Media agreements include creation of a Big Ten Channel in 2007

New media agreements between The Big Ten Conference, ABC/ESPN and the Fox Cable Networks—including one to create a new conference channel—will provide more exposure for athletics, and will allow the universities the opportunity to show off what they offer academically.

The conference has signed a new 10-year national rights contract with ABC/ESPN and has reached a landmark deal with Fox Cable Networks to create the Big Ten Channel, expected to launch in August 2007.

"These TV agreements will enhance the exposure and reputation of our universities across the country," says President Mary Sue Coleman. "I'm especially pleased that the Big Ten Channel will give more prominence to women's athletics and Olympic sports. We also have a great opportunity to develop University-produced programming for the new channel."

The Big Ten Channel will showcase a wide array of sports as well as original programming produced by the 11 conference institutions. It will operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Each school will have the right to provide 60 hours of its own content annually.

The Big Ten Channel will carry many of the games and events previously available only through syndication, providing greater exposure for these and other Big Ten sports.

The Big Ten Channel's first affiliate, DIRECTV, will deliver the channel at launch to its 15.4 million Total Choice Package subscribers. It also will be available for cable operators and satellite distributors nationwide to carry on their basic tiers. Select Big Ten Channel content also will be available through alternative media platforms such as the Internet, iPods, cell phones and other emerging technologies.

The ABC/ESPN contract calls for televising up to 17 football games on ABC and up to 25 on ESPN or ESPN2. All regional afternoon football games aired on ABC will be aired by ESPN/ESPN2 in outer-markets, making these games nationally available. Approximately 60 men's and 100 women's basketball games and volleyball will air on an ESPN network, including championship games of the Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament.

To read more specifics of the agreements go to www.bigten.org.

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