The Big Ten Network

What The Big Ten Network does

The Big Ten Network (BTN) is a Chicago-based cable, satellite, and streaming television network founded in 2007 and wholly owned by the Big Ten Conference. It broadcasts live and on-demand coverage of collegiate athletics across all 18 Big Ten member universities, spanning football, basketball, hockey, baseball, soccer, volleyball, softball, lacrosse, and wrestling. Its product portfolio comprises the linear BTN channel, the B1G+ streaming service, a TV schedule viewer, channel finder, and game finder toolset, and the BTN Experience seminar program that trains former Big Ten student-athletes for television production careers.

Technically, BTN has invested in remote production infrastructure through its deployment of the TVU Remote Production System (RPS), which transports synchronized multi-camera super slow-motion replay feeds over standard internet, 5G, or Starlink connections to BTN's central production hub. This enables remote production without on-site crews and extends beyond football and basketball to baseball, soccer, and volleyball. TVU RPS Link encoders are integrated as hot backup for fiber-based productions and as pre-fiber venue connectivity. Distribution spans cable/satellite providers domestically, streaming platforms (Fubo, B1G+, Peacock, NBCSN, CBS), broadcast partners (NBC, FOX), and international markets via a multi-year DAZN partnership covering non-U.S. territories.

BTN generates revenue through two primary streams: (1) advertising and sponsorship tied to live broadcasts of collegiate sports events, and (2) broadcast rights and content licensing to TV providers, streaming platforms, and international distributors. Pricing is not publicly disclosed as the network operates as a subscription channel distributed through third-party providers. The network employs 51-100 staff and is led by executives including Kathy Lydon, Vice President of Client Solutions and Ad Sales.

Name

The Big Ten Network

Legal name

Big Ten Network

Website

https://btn.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Big Ten Network is a Chicago-based cable, satellite, and streaming television network wholly owned by the Big Ten Conference, broadcasting live and on-demand collegiate sports coverage across 18 member universities and multiple sports.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sports broadcasting and media

NAICS

Television Broadcasting Stations (516120), Television Broadcasting Stations (51612), Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations (5161)

SIC

Television Broadcasting Stations (4833), Cable & Other Pay Television Services (4841)

akta.pro primary industry

College & University Sports Networks (Conference/School-Owned) (MPABAJAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sports Cable Networks (MPABAFAD), National & Regional Sports TV Networks (Linear) (MPABAJAA)

Keywords

• Collegiate sports broadcasting
• Sports media network
• College athletics coverage
• Live sports streaming
• Sports television programming

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Broadcast Rights and Licensing: The network generates revenue through licensing its sports content to TV providers, streaming platforms, and international distributors. Content distribution agreements with DAZN for non-U.S. markets and partnerships with Peacock, NBCSN, and CBS for tournament coverage represent key revenue streams.
2. Advertising and Sponsorship: The network generates advertising revenue from broadcasts of college sports events including football, basketball, hockey, baseball, soccer, volleyball, softball, lacrosse, and wrestling across its various programming.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Big Ten Network operates a cable and satellite television channel owned by the Big Ten Conference that broadcasts live and on-demand collegiate sports for 18 member universities across football, basketball, hockey, baseball, soccer, volleyball, softball, lacrosse, and wrestling. Content is also distributed via the B1G+ streaming platform and licensed to partners such as Fubo, Peacock, NBCSN, CBS, NBC, FOX, and DAZN for international markets.

Product overview

The Big Ten Network (BTN) is a unified media platform comprising a primary cable/satellite television network and a companion streaming service (B1G+). The network provides live broadcasts of Big Ten Conference sports across 18 member schools, complemented by supporting digital tools including a TV programming schedule viewer, channel finder, and game finder. Additionally, BTN operates the BTN Experience training program for former student-athletes interested in television careers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Big Ten Network (BTN) The primary cable and satellite television network owned by the Big Ten Conference, broadcasting live sports events, original programming, and conference coverage across multiple platforms for fans of Big Ten member schools.
• B1G+ Streaming platform for Big Ten Network content, offering live game streaming and on-demand access to conference sports events for individual subscribers and fans.

Named customers8 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• TVU NetworkscoreTechnology or Integration · 16 April 2026Big Ten Network is deploying the TVU Remote Production System (RPS) platform to extend super slow-motion replay capabilities beyond football and basketball to additional collegiate sports including baseball, soccer, and volleyball. The system transports synchronized multi-camera super slo-mo feeds over standard internet, 5G, or Starlink connections to BTN's central production hub, enabling remote production without on-site crews.
• TVU NetworkscoreTechnology or Integration · 16 April 2026Big Ten Network has integrated TVU RPS Link encoders as a hot backup for fiber-based productions and as early venue connectivity before permanent fiber activation.
• DAZNcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 10 October 2025DAZN secured a multiyear deal to distribute college sports content from Fox Sports and Big Ten Network to non-U.S. markets, starting during football season. The deal includes exclusive rights to various football and basketball games from multiple conferences, with some blackouts for certain U.S. broadcasts.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SEC Network: Conference-owned cable/satellite network dedicated to SEC athletics, operated jointly by ESPN and the SEC. Directly comparable to BTN as a single-conference media network serving fan bases of major U.S. collegiate athletic programs.
• ACC Network: ESPN-operated conference-owned network for the Atlantic Coast Conference. Closely comparable to BTN as a conference-branded linear/streaming channel monetizing exclusive ACC sports rights.
• Pac-12 Network: Conference-branded linear and digital network for Pac-12 athletics. Directly comparable to BTN as a single-conference sports network built around a stable of marquee U.S. universities.
• Longhorn Network: ESPN-operated school-owned network dedicated to University of Texas athletics. Comparable to BTN in model (cable channel tied to one athletic program/conference), though single-school rather than conference-wide.

Broad incumbents

• ESPN: Largest U.S. sports media company operating multiple cable channels, ESPN+, and ABC. Comparable as a broad incumbent that also operates conference networks (SEC, ACC, Longhorn) and competes with BTN for premium rights and advertising.
• Fox Sports: Major U.S. sports broadcaster holding Big Ten football and basketball rights. Comparable as a counterparty/distribution partner and competing buyer for premium college sports inventory.
• CBS Sports: Major sports broadcaster holding Big Ten basketball tournament rights alongside BTN. Comparable as a co-broadcaster for BTN content and competitor for advertising and rights spending.

Emerging players

• DAZN: Global sports streaming platform and BTN's international distribution partner. Comparable as both a channel partner for BTN content abroad and a competitor pursuing exclusive rights for live sports globally.
• FloSports: Subscription sports streaming service covering niche and collegiate sports. Comparable as a streaming-first alternative for college sports fans that BTN competes against for streaming viewership.

Regional players

• NESN (New England Sports Network): Regional sports network serving New England with professional and collegiate content. Comparable in operating model (cable/satellite sports network) but geographically distinct from BTN's conference-wide footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BigTenNetwork
• Facebookfacebook.com/BTN
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/big-ten-network

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Big Ten Network