History of Big Ten Network in Timeline

The Big Ten Network (BTN) is an American sports network dedicated to covering collegiate sports from the Big Ten Conference. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, BTN is a joint venture between Fox Sports and the Big Ten, with Fox Corporation holding a 61% stake and the Big Ten Conference owning the remaining 39%. The network broadcasts live and recorded events, news, and analysis related to the Big Ten's member schools. The network is headquartered at 600 West Chicago Avenue, in the former Montgomery Ward & Co. Catalog House building.

June 21, 2006: Big Ten Network Launch Announcement

On June 21, 2006, the launch of the Big Ten Network was announced as a 20-year joint project between the Big Ten Conference and Fox Entertainment Group.

August 30, 2007: Big Ten Network Launch

Big Ten Network launched on August 30, 2007, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time with 'Big Ten Tonight' as its inaugural program.

September 2008: CRTC Approved BTN Carriage in Canada

In September 2008, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) approved Shaw Communications' request to carry Big Ten Network in Canada.

December 3, 2008: BTN Available to Shaw Cable Customers

On December 3, 2008, Big Ten Network became available to Shaw Cable customers in Canada.

June 23, 2009: Cablevision Adds BTN

On June 23, 2009, Cablevision added the Big Ten Network in standard and high definition to its Optimum systems.

September 1, 2009: Atlantic Broadband Adds BTN

On September 1, 2009, the Big Ten Network reached a carriage agreement with Atlantic Broadband, which added the network's standard and high definition feed.

October 22, 2009: BTN Available on Rogers Cable Systems

On October 22, 2009, the Big Ten Network became available on Rogers Cable systems in Ontario and New Brunswick.

December 28, 2009: Charter Communications Adds BTN in St. Louis and Southern Illinois

On December 28, 2009, Charter Communications reached an agreement to provide the Big Ten Network to its systems in St. Louis and Southern Illinois.

June 2010: Fox Acquires Majority Stake

In June 2010, Fox increased its stake in the Big Ten Network to 51%, acquiring majority control.

2011: Logo Change and Streaming Service Launch

In 2011, coinciding with the college football season, the network unveiled a new logo and introduced a new TV Everywhere service known as "BTN2Go."

August 2012: Contract Dispute with Dish Network

In August 2012, BTN and Dish Network were involved in a dispute leading up to the expiration of the satellite provider's contract with the network.

July 2017: Fox Extends Contract to Run BTN

In July 2017, as part of a new agreement, Fox's contract to run BTN was extended through 2032.

July 24, 2017: BTN Available on Hulu Live TV and YouTube TV

On July 24, 2017, the Big Ten Network announced they would be available on Hulu Live TV and YouTube TV.

December 14, 2017: 21st Century Fox to Sell Assets to Disney

On December 14, 2017, 21st Century Fox announced it would sell a majority of its assets to The Walt Disney Company.

April 11, 2018: Comcast's Xfinity Drops Big Ten Network

On April 11, 2018, Comcast's Xfinity stopped providing Big Ten Network in several "out-of-market" states, which are outside the conference's geographical area.

May 10, 2018: Further Markets Dropped Big Ten Network

On May 10, 2018, additional selected markets stopped providing the Big Ten Network, including 23,000 Comcast subscribers in New York.

July 27, 2018: Disney and Fox Shareholders Approve Deal

On July 27, 2018, Disney and Fox shareholders approved the deal for Disney to acquire 21st Century Fox's assets.

August 24, 2018: Comcast Reached an Agreement to Renew Carriage of BTN

On August 24, 2018, Comcast and Big Ten Network reached an agreement to renew its carriage, the channel would be reinstated on its sports and entertainment tier outside of the Big Ten's footprint.

March 20, 2019: Disney-Fox Deal Completion

On March 20, 2019, the deal between Disney and Fox was completed.

October 23, 2020: New Logo Introduction

On October 23, 2020, Big Ten Network introduced a new logo, coinciding with the start of the delayed 2020 football season.

2020: Channel Carried by Cogeco, Eastlink, Rogers Cable, Shaw Cable, Shaw Direct and VMedia

As of 2020 the channel is carried by Cogeco, Eastlink, Rogers Cable, Shaw Cable, Shaw Direct and VMedia.

2021: Big Ten Sells Stake to Fox

In 2021, the Big Ten sold part of its stake to Fox, decreasing its ownership to 39% while Fox's increased to 61%.

2022: Estimated Subscriber Count

As of 2022, Big Ten Network had an estimated 50 million U.S. subscribers.

June 2023: Subscriber Count Decrease

In June 2023, Big Ten Network's subscriber count dropped to 48.7 million households in the U.S.

2023: Media Rights Agreement

In 2023, during the conference's next round of media rights, it was discovered that the conference could not sublicense the Big Ten football championship without paying compensation to Fox.

August 2024: BTN and Comcast Issues Emerge Again

In August 2024, issues between BTN and Comcast resurfaced due to the Big Ten's expansion to the west coast, resulting in blackouts of event telecasts involving the Oregon Ducks, UCLA Bruins, USC Trojans, and Washington Huskies for Xfinity subscribers in certain regions.

October 10, 2024: Fox Reached an Agreement for In-Market Carriage of BTN on Comcast's Basic Tier

On October 10, 2024, Fox and Comcast reached an agreement for in-market carriage of BTN on Comcast's basic tier in western markets, ending the blackout.