April 24, 2007

The Big Ten Conference and the Big Ten Network today announced the network's first-ever prime-time football schedule, which will be part of the more than 35 conference contests to be broadcast on the network this fall. The network launches in August with a programming lineup unparalleled in college sports television today, with over 350 live events which also include women's basketball, Olympic sports and a full slate of conference championship contests across all sports.
 
The five-game schedule begins with the football season's opening weekend Sept. 1, and includes two Big Ten Homecoming match-ups and three non-conference games. All games will air in high-definition, the network's standard.

"This is a landmark announcement for the Big Ten Network," said Big Ten Network President Mark Silverman. "Everyone here and at the conference is excited to unveil this schedule, which is a big step toward our launch this summer."

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 discussions with other cable and satellite providers are continuing.

The Big Ten Network prime-time schedule kicks off during the opening weekend of action at 8 p.m. EDT on Sept. 1 with an in-state battle between Indiana and Indiana State, just the second meeting between the two programs since 1925. The network's second night-time kickoff features a game between Iowa and Syracuse at 7 p.m. CDT on Sept. 8 and is a rematch of the Hawkeyes' double overtime road victory in 2006. Non-conference prime-time play continues on Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. CDT, when Northwestern meets Duke for the 15th time since 1985.

The Big Ten Network will also feature a pair of Homecoming contests under the lights. Indiana will make its second prime-time appearance on the network when it faces a road test against Michigan State and new head coach Mark Dantonio on Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. EDT. The Hoosiers knocked off the Spartans last season for just the second time in 10 seasons to reclaim the Old Brass Spitoon, which has gone to the victor in this series since 1950. The conference's other new head coach will make a prime-time appearance on the network on Nov. 3, when Tim Brewster leads Minnesota in a home game against Illinois at 7 p.m. CDT, the first meeting between the two schools since 2004.

"Not only will Big Ten fans be able to see the games nationally, and in high-definition, but they will enjoy in-depth analysis from the first network to be dedicated solely to the Big Ten," Silverman said. "These five prime-time games demonstrate the ability of the Big Ten Network to air compelling programming on a national stage."
 
The entire 2007 Big Ten Network football schedule and other programming details will be announced in the months leading up to the network's August launch.

2007 Big Ten Network Prime-time Football Schedule:
Sept. 1  -- Indiana State at Indiana, 8 p.m. EDT
Sept. 8  -- Syracuse at Iowa, 7 p.m. CDT
Sept. 15 -- Duke at Northwestern, 7 p.m. CDT
Oct. 13  -- Indiana at Michigan State, 7 p.m. EDT
Nov. 3  -- Illinois at Minnesota, 7 p.m. CDT

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, non-sports programming produced by Big Ten member universities showcasing their academic excellence, talented students and award-winning programs

Weekly coaches shows

The Big Ten Conference's compelling athletic competition positions the network as the go-to destination for Big Ten alumni and fans across the nation. In addition to traditional distribution through cable and satellite providers nationwide, select Big Ten Network content also will be available through alternative media platforms such as the Internet, iPods, cell phones and/or other emerging technologies.

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.