Industry observers viewed it as more than just a bluff.
But in the end, Comcast Xfinity and the Big Ten Network came to an agreement that will allow subscribers to continue to watch games on BTN and FS1.
The deal was announced at 4:55 p.m. on Twitter, with BTN posting: “We’re pleased to have reached an agreement with Comcast, ensuring fans enjoy BTN and the Big Ten on FS1. Thanks for your support — here’s to a great season!”
Last month BTN President Mark Silverman used the forum of Big Ten media days to bemoan Comcast’s decision to remove BTN/FS1 from subscriber cable systems outside the league footprint. He noted Comcast’s threat to pull BTN/FS1 from all systems Sept. 1.
“We are letting people know this to alert Comcast subscribers of this real possibility — they may lose these games,” Silverman said, calling the situation “our biggest challenge” since the network launch in 2007.
BTN enlisted 12 of the 14 Big Ten football coaches to take part in an ad warning Comcast subscribers they “could miss every single Big Ten football game” on FS1/BTN.
The deal represents a big victory for the Big Ten.
Twitter @TeddyGreenstein