Big Ten Network buzz

I don't feel I should comment on the Big Ten Network, but I thought it would be interesting to compile quotes from the media outlets in the Big Ten schools' area. By the way, for reference, Fox is a co-owner of the Big Ten Network.

"It was never our desire for negotiations to become public. We have always wanted to sit down behind closed doors and hammer out a deal. Unfortunately, it hasn't played out that way." —Marc Silverman, Big Ten Network President, from the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Press

[I'd hate for the president of a network representing 10 public universities, along with Northwestern, to be public about this. Oops, that's commentary. Back to attribution.]

"I would love to jettison Lifetime, Oxygen, etc., to a special women’s tier and not have to pay for them anymore. You could do the same with a men’s tier of Spike TV, Vs., etc. Letting subscribers have more of a choice cannot be a bad thing." —Ryan Masse, opinion columnist, Badger Herald (Univ. of Wisconsin)

"The bottom line for us is that you can't find 70 channels more important than the Big Ten Network in Iowa." —Mike Vest, media relations director, Big Ten Network, Iowa City Press-Citizen

“For the first time, fans will be missing programming and missing games. I think that may help bring us together with Comcast to negotiate. ... I think the level of angst is high (for fans). We know fans are upset and they want to see this programming.” —BTN President Silverman, Detroit Free Press

"Virtually nothing. Consumers are tired of getting expensive channels they don’t want to watch." —David Cohen, executive vice president, Comcast Corp., Detroit Free Press (the "virtually nothing" was in response to a question about viewer interest)

"I'm just disgusted with the whole thing. Everything was just fine with the local stations and ESPN airing our beloved Buckeyes. Why on earth do we need the Big Ten Network?" —an Ohio State fan's e-mail to the Columbus Dispatch

"That's why I side with Comcast. Customers who want the channel will buy the channel at probably whatever cost. The Big Ten Network, though, is trying to win the lottery when it should be asking for donations." —Tyler Wilson, assistant sports editor, The Exponent (Purdue student paper)

And the final word, for now, is this bit from Broadcast Newsroom, about how Iowa State has entered the fray, in Mediacom's mind:

"Fox is utilizing deplorable anti-competitive tactics by depriving Iowa State students, alumni and fans their football season opener on cable television. Given that Iowa State is not a member of the Big Ten Conference, Cyclone fans should not be used as pawns in the Big Ten Network negotiations. We believe that Mediacom customers, particularly Cyclone supporters, will be outraged once they become aware that they are being held hostage to the unilateral demands of Fox." —Ed Pardini, senior V.P., Mediacom North Central Division