Fox puts pressure on Comcast to keep regional sports networks with football ad

Fox puts pressure on Comcast to keep regional sports networks with football ad
Michelle Clancy
| 11 August 2018


US pay-TV gaint Fox Networks Group is positioning for power in an anticipated showdown with Comcast over carriage for its regional sports networks in the US.

big ten 11 august 2018The company has created an ad that features various well-known university American football coaches issuing warnings that Comcast subscribers may lose the ability to see games on the Big Ten Network or FS1 this autumn. “Comcast Xfinity customers could miss every single Big Ten football game on FS1 and the Big Ten Network, Fox warns viewers. One of the coaches adds: “Don’t let Comcast take away your games.”

The coaches featured include PJ Fleck, Minnesota; Kirk Ferentz, Iowa; James Franklin, Penn State; Tom Allen, Indiana; Chris Ash: Rutgers; Jeff Brohm, Purdue; D.J. Durkin, Maryland; Mark Dantonio; Michigan State; Lovie Smith, Illinois; Jim Harbaugh, Michigan; Scott Frost, Nebraska; and Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern.

BTN’s carriage agreement with Comcast is up for renewal just as the season kicks off; BTN or Fox Sports 1 are set to show the majority of the early Big Ten football games.

Fox has also set up a website and is airing the ad on Facebook and Twitter, with additional outlets expected as the month goes on.

This past season, Comcast stopped carrying BTN in states that don’t feature a Big Ten university – which is sure to feature in the negotiations.