BTN viewership numbers. #1 Football. #2 Men's Basketball #3 ? (Place your bets)
Football
Men's Basketball
Women's Volleyball
December 21st, 2019 at 8:20 AM ^
Not a surprise....
December 21st, 2019 at 8:23 AM ^
Well, most people tune into the B1G Network to watch football and basketball. Volleyball is the only other thing getting a lot of airtime during those seasons. Hockey is rarely shown on TV - not nearly enough to generate a good viewership.
During most of the year, when neither football or basketball are playing, nobody realizes the B1G Network exists. Its a seasonal channel, right?
December 21st, 2019 at 10:14 AM ^
I find myself watching BTN whenever a Michigan team is playing, no matter the sport. If a team is wearing maize and blue, I'll tune in--volleyball, field hockey, soccer, whatever . . . I even watched women's rowing because Michigan was participating. I don't feel that way about too many other sports if Michigan is not playing.
December 21st, 2019 at 10:34 AM ^
I mean have you seen attendance numbers for the top volleyball programs? A ton of people follow that sport. People just don’t care about college hockey outside of like 4 schools
December 21st, 2019 at 11:04 AM ^
Yep. It's actually a pretty great product too. It's athletic, high-flying and fun to watch. And those big programs get great crowds. Plus volleyball is a an incredibly underrated sport.
December 21st, 2019 at 12:04 PM ^
How long until lacrosse takes over that 3rd spot? Lacrosse is really popular in some of the highest population areas that the BTN covers and the Big Ten has some of the biggest lacrosse teams (Hopkins, Maryland, Penn State lately). With the huge popularity of the PLL, I could see lacrosse making a big rise on these BTN rankings.
December 21st, 2019 at 1:29 PM ^
True - I'd like to see more out-of-conference games on BTN. Michigan-ND always seems to be on ESPN3 (and on at 3 in the afternoon on a Tuesday) and I would like to see BTN air any big home games or neutral site games against top programs. Maryland and Hopkins play tough schedules that usually include the likes of Syracuse and Virginia. BTN should put those games on! (if I recall correctly they're usually on the U or ESPN3 or not at all).
But, I'm with you - I think lacrosse is a great spectator and it has strong potential as a TV sport. Can't wait for Michigan to get there!
December 21st, 2019 at 2:11 PM ^
Yeah I agree with that for sure. In addition to ND, Michigan always plays an Ivy and usually one more decent OOC game that people would want to watch. And like you said - there are a lot of good Maryland and Hopkins games worth watching. And there are so many conference games that are highly entertaining, plus the Big Ten tourney. Surprised they haven't tried to do more with that.
December 21st, 2019 at 10:43 PM ^
The problem with hockey is that it's highly regional. In some cold weather states it's the number one sport by far, but in warm weather states, it doesn't even crack the top ten. I can't think of another sport with such large regional disparities in popularity. Its popularity is more uniform in the B1G footprint, but BTN is a national network and B1G alumni in Minnesota are far more likely to care about hockey than B1G alumni in Florida.
December 21st, 2019 at 8:33 AM ^
A lot of eye candy and things bouncing and jiggling around.
December 22nd, 2019 at 11:08 AM ^
Pretty disgusting post. Those women could probably be your daughter.
December 21st, 2019 at 8:33 AM ^
Most televised team on BTN: Rutger
December 21st, 2019 at 8:36 AM ^
The B1G is the best league when it come to volleyball. Makes sense that people would want to watch.
December 21st, 2019 at 8:38 AM ^
Not surprising at all. B1G volleyball is pretty popular.
December 21st, 2019 at 8:40 AM ^
Volleyball is actually a pretty fun sport to watch. Fast paced and some pretty impressive athleticism....and spandex
December 21st, 2019 at 11:40 AM ^
I agree quick and athletic play. I enjoy playing and watching both basketball and volleyball. When I watch women's volleyball I'm impressed with their skill and athletic abilities, when I watch women's basketball it just seems slow compared to the men's game.
December 21st, 2019 at 8:58 AM ^
December 21st, 2019 at 9:11 AM ^
#4: Cooking Today, with Matt Millen
(alternatively titled "Follow the Fullback... to Flavor!")
December 21st, 2019 at 9:29 AM ^
I would have guessed #3 would have been the BIG Ten Treasure Hunter Show.
December 21st, 2019 at 9:49 AM ^
No man. Big Ten Eats is better.
December 21st, 2019 at 11:06 AM ^
Jenny.
She's got my number.
December 21st, 2019 at 7:01 PM ^
So does everyone else, you whore...
December 21st, 2019 at 9:55 AM ^
i am a huge volleyball/field hockey fan for men/women. Volleyball is a terrific game when kids set and spike. Most of these kids play with great heart and energy. Semi's against Wiscy/Baylor was unbelievable game. i can see others sports picking up as Football/Basketball is becoming a greedy sport for Media/NCAA/Players/cheating. Michigan needs to get big time players for volleyball program. Big ten schools are very dominating in Women volleyball.
December 21st, 2019 at 10:15 AM ^
No surprise there. Women's volleyball just means more in the B1G.
Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, and PSU are all elite programs.
December 21st, 2019 at 10:17 AM ^
The popularity of girls volleyball has exploded in the last few years. My kids are in high school and junior high and the amount of girls they know that play volleyball is huge.
December 21st, 2019 at 11:15 AM ^
I saw Ben Brust on a BTN studio show this morning. He immediately fell over and tried to take a charge from Rick Pizzo.
December 21st, 2019 at 11:37 AM ^
Well yeah... that’s pretty much all they play. Outside of the occasional wrestling match. You’ll get a handful of baseball, softball or lax games in the spring.
December 21st, 2019 at 11:40 AM ^
I was going to say wrestling.
December 21st, 2019 at 1:00 PM ^
For me its Softball..If Michigan SB is on the BTN Ill def watch....Probably Michigans MOST CONSISTENT winning sports team
December 21st, 2019 at 1:31 PM ^
I watch 3 sports Men's football and Basketball, and Horseshoe pitching. Anything else I 'd rather watch the inside of my eyelids.