the stupidity of networks (hint - it's all about the $, but you knew that already)

Submitted by karpodiem on

*Fair warning - Long, feel free to move onto the next thread if this doesn't interest you.

Here's an e-mail I sent to BTN2Go support yesterday.

"Hi there,

I've noticed that BTN2Go is available to some of the larger telecom/satellite/cableco providers. But you're missing a big piece of the puzzle here - the students! Somehow the student body, the foundation of B1G conference, has been segregreated from the BTN2Go offering. Tens of thousands of students live in student housing and are unable to subscribe to the providers that have agreements with the BTN, and are unable to watch BTN2Go.
 
So what would be a possible solution to this? Do what ESPN3/WatchESPN does; filter out users based on who owns that IP address per ARIN. For example the University of Michigan owns the IP range 141.212.xxx.xxx - http://whois.arin.net/rest/net/NET-141-212-0-0-2/pft

 
Now if someone outside of that IP address space tries to access BTN2Go content, they would be locked out. But if a University of Michigan student, who is utilizing the University of Michigan network resources (and has a University leased IP address) attempts to connect, they would be allowed access.
 
I suggest working with network access administrators at each school to design and implement the proper access procedures so the students of the Big 10 are able to watch their respective teams compete.
 
Regards.
 
/insert herp^derp reply
 
Hello,

You can watch games through BTN2Go if you have Big Ten Network through one of the Cable or Satellite provider listed here Dish Network, DirecTV, Charter or Time Warner. If you are not subscribed to any of these services you cannot access BTN2Go in any other way. 

If you wish to subscribe to the services of the Big Ten you can go here http://video.btn.com/allaccess/ to purchase a subscription through CBS Sports.

If you have any more questions please let us know.

Thank You
BTN2Go Support 
 
This is why I hate the networks. 

 

 

MGoBoard
Football
stupidity

mbrummer

September 21st, 2011 at 9:55 AM ^

You got a standard PR person's reply.  He or she had no clue what you were talking about, it probably sounded like your were trying to launch a rocket ship.

I once complained to Comcast/ Big 10 network that I wasn't getting the overflow channels, I live in Houston.  I claimed it would take their programmer about 10 minutes to program the channels to programming Comcast already owns the rights to.  So free programming they have that they would charge me for.

I still don't have the overflow channels or even HD Big Ten Network.  Granted the HD would take up more resources but again free to Comcast

 

 

Joined: 07/29/2008

MGoPoints: 7872

CRex

September 21st, 2011 at 9:59 AM ^

I'd complain to our AD and the people who run the ResHalls.  Not the commercial facing front of the BTN.

Also we own a lot more than 141.212.  Central Campus is 141.211 for example.  

Joined: 09/28/2009

MGoPoints: 9010

a non emu

September 21st, 2011 at 10:08 AM ^

This seems like a good idea. Reaching out to Dave Brandon might be a good idea too. He usually seems receptive to ideas. For a long time ESPN3 was restricted to all but a couple of ISPs and yet was available on our campus (and on most other campuses I presume). For the BTN this should be a no-brainer.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 720

teepodum

September 21st, 2011 at 11:58 AM ^

I'm on the left coast, and the BTN feed isn't an HD channel.  I think it is actually an HD feed that is shrunk into a normal channel... and it looks AWFUL.  When viewed on my HDTV, it only takes up the middle ~60% of the screen.  Does anyone else have this problem? I assume that BTN actually has HD since I saw some highlights on sportscenter in full HD that looked beautiful.

Joined: 08/06/2011

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