I was out earlier today and we already have some breaking news.
Early this morning, the Big Ten Network hashed out a carriage agreement with Charter Communications meaning fans in Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Northern Illinois and Ohio will be able to watch their respective schools starting this Saturday.
However, Jeff Richgels and Bill Novak of the Capital (WI) Times in Madison say it’s unclear if Charter will have the Wisconsin season opener on in time for this Saturday.
Judd Zulgad of the Minneapolis Star Tribune writes that the agreement paves the way for 300,000 subscribers in Minnesota to watch the Big Ten Network. Judd adds that while BTN and Mediacom are close to an agreement, there’s still some hashing out over which systems in the Midwest will receive the channel so this Saturday’s games may not be seen by subscribers.
By the way, we’re still awaiting official word on an official agreement with Mediacom. On Saturday, we heard that the Big Ten Network and Mediacom were close to an agreement, but nothing official from either party as of yet. I’ve contacted the Big Ten Network about this, but so far, I have yet to receive any confirmation. If I hear anything, I will definitely pass it along. But this is certainly a big contrast to last year when the big cable companies were holding steadfast in not picking up the Big Ten Network. This season, fans all over the Midwest are happy that they’ll be able to see their teams. Now let’s continue with the BTN links.
Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press says the deal with Charter allows Michigan fans in the north and western parts of the state to watch the Big Ten Network.
Mark Alesia from the Indianapolis Star reports that BTN is very close to a deal with Bright House Cable which serves 125,000 thousand subscribers in Indiana most of those in Indy and its surrounding areas.
Don Walker of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Business of Sports blog has the channel assignments for the Big Ten Network on Time Warner Cable. And Don adds that Charter is working hard to get this Saturday’s Wiscsonin season opener on the air.
While the major cable companies are coming into the fold, the Ashland Times-Gazette of Ohio reports that Armstrong Cable has yet to pick up BTN which means residents there will not be able to see Ohio State’s opener against Youngstown State this weekend.
Moving away from the Big Ten Network, USA Today’s Michael Hiestand reports that the NFL Network is now joining the Sunday morning pregame fray by starting an early edition of NFL GameDay which would air opposite ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown.
Newsday’s Neil Best has an interesting tidbit from ESPN’s Ron Jaworski about Monday Night Football.
Mike Shields of Mediaweek reports that Sprint cell phone will able to listen to live NFL radio broadcasts this season.
CNBC’s Darren Rovell doesn’t think the LPGA’s English-only policy is a good idea.
The Big Lead reports that ESPN is trying to develop a late night talk show.
In a story that broke last night, columnist and noted blowhard Jay Mariotti suddenly resigned from the Chicago Sun-Times. This just a short two months after signing a new contract extension. Editor & Publisher looks at why Mariotti decided to leave the paper.
Jim Kirk of the Chicago Tribune gets Mariotti’s take on why he left the Sun-Times.
Writing in the Philadelphia Metro, sports talk show host Angelo Cataldi says the Philly sports media has gotten soft.
The Sports Media Watch says NBC dominated the network competition during the second week of the Olympics.
Brian Stelter of the New York Times has the final viewing figures for the Olympics on NBC.
Tim Lemke of the Washington Times says the International Olympic Committee must decide by next year if it wants to continue its 20 year relationship with NBC or go with ESPN or another party for 2014 and 2016.
Mark Berman of the Roanoke (VA) Times says MASN has filed a complaint with the FCC about Comcast for its refusal to carry the channel in the local area. In the meantime, John Eggerton of Broadcasting & Cable says the FCC has given itself another 60 days to rule in MASN’s dispute with Time Warner Cable.
Continuing on a story broken by the Sports Business Journal on Monday, Tim Hurd of the San Jose Mercury News writes that the Oakland A’s are considering a move from its current home of Comcast SportsNet Bay Area to Comcast SportsNet West where it would not be a stepchild to the San Francisco Giants.
The Philadelphia Business Journal says the local Comcast SportsNet channel will premiere a new Eagles pre-game show this season.
Jeff Wright of the Eugene (OR) Register-Guard says Comcast SportsNet Northwest has signed a deal with the University of Oregon to air football, basketball, baseball and track & field.
Arlen Schweiger of Electronic House magazine writes that ESPNU is set to premiere in HD Thursday.
Joshua Russo from the Rapid City (SD) Journal says there are plenty of options for South Dakotans to watch college and pro football this season.
CBS Sports has the broadcast schedule for the US Open starting this weekend.
That’s it for now.
