Comments on: BTN to air Maryland announcement at 3 p.m. ET

By: RUDave

RUDave — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 21:08:57 +0000

Doug- as an RU fan, we have been discussing this very topic for a couple of years. The BTN is available on cable here in NJ, as well, but it probably gets about $0.10/subscriber/month from the cable provider. In normal Big Ten states, the cable providers pay over $1/subscriber, so that is potentially a lot of additional $$$. Even if the cable providers only split the difference between the 2 carriage rates, that’s a lot of $$ added to the Big Ten Network’s earnings. This argument was also the reason why Pitt would never be invited. PSU already brings the higher carriage rate for most of PA (incidentally, does not include the Philly market, which includes most of southern NJ). In that case, Pitt adds no new revenue- but Rutgers might cement the higher carriage rates for Philly, as well as NYC metro markets- which includes most of Northern NJ. While NYC itself is not a huge college FB town (and certainly divided in each allegiances, since people from all over come to NYC to live), RU is easily the #1 CFB team that is followed there (which is why the Empire State Building was lit up in red for the 2006 game vs Louisville (Pandemonium in Piscataway)- and probably will be again on Nov 29th for the same game, which will decide the BE Champions for this year.

By: Doug

Doug — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 19:46:43 +0000

I don’t get it. The BTN is already offered on the Verizon cable system in Maryland. So where’s the expansion?

By: T.J.

T.J. — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 19:32:56 +0000

It’s about $$$$$ and the tremendous, I mean tremendous, Baltimore/DC market that the B1G now captures. You really have no idea what the B1G is getting in that market. This was a no-brainer decision.

By: lindabeezie

lindabeezie — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 17:46:21 +0000

With this many teams in the Big Ten, we should create another division to add to the Leaders and Legends Divisions. Let’s call it…the Losers Division, and Maryland can be its flagship team. Horrendous decision, Big Ten. The SEC is REALLY laughing at us now. Just goes to show that the almighty dollar is king.

By: Deb

Deb — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 17:37:59 +0000

I’m a Terp alum and my child a former Buckeye student athlete NOW life gets fun (tired of Buckeye shidagy all over my life haha)…when are the Buckeyes coming to town?? College Park will be shut down for sure!!! hahaha

By: Bill

Bill — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 17:19:35 +0000

Great news! Maryland will be a great addition.

By: Reid Denker

Reid Denker — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 17:15:40 +0000

A money grabbing decision. Yeah it will bring in more money but at what cost to the brand that is the big ten? And with Rutgers probably joining tomorrow, 14 teams?! Adding Nebraska was a no brainer, but with these two new teams opponents will now go years without facing each other. I like the Big Ten Network but to make huge decisions like this simply because they want more money from their tv channel is ridiculous.