Don’t get me wrong, the Big Ten Network is a business and therefore their goal is to make a profit. No denying that. My argument is simply that instead of controlling the entire programming, they have given the universities a decent amount of time each year for whatever they choose to show.

I think that goes along way in demonstrating the partnership that exists between the Network and the univerities, and therefore the communities. It is not solely a sports channel that belongs on a sports tier.

I understand the sentiment, but I don’t altogether buy it. Maybe I’ll have to see the community-related programming before we can argue this too thoroughly, but I find it hard to believe the heart of the matter is the Big Ten Network’s burning desire to educate and inform the public about the good deeds of the Big Ten. That’s a perfectly reasonable bonus, but let’s be real: this is about money. An extra 1.99 for every basic cable subscriber is almost sure to add up to more than whatever share of the 4.99 sports tier they’d be getting. Call me cynical, but I’m finding it hard to believe the Big Ten Network’s benevolence outweighs its desire to make a buck.

The Network is arguing, and I think they have a point, that there is a community benefit that comes along with their channel. In addition to the games, they are also offering each school 60 hours of original programming for whatever purchase they choose- highlight academic pursuits, student profiles, whatever. There is a certain university and community benefit that comes with the channel, and the people should have access to the channel on basic cable.

Not sure about Brighthouse, but here’s a bit of info on DirecTV. They charge 4.99 per month for each additional receiver. If you need 6 additional receivers, that’ll get awful pricey.

Being in Bloomington as a student, I don’t need access to the BTN until 10/13 against MSU, as that’s supposedly our first road game on the channel. I hope someone caves by then. Because this is just bad.