May 31, 2011
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CHICAGO — The Big Ten Network today announced a re-branding of the network as BTN, and accompanying new logo and web domain of BTN.com.
Big Ten Network President Mark Silverman said the changes reflect the network’s evolution and direction. The logo also offers greater flexibility for multiple applications, including creating school-specific BTN logos using school colors (available for download at bit.ly/btn-logodownload).
“Fans, viewers, media and our colleagues have already naturally gravitated toward the BTN name in recent years. It makes sense to adopt it,” Silverman said. “These changes are a logical step in our evolution, and give us an umbrella under which we can launch other businesses across digital platforms during our next phase of growth and development,” Silverman said.
The first such new venture will be unveiled next month.
The new logo also is part of a complete redesign of the network’s graphics, animation and music packages that viewers will see for the first time during the network’s coverage of the Big Ten Football Media Days and Kickoff Luncheon in July. The new logo incorporates some of the design elements as the previous logo, particularly the star, and complements the Big Ten Conference’s new logo.
BTN programming will remain focused on the Big Ten Conference and national developments affecting its 12 universities. Available to more than 75 million homes across the country, the Big Ten Network is the only internationally distributed conference network.
While the network’s website is now www.BTN.com, the previous URL of www.BigTenNetwork.com will bounce visitors to the new domain.
BTN TIMELINE
June 21, 2006 – Big Ten Conference and Fox Networks announce a 20-year partnership to create and launch the Big Ten Network
December 5, 2006 – Hires Mark Silverman as president.
August 30, 2007 – Network goes on the air
September 1, 2007 – First live football games, including Michigan vs. Appalachian State
September 29, 2007 – Becomes first new television network to reach the 30 million subscribers in first 30 days on the air
December 21, 2007 – First original series, The Journey: Minnesota Basketball debuts.
March 13-14, 2008 – Carries first Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament games from Indianapolis, including Minnesota’s miracle buzzer-beater victory vs. Indiana.
Summer 2008 – Availability increases to approximately 75 million homes across the United States and Canada.
October 26, 2008 – Adds Gus Johnson to men’s basketball talent roster.
April 8, 2009 – Earns its first-ever Sports Emmy nomination
September 3, 2009 – Streams first Big Ten football game for an international audience on www.BigTenTicket.com.
September 19, 2009 – Penn State students announce, produce and shoot the network’s first-ever Student U production.
March 3, 2010 – Announces that legendary sports broadcaster Keith Jackson will host Big Ten Icons, counting down the top student-athletes in Big Ten history
June 11, 2010 – Carries a press conference live from Lincoln, Neb., announcing Nebraska’s joining the Big Ten.
September 18, 2010 – Big Ten Icons debuts, with Charles Woodson at No. 20.
March 10, 2011 – Big Ten Icons concludes, as Illinois’ Red Grange named the top Big Ten Icon
March 22, 2011 – Earns a second Sports Emmy nomination
May 16, 2011 – Network rebrands itself as BTN, unveils new logo and primary website at www.BTN.com.
About BTN: A joint venture between the Big Ten Conference and Fox Networks, BTN is the first internationally distributed network dedicated to covering one of the premier collegiate conferences in the country. With more than 600 events, all in HD, the 24/7 network is the ultimate destination for Big Ten fans and alumni across the country, allowing them to see their favorite teams, regardless of where they live. Events include football, men’s and women’s basketball games; dozens of Big Ten Championship events; studio shows; coaches’ shows; and classic games. The network televises and streams more Olympic sporting events and women’s sports than has ever been aired on any other network. Original programming highlights activities and accomplishments of some of the nation’s finest universities. The groundbreaking Student U initiative provides real-world experience for students interested in careers in sports television. The network is available to more than 75 million homes across the United States and Canada, and currently has agreements with more than 300 affiliates, including AT&T U-Verse, Atlantic Broadband, Cablevision, Charter, Comcast, Cox, DirecTV, DISH Network, Insight, Mediacom, Rogers Cable (Canada), Shaw Cable and Shaw Direct (Canada), Time Warner Cable and Verizon FiOS. For updated information on BTN, go to www.BTN.com.
