The BTN Thread - BTN, Dish finally reach deal

[Dan]

A negotiation impasse between the Big Ten Network and Dish Network could prevent the satellite company's customers from watching college football's opening weekend this Saturday on BTN.

"Dish's current agreement to distribute (BTN) expires August 31, this Friday," said Elizabeth Conlisk, the BTN's vice president of communications and university relations. "At this point, we're pretty far apart. It looks like Dish could stop carrying BTN."

http://thegazette.com/2012/08/26/btn...l-ends-aug-31/

[rrhafley]

WOW, thanks Dish! Does Direct-TV carry BTN?

[nicksmith4three]

Ugh, I already can't watch Breaking Bad because of DISH, now if this happens...

[Groundhogday]

Originally Posted by rrhafley

WOW, thanks Dish! Does Direct-TV carry BTN?

Yes.

[HoopCity]

It is amazing how we have been railroaded on all our electronics, from television sets to the delivery of the signal. Back when the larger "C" band dishes were first introduced, nothing was scrambled. Commercials paid for everything on over the air broadcasts like local channel 3, 15, 17 etc. so the consumer paid nothing and still doesn't. Then cable / dish/ direct tv broadcasters got greedy, satellite was scrambled and you had to pay for what you watched. Then they started bundling everything, to watch just one certain channel you had to pay for 15 more that you didn't have any desire to watch !! The technology is there for pay per view on every channel, use it on all the channels, not just boxing, concerts or whatever. Most people would be better off just paying for what they watched and could pick from all thats out there. But nooooo, this would get into their profits and kill the golden goose. The wired cable tv providers, dish and direct tv are just as bad as the oil companies. What a big rip off and now they fight among themselves again about money and you know who the loser is going to be, us, the consumer again !!!

[txillini]

Calling dish now. Just got the hopper for the Olympics. Praying we don't have a new contract. I WILL switch over this. Have until the 15th- first game on BTN.

[txillini]

IT'S BEEN RESOLVED!!!! Just happened this morning apparently. Hoping to see it in news somewhere to feel 100%.

[rrhafley]

Originally Posted by Groundhogday

Yes.

Thanks GHD, so besides the already published BTN games (La Tech/Charl), I image that ESPN will pick up the PSU, OSU, and maybe the NW games and leave BTN with IU, Minny, and PU. If this is the case, I'm gonna have to switch subscribers. I just moved and upgraded....

[Dan]

Attn DISH Network customers! On Sept 1, DISH may stop carrying BTN. Let them know #IWantBTN. Follow @IWantBTN & visit http://www.iwantbtn.com

http://twitter.com/BigTenNetwork

[mdonsbach]

Will be watching VERY closely with my hand on speed dail. It's about time I get that "intro" rate again with a new carrier.

[illinidarrin]

I have DirecTV and so far no problems since the Big ten network has been on.

[mdonsbach]

Here is the little convo I had with Dish customer support:

Mason (ID: 79V): Hi, my name is Mason (ID: 79V). How may I help you?
Mason (ID: 79V): Hi Valerie, how are you doing today?
Valerie Donsbach: Hey Mason I just wanted to voice my concern over negotiations with Dish and Big Ten Network. I understand the contract runs out on August 31st. If for some reason you all are not able to come to terms I will more than likely be moving to another provider.
Mason (ID: 79V): I will be happy to assist you with your request about the details of the Big Ten Network.
Mason (ID: 79V): For security purposes, would you please verify the last four digits of the Social Security Number on the account?
Valerie Donsbach: XXXX is last for SSN
Mason (ID: 79V): Thank you for verifying.
Mason (ID: 79V): Could you please verify the work phone number?
Valerie Donsbach: XXX-XXX-XXXX should be it.
Mason (ID: 79V): Thank you for the information.
Mason (ID: 79V): I would like to inform that you will be able to watch Big Ten Network as of now.
Mason (ID: 79V): Please do not worry about that Valerie.
Valerie Donsbach: As long as DISH and BTN work things out I am fine just wanted to state my case.
Mason (ID: 79V): I understand that.
Mason (ID: 79V): Please be assured that you will not loose Big Ten Network.
Valerie Donsbach: That's all I wanted to hear . Thanks for taking the time to listen to my concern!
Mason (ID: 79V): You are welcome.
Mason (ID: 79V): Your satisfaction is more important to us Valerie.

[AHSIllini32]

Something to remember for Dish customers who may want to switch to Directv, you will also receive NFL sunday ticket for free. Promo they run about every year at this time. Couple my buddies moved in together in August of last year and got it (bastards, I moved into my house in March so no such luck).

If anyone wants to switch, PM me and I can get you my account number so you can $10/month for the first 10 months of your contract!

[Mark Seifert]

Originally Posted by nicksmith4three

Ugh, I already can't watch Breaking Bad because of DISH, now if this happens...

Yep. In years past I wouldn't have worried about this too much -- a little sabre-rattling on both sides, and a deal would get done after a couple weeks -- but the Dish/AMC situation has been quite a fiasco.

Annoying. I'm just going to hope it gets dealt with by basketball season...

[256ILLINI]

Originally Posted by nicksmith4three

Ugh, I already can't watch Breaking Bad because of DISH, now if this happens...

Yea I don't really see why anyone would go with Dish over Directv

[Thacher_H_Guild]

Originally Posted by Mark Seifert

Yep. In years past I wouldn't have worried about this too much -- a little sabre-rattling on both sides, and a deal would get done after a couple weeks -- but the Dish/AMC situation has been quite a fiasco.

Annoying. I'm just going to hope it gets dealt with by basketball season...

I think the difference is that there might be like 3 people in the country willing to pay to break their contract early to get AMC, but if they don't have this resolved soon, Dish will lose every customer they have in Columbus, Lincoln, and so forth. People really will switch providers over sports because watching them live is crucial. With Mad Men or whatever, they can wait and see it on Netflix or whatever.

A good read on the subject:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...all/index.html

[Mark Seifert]

Originally Posted by Thacher_H_Guild

I think the difference is that there might be like 3 people in the country willing to pay to break their contract early to get AMC,

Heh. I work in the comic book business, if they don't have the AMC thing worked out by Oct 14 when Walking Dead S3 hits, it's going to be huge stink (so huge that I'm betting they have it worked out by then).

You're right though -- realistically, they might miss week one, but it's a fair bet it'll be worked out by week two.

[cmore]

I don't have dish at home but I have it at work. I will absolutely switch to direct if dish doesn't carry BTN.

[ILLinhere]

This deal better get done. Dish is all I can have in my apartment according to my lease (it's only wired for dish) so if Big 10 gets dropped I will be one upset individual. The big 10 network is why I got the upgraded package!

[HoopCity]

Hope you get the programming problem resolved.

Here is a tip for all you for Saturday game time if you are not going to be there.

Have an alternative location to watch the game as Isaac will be in Illinois at this time and if it is like the last time we will have heavy sheets of rain and the small dish reception might not be available !!

[AdoptedIllini76]

Anyone else just NOW hearing about this? We aren't able to go to a lot of games this year but have DISH. Granted that not a ton of Illinois games are on BTN this year, but we do watch the channel quite a bit. Anyone else heard anything?

ETA: Sorry, Dan - Didn't see this thread!

[AdoptedIllini76]

HoopCity - Yep, we've been talking about that. Looks like it may be radio time for us on Saturday. Can't very well take a 14-month-old to a sports bar for an entire game.

[SPINCOM]

Had Dish, had Direct, switched to Comcast. Love it. Plus - I don't lose picture during thunderstorms.

[USNIlliniFan]

Verizon FiOS puts them all to shame, if you can get it where you're at.

[Dan]

The BTN has setup a twitter feed for the DISH situation-

https://twitter.com/IWantBTN