big ten network
When Mark Silverman became the first president of the Big Ten Network in December 2006, he expected his job to be focused primarily on building the on-air product.
But most of the attention was where it would -- or would not -- air that first season. The public back-and-forth with major carriers, including Comcast in Michigan, overshadowed the accomplishment of launching. Now, with the network's two-year anniversary just past (Aug. 30), Silverman is focused almost entirely on the product.
Kagan, a division of SNL Financial which analyzes media communications' financial circumstances, wrote in February: The BTN "has been one of the most successful launches in history, grabbing nearly 40 million subscribers in less than two years. It has been very profitable almost out of the gate, and we estimate it will grow to more than 60 million subscribers by 2013 and generate $112 million in cash flow by that time."
Silverman spent a little time with the Free Press in August to discuss the network.
Q:What have you learned?
A:With most new networks, you're gradually trying to cultivate a new audience. Right out of gate we had close to 1 million people on a football Saturday. We had no real patience for a growing curve. It's why we decided to launch in HD, we needed to be at a certain level of quality so we could learn more and grow. I wouldn't say it's completely different than what we expected, but what we learned so far, fans can't get enough football.
Q:What's been your biggest surprise?
A:One of my biggest surprises has been chemistry, (Gerry) DiNardo, (Dave) Revsine and (Howard) Griffith, from the first opening weekend. They've done a wonderful job reporting on the Big Ten. Other shows, pregame shows, have been out there many more years, and after just two years, our studio guys offer insight fun and are entertaining. If you look at other networks, it's a challenge for people to find that.
Q:So who is your competition?
A:Our competition is everything else people can do, other networks, the Internet, free time. We want people to look at it as an option.
Q:Does the new SEC alliance with ESPN threaten you?
A:Not every conference has the ability to launch a network. The Big Ten is unique in its appeal and size of alumni and university nationwide. We're very comfortable with our network and universities.
Q:What's next?
A:A major goal of ours is to increase our presence online about what we're able to produce. Internationally we'll be able to watch football and basketball online ... domestically we're streaming 100 events to 200 Olympic sports, and some of those events are put on delayed basis.
When Mark Silverman became the first president of the Big Ten Network in December 2006, he expected his job to be focused primarily on building the on-air product.
But most of the attention was where it would -- or would not -- air that first season. The public back-and-forth with major carriers, including Comcast in Michigan, overshadowed the accomplishment of launching. Now, with the network's two-year anniversary just past (Aug. 30), Silverman is focused almost entirely on the product.
Kagan, a division of SNL Financial which analyzes media communications' financial circumstances, wrote in February: The BTN "has been one of the most successful launches in history, grabbing nearly 40 million subscribers in less than two years. It has been very profitable almost out of the gate, and we estimate it will grow to more than 60 million subscribers by 2013 and generate $112 million in cash flow by that time."
Silverman spent a little time with the Free Press in August to discuss the network.
Q:What have you learned?
A:With most new networks, you're gradually trying to cultivate a new audience. Right out of gate we had close to 1 million people on a football Saturday. We had no real patience for a growing curve. It's why we decided to launch in HD, we needed to be at a certain level of quality so we could learn more and grow. I wouldn't say it's completely different than what we expected, but what we learned so far, fans can't get enough football.
Q:What's been your biggest surprise?
A:One of my biggest surprises has been chemistry, (Gerry) DiNardo, (Dave) Revsine and (Howard) Griffith, from the first opening weekend. They've done a wonderful job reporting on the Big Ten. Other shows, pregame shows, have been out there many more years, and after just two years, our studio guys offer insight fun and are entertaining. If you look at other networks, it's a challenge for people to find that.
Q:So who is your competition?
A:Our competition is everything else people can do, other networks, the Internet, free time. We want people to look at it as an option.
Q:Does the new SEC alliance with ESPN threaten you?
A:Not every conference has the ability to launch a network. The Big Ten is unique in its appeal and size of alumni and university nationwide. We're very comfortable with our network and universities.
Q:What's next?
A:A major goal of ours is to increase our presence online about what we're able to produce. Internationally we'll be able to watch football and basketball online ... domestically we're streaming 100 events to 200 Olympic sports, and some of those events are put on delayed basis.
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