It's Official TWC Sucks!

[RLJSlick]

UW-OSU game on Big Ten Network

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=679696

[AndrewP]

and in HD, like all games on B10.
On Dish Network and DirecTV.
U-verse?

[jeffski]

so,who will blink first...TWC or BTN? I think TWC will because this is bound to make many WI fans irate( me included):bang:  and be even MORE likely to cut the cable and go to dish or dtv.

[RLJSlick]

Yeah I think TWC will blink first also. This Badger vs Ohio game is a huge blow to them. They made a big deal about having badger games on something other then BTN on their web site. Now they have to explain 2 weeks in a row on BTN.
This is their statement on their site:

We know you love Big Ten football-that's why Time Warner Cable is talking with the Big Ten Network to come to an agreement that lets us provide sports programming to you at a fair price.

Should people who don't want the Big Ten Network have to pay for it?

One issue we're discussing is whether the Big Ten Network will be offered as a part of a separate sports package or carried on Time Warner Cable's Standard or Digital Cable Service. We think that the best place for this network is on a sports tier, so people who want this premium sports programming can choose to pay for it. This way, it would not add to the cost of your Standard Service.

Don't worry, you'll still see the biggest games.

Regardless, we'll bring you many of the most important Big Ten games on television, including: Wisconsin vs. Iowa, OSU vs. Minnesota, OSU vs. Purdue, OSU vs. Penn State, Penn State vs. Wisconsin and OSU vs. Michigan State. Watch for them on ABC, ESPN and ESPN 2.  We'll also bring you games from other college conferences on NBC, CBS, ESPN Classic, Fox College Sports Atlantic/Central/Pacific*, in addition to ABC, ESPN, ESPN 2 and ESPN U.

so,who will blink first...TWC or BTN? I think TWC will because this is bound to make many WI fans irate( me included):bang:  and be even MORE likely to cut the cable and go to dish or dtv.

[gparris]

TWC actually "blinks"? :confused:

There are TWO more business days to November until the telemarketer call Gregg got about the "10+ HD channels in October" becomes an open-faced LIE.:mad:

It guess its time for TWC's telemarkers to start lying about BTN and the like coming to those that want it, too:
It's only "fair", IMO. :guitar:

[tencom]

Get your crying towels out some people aren't going to get their way

[vegasvic]

You mean the customers that were promised 10 more HD channels in October?  Gee and I thought TWC cared about their customers.

[Gadgetguy]

We all want to get the most for the least, of course, and TWC has lagged other suppliers in providing us content ... Hopefully meaningful competition from satellite and AT&T will generally drive prices down or restrain increases ...

However, BTN and many other channels, like ESPN, BRAVO, etc, despite being advertiser-supported, want to charge the cablecos to carry their signal. To me, this model is faulty. In a perfect world, I would require that advertiser-supported channels must provide their signals to cablecos for free ... and don't get me started on the OTA channels, receivable free by antenna, yet who charge cablecos to carry them ...

Since this practice seems entrenched, for now, the best approach for the cablecos, and the average cable consumer, is for cablecos to insist on some tiering of services. If a provider provides a channel of wide interest at a reasonable price, it goes into a standard tier. If a provider demands a high price for a more limited audience, it goes into an optional tier.

I hate to say I'm sympathetic with TWC on providing us the BTN, but the system is broken and someone has to take a stand.

[RLJSlick]

Well I won't go as far as saying I'm sympathetic but I can see why they want us to believe that they are holding back those channels for our benefit. I'm to the point that I don't give a damn anymore. If they want to stand on their high horse and hold back those channels (BTN, NFL Network), then go right ahead, but I'm sick of waiting, it's time for me to make my own choices just as they have made theirs.

We all want to get the most for the least, of course, and TWC has lagged other suppliers in providing us content ... Hopefully meaningful competition from satellite and AT&T will generally drive prices down or restrain increases ...

However, BTN and many other channels, like ESPN, BRAVO, etc, despite being advertiser-supported, want to charge the cablecos to carry their signal. To me, this model is faulty. In a perfect world, I would require that advertiser-supported channels must provide their signals to cablecos for free ... and don't get me started on the OTA channels, receivable free by antenna, yet who charge cablecos to carry them ...

Since this practice seems entrenched, for now, the best approach for the cablecos, and the average cable consumer, is for cablecos to insist on some tiering of services. If a provider provides a channel of wide interest at a reasonable price, it goes into a standard tier. If a provider demands a high price for a more limited audience, it goes into an optional tier.

I hate to say I'm sympathetic with TWC on providing us the BTN, but the system is broken and someone has to take a stand.

[RLJSlick]

OK I wrote TWC, again, and ripped a new ******* in them about this Big Ten Network issue, this is what I got back:

Dear Big Ten Football Fans,

Thank you for writing Time Warner Cable.

As you may know, Time Warner Cable is currently negotiating with the Big Ten Network regarding the channel's placement within our Time Warner Cable line-up.

Too often inaccuracies make their way out of the negotiating room and into the public arena, and so it is our hope to dispel any misinformation, and, with the support of an informed public, to arrive with the Big Ten Network at a fair and reasonable agreement.

Let us say first, Time Warner Cable is excited about the launch of the Big Ten Network. And why not? We share the same passion—to bring you the drama and excitement of Big Ten football! But, as with any athletic pursuit, there must be, among all players, a genuine sense of fair play.

Charging the fans
What is most disappointing in this negotiation is the fact that the Big Ten Network wants to charge cable companies (and therefore football fans) $1.10 per customer per month to bring you their programming. Other cable networks that focus exclusively on college sports, including those that provide far more games on a national basis, cost one-tenth the price. It just doesn't seem fair.

Sports for Sports Fans
And what about those who'd rather pass on the Big Ten Network? We'd like to offer the channel at a fair price to our customers who are interested, but make it optional for customers who don't want it. By offering the Big Ten Network as a part of a separate sports package, those who are interested can choose to pay for it without increasing the cost for everyone.

Even Playing Field
There's a way for all of us to win. But the playing field must be even. Know that we will continue to negotiate with the Big Ten Network. We will continue to strive for an agreement that is reasonable and fair—to the Big Ten Network, to Time Warner Cable, and to you.


Sincerely,


Consumer Contact Department
Time Warner Cable, Wisconsin

[Matt Heebner]

I am kind of curious why Directv and U-Verse and Dish all have added the BTN without extra charge to the customers, and yet TWC is making it seem that is the only reason why they will not add the channel. Year in and year out TWC hikes their rates with no real added value, but here is a channel that will add value, granted to a small group, but NOW they feel they can't pass on this to the consumer
Why can the other providers supply this channel, and still have rates that are cheaper than TWC ?? Something does not add up in this......

[Matt Heebner]

Also I say we all go to the new Mann Theater, and watch the game there....what say you Steve

I'll bring beer....:rock:

Matt

[tencom]

One reason that DIRECT TV may not be charging extra for THE BIG TEN NETWORK is because RUBERT MURDOCH principal owner of DIRECT TV is also part owner of the BTN and becase RUBERT MURDOCH is behind the FOX television network as soon as the current cable FOX NETWORK carriage contract with TWC expires, By using the must carry and the retransmission rules that U.S. conqress enacted  he can require cable companies to include the BTN   anywhere on the cable dial that he designates and charge whatever rate he chooses. Because in OTA and cable negotiations the retransmission rules give the OTAs the upper hand. So eventually the proponents of BTN will have there way.

[RLJSlick]

If you guys can get 1250 AM radio station, a rep from TWC and a rep from BTN will be on talking about the issues surrounding the BTN. Not sure what time but I heard the teaser about 8:00am!

[Steve Mann]

Also I say we all go to the new Mann Theater, and watch the game there....what say you Steve

I'll bring beer....:rock:

Matt

Oh, man! I'll have to see if I can get that past the 'boss'. I'm not sure she'll see the wisdom of the idea though.