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Time Warner to offer additional Big Ten channel to digital subscribers

Mark — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:36:00 -0500

Though I haven't yet seen any of the channels appear on my cable box, Time Warner is starting to pimp its newly-sealed partnership with the Big Ten Network on its website. Initially, it didn't appear as though they would be providing anything but the main channel in standard and high-definition.

Now their website is saying that they will be offering digital cable subs "more Big Ten action" on channel 410 in Northeast Wisconsin. Whether that channel will be one of the network's "overflow" channels, another special channel or some sort of pay-per-view offering is not yet known. Other providers, including AT&T U-Verse, offer up to four alternate channels during football season so Big Ten fans can catch other conference games.

August 30th Badger game on Big Ten Network not to be shown in HD

Mark — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:38:51 -0500

Looks like Charter can take its time installing that new Big Ten Network HD equipment.

According to the Big Ten Network's website, this week's season opening game between Wisconsin and Akron will not be available in HD. The following game on September 6th will be available in high-def, however.

Sorry to burst your bubble, HD cable customers.

Charter and Big Ten Network sign a deal, may cut it close for Saturday's game

Mark — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:45:56 -0500

Cutting it a little close, aren't we?

The Capital Times in Madison reports today that Charter has signed a deal with Big Ten Network to carry its SD and HD channels throughout Wisconsin and other states. However, the timing of the deal may not leave time to get the network up in time for Saturday's Wisconsin - Akron game at 11 AM.

Carrying the network necessitates Fox delivering specalized equipment to carriers, and delivery, installation and testing of the equipment at over a dozen Charter facilities in the state is a near-Herculean task. Charter isn't expected to know until tomorrow or Friday whether Big Ten will be available in time. They are also concentrating on adding the SD channel first and foremost, with the HD feed to follow.

BTN will be found on Charter's expanded basic lineup this season, like other cable companies. Where it appears after that is not yet known. Which channel it will appear on is also unknown. Charter will not offer Big Ten's "overflow channels," which house other conference games occuring at the same time, for the foreseeable future. All Badger games scheduled on Big Ten Network will be carried locally, though, so not having overflow channels will not preclude area fans from seeing Badger games.

When we know any additional information, including channel placement and launch date, we will bring it to you.

Is Time Warner's deal to carry Big Ten Network enough to keep you from switching to another provider?

Mark — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 21:36:44 -0500

* Yes * No

Big Ten Network finally coming to Time Warner Cable [UPDATE 4]

Mark — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 19:07:42 -0500

Yes... really.

Fresh on the heels of the outlandish pay-per-view proposal they made to UW Athletics over the weekend, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's Don Walker was first to report tonight that Time Warner Cable has indeed reached a deal with Big Ten Network.

The two parties issued a joint statement on bigtennetwork.com this evening: "Time Warner Cable and the Big Ten Network announced today that they have reached an agreement-in-principle on terms of carriage for the Big Ten Network and its high-definition and video-on-demand programming on Time Warner Cable's line-ups throughout the Big Ten territory, including Ohio and Wisconsin. The pending agreement will ensure that Time Warner Cable's customers across these Big Ten states will have access to this Saturday's Big Ten college football season openers and all future Big Ten Network programming on an expanded basic level of service."

Walker further reported on the deal Monday night. As of Monday evening, Time Warner Cable Northeast Wisconsin has not issued any information on when and where the channel will be available. Realistically, the local franchise will have to add the channel by mid-week to avoid any technology snags that may occur prior to Saturday's game. This summer, Time Warner in Northeast Wisconsin has hit some snags rolling out new HD channels, as it has taken some customers a couple days to see new channels appear on the cable boxes after officially launching them.

Thanks once again to Steve for the original tip!

[UPDATE 3 - 8/25 11:14 PM -- WBAY has learned that Big Ten will appear on Time Warner channel 72, and the Journal-Sentinel confirmed it. This is the channel that opened up May 14th when Time Warner vacated a former info channel. No word yet on where the HD channel will go, but more details on the deal are expected Tuesday.]

[UPDATE 4 - 8/26 2:20 PM -- According to Don Walker at the Journal-Sentinel, the high-definition version of Big Ten will be on channel 713 for the Northeast Wisconsin division. No word yet on when those channels go live, or if any of the BTN alternate channels will be available on Time Warner.]

Green Bay now a test market for DISH Network's "eastern arc"

Mark — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:15:42 -0500

Northeast Wisconsin TV viewers who haven't been able to get DISH Network service on their property because of a bad line-of-sight to the satellite may now be able to join the satellite service.

As of August 20th, Green Bay has been one of a small handful of U.S. markets to be included in a test rollout of DISH Network's new "eastern arc" service, according to Multichannel News. The new service requires a new satellite dish (model 1000.4) and a new receiver. The new service is transmitted entirely in the MPEG-4 format, which enables higher quality at less bandwidth. All programming found on the traditional DISH Network "western arc" service will be simulcast on the eastern arc, except for some Latino programming.

For the time being, it appears that the new eastern arc service is limited to new customers in the twenty-one test markets, due to the need for new hardware.

Time Warner yanks USA HD at close of Olympics

Mark — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 20:02:16 -0500

Time Warner Cable customers who had gotten cozy with all that glorious high-def Olympics coverage -- as well as the occasional Law and Order: SVU marathon -- are going to have to get used to standard-definition again.

USA HD was removed from the cable operator's lineup today, according to several reader reports. The channel has been replaced with a screen thanking viewers for watching the Olympics. Time Warner reportedly got clearance to air the high-definition version of USA only during the Olympics.

The "channel notifications" disclaimer on their website still shows that the carriage agreement for USA, as well as other NBC Universal-owned networks, is nearly expired. Whether the channel will be re-added in future is unknown.

USA HD is still available on DirecTV, DISH Network and AT&T U-Verse.

Would you buy "pay per view" Badger football games if Time Warner offered them?

Mark — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 11:13:28 -0500

* Yes * No

Time Warner Cable attempting to offer pay per view Badger games after Big Ten talks stall

Mark — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 19:51:27 -0500

It was believed that if a deal between Big Ten Network and Time Warner Cable were going to happen, a deal should have been sealed by Friday, a little more than a week before the August 30th home opener.

Well, it doesn't appear likely that deal will happen.

In what can only be construed as a sign that talks have broken down, Time Warner Cable executive vice president Terry O'Connell sent a letter to the UW athletics department Friday, offering to carry Badger games on a "pay per view" basis, according to Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel sports writer Don Walker. A similar letter was sent to Ohio State University. They are offering to air the games and funnel 100% of the "pay per view" revenue directly to the athletic department. In addition, they offer to supply any cable customer who wishes to order the games a free converter box capable of tuning in the game. A copy of the Time Warner's letter to Ohio State is here (PDF), as is Ohio State's reply.

Big Ten Network responded, calling the offer a publicity stunt. "There they go again. Time Warner today publicly offered to air Badger football games on a pay per view basis. Time Warner is well aware that it cannot selectively choose to air a network's programming in lieu of full carriage. In addition, offering to do so to a customer base it has effectively ignored for the past year in not carrying the network is counter-productive and creates both confusion and false hope," the network's statement reads, "while proposals have recently been exchanged, there is a wide gap between what Time Warner and its other competitors would seem to agree is reasonable and fair. Somehow America's top cable operator, largest telephone company and two satellite providers have each decided to make the Big Ten Network available to their customers. There are another 230 or so similar companies, serving more than 55 million homes and seven out of every 10 folks in the eight Big Ten states, that each carry the network, too. Time Warner has already had more than 18 months to decide to offer the Big Ten Network to its customers, and in a statement Wednesday said 'we are ready to carry the network.' Fine. Then they should carry the network, and at terms comparable to the network's other agreements. Or they should tell their customers they have decided not to. Either way, Badger fans deserve to know the truth."

It has been reported that another major cable company, Mediacom, is very close to announcing a deal for Big Ten, and may announce it formally next week. Charter Communications, the other major cable company in Wisconsin, has not reached a deal either, and little information is known on the status of negotiations.

Thanks to Steve for sending in this tip!

FSN Wisconsin HD coverage irking some AT&T U-Verse customers

Mark — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:14:00 -0500

There are discussions ongoing in our forums about a recent crop of problems some AT&T U-Verse customers are having when trying to view Milwaukee Brewer games on FSN Wisconsin HD.

From what readers are saying, they are getting conflicting reports on why certain games that are broadcast in HD are not showing up on their U-Verse service.

According to the broadcast schedule on the Brewers' website, the following games are scheduled in HD for the rest of the 2008 season (as of 8/21/08):

Friday, August 22 vs Pirates
Sunday, August 24 vs Pirates
Wednesday, August 27 @ Cardinals
Friday, August 29 @ Pirates
Sunday, August 31@ Pirates
Thursday, September 4 vs Padres
Saturday, September 6 vs Padres
Monday, September 8 vs Reds
Tuesday, September 9 vs Reds
Tuesday, September 23 vs Pirates
Wednesday, September 24 vs Pirates
Thursday, September 25 vs Pirates

Are you experiencing problems seeing Milwaukee Brewers games in HD on FSN Wisconsin through U-Verse? Are you seeing the WMLW-only games on FSN Wisconsin? Visit our forum and let us know.

U-Verse customers: How long did your installation take?

Mark — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:06:43 -0500

* Less than 2 hours * 2-4 hours * 4-6 hours * 6-8 hours * More than 8 hours * More than one day!

Ohio State AD urges fans to switch from Time Warner now to get Big Ten Network in time

Mark — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:36:19 -0500

The war of words in the showdown between cable and the Big Ten Network is heating up in the days leading up to the first game of the season, this time courtesy of Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith. In a letter sent to supporters available for viewing online, Smith urges fans to switch from local cable operator Time Warner Cable now in order to ensure they get Big Ten Network before their first game on August 30th. The Wisconsin Badgers also play their first game of this season on August 30th.

"While negotiations are ongoing with Time Warner, it appears very unlikely that an agreement will be reached before the first game of the year, and anything beyond that is problematic. Therefore, we feel compelled to let Buckeye fans know that there is only one way you would be guaranteed to get the Big Ten Network in time to see us take the field against Youngstown State. And that is to call one of the providers now carrying the network in the state: DirectTV, DISH Network, AT&T, Insight, WOW, Buckeye Cablevision and Massillon Cable TV," Smith says.

Bill Jasso, Time Warner's vice president of government affairs and media relations, responded to the letter, "We were disappointed to see the university falsely report that we have made a decision not to carry the Big Ten Network. We are actively negotiating with Fox for Big Ten Network carriage on Time Warner Cable. It appears the university has not been fully briefed on the status of negotiations. We have had positive discussions with Fox in recent days, including the active exchange of proposals. There is no stalemate or meltdown in discussions as the Smith letter would have our customers believe. On the contrary, talks are moving in the right direction. We have every intention of continuing to work through negotiations with Fox until we are able to reach a mutually acceptable agreement. We are ready to carry the Big Ten Network."

We are continuing to monitor press coverage of negotiations and will update you with any actual developments when (rather, if) they happen.

Wisconsin Public Television to streamline multicast lineup

Mark — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:03:30 -0500

Those with a digital converter box or Time Warner Cable have probably enjoyed some of the expanded programming offered by Wisconsin Public Television, brought to them in our area by local affiliate WPNE. During the day, WPNE runs four standard-definition channels including WPT, The Wisconsin Channel, Create, and PBS Kids. At night, the standard-definition main channel feed and the high-definition feed share the airwaves.

Come February 2009, that is likely to change, according to The Green Bay Press-Gazette.

As PBS increases the amount of programming they offer in high-definition, changes will need to be made to accomidate 24-hour HD broadcasting. What likely will happen is a consolidation of their three specialty channels. It sounds like WPT-DT1, the standard-definition simulcast of what is still broadcast on the analog transmitter, will naturally go away, making the high-definition signal their "main" channel. However many SD channels remain would carry a mix of the programming currently spread across the three niche channels.

Origins Of My U-Verse, Part 1: A Roadside Stand

Mark — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:12:14 -0500

Funny how an unceremonious $20 cable bill increase can make a decision for you. I've elected to give AT&T U-Verse a shot after all, and this is the first of a series on my experience.

Do you think Time Warner or Charter will carry Big Ten Network by August 30th (first Badger game)?

Mark — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:34:04 -0500

* Yes * No

TV4US at cable's throat again over Big Ten, NFL Network

Mark — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 23:21:14 -0500

After pushing through the "Video Competition Act", the AT&T-backed lobby group TV4US is punching cable below the belt again -- this time over Big Ten Network and NFL Network.

AT&T adds Voice to U-Verse offerings in Northeast Wisconsin

Mark — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 09:22:59 -0500

About a month and a half after launching its U-Verse TV and high-speed Internet services to select Northeast Wisconsin areas, AT&T is adding its Voice service to the mix, according to a press release issued today. The Voice service is "available to all new and existing U-verse TV customers in Wisconsin communities. This includes parts of more than 100 communities that include the Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, Green Bay, Appleton, Oshkosh, Fond du Lac and Sheboygan areas."

Features for the service includes a combined voicemail box, an online management portal, an online voice mailbox, online and on-screen TV call history, "Click To Call," an online address book, a simultaneous multi-phone ringing feature, as well as traditional phone features like call screening and call blocking. 911 service, as well as enhanced 911 service where available, will be available as part of the service.

There are two calling plans available -- U-verse Voice 1000 with 1,000 Call Anywhere minutes to any location in the U.S. or U.S. territories for $30 a month, or U-verse Voice Unlimited with unlimited local and nationwide minutes to any location in the U.S., Canada or U.S. territories for $40 a month. A second line to either plan is available for $20 per month extra.

With the addition of Voice to its roster, AT&T is aiming squarely at local rival Time Warner Cable, which offers a bundled package of TV, Internet and phone service.

Should cable or satellite providers add high-definition shopping channels (QVC, Shop NBC, etc.)?

Mark — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 08:46:31 -0500

* Yes * No

Should WFRV have gone out of their way to get more NY Jets games?

Mark — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 15:50:58 -0500

* Yes, I want to see as much Brett as possible! * No, I wanted to see the normal rotation of games.

Time Warner Cable makes last-minute addition of USA HD

Mark — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 14:40:18 -0500

The Olympic Games are officially underway, and Time Warner Cable's Northeast Wisconsin division has added USA HD to their lineup after all.

Earlier this week, Time Warner had issued a press release on its site outlining its Olympic offerings. The release appeared to be a modified version of one appearing on other TWC markets' websites, omitting NBC Universal's special HD channels and USA HD from its wording. Today, a special page appeared on the website announcing its addition on channel 720, along with all the other channels on which the Olympics will appear.

The same page also states "during the Beijing Olympic Games you will have access to The NBC Olympic Soccer Channel (HD), The NBC Olympic Basketball Channel (HD), CNBC HD+* and USA HD* AND for a limited time you can enjoy a free preview of Universal HD**." There is, however, no indication of which channels would carry CNBC HD+ or the special HD Olympic channels. As of 2:30 PM Friday, those three channels were not available in our HD DVR's guide.

Thanks to Clem for the news tip.