May 30, 2007

The Big Ten Network today announced its first on-air hire, signing ESPN college sports expert Dave Revsine to be its lead studio host. The network launches in August with a programming lineup unparalleled in college sports television today, including between 350 and 400 live events as well as the nightly studio show Revsine will host. Events include football, men's and women's basketball, Olympic sports and a full slate of conference championship contests across all sports. The network also will produce more original HD programming than any new network in television history.
 
"Dave brings a wealth of knowledge and a real passion for college sports to the network," Big Ten Network President Mark Silverman said. "When you couple his talent and experience with his being a Northwestern graduate and a Chicago native, it's obvious why we see Dave as the ideal candidate to lead the network's on-air coverage."
 
Big Ten Network Executive Producer Leon Schweir agreed. "Having someone of Dave's talent from Day 1 is incredible. We know he will play a very key role in helping the network create its own unique identity."

The Big Ten Network's new studio host said "you couldn't create a better job for me."

"I wanted to devote myself full time to where my passion is, and that's to college sports, and for the conference I care most about," Revsine said. "When I got on the plane after my first interview, I knew that this was where I wanted to be. I'm glad they shared that opinion."
 
Revsine joined ESPN in October 1996 as an anchor for ESPNews. Over the past 10 years, he has filled nearly every role for the network, including anchoring SportsCenter and hosting the studio coverage for a variety of sports, including two World Cups.  But his primary roles have been in the area of college sports.  He has been the host of ESPN Radio's College GameDay for the last six years and has hosted ESPN Radio's coverage of several BCS Championship games.  He has also had an extensive role in college basketball, hosting studio halftimes as well as the nightly College GameNight show and the expanded Saturday night Midnight Madness.  Revsine also has co-hosted ESPN's coverage of the last two men's Final Fours and has done extensive college basketball play-by-play work for the network, including coverage of four Women's NCAA Tournaments and more than 20 men's conference championship games.

Revsine begins his duties at the Big Ten Network July 1.

The network soon will announce the names of several more seasoned football and basketball studio analysts who will provide more in-depth analysis and coverage for Big Ten fans than any other network. Those announcements will occur as the talent is signed.

The Big Ten Network is a national television network, available to all cable and satellite providers nationwide, that will allow fans to see their home teams regardless of where they live. The network currently has national agreements in place with DirecTV and AT&T and also a local agreement with Buckeye CableSystem in Toledo, Ohio, for more than 150,000 subscribers in northwestern Ohio and southeastern Michigan. Additionally, the network has agreements pending with more than 40 other cable operators within the eight states of the Big Ten.  In total, the network currently is available to viewers in 16 million homes.

The network already has announced its prime-time schedule, which kicks off Sept. 1 during the opening weekend of Big Ten action. The entire 2007 Big Ten Network football schedule and other programming details will be announced as details become available.

The sports programming on the Big Ten Network and alternative platforms will include, but is not limited to:
- More than 35 football games each season
- More than 105 regular season men's basketball games, with four to six weeknight games and four to seven weekend games per week
- A nightly studio show including segments from each campus
- Women's sports, including basketball, volleyball, soccer and softball
- More than 170 Olympic sporting events including baseball, soccer, tennis, volleyball, swimming, diving and more
- Classic games and historical footage from ESPN and ABC libraries
- Original campus programming produced by Big Ten member universities showcasing their academic excellence, talented students and award-winning programs
- Weekly coaches shows

About the Big Ten Network: Launching this August, the Big Ten Network is dedicated to covering the Big Ten Conference and its 11 member institutions. The Big Ten Network will provide unprecedented access to an extensive schedule of conference sports events and shows; original programs in academics, the arts and sciences; campus activities; and associated personalities. Sports programming will include live coverage of more major men's and women's events than ever before, along with news, highlights and analysis, all complemented by hours of university-produced campus programming. The network is available to all cable and satellite carriers and television distributors nationwide, with most programs offered in stunning high-definition television (HDTV). The Big Ten Network is a 20-year partnership between the Big Ten Conference and Fox Cable Networks. For more information regarding the Big Ten Network, visit www.BigTenNetwork.com.

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