The Big Ten Network
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
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.
The Big Ten Network firmographics
Firmographics- 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
The Big Ten Network industry classification
Industry- 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
Where The Big Ten Network is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
The Big Ten Network business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- 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.
- 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
The Big Ten Network product offering
Product offeringCore 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.
Companies that use The Big Ten Network
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Big Ten Network technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature2 records
The Big Ten Network partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- TVU NetworkscoreBig 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 NetworkscoreBig 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.
- DAZNcoreDAZN 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
The Big Ten Network competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect 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
The Big Ten Network social profiles
Digital presenceThe Big Ten Network financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Big Ten Network leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
The Big Ten Network funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Big Ten Network M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Big Ten Network
What does The Big Ten Network do?
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.
Is The Big Ten Network a public or private company?
The Big Ten Network is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was The Big Ten Network founded?
The Big Ten Network was founded in 2007. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is The Big Ten Network based?
The Big Ten Network is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Big Ten Network make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Broadcast Rights and Licensing is the primary driver. The others are advertising and Sponsorship.
Who are The Big Ten Network's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are SEC Network, ACC Network, Pac-12 Network and Longhorn Network. Broad incumbents are ESPN, Fox Sports and CBS Sports. Emerging players are DAZN and FloSports. NESN (New England Sports Network) is listed as a regional player.
Does The Big Ten Network have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Big Ten Network.
What industry is The Big Ten Network in?
The Big Ten Network's product category is Sports broadcasting and media. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPABAJAD, College & University Sports Networks (Conference/School-Owned), with a secondary code of MPABAFAD, Sports Cable Networks. Its NAICS code is 516120 and its SIC code is 4833.