Comcast drops the BTN network

[Hugh Laurie]

Are they doing the same to the SEC and PAC 12 networks?

If true, someone needs to ask Delaney how he feels now about adding Maryland and Rutgers.

It's not even a matter of was it right to add RU and UMD since it sounds like COMCAST is dropping the BTN from ALL their platforms in ALL the DMAs they operate not only metro NYC/DC.

But in answer to your question, the adding of RU and UMD was financially the right decision at the time. The BTN rights fee the conference was scheduled to receive in 2015 was increased by $15.7M to $121.1M to account for the addition of the two newest members and those contractual right's fees increase at a rate of 3%/yr through 2032. Additionally the profitability of the network increased via the increase in advertising dollars from the new DMAs to the extent that all the legacy schools benefited financially.

But if Comcast pulls its BTN carriage everywhere which it sounds like it's doing, the advertising revenue generated through all the DMAs that Comcast operates in all goes away, and that's a HUGE problem for the network. Don't know why Comcast would do that considering they have an ownership interest in the BTN profits but maybe they're just trying to squeeze a larger profit percentage out of Fox/BiG. Time will tell.

 

[MJG-90]

https://ftw.usatoday.com/2018/04/is-comcast-dropping-the-big-ten-network-yes-and-no

 

[ChiTownLion]

@retsio broke the news before everyone else.

Too bad you're not on twitter, @retsio. You'd be famous by now.

 

[LafayetteBear]

One word: Direct TV.

This really, really sucks BALLZ. I changed over from DirecTV to Comcast because DirecTV does not carry the Pac 12 network and Comcast carried both BTN and the Pac 12 Network. Really don't want to have to pick between DirecTV and Comcast. Hope something changes between now and Labor Day.

 

[ChiTownLion]

 

[ChiTownLion]

 

[Lane]

Think Harbaugh and Meyer are going to like having a handful of their games blacked out in Florida and Texas? I predict this is resolved before September.

 

[BGJeff]

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....

I have had the same experience. We always call when their rate goes up and there has always been a promo/special package. Have been paying the $99 / mo bundled rate for years with no substantial reduction in service.

 

[ChiTownLion]

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

I mentioned the news to my FIL and he says he won't drop Comcast because of the 'push to talk' remote.

 

[psu00]

It's not even a matter of was it right to add RU and UMD since it sounds like COMCAST is dropping the BTN from ALL their platforms in ALL the DMAs they operate not only metro NYC/DC.

But in answer to your question, the adding of RU and UMD was financially the right decision at the time. The BTN rights fee the conference was scheduled to receive in 2015 was increased by $15.7M to $121.1M to account for the addition of the two newest members and those contractual right's fees increase at a rate of 3%/yr through 2032. Additionally the profitability of the network increased via the increase in advertising dollars from the new DMAs to the extent that all the legacy schools benefited financially.

But if Comcast pulls its BTN carriage everywhere which it sounds like it's doing, the advertising revenue generated through all the DMAs that Comcast operates in all goes away, and that's a HUGE problem for the network. Don't know why Comcast would do that considering they have an ownership interest in the BTN profits but maybe they're just trying to squeeze a larger profit percentage out of Fox/BiG. Time will tell.

True- it was good for the short term in getting the DC/ NYC metro areas but the long term was always the big question (in terms of cable systems operating changes etc).

 

[LafayetteBear]

I mentioned the news to my FIL and he says he won't drop Comcast because of the 'push to talk' remote.

Does he occasionally "push to talk" and swear at it?

 

[auxgym]

ESPN just started their own standalone streaming service, so I bet the pressure is on BTN to offer something similar.

Ding!

 

[rem524]

It was getting close to cord-cutting time and it sounds that time has arrived. I'm assuming Comcast won't keep BTN in Massachusetts and I'm already PO'd that they took away the ability to set DVR recordings from the phone app or web (due to legal battle with Tivo). Fubo has most of the sports networks I want to watch and it wouldn't bother me to help reduce the number of ESPN subscriptions.

 

[BobPSU92]

This really, really sucks BALLZ. I changed over from DirecTV to Comcast because DirecTV does not carry the Pac 12 network and Comcast carried both BTN and the Pac 12 Network. Really don't want to have to pick between DirecTV and Comcast. Hope something changes between now and Labor Day.

BALLS.

No more cutesy-cute z-ending fake curse words! No more "shizz"! No more "azz"! Stop it!

 

[BobPSU92]

https://ftw.usatoday.com/2018/04/is-comcast-dropping-the-big-ten-network-yes-and-no

According to this article, Comcast will continue to offer btn in all b1g states, DC, and Virginia.

 

[SheldonJoe2215]

Live in Portland, OR and jusy tried to turn on BTN.. she gone

I am in here in the outback of Hillsboro, OR and I can confirm that it is gone.

 

[UncleLar]

According to this article, Comcast will continue to offer btn in all b1g states, DC, and Virginia.

The unanswered question is "what about NYC?"

 

[UncleLar]

The unanswered question is "what about NYC?"

Answering my own question. I don't believe that Comcast serves New York City, so dropping service in New York isn't all that big a deal there.

 

[N&B4PSU]

It's gone in Florida. [I could be wrong but I suspect there are a LOT of psu fans down here.]

So am I.

I had an amazing offer from ATT and if I can save $120 a month AND watch penn state, that's good enough for me.

Comcast sux. Always has. This just made parting ways so much easier. Lost a 20 year customer.

 

[Creek Side]

Some of you guys must really enjoy the BTN to get so worked up about this. I think their programming and announcers sub par . At most, I watch a few football games and a few wrestling matches on the BTN TV broadcast a year. I have to pay an additional subscription for the wrestling so I can stream the ones I want anyhow. Let Comcast drop the BTN, cancel your sports package through them, then subscribe to BTN Plus and just stream it.

 

[Gnat91]

PsVue .Big Ten, Pac 12, SEC network and a ton of other sports channels you can subscribe to.. Virtual DVR... Everything Directv offers at about a 3rd of the price.

 

[Zenophile]

Some of you guys must really enjoy the BTN to get so worked up about this. I think their programming and announcers sub par . At most, I watch a few football games and a few wrestling matches on the BTN TV broadcast a year. I have to pay an additional subscription for the wrestling so I can stream the ones I want anyhow. Let Comcast drop the BTN, cancel your sports package through them, then subscribe to BTN Plus and just stream it.

When BTN Plus starts carrying their regular network programming (like football games), this will be the play to make.

 

[Creek Side]

When BTN Plus starts carrying their regular network programming (like football games), this will be the play to make.

So you can't stream, say a PSU football game when it's being shown on the BTN? I wasn't aware of that. If that is the case... carry on with the outrage. I was under the impression that all sports could be streamed. I stand corrected.

 

[ThePennsyOracle]

So you can't stream, say a PSU football game when it's being shown on the BTN? I wasn't aware of that. If that is the case... carry on with the outrage. I was under the impression that all sports could be streamed. I stand corrected.

Zenophile is correct.

 

[BobPSU92]

carry on with the outrage.

 

[BBrown]

According to this article, Comcast will continue to offer btn in all b1g states, DC, and Virginia.

Good to know its still on here in MD.
I still think this is either a BTN or Comcast power play and things will be miraculously resolved in August.
I have been thinking of cutting the cord for awhile and I'm much more motivated now.

 

[Woodpecker]

T1s... you for real?

T-1, T-2 ... whatever it takes.

 

[step.eng69]

x

The Comcast forum.....

 

[NittPicker]

Does Comcast carry other conference networks? If so, is their availability also being limited to the respective conference footprints?

 

[ClarkstonMark]

Does Comcast carry other conference networks? If so, is their availability also being limited to the respective conference footprints?

as of today, in MI, I still get SEC and P12 networks

 

[ChiTownLion]

 

[gogolion]

https://ftw.usatoday.com/2018/04/is-comcast-dropping-the-big-ten-network-yes-and-no

This article confirms that Comcast will keep BTN in the B1G states, plus DC and VA, but since I went through the trouble of looking at my bill in detail last night I figured I'd report what I found here. I live in Illinois and my bill mentions some channel lineup changes coming on May 10th and some other future dates, but there is no mention of BTN. So as the article states, it looks like those of us in B1G states are safe.

It's a good thing, because I was very close to cutting the cord recently so I called Comcast and got my bill knocked down from $205 to $140. That was enough to keep me as a customer. However, I had to sign on for 2 years, so if they dropped BTN I would still be stuck with them for another 23 months! I guess I would have gone to a bar to see the BTN games.

 

[PrtLng Lion]

It's gone in Florida. [I could be wrong but I suspect there are a LOT of psu fans down here.]

So am I.

I had an amazing offer from ATT and if I can save $120 a month AND watch penn state, that's good enough for me.

Comcast sux. Always has. This just made parting ways so much easier. Lost a 20 year customer.

I'm in the same boat. I'm going to find a way to watch the games. Right now I have a bundle with security, cable, and internet. So unfortunately this switchover might be a PITA but...

 

[UncleLar]

Answering my own question. I don't believe that Comcast serves New York City, so dropping service in New York isn't all that big a deal there.

 

[LemonEars]

According to this link, the BTN will still be available to those "within Big 10 States."

Thus, here in Western Pa we will continue to get BTN via Comcast. People who live in places like Boston, Atlanta, or Miami are out.

 

[Art]

If COMCAST bails in the "Big Ten States", there will be mass hysteria..... and Gentleman Jim Delaney is going to be wondering where his pants went.

Fans will certainly be pissed, but Delany and the Big Ten still have a media rights contract with the BTN and I'd be surprised if the terms of that changed. However, Fox just might decide to fold up the BTN. Wonder how the presidents of the member schools will like to watch their games on MeTV.

 

[PSU65]

True- it was good for the short term in getting the DC/ NYC metro areas but the long term was always the big question (in terms of cable systems operating changes etc).

They say they're not dropping it in DC.

 

[PSU65]

This article confirms that Comcast will keep BTN in the B1G states, plus DC and VA, but since I went through the trouble of looking at my bill in detail last night I figured I'd report what I found here. I live in Illinois and my bill mentions some channel lineup changes coming on May 10th and some other future dates, but there is no mention of BTN. So as the article states, it looks like those of us in B1G states are safe.

It's a good thing, because I was very close to cutting the cord recently so I called Comcast and got my bill knocked down from $205 to $140. That was enough to keep me as a customer. However, I had to sign on for 2 years, so if they dropped BTN I would still be stuck with them for another 23 months! I guess I would have gone to a bar to see the BTN games.

I think I'm in the same boat as you wrt Comcast. I'm just nearing the end of my 2 year "deal" where they reduced my cost down to $230 (triple play plus all the premiums). But when I last talked to them about it, they told me it's not really a contract (because I didn't sign anything) but that it was just a 2 year price deal. So I don't think you're stuck with them.

 

[Hugh Laurie]

If one does the math, even in the short-term the money was increased to the existing 12 (pre-RU and UMD schools) programs because RU and UMD were not given a full slice from the start.
$121/14 < $105/12.


As soon as they get full slices, the move is a financial negative for the existing programs.

Long-term, of course, diluting your product with RU is simply a loser all the way around (and more so if one envisions an “unbundled” delivery system moving forward).

It's true that when the new kids on the block start getting their full shares it will be at the expense of the legacy schools but the new ESPN/Fox deal will soften some of the blow. And that deal gets renegotiated in only 6 years which gives the conference an opportunity to negotiate an even better deal before all the other conferences get to renegotiate theirs.

Silverman had announced that the BTN will now be available on the Hulu and Youtube platforms I guess in anticipation of Comcast jumping ship.