the freedom. My bill has never increased in 2 years but my channel lineup has, including the addition of the BTN at no extra cost to me.

Comcast/Mediacom: WE WANT FOOTBALL!!!

Big Ten Network: Suck it

Me: Stupid Big Ten

I say, let's blame BTN greed for forcing Comcast's hand by not permitting them to make it an optional programming choice.

For those of us that don't watch a minute of sports and pay taxes to SUBSIDIZE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS BIG 10 SCHOOLS, and build stadiums and arenas that feed private corporate profits, I say enough is enough!

Where is the return on investment to the taxpayer?

The "privilege" to buy an $8 beer if I can afford to buy the family tickets? Shame shame...

The spin doctors stick to "free-market, intellectual property, and licensing" dogma as if its a 100% private sector business; when the scenario really IS free market and not subsidized by tax dollars, I might agree.

Place the blame squarely where it lies: the professional and college sports business machine, a private industry TAXING citizens, in many different ways.

When the Wolverines lost their 1st 2 games, the Ann Arbor News had plenty of letters to the editor, some about housecleaning the coaching staff and others about UM fans blowing things out of proportion because "it's only a game". Thing is it is not just a game. It is about big bucks. BTN wants a part of that action and they want it regardless. I pay for a pretty basic cable option and don't see BTN as a priority to up the monthly ante. Let those who "need" BTN offerings shoulder the cost and leave the rest of us out of it.

I receive lots of channels on basic TV that I never watch; the shopping

I receive lots of channels I never watch, such as the shopping channels and the Spanish language channel. If I get those (and must pay for them), why can't others help me out and pay for the BTN. They might fight out they like it.

I have recently called my local Comcast company and downgraded my package deal that I had with them. Just to show that I refuse to pay extra for anything. Want to Say Thank You for ABC this week showing Michigan games on Local Channels

If Comcast can afford to make an offer to buy DisneyWorld they charging way to much for cable already. Comcast has commercials that show what they doing for the community, but all your doing is taking it from my pocket and putting into these organization. Then they get all the accolades for what your doing with "our" money. I'm am forced to pay for channels I don't watch, so let someone else pay for the channel I want. In some commercials they say how AT&T is always talking about Comcast, but I have never seen one. It's always them talking about AT&T. So I checked them out since Comcast seemed so threatened by them. As soon as AT&T make High Speed internet available in my area I'm switching. Plus I'll get the BTN. Comcast says in bad weather the dish gets bad reception, but I get frozen pictures on half the channels with cable a couple times a month. Comcast is out of control.

It's hard for me to see so many people blame Comcast for this. This is NOT Comcast's fault.

Comcast attempted to carry the BTN, they even attempted to carry it according to the crazy set up that FOX and the BTN offered - at 1.10 per customer, regardless of the customer's desire (more than any other station on cable with the exception of ESPN1 - more than NBC, Comedy Central, or Discovery, all of whom have a HUGELY greater viewership).

However, instead of just going ahead and charging everyone, they did some research and found out that only about 15% of their customer base would choose to pay extra for the BTN. Given that, why on earth would they charge 85% of their customers extra for something they don't want? Should they throw the Playboy channel or the AZN Broadcasting network on there too?

Instead, they offered the correct solution: to have the BTN offered on a sports and entertainment tier, one that consumers could CHOOSE to pay for. However, that wasn't good enough for the greedy folks over at FOX who own the BTN. They figured that they would be better off keeping the BTN from the fans, there-by forcing cable TV subscribers to change their provider to DirecTV who, by the way, FOX is a majority share-holder in.

Don't be duped by FOX again, folks. Comcast tried to make this available to the fans, but that's not FOX's real intent. They have no interest in the fans, just thier money.

Seriously Fanatic #5 do you understand this is about money on both sides. What gets me even more is that Comcast is even trying to defend themselves.

Look at Comcast's defense, saying that a) They don't want to charge you for a channel you won't use. Well I pay for HSN and don't use it. In fact if you think about it you pay for every channel you get and I would imagine you don't use everyone, as I don't use every one either.

Second they are trying to say they are offering games. They as in Comcast is broadcasting games. Yeah right, try another one. Comcast isn't showing games the channels (ABC, ESPN, etc.) are showing the games, not Comcast. Comcast is a provider not a channel.

Their arguements are bogus.

And just for the record I don't like BTN either but Comcast is hitting zero for a billion lately.