Wis.: Big Ten, NFL networks may get home

Wis.: Big Ten, NFL networks may get home

	Published : Wed, 31 Oct 2007 17:16 By : Agencies Print this Story

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Finally a bill that's uniting not only Packers and Badgers fans, but Republicans and Democrats.

The common enemy?

Cable companies and sports networks.

The bill announced Tuesday is intended to make the Big Ten Network and the NFL Network available on more cable networks across Wisconsin.

Most Wisconsin cable subscribers won't be able to watch two big upcoming games. Wisconsin's game against No. 1 Ohio State this Saturday is on the Big Ten Network, while Green Bay's contest against the Dallas Cowboys on Nov. 29 will be on the NFL Network.

Currently those networks are available only on satellite systems or small cable companies. Time Warner and Charter Communications, the two largest cable providers in Wisconsin, have not reached deals with the networks to carry their programming.

The biggest hang-up has been over whether to offer the channel as part of the basic tier or a more expensive special sports tier.

The bill, sponsored by a Democrat in the Senate and a Republican in the Assembly, would establish an arbitration system to settle disputes between the sports networks and cable companies.

Seth Palansky, NFL Network spokesman in Los Angeles, said the proposal appears to be a fair solution.

'We want fans to get access to NFL Network. We know they want it,' Palansky said. 'If this can help that result, we are all for it.'

He said 239 providers nationwide carry the NFL Network, including DirecTV, DishNetwork, a variety of cable companies and phone companies that are branching into cable services, including AT&T and Verizon.

Once there is a deal with the cable companies, games could start airing immediately, Palansky said.

'But I don't want to mislead or give anyone false hope,' he said. 'Unless legislation is introduced, there is zero chance that a deal can be worked out between the cable companies and ourselves.'

Charter wants to carry both channels, said John Miller, a spokesman for Charter. But he said putting it on the basic tier, as the networks want, would require it to be delivered to customers who are not interested in the programming.

Miller said he hoped the networks would agree to Charter placing the channels on their sports tier.

'While a segment of customers tell us they want these networks at any cost, the majority of customers want the ability to have more choice in what programming is available to them,' Miller said. 'We feel that's a reasonable request.'

A spokeswoman for Time Warner also did not immediately return a message.

The bill, to be introduced by Sen. Dave Hansen, D-Green Bay, and Rep. Kitty Rhoades, R-Hudson, was being circulated to get co-sponsors. Details were not immediately released, but the lawmakers said in a statement that they weren't taking sides in the dispute. They said they were simply looking out for fans.

Anger over not being able to watch the Badgers game on Saturday spilled over into the Senate on Tuesday -- even though it wasn't taking up the bill.

'This is so frustrating,' said Sen. Mike Ellis, R-Neenah. 'We have got 5.5 million people who aren't going to be able to get the game.'

Three previous Wisconsin games have been broadcast on the Big Ten Network, but all of those were home games against unranked opponents. Saturday's game is at Columbus and against the top-ranked team in the country.

The only way to see it is to go to Columbus and pay a scalper to get a ticket or go to a bar or a friend's house that has a satellite service such as DirectTV or Dish Network.

Basketball fans, get ready to be angry as well. About two-thirds of Wisconsin's games are scheduled to be shown only on the Big Ten Network this coming season.