Wow.. Time Warner throws out an offer to Ohio State

Re:Wow.. Time Warner throws out an offer to Ohio State (terryfoster)

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 00:17:06 GMT

Franch Dressing

Sucks here in Colorado. The comcast agreement is on a state by state basis - so we won't get the Big Ten Network. I have looked into Direct TV, but I can't get Altitude (Nuggets/Avalanche) without getting the most expensive package. I already get the NBA league pass for the Pistons, but I also want to watch the local teams and the pass won't show area games!

This is so frustrating!

I might be relegated to going to the in-laws house to watch!

Regional Sports Networks like Altitude are included in the base package (Choice or better) for DirecTV dependent on your location. So check out the link below and enter your zipcode to see what RSNs are included in your area.

DirecTV RSNs

Re:Wow.. Time Warner throws out an offer to Ohio State (UMWingedHelmet)

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 23:21:56 GMT

zaco

section43row50

time warner isnt really here in michigan are they? its Charter and Comcast correct? i actually do kinda feel bad for the fans of OSU, because i was there last year. it really puts a foul taste in your mouth when you cant watch an away game.
edit: ok i just read the letter posted in this thread. its obvious they arent going to reach a deal with time warner and they are looking out with osu fans by telling them to go elsewhere. i dont know why Michigan fans were mentioned in it though, its kind irrelevant.

yeah thats why all the news articles regarding the talks come out of ohio because thats where TWC has their biggest area, it's mostly affecting buckeye fans, but i think also wisconsin and iowa fans as well. But there are plenty of michigan fans in the TWC area of ohio and beyond, and plenty of football fans who wouldnt mind being able to watch the buckeyes in hopes of catching that big upset from YSU (haha)

.....and it affects us Michigan fans living in Ohio!! It sucks!!

Re:Wow.. Time Warner throws out an offer to Ohio State (wolverines1again)

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 22:33:46 GMT

section43row50

Franch Dressing

Sucks here in Colorado. The comcast agreement is on a state by state basis - so we won't get the Big Ten Network. I have looked into Direct TV, but I can't get Altitude (Nuggets/Avalanche) without getting the most expensive package. I already get the NBA league pass for the Pistons, but I also want to watch the local teams and the pass won't show area games!

This is so frustrating!

I might be relegated to going to the in-laws house to watch!

call back and ask again.

I had somebody tell me this here in MA, and it's untrue. You need to call back, and tell them that is is available. I had to pay for the "sports and entertainment" package - an extra $7/month (nothing, really).

The bottom line is that Comcast doesn't even know what the heck is going on. I had to call and speak with 3 different people in order to get it. If it's on your cable box somewhere, it's available. For me, it was channel 235 - I just had to tell them "no, I'm looking at the BTN right now on my TV, it is available, and I want to get it." It's a headache, but you'll eventually get it.

Re:Wow.. Time Warner throws out an offer to Ohio State (zaco)

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 22:05:47 GMT

section43row50

time warner isnt really here in michigan are they? its Charter and Comcast correct? i actually do kinda feel bad for the fans of OSU, because i was there last year. it really puts a foul taste in your mouth when you cant watch an away game.
edit: ok i just read the letter posted in this thread. its obvious they arent going to reach a deal with time warner and they are looking out with osu fans by telling them to go elsewhere. i dont know why Michigan fans were mentioned in it though, its kind irrelevant.

yeah thats why all the news articles regarding the talks come out of ohio because thats where TWC has their biggest area, it's mostly affecting buckeye fans, but i think also wisconsin and iowa fans as well. But there are plenty of michigan fans in the TWC area of ohio and beyond, and plenty of football fans who wouldnt mind being able to watch the buckeyes in hopes of catching that big upset from YSU (haha)

Re:Wow.. Time Warner throws out an offer to Ohio State (DownInFront417)

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 22:04:22 GMT

Franch Dressing

Sucks here in Colorado. The comcast agreement is on a state by state basis - so we won't get the Big Ten Network. I have looked into Direct TV, but I can't get Altitude (Nuggets/Avalanche) without getting the most expensive package. I already get the NBA league pass for the Pistons, but I also want to watch the local teams and the pass won't show area games!

This is so frustrating!

I might be relegated to going to the in-laws house to watch!

call back and ask again.

Re:Wow.. Time Warner throws out an offer to Ohio State (DownInFront417)

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 21:54:10 GMT

time warner isnt really here in michigan are they? its Charter and Comcast correct? i actually do kinda feel bad for the fans of OSU, because i was there last year. it really puts a foul taste in your mouth when you cant watch an away game.
edit: ok i just read the letter posted in this thread. its obvious they arent going to reach a deal with time warner and they are looking out with osu fans by telling them to go elsewhere. i dont know why Michigan fans were mentioned in it though, its kind irrelevant.

Re:Wow.. Time Warner throws out an offer to Ohio State (eckzow)

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 21:48:18 GMT

Franch Dressing

Sucks here in Colorado. The comcast agreement is on a state by state basis - so we won't get the Big Ten Network.

Really? When I called them they said they were launching here (CO) on Aug. 26, and to call back on or after that date...

Re:Wow.. Time Warner throws out an offer to Ohio State (zaco)

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:28:21 GMT

A few hours later, the Big Ten Network released a statement in which it called Time Warner'soffer a "publicity stunt."
"Time Warner is well aware that it cannot selectively choose to air a network's programming inlieu of full carriage," the statement read.
The network criticized Time Warner for not making Big Ten programming available to itscustomers.
"What proposals have recently been exchanged, there is a wide gap between what Time Warner andits competitors would seem to agree is reasonable and fair," the statement read.

Re:Wow.. Time Warner throws out an offer to Ohio State (LachetaGoBlue)

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:12:40 GMT

The whole notion that games aren't broadcast on local channels in every state that has a major college program is quite silly. I mean here in Nashville I have to channel surf around Ole Miss vs. Vandy. I think UT has only two games that aren't broadcast without getting ESPN game plan, but with BTN its a little different I suppose theres no reason that every cable and sat provider shouldn't pick it up and offer it to people. It's the same junk with the NFL network that people go through. These folks really can't make an argument from denying 10s of 1000's of people who want to watch a sporting event , I guess we all can't sell our souls to the Devil for an NBC contract like some university.

Re:Wow.. Time Warner throws out an offer to Ohio State (Franch Dressing)

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:07:46 GMT

Sucks here in Colorado. The comcast agreement is on a state by state basis - so we won't get the Big Ten Network. I have looked into Direct TV, but I can't get Altitude (Nuggets/Avalanche) without getting the most expensive package. I already get the NBA league pass for the Pistons, but I also want to watch the local teams and the pass won't show area games!

This is so frustrating!

I might be relegated to going to the in-laws house to watch!

Re:Wow.. Time Warner throws out an offer to Ohio State (AVBucks2521)

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 17:57:55 GMT

Copy of the letter sent to OSU students...

http://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/fls/17300/graphics/athletics/082008-BTN-Gene-Letter.jpg

(don't know why I can't get it to actual size)

Re:Wow.. Time Warner throws out an offer to Ohio State (zaco)

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 17:48:13 GMT

LachetaGoBlue

I'll just relax and enjoy my DirecTV and free Big Ten Network. Comcast just picked up Big Ten Network as well.

I'd enjoy my DirecTV too... except the idiots who came up with their system made it so the sattelite has to be facing a certain direction meaning anyone with a balcony that faces the opposite direction can't have it. Total discrimination against north-facing balcony havers.

Re:Wow.. Time Warner throws out an offer to Ohio State (LachetaGoBlue)

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 17:42:43 GMT

I'll just relax and enjoy my DirecTV and free Big Ten Network. Comcast just picked up Big Ten Network as well.

Wow.. Time Warner throws out an offer to Ohio State (zaco)

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 17:40:41 GMT

Not sure if you all read, but to sum it up, OSU AD sent a letter out to OSU fans urging them to switch to another cable provider from time warner in order to make sure they don't miss a game. (not really worthy of reporting here but this next part just may be)

Well Time Warner responded and sent a letter to Smith.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Time Warner Cable extended an offer Friday to show Ohio State football games scheduled forbroadcast on the Big Ten Network.The offer was extended in a letter from Time Warner to Ohio State Athletic Director GeneSmith.
The letter came a day after Smith sent a letter to Buckeye fans urging them to dump Time Warnerfor another cable or satellite provider. The university is unhappy with Time Warner'sinability to strike a deal with the Big Ten Network to show Buckeye football games.
DISCUSS:Who's At Fault For The Cable Dispute?| ONLINE EXTRA:Read Gene Smith's Letter |Ohio State FootballSchedule
"Time Warner's decision not to carry the network is a huge disappointment," Smith wrote.
The Big Ten Network will carry at least two of the Buckeyes' first five games, including theseason opener against Youngstown State on Aug. 30 and the Sept. 20 game against Troy. In addition,the network will broadcast one of Ohio State's Big Ten Conference games. That game has yet to beannounced.
In a letter to Smith on Friday, Time Warner Cable Executive Vice President Terry O' Connellwrote that Time Warner would like nothing more than to ensure that all customers have access toeach of Ohio State's football games.
"(I was) shocked to see your letter in which you falsely state that Time Warner cable made a'decision not to carry the network' while we were actually hard at work trying to reach a dealbefore the Buckeyes' first game," O'Connell wrote.
O'Connell extended an offer that would show Ohio State football games carried on the Big TenNetwork. As part of the deal, customers would be charged on a per-game basis, but Time Warnerwould not keep any revenue made from the games.
"Time Warner Cable is committed to reaching a reasonable and fair deal," O'Connell wrote. "Inaddition, in the interest of all our customers, Buckeye fans and others alike, while we continueour negotiations, we are willing to offer the Ohio State football games carried on the Big TenNetwork to our customers on a per-game basis, at a retail price set by you, with 100 percent of therevenue going to you. To ensure that our customers can see these games for the lowest possibleprice, we will not keep one penny of the revenue generated from the sale of these games."
O'Connell also wrote that Time Warner would supply a converter box with pay-per-view capability,free of charge, to any interested customer who does not have the necessary equipment.
"Now the decision is in Ohio State's hands," O'Connell wrote. "We look forward to your immediateresponse."
Smith responded to the letter on Friday afternoon, saying that he had forwarded the offer to BigTen Network executives in Chicago.
"You can expect a response from the network in the near future," Smith wrote.

What do you all think? Is this a temporary solution? Why wouldn't OSU or any school jump on this offer? "at a retail price set by you" I bet any real fan of the game of football would pay 3.99 to view a game (the price of a pay per view movie) I bet the real fans would pay 5 to 10 (At least I would) But the schools don't need the money so why not stick it to TWC and charge $1 for the games just to prove a point that they should be shown.

I know it's their way of saying "we are trying our hardest to bring you the network and it's the big 10's fault it's not happening, here's an alternative offer we are willing to give but will cause your fans to pay more which is not our agenda" but you know what they say "something is better than nothing" If OSU accepts, TWC would have to offer it to all the other B10 schools and in all of their cable areas you'd think.

I'll keep my eyes out for a Big 10 response.