Big Ten Network

Click here for the Big Ten Network basketball schedule.

The Big Ten Network is a first-of-its-kind partnership between the eleven Big Ten universities and a major television provider. Through the network, fans will get to see an unprecedented number of Big Ten sporting events, including football and basketball. Northwestern University and the other Big Ten universities will receive increased regional and national exposure while also establishing a stable source of funding to supplement our existing Big Ten contracts with CBS (basketball) and ABC/ESPN (football). 

As a strong Wildcat supporter, the most important thing you can do to get the network is to contact your cable or satellite company to ask that the Big Ten Network be added to your basic package. Please call 1-866-WANT-B10 to tell your cable operator that you want the Big Ten Network on your basic cable package.

From the moment the Big Ten Network launches, Northwestern athletics teams -- and the University as whole -- will enjoy unprecedented national exposure, beginning with the Wildcats' 2007 football home opener against Northeastern on Sept. 1. In addition, the increased revenue generated by the Big Ten Network will benefit the University’s scholarship endowment. 

Programming that will be featured on the network and/or on other alternative platforms, like the internet, mobile/wireless, interactive and on-demand includes between 65 and 70 Northwestern events this season, such as:

• 6 football games
• Approximately 18 men’s basketball games
• Women’s basketball
• Olympic sports including tennis, golf, wrestling and softball
• A nightly studio show including segments from each campus
• Big Ten championship events, classic games and coaches’ shows

The wide appeal NU sports calls for widespread distribution of the Big Ten Network. If you live in the state of Illinois, then you should receive the Big Ten Network among the 70 or so channels included with your standard or basic level of service. That service typically includes channels such as the Travel Channel, the Jewelry Channel, the Food Channel, the Golf Channel, Versus and a regional sports network.  Many cable operators own these regional sports networks and all of them are carried on the basic level of service.

The network is in discussions with all cable and satellite providers nationwide. National agreements have been reached with DirecTV and AT&T, and regional agreements are in place with more than 75 other cable providers. All agreements call for the network to be offered on the standard or basic level of service. DirecTV has designated 220 as the Big Ten Network’s channel, and also has committed “overflow” channels at no additional charge to subscribers to accommodate the many occasions when the network produces multiple games simultaneously.

As a strong supporter of Wildcat sports, it’s important that your voice be heard. Call 1-866-WANT-B10, and then go to www.BigTenNetwork.com to join Fans First, our fan loyalty program, to receive regular updates on the Big Ten Network.