July 31, 2007

On the live game selection on Big Ten Network:
"We're going to have somewhere between 60-70 live games for every university on the network. Of those, 25-30 of those will be football and basketball. For each of 11 schools, we'll have more localized product than ever been. The degree of localized product and our ability to give a product that the fans want to see is something we're very happy about; it's like 11 mini-networks."

On HD programming, regionalizing games and channel location on DirecTV:
"HD (high-definition) programming is a big part of what I think we should be doing. We'll be launching with more HD than any other network launch, 85-90 percent of all programming will be in HD. With regionalizing games, on Sept 1st with four games going on at the same time, we'll be giving the regions the games they want to see most. Out-of-market fans can see all the games with DirecTV on the regular choice package and this opportunity is available to cable operators as well. For DirecTV, we'll be on channel 220, near the ESPN family of channels; the overflow channels will be next to that."

On the quality of the broadcast teams and what fans can expect:
"Dave Revsine is a ten year ESPN veteran and a Northwestern graduate. We also have Big Ten experts in Howard Griffith and Coach Gerry DiNardo; both have experience in the conference as a player and coach respectively. Our fans are knowledgeable, passionate and want more information. The panelists will be breaking down these games and go beyond coverage typically seen on other networks."

On unique aspects of the Big Ten Network:
"We will have no infomercials, gambling advertisements or alcohol advertisements. We're comfortable with this as a business decision and a branding decision. We also have an internship program at each university where students will be receiving school credit, gathering real life experience in an industry that is very competitive."

On game selection for the network:
"For football, we've selected the first three games. Further in the season, games will be selected on a six or 12 day window. With basketball, the schedule will be made in the coming weeks and this schedule will be set with no flexibility down the line."

On the sports tier/basic debate:
"Right now, only 40 percent of consumers have ability to get the sports tier. On the sports tier today, I don't see networks that have the same appeal as the Big Ten Network. When you have sports networks like ESPN, ESPN2, Regional Sports Networks, VERSUS, Golf Channel on basic, this clearly shows the Big Ten Network belongs there. I think the commissioner called it right when he said that we're at about halftime in the negotiations. Across the country, relevant local programming is all on expanded basic cable packages (approximately 75 channels). When paying for these 75 channels in a local market, you should receive programming relevant to you and have a history of better ratings than other programming currently offered. We never expected to have the large cable operator deals done at this point. We anticipate having productive conversations in coming weeks and will negotiate behind closed doors. We are trying to get the hockey schedule finalized and anticipate airing eight to 10 games this year mostly on Friday evening. There are five schools in the Big Ten that play hockey and think it's a sport we could really help and will grow in future years as well. Being at Disney, I learned the value of the brand and we need to treat the Big Ten Network brand correctly."