Dingell Concerned About Big Ten Network
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Raises Several Questions About Regional Sports Network
By Ted Hearn -- Multichannel News, 6/25/2007 3:11:00 PM
House Energy and Commerce Committee chairman John Dingell (D-Mich.) is concerned that Big Ten football and basketball games won’t be seen in Michigan until Big Ten Network inks distribution deals with Comcast and other cable companies.
“In recent weeks, I have been approached by numerous constituents, all of whom share the same complaint. They are concerned about the local availability of University of Michigan football games since none of the Michigan cable systems carry the Big Ten Network,” Dingell said in a letter Monday to Big Ten Conference commissioner James Delany.
Dingell's panel has direct oversight of the Federal Communications Commission, which has maintained a close focus on cable-operator distribution of regional sports networks.
Dingell said he was troubled that the wide availability of Big 10 sporting events was coming to an end due to BTN’s pay TV business model. He indicated that the migration to cable might not be fair if Michigan taxpayers can’t view the games of teams that they are supporting financially.
“The free broadcasts of football and basketball games might not make the most money for the conference, but they enable the taxpayer the ability to enjoy what their money has provided. College sports provide a touchstone not only for a school or alumni group, but also for an entire state and have become, over the years, a public good and part of our common culture,” Dingell’s letter said.
Dingell asked Delany to reply to some specific questions but he didn’t provide a reply deadline.
“I appreciate your answers to my questions and look forward to receiving them. I am sure Wolverine and Buckeye fans alike will appreciate your candor,” Dingell said.
Following are Dingell’s requests for information:
• What is the current status of negotiations with cable systems in the Big Ten home markets?
• Which cable systems is BTN currently negotiating with?
• Do you expect to favorably conclude those negotiations before kickoff of the college-football season?
• Sports Business Journal recently reported that the Big Ten is asking for a rate of $1.10 per household from cable systems for its content. I understand that this would make BTN the third-most-expensive cable channel. How did BTN arrive at that rate?
• Last year, all 13 of the University of Michigan's football games were available on either free, over-the-air broadcast or on cable channels generally available to all cable subscribers. How many games in the 2007 schedule will be available either over-the-air or on basic cable?
• How many games will be available over-the-air or on basic cable for the other 10 teams of the conference? I would appreciate a listing for each school.
• According to The New York Times, BTN will gross $237 million for the member schools. How will that revenue be allotted? Will any be used for academic programs? For financial aid for nonathletes? For academic research?
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