This weekend, thousands of students, Madison residents and Wisconsinites were in the dark during a Wisconsin Badgers football game.
Due to a protracted dispute between the Big Ten Network and Charter Communications, football fans had to tune in to the radio, get updates on the Internet or travel to a local pub or university facility to catch the Wisconsin Badgers play the No. 1 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes.
Unfortunately, after months of negotiations, the Big Ten Network and Charter Communications have failed to come to an agreement for carrying the sports channel. While the Big Ten Network and university officials want the BTN to be part of an expanded basic cable package, Charter wants to make the channel part of a pricier, premium sports package.
It is clear that Wisconsin residents will continue to suffer as long as the two companies place profit over customer service. Moreover, the suffering will grow more intense - this year the Big Ten Network will air approximately 20 UW-Madison men's basketball games and will invariably expand in the future.
This whole dispute has left many with a sense of powerlessness. Nevertheless, this is one of those rare issues that have the potential to unite the entire Madison population. Everyone wants greater access to UW sports programming without increased cost, and Charter's argument that it cannot afford to place the BTN on expanded basic cable is without merit. Most satellite providers and over 100 other cable systems - including 15 in the state of Wisconsin - offer the Big Ten Network as part of their expanded basic cable lineup.
To that end, students and Madison residents alike need to make their voices heard. Call your local or state lawmakers - they have more economic influence than you think. Charter said it has not received many complaints over its recent price increases and dispute with the Big Ten Network. We dare you to change this trend. Give them a call at 1-888-438-2427.
