Big Ten Network, the cash cow that continues to be a huge success story for the Big Ten Conference and the Fox Sports Media Group, has some news to crow about.
It says February was its highest rated-month in primetime. Men’s basketball grew 33% in February 2013 from a year ago. And the Hockey City Classic, the outdoor college hockey game at Wrigley Field in Chicago, gave BTN its highest-rated hockey event ever. Some good news as the Big Ten prepares to launch hockey next season.
Here’s the blurb from Big Ten Network.
February Primetime Ratings are BTN’s Highest Ever, Up 20 Percent Over February 2012
Basketball continues to fuel growth; Hockey City Classic most-watched hockey game ever on BTN
CHICAGO – As BTN prepares to air the first of four games in the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament at noon ET today, the network is celebrating another ratings record.
February 2013 was BTN’s highest-rated month ever in primetime, according to Nielsen metered market data,* up 20 percent over February 2012 and surpassing January’s record ratings.
Fueling the growth was a 33 percent increase in Big Ten Men’s Conference Basketball in February 2013 versus February 2012, with a .88 HH rating versus a .66 rating in BTN’s metered markets.
Also contributing to the growth were significant ratings increases for BTN’s signature series, The Journey: Big Ten Basketball 2013, as well as the Hockey City Classic at Soldier Field, the most-watched hockey game on BTN. Wisconsin defeated Minnesota, then ranked No. 2 in the nation, 3-2.
*Source: Nielsen Arianna Overnights. Metered Markets: Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Detroit, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis 6P-Midnight, Mon-Sun
That is all.
