Would you pay for a Big East TV network?

[jkwuc89]

The current "controversy" here in Columbus is the emergence of the Big 10 network and its exclusive coverage of several Ohio State football games. The issue is that the big time cable operators to date have refused to add this network to their standard channel lineup. Instead, they have offered to add this network to their digital tiers or to their sports tiers, both of which cost extra per month.

The NFL Network and its exclusive coverage of several games during the year set us on the course where fans will now need to pay extra to watch regular season games on TV. The Big 10 network follows the same model as the NFL network and I think it continues a potentially fan-unfriendly precedent for other conferences.

The question for UC fans is this. If the Big East were to go down this path and introduce its own network and this network were the only place to watch several UC basketball and football games, would you be willing to pay for it?

[qsilvr2531]

No, but I'm not even willing to pay for cable as it is.

[JerseySean]

I'll pay to see my Bearcats on any network, anytime, anywhere, period. I'd love a BE Network if it guaranteed a certain number of Bearcat games every season...

[Lobot]

The current "controversy" here in Columbus is the emergence of the Big 10 network and its exclusive coverage of several Ohio State football games. The issue is that the big time cable operators to date have refused to add this network to their standard channel lineup. Instead, they have offered to add this network to their digital tiers or to their sports tiers, both of which cost extra per month.

The NFL Network and its exclusive coverage of several games during the year set us on the course where fans will now need to pay extra to watch regular season games on TV. The Big 10 network follows the same model as the NFL network and I think it continues a potentially fan-unfriendly precedent for other conferences.

The question for UC fans is this. If the Big East were to go down this path and introduce its own network and this network were the only place to watch several UC basketball and football games, would you be willing to pay for it?


I would have to say yes becuase I'm so far away from local TV. You're only going to get so many UC games on ESPN or ESPN360. I spend my Saturdays listening to internet radio half the time.

[Big B]

I would and I do currently pay for the extra sports channels with Directtv. They are nice to have and sometimes when games aren't televised locally you can find them in other markets.

[Irishbearcat]

I'm just hoping TWC gets the espnu and espn2hd soon. Those guys dropped the ball big time last year.

[red_n_black_attack]

I would not get the B-East Network.

A B-East network would probably survive if it existed. The B-East has a lot to offer in terms of student-athletics from the major sports down. However...
Nick - I'm with you, no cable, dish or direct tv in my house. I'd rather live my life than watch tv, much less pay to watch tv. Besides going to the games is much more fun and I can listen to the radio when they're away.

With respect to the Big 10 (plus 1) Network - it would be unfair of the cable companies to cave in and charge subscribers an extra buck a month in the basic package. If that network is desired by people, it should be a tier where it is requested and reaching those who ask for it. The same goes for epsnU and the 30 other espn channels coming soon.

[JerseySean]

Just because one would pay to watch the Bearcats does not mean that they wouldn't rather live their life... We're all very proud of the fact that you don't pay for TV. That has little bearing on how much others live their lives...

[daaphearthrob]

I would totally pay for a subscription to the "big east channel". Right now I have direct tv and get the sports package (ESPNU, CSTV, almost all of the CSN and FSN regional networks, SNY, MSG, etc.) and would love another channel to see my Cats.

Last year I saw about 2/3's of the season even though we were only televised nationally 3 times.

I will say that it sucks having to listen to the other teams announcers... but i just try to imagine Chuck Machock's voice and with a few beers it works out just fine.