The Big Ten Network: Hurting B10, Michigan?

[illinoisblue]

I want to address this issue on a couple of fronts. Firstly, ever since the launch of the Big Ten Network a couple years ago, it seems as if ESPN has been on a huge crusade against the conference. The RPI rates the B10 as the no.2 basketball conference, yet all ESPN can talk about endlessly is the ACC and the Big East. That was never the case in previous years as ESPN used to showcase the B10 a lot. As for football, we have to endure the likes of Mark May and Pat Forde badmouthing the B10 constantly, even before the season begins. What ESPN has essentially done is portray the conference in a bad light, perpetrating myths about the slowness of the B10, etc. This negative publicity from such a powerhouse sports network like ESPN, I believe, has terribly damaged the credibilty and reputation of the B10, particularly in the eyes of football and basketball recruits who DON'T have the B10 Network in their homes. Has this adversely affected the recruiting efforts of B10 schools such as Michigan? I say yes.
Secondly, B10 football used to be showcased on ESPN and its affiliate ABC for so many years. Wherever you were in the country, there was never a problem being able to watch a B10 football game, especially one involving Michigan. The conference was always in the national spotlight on football Saturdays. But that's no longer the case anymore as ESPN and ABC are naturally giving more air-time to other conferences like the ACC, B12, and the Big East. Here in Chicago, I couldn't recall watching so many ACC and B12 games as I did this past season. Instead of Michigan-Minnesota on ABC at 3:30, it was Florida State-NC State! This lack of national exposure cannot be good for recruiting either, particularly when recruits don't have access to the B10 Network, and may explain why Craig Drummond, a blue chip DL from Chicago, chooses Ole Miss over Illinois.
In conclusion, the B10 might have shot themselves in the foot by saying good-bye to ESPN-ABC.

[tpilews]

I think the under exposure of the big10 has more to do with the fact that the big10 has been way down the last few years. The big 10 has been getting stomped in the rose bowl for a while now. The MNC, same deal. As soon as the big 10 starts winning more as a conference, they'll be in the spotlight again.

[illinoisblue]

What we need to ask ourselves is this: How many young kids out there are watching the Big Ten Network?

[illinoisblue]

I think the under exposure of the big10 has more to do with the fact that the big10 has been way down the last few years.

I disagree with that. Even when the conference was 'way down' earlier this decade, early 1990's, and much of the 1980's, it still received the lion's share of television exposure via ESPN, ABC, and CBS (1980's). The reason the B10 doesn't get as much exposure anymore is NOT because it's down, but because an obscure network (channel 256 here in Chicago, LOL!) gets the bulk of its football games. You tell me, how many kids are watching channel 256 on a Saturday afternoon in the fall?

[StevieBrownforHeisman]

No offense but I think this thread is dumb. Any major program has all of their games televised so the fans can watch it. Big 12 teams play on FSN which is only a small step above BTN. All of the premier games are on ESPN or ABC.

As far as espn hating the B10, I don't buy it. Maybe if OSU stops getting the shit beat out of them OOC then they wont have so many bad things to say.

[illinoisblue]

No offense but I think this thread is dumb. Any major program has all of their games televised so the fans can watch it. Big 12 teams play on FSN which is only a small step above BTN. All of the premier games are on ESPN or ABC.

As far as espn hating the B10, I don't buy it. Maybe if OSU stops getting the shit beat out of them OOC then they wont have so many bad things to say.

There used to be a time when half the B10 games were on ESPN and/or ABC. That's much more national exposure than the Big Ten Network, aka Channel 256! As for ESPN hating on the B10, I noticed a shift in their attitude the moment the B10 kissed them good-bye.

[BBA1994]

There used to be a time when half the B10 games were on ESPN and/or ABC. That's much more national exposure than the Big Ten Network, aka Channel 256! As for ESPN hating on the B10, I noticed a shift in their attitude the moment the B10 kissed them good-bye.

Doesn't sound as much that you're looking for a discussion as much as you are looking for an argument which it doesn't appear as if anyone wants to get into it with you.

[bighousemike84]

I think the under exposure of the big10 has more to do with the fact that the big10 has been way down the last few years. The big 10 has been getting stomped in the rose bowl for a while now. The MNC, same deal. As soon as the big 10 starts winning more as a conference, they'll be in the spotlight again.

I agree. ESPN is a Disney owned company and is driven solely by revenue. The B10 has done a poor job of representing itself nationally therefore ESPN has gone to other conferences and schools to get there revenue. Much like the situation Coach Rodriguez faces, winning solves everything. If the B10 can start to win the big games and win them consistently then all will be solved

[bigboyBlue]

All the worthwhile games are televised nationally. The BTN is simply an oppurtunity to watch those obscure NW-Indiana type games, who cares?

[Wolvrin704]

No offense but I think this thread is dumb. Any major program has all of their games televised so the fans can watch it. Big 12 teams play on FSN which is only a small step above BTN. All of the premier games are on ESPN or ABC.

As far as espn hating the B10, I don't buy it. Maybe if OSU stops getting the shit beat out of them OOC then they wont have so many bad things to say.

I agree, all the big games I want to watch are still on the major networks. Its only games like UM vs Toledo that end up on B10. I do concede that ESPN hates on the B10, but allot of the critisism is well-deserved.

[bighousemike84]

I agree, all the big games I want to watch are still on the major networks. Its only games like UM vs Toledo that end up on B10. I do concede that ESPN hates on the B10, but allot of the critisism is well-deserved.

If you live in Ohio or Michigan sure the games will almost always be on ESPN, ABC or B10 but what about Texas or Florida or California. At one time not too long ago M was such a national power that they got that kind of exposure. Now they dont.

Some of it is because of the 85 scholy rule. It has spread the talent around to create a lot more talented teams that where not that talented 10 years ago. I think Michigans lack of scheduling teams like Florida, LSU, Texas, etc also effects the exposure of the program. Also, what if M where to play more night games? The only night games they play are away. If they where to have even one home night game they have a better chance of drawing ESPN or ABC in to give them that Marquee saturday night spot

[tpilews]

If you live in Ohio or Michigan sure the games will almost always be on ESPN, ABC or B10 but what about Texas or Florida or California. At one time not too long ago M was such a national power that they got that kind of exposure. Now they dont.


I had no problem seeing every UM game last year down here in Fla. I even have Big10 network. UM is always going to have a lot of their games on espn/abc because their fan base is huge.

[illinoisblue]

All the worthwhile games are televised nationally. The BTN is simply an oppurtunity to watch those obscure NW-Indiana type games, who cares?


That's going to change. With each passing year, the B10 Network has aired more football games. Eventually, they will air the big, worthwhile B10 games, not ESPN or ABC. The B10 Network, which is half-owned by FOX, just reported a $70 million profit for the last quarter. What do you think they'll do with all that money? Stand idly by while watching Disney air the important B10 games? They'll swallow the whole B10 slate whole and the entire nation will have to turn to Chanel 256 to watch all the B10 games!

[tpilews]

That's going to change. With each passing year, the B10 Network has aired more football games. Eventually, they will air the big, worthwhile B10 games, not ESPN or ABC. The B10 Network, which is half-owned by FOX, just reported a $70 million profit for the last quarter. What do you think they'll do with all that money? Stand idly by while watching Disney air the important B10 games? They'll swallow the whole B10 slate whole and the entire nation will have to turn to Chanel 256 to watch all the B10 games!

Who cares if we have to tune to ch. 294 to watch the maize and blue. I'm just glad I get to see them every weekend. I'd still watch the game even if it was on channel 54278256156.