Big Ten Network to Expand Streaming Initiative

Fans all over the world will enjoy bonus coverage of Big Ten sports as
the Big Ten Network expands its streaming initiative to include more
than 100 events, many of which would not otherwise be produced. The
games will be available at no charge at www.BigTenNetwork.com.

The schedule of streamed games will include all men’s exhibition basketball games and a limited number of non-conference home games, to avoid schedule conflicts. The network also will stream some women’s non-conference and conference games, nearly doubling the number of women’s games receiving exposure versus last season. Other sports that could be streamed include wrestling, baseball and softball.

“This initiative is part of our plans to enhance our linear channel to create more of a multi-platform network,” says Big Ten Network Director of New Media Michael Calderon. “It’s another example of how the network can use new technology to bring Big Ten fans closer to the game while providing much more coverage.”

The games streamed on www.BigTenNetwork.com will be free.

Just as it did last season, the Big Ten Network will televise more than 100 regular season men’s basketball and 55 regular season women’s basketball games, with nearly all of them produced in high definition. The Big Ten Conference will announce the complete 2008-09 men’s and women’s basketball schedules this week.