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Big Ten Network/FOX Sports President Mark Silverman blasts Comcast for dropping BTN
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President of Big Ten Network and FOX Sports Mark Silverman livened up B1G Media Days on Tuesday, putting Comcast on blast for dropping BTN in out-of-market regions.
Silverman gave a very heated and directed speech during his time at the podium in Chicago, addressing the issue of Comcast making the decision to drop BTN from its package in the out-of-market areas. He also said that he fears the company could try to drop BTN in market, as well.
Here are just a few things that Silverman had to say about the issue:
BTN president Mark Silverman says that Comcast won't even negotiate with the network to put it back on its system. "We believe we should be in every single cable lineup in the country, including Comcast."
— Bill Rabinowitz 🗞 (@brdispatch) July 24, 2018
Mark Silverman of BTN and FOX Sports with some interesting stuff on the Comcast/Big Ten Network fall out. He fears that taking BTN off out-of-market states is just the first step before Comcast removes BTN completely.
— Tristen Kissack (@TKissack20) July 24, 2018
BTN prez Mark Silverman is really painting a bleak picture of the network's relationship with @comcast. Said he fears Comcast may try to drop the network in market for 10 of the 14 B1G teams.
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) July 24, 2018
Comcast and Big Ten Network are at the beginning of a carriage fight, Fox Sports President Mark Silverman says.
— John Ourand (@Ourand_Puck) July 24, 2018
So Mark Silverman of Big Ten Network/Fox Sports is speaking in main press conference room at B1G media days (b/w Paul Chryst & Urban Meyer). This has to be only FBS media days where a TV network exec (non-coach/non-commissioner) gets the main stage
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) July 24, 2018
FOX Sports/BTN president Mark Silverman is using his turn at the podium to launch grenades at Comcast for dropping BTN in non-Big Ten markets.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) July 24, 2018
BTN president Mark Silverman said network contract with Comcast expires end of August. 61 percent of Big Ten football games this season on BTN and FS1 are in danger of not being seen.
— Rich Scarcella (@nittanyrich) July 24, 2018
It’ll be interesting to see if Comcast has a response to Silverman’s comments and complaints about the negotiations moving forward and if BTN/FOX Sports and Comcast can come to an agreement.
Regardless of what happens, Silverman made his point very clear and took full advantage of the stage he was on in Chicago.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB