Big Ten Network-Comcast Nearing Deal

Is the Big 10 Network finally going to find a home on a major cable provider? Yes, at least according to a report from the Sports Business Journal. The news provider says sources on both sides have said the framework of the agreement is in place for Comcast to begin broadcasting the Big Ten Network or BTN.

Comcast and the Big Ten Network have been at odds over carriage from the start. Reports had the Big Ten Network demanding $1.10 per subscriber in Big Ten markets, a priced balked at by Comcast. The battle intensified this past fall as many Big Ten football games moved exclusively to the BTN, shutting out those who did not want to switch to a satellite TV provider such as Dish Network or Direct TV. The fight carried on through basketball season, as many fans who have Comcast and Time Warner have missed games broadcast on BTN.
While there will be details to iron out between Comcast and the Big Ten Network, no doubt both parties will want to have things settled before the fall football season kicks off. With that still five months away, and basketball season about to kick off “March Madness,” there is not much incentive to force a deal through quickly to get the network on Comcast immediately.
Comcast has nearly 30 million subscribers nationwide, and nearly six million in the Big Ten area, with Chicago and Detroit being the major markets served. Previous to the potential Comcast deal being done, the BTN had access to 30 million home, primarily via the satellite providers, AT&T U-Verse and some smaller cable distributors.

No progress has been reported recently between the Big Ten Network and operator Time Warner, the other dominant cable outlet in the region.