In 2007, a new idea was introduced in television – a national network to solely cover the Big Ten Conference. Premiering in August 2007, the Big Ten Network televises approximately 400 live events, plus hundreds of hours of original and campus programming, along with shows featuring conference coaches.

The network holds a 20-year contract between subsidiaries of the Big Ten Conference and Fox Cable Networks. This is the first year, though, that it will be available on University cable for students to watch conference events.

The network televises up to 60 hours from each Big Ten institution of original programming. In its second year of existence, the network and Comcast have agreed to a long-term contract.

“Big Ten sporting events have always had a wide following and strong viewership,” the media relations manager of the Big Ten Network, Mike Vest, said. “That trend has continued on the Big Ten Network.”

The network airs more than 170 NCAA-sponsored events in both men’s and women’s sports, including teams that aren’t usually featured, such as volleyball and swimming and diving.ÿ

Freshman Dan Carmody watches the network mainly for football.

“I watch the network about once a week, mainly for the football games. I like to watch Northwestern and Ohio (State) along with Illinois,” freshman Dan Carmody said.

A particular favorite program of Illinois students is the original series “Illinois Football: The Journey.” The show airs every Tuesday at 9:30 p.m. and is following the Illini through the entire football season. The feature follows a different program every football and basketball season. It features exclusive interviews with coaches and athletes, and contains footage seen nowhere else.

As a new addition to the Comcast cable lineup, people are still adjusting to the network, which is quite different from most major sports networks that cover professional events.

“I’m not a big fan of the network because they don’t do a great job covering the games and they have too many commercials, but I still watch it for the football games,” freshman Kevin Ofiara said.

The channel also has limited availability.

“I hate how you always need dish or DirecTV to get the alternative channels,” junior Josh Ayala said. “Last year I had dish at my fraternity, and we got all of the five channels, but now I can only watch the main channel. You have to go to a bar if you want to watch everything.”

The network signed national agreements with multiple cable operators, including AT&T; and Comcast, and is available to 55 million households nationwide.