I'm chatting with BTN President Mark Silverman Today
We're discussing the new streaming video content at video.bigtennetwork.com I've got a few questions on my mind about the service, but I want more people's input.
If anyone has anything, leave me a comment. I'm not sure the direction this talk will go, but if he opens it up to a few questions, I'm going to ask as many as I can.
Oh, and go to the volleyball games this weekend, particularly the Saturday game at Crisler at 3:30pm.
September 18th, 2009 at 11:58 AM ^
What is the difference between http://video.bigtennetwork.com and http://www.bigtenticket.com/ ? I was looking for a feed for the EMU game but it looks like it's only available at the second link, for $24.95. $24.95 for one game. EMU. You can get every game on ABC/ESPN for one month for the same price through http://europe.espn360.com
September 18th, 2009 at 12:16 PM ^
The EMU game cannot be streamed live in the US due to US law making that illegal. They can stream it live outside of the US. One of my questions is if football games, and basketball for that matter, will become available as an archived show on VIDEO or if they will only stay available on TICKET as an archived game. And if the later is the case, will the price remain ~$25 for the non-live game.
It would make sense to me that the football archived game could be worth more, but $25? That seems steep for a non-live game.
As for the difference between the two, VIDEO will be streaming games live within the US, as long as they are not being currently broadcast over the actual TV channel. I'm going to ask if they will be live to International viewers.
TICKET will not stream live in the US, and it will only stream football and men's basketball (from what I understand).
I'm probably going to ask why the two, VIDEO and TICKET, were done separately instead of as one utility.
September 18th, 2009 at 1:01 PM ^
I should have been more clear that I'm outside of the US looking for a live stream. It's my understanding that Ticket is my only option and that it's $25 per game. If that's correct, I'll probably just take my chances with justin.tv. Like I said, http://europe.espn360.com has all ABC/ESPN games, live and archived, for $25/month. That seems like a slightly better deal than the EMU game for the same price.
September 18th, 2009 at 1:35 PM ^
Ah yes, in that case, I think you're right in your thinking. $25 is a bit expensive.
September 18th, 2009 at 12:04 PM ^
1) Why is the BTN not in HD for Comcast Philly? I don't mean the overflow games since even the regular game is not in HD.
2) When will the the pay-for-streaming model be allowed in the US?
Thanks for asking for our input, by the way!
September 18th, 2009 at 12:19 PM ^
I'm going to have to skip question one as it doesn't really apply to the subject matter, but as for #2, as I stated above, it's against US law to stream games live when shown on TV. I know this contradicts ESPN360's current model, but I plan to ask about this as well. I'm just rehashing what was in their FAQ @ BTN
September 18th, 2009 at 12:23 PM ^
CORRECTION: I went back and checked the FAQ, the reason they don't stream live is because their contract with their cable/satellite distributors doesn't allow it. With the hoopla involved in that first year of trying to get the BTN shown everywhere in the footprint, they probably had to agree to this.
September 18th, 2009 at 12:11 PM ^
Has the BTN considered an espn360 like model where ISPs pay a per subscriber fee for access to their streaming service? This might be more feasible with ISPs in the Big Ten region. I ask this because I'm pretty sure there's contractual issues with BTN streaming the same content that they show on cable, and espn360 seems to have found a way around this issue.
BTW, espn360 is now streaming their entire College Football gameplan online, and it is awesome.
September 18th, 2009 at 12:24 PM ^
I'll try to ask this, but I have a feeling from my correction above, it might not be possible without renegotiating their current contracts with their service providers.
September 18th, 2009 at 12:30 PM ^
My question:
Who told those nobs on Friday Night Tailgate that they are funny?
'Cuz they ain't. That is some horrific television...
September 18th, 2009 at 12:54 PM ^
will the BTN ever have an on-demand service? maybe they show the past week's games, or a coaches show, etc.
September 18th, 2009 at 1:04 PM ^
1. Does the BTN take into consideration the proliferation of 16:9 screens and HD? With the increased real estate the camera work could be adjusted to show more of the down field play development vice centering on the ball. I'd like to see them experiment.
2. OT: How about asking about the possibility of 10 conference games?
September 18th, 2009 at 1:39 PM ^
Question 2 isn't in his realm, he's just BTN, not the conference specifically.
I assume question 1 is football related, which isn't quite on his topic either, but I'll ask where general suggestions and comments should be sent to. I do plan to ask on the streaming game's "angles" on whether it will be one stationary camera per event or otherwise. Also if they will be including play-by-play for streaming events that aren't shown on TV.
September 18th, 2009 at 1:21 PM ^
At the end of each segment, just before commercial, there's a teaser about what you'll see next. Except, often its not a teaser, its a spoiler! Instead of "After Michigan's long TD drive, can its defense get a stop?" we get "After Michigan's long TD drive, can its defense force a turnover?" and the clip shows an interception.
Tell him I'm not unreasonable, I can wait until next month for this to be fixed. (:
And, no one I talk to is the least bit interested in re-watching games won by Michigan's opponent.
Tell him I'm not unreasonable, I can wait until next month for this to be fixed. (:
And, no one I talk to is the least bit interested in re-watching games won by Michigan's opponent.