Comcast drops the BTN network

[retsio]

I just finished a long conversation with Comcast (a big mistake) --

#1 -- As of April 10, Comcast has dropped the BTN channel from all areas outside of the Big Ten footprint
#2 -- As of May 10, Comcast will drop the BTN channel from the Big Ten footprint
#3 -- The BTN channel will not be brought back to the channel lineup.
#4 -- It has been eliminated from all accounts from lack of views.

This is the only information they are making available at this time. I guess NBC does not like FOX.

Unbelievable !

 

[harbest]

One word: Direct TV.

 

[Fox Chapel Lion II]

I hate Comcast and the Roberts family can swing on it.

 

[nits74]

I just finished a long conversation with Comcast (a big mistake) --

#1 -- As of April 10, Comcast has dropped the BTN channel from all areas outside of the Big Ten footprint
#2 -- As of May 10, Comcast will drop the BTN channel from the Big Ten footprint
#3 -- The BTN channel will not be brought back to the channel lineup.
#4 -- It has been eliminated from all accounts from lack of views.

This is the only information they are making available at this time. I guess NBC does not like FOX.

Unbelievable !

The footprint still covers a heavily populated area. But yeah, this is unfortunate for fans/alumni living outside of it.

P.S. Your subject line scared me at first.

 

[wbcincy]

The footprint still covers a heavily populated area. But yeah, this is unfortunate for fans/alumni living outside of it.

P.S. Your subject line scared me at first.

According to his #2, it's being dropped from the B1G footprint too

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

I just finished a long conversation with Comcast (a big mistake) --

#1 -- As of April 10, Comcast has dropped the BTN channel from all areas outside of the Big Ten footprint
#2 -- As of May 10, Comcast will drop the BTN channel from the Big Ten footprint
#3 -- The BTN channel will not be brought back to the channel lineup.
#4 -- It has been eliminated from all accounts from lack of views.

This is the only information they are making available at this time. I guess NBC does not like FOX.

Unbelievable !

I said a while ago that TV money gravy train is going to dry up at some point. When big cable providers start dropping you nationwide, there must be a problem. Maybe Lar or Art can chime in....

 

[ChiTownLion]

WOW.

There goes the revenue model.

 

[joeparules]

Ironically I was about to contact Comcast about ways to reduce our bill now that Verizon FIOS has come through our neighborhood and they (finally) have competition. We just finished our two year "contract" and our bill is now in the $250 dollar range (we get the premium channels too). Can someone confirm that BTN is on Verizon in the Philly area? Opinions on Verizon for those that have it?

Looks like Comcast just made up my mind.

 

[Bob78]

I just finished a long conversation with Comcast (a big mistake) --

#1 -- As of April 10, Comcast has dropped the BTN channel from all areas outside of the Big Ten footprint
#2 -- As of May 10, Comcast will drop the BTN channel from the Big Ten footprint
#3 -- The BTN channel will not be brought back to the channel lineup.
#4 -- It has been eliminated from all accounts from lack of views.

This is the only information they are making available at this time. I guess NBC does not like FOX.

Unbelievable !

Interesting point #4. Lack of views during football season, too? Those 3 months alone must bring in a ton of viewers every Saturday, and now with Friday games, Friday nights also. And basketball is pffft? Not doubting their reasons, but to drop it from the B1G footprint is a drastic measure. Guessing it's a margin thing as much as anything else. And a negotiating gambit, given customers will be pissed and the B1G loses a major outlet.

I need to look into Direct TV for State College (no Fios there) and figure out if it is worth keeping Comcast internet. Probably is, but any input from SC area people welcome.

 

[MJG-90]

According to his #2, it's being dropped from the B1G footprint too

BTN isn't mentioned on my bill. It shows a bunch of channel lineup changes, but nothing about BTN.

 

[TCFA-Nit]

I just talked to somebody in customer service. They said they didn't know anything about this.

 

[lionville]

Ironically I was about to contact Comcast about ways to reduce our bill now that Verizon FIOS has come through our neighborhood and they (finally) have competition. We just finished our two year "contract" and our bill is now in the $250 dollar range (we get the premium channels too). Can someone confirm that BTN is on Verizon in the Philly area? Opinions on Verizon for those that have it?

Looks like Comcast just made up my mind.

I can verify BTN on FIOS. Verizon is ok. It’s a pain dealing with them as any equipment issues need to be shipped as opposed to Comcast stores where you can swap equipment.

By the way, I tried to get Comcast to lower my bill with the threat of switching to Verizon. After 20+ years as a customer they basically told me to hit the road.

 

[Bob78]

Ironically I was about to contact Comcast about ways to reduce our bill now that Verizon FIOS has come through our neighborhood and they (finally) have competition. We just finished our two year "contract" and our bill is now in the $250 dollar range (we get the premium channels too). Can someone confirm that BTN is on Verizon in the Philly area? Opinions on Verizon for those that have it?

Looks like Comcast just made up my mind.

Yes, B1G is alive and well on Fios in SE PA. I prefer Fios TV to Comcast TV by a long shot anyway, but it is not available in State College.

 

[Limestone_Lion]

WOW.

There goes the revenue model.

And there goes my money to Comcast. What a load of Shit... I guess its time to cut the cord, finally. Direct TV Now has this (among others), and will be looking into this all... Is there anything to act as a DVR? I know about Tivo, but it seems very expensive

 

[BobPSU92]

I guess delany will kick rutgres out of the b1g now.

 

[Bob78]

I guess delany will kick rutgres out of the b1g now.

Maybe that is what the Bama team was praying for with Trump yesterday. I know I am.

 

[BobPSU92]

Seemingly relevant:

http://awfulannouncing.com/league-networks/comcast-blew-deal-partner-big-ten-network.html

 

[BobPSU92]

From where is Retsio getting his info?

sara ganim

 

[kijana]

I still get the BTN here in Atlanta as of last night.

 

[BobPSU92]

I still get the BTN here in Atlanta as of last night.

Did Georgia Tech suddenly join the b1g? That has to be it.

 

[bwifan]

Ugh noticed this last night living here in south florida. Went looking to see what was on BTN and could not find the channel was going to call about it today thinking it was a mistake. What screws me is my cable is included in my HOA fee. So I have to now come up with a alternative way. Would rather not subscribe to another whole provider like direct tv just for BTN. Might be time to cut the cord

 

[Glen]

I have dealt with Comcast on various customer service issues. I find them to be one of the most arrogant organizations. Even their first line contacts start with the word "no" and the rest of the organization does not move off that position even if it means loss of business.

 

[Vermilion]

Actually, every six months or so I call Comcast surrounding my "bundled" services (phone, internet, cable t.v.) and they always lower my rate $20-$30 per call when I question the costs of each service. They always seem to have some sort of "special promotion" that allows me to save some money....

 

[BBrown]

The footprint still covers a heavily populated area. But yeah, this is unfortunate for fans/alumni living outside of it.

P.S. Your subject line scared me at first.

Not according to his #2

 

[BBrown]

I just talked to somebody in customer service. They said they didn't know anything about this.

Thats pretty typical of Comcast.

 

[bwifan]

Could Comcast be doing this to get better terms and looking to negotiate over the summer to bring BTN back right before football season? I would imagine viewershipis down in spring and summer months so start talks now?

 

[MJG-90]

Calm down folks. I just discussed with a Comcast sales rep I happen to know quite well. He said, off the record, people in PA "may" see BTN moved to a different tier. But it's not going away. And even the move to a different tier is not a done deal.

I have a close family member high up in the Xfinity world. I'll try to get more info from him in the next few days. I'll provide updates as I get them.

 

[anon_1eeb2b426hv3y]

WOW.

There goes the revenue model.

Rutgers = hosed! By the time they finally get rolling in sharing all that big money, ...

And I’m a Verizon FIOS guy living in Comcast country. Comcast’s service was just too awful.

 

[Agoodnap]

Here are my hints on keeping cable somewhat under control. Assuming you have a spouse or some other life partner, make sure that any contract is in ONE name only. These companies love new customers and treat existing customers like pariah. So, when your contract is up and you shop around you'll be able to get the latest "new" customer deals from your existing service provider by cancelling your current service and signing up for new service under the other persons name.

Then, assuming you don't need multiple DVR's, get a Roku device for each additional TV. You'll only need need box to rent, and the Roku's cost about $50 each so the payback is usually 2 - 4 months per device depending on the service provider.

If you have a land line through the same service provide you may need to fight to keep the same phone number when changing cancelling service and taking out new service, but it's worth the fight or better yet, get rid of the land line...you don't need it.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Looks like this was announced in February (buried on the last page of Comcast bills). Here is a thread about it from the Comcast forums:

http://forums.xfinity.com/t5/Channels-and-Programming/Removing-big-ten-network/td-p/3054586

 

[psuro]

Did Georgia Tech suddenly join the b1g? That has to be it.

No. Spellman College.

 

[retsio]

From where is Retsio getting his info?

I know it was already removed in Florida (and I assume other non-BigTen states.... but had not heard about a pending removal in the BigTen area - - - - at least as of today

I grew up in Abington, after Penn State, lived in Chester County and now we live in Naples, FL.... about to pay the bill this morning and noticed several channels are dropped. Looked at the channel lineup online and on TV, no BTN channel, then called Comcast about this. This is not an oversight, unfortunately. (At one time, Comcast had 25,000 operators outside the USA in the Philippines answering phone lines, now being brought to the US.)

I am about to phone the Phila. Corp office for an EA (again), they know me by now since over 35+ years I have complained many times... and I will again and ask again -- why? The only thing I can suggest is call the Phila corporate office and ask for an Executive Assistant -- complain and make sure they know our displeasure.

 

[PS4814]

Calm down folks. He said, off the record, people in PA "may" see BTN moved to a different tier. But it's not going away. And even the move to a different tier is not a done deal.

I don't have Comcast so I have no skin in the game - but this sounds more likely of a scenario than them dropping it altogether. Move it to another "tier" charge you more to view it etc.

As an aside PSVue, Hulu, YouTubeTV, DirecTV Now all have the BTN available

 

[BobPSU92]

No. Spellman College.

Please don't tell me they're in the b1g east.

 

[psuro]

Please don't tell me they're in the b1g east.

Michigan will now have to play for 4th place in the division.

 

[Limestone_Lion]

Weird. Comcast just called me about free upgrades and I asked them about the BTN. The lady said she has not heard of them removing the BTN. I told her if they do, they will lose a customer.

 

[tboyer]

I just finished a long conversation with Comcast (a big mistake) --

#1 -- As of April 10, Comcast has dropped the BTN channel from all areas outside of the Big Ten footprint
#2 -- As of May 10, Comcast will drop the BTN channel from the Big Ten footprint
#3 -- The BTN channel will not be brought back to the channel lineup.
#4 -- It has been eliminated from all accounts from lack of views.

This is the only information they are making available at this time. I guess NBC does not like FOX.

Unbelievable !

I kind of doubt it. Where did you get this info? Just from a Comcast customer rep?

If this were happening it would be from Comcast and BTN reaching impasse. There would be a lot of negotiations and threats back and forth before the actual cutoff took place. There would be a good bit of news coverage. It wouldn't happen quietly.

I think it's likely you just have a rep blowing smoke, trying to explain why BTN isn't on the Comcast basic tier. But it's never been on the basic tier. Sports channels are only on the extended tier.

I do think in the long run it probably makes sense for Comcast to reorganize the way they offer cable and go in the direction of a la carte. the way they will do that is to strip "extended basic" down to a barebones cable and then people can add in back what they want.

But this will be a very gradual process taking years and there will be lot of public notice and fanfare about it.

 

[tboyer]

Here's the comcast channel lineup. I don't see any change with regard to BTN. It's never been on the "starter" tier. I think this is much ado about nothing.

https://www.xfinity.com/learn/channel-lineup

 

[retsio]

I kind of doubt it. Where did you get this info? Just from a Comcast customer rep?

If this were happening it would be from Comcast and BTN reaching impasse. There would be a lot of negotiations and threats back and forth before the actual cutoff took place. There would be a good bit of news coverage. It wouldn't happen quietly.

I think it's likely you just have a rep blowing smoke, trying to explain why BTN isn't on the Comcast basic tier. But it's never been on the basic tier. Sports channels are only on the extended tier.
But this will be a very gradual process taking years and there will be lot of public notice and fanfare about it.

Think whatever you may like......but this was explained in a previous post. Take a look at your cable channel lineup and you will not find the BTN channel. Call Phila if you do not believe, talk to an EA and find out.

 

[bwifan]

Here's the comcast channel lineup. I don't see any change with regard to BTN. It's never been on the "starter" tier. I think this is much ado about nothing.

https://www.xfinity.com/learn/channel-lineup

I dont have the starter tier here in south florida and lost it yesterday. In fact paid a premium to watch BTN sporting events