Aug. 30, 2012

Dear Badger fans,
I am writing with an important message about Big Ten Network that will greatly affect some UW fans. As you may know, BTN reaches more than 50 million homes nationally through partnerships with more than 300 cable, satellite and telco providers. The network televises approximately 80 Badger events every year, and will carry this Saturday’s football season opener.

However, the carriage agreement between Dish Network and BTN is set to expire on Saturday, Dish Network plans to drop BTN from its programming lineup before Saturday’s game vs. Northern Iowa.

The American Television Alliance has reported that during carriage disputes Dish Network has dropped 22 networks from its channel lineup in the past two and a half years alone, including sports networks like MSG and SNY, which broadcast NBA, NHL, MLB and MLS games, and non-sports networks like AMC that air popular shows such as Mad Men and Breaking Bad.

Now, Dish Network plans to drop BTN before the first Saturday of the college football season. If you want them to keep BTN in their programming lineup so that you can continue to watch the Badgers this season, plus the premiere of The Journey: Big Ten Football 2012, Tailgate 48, #BTNLive, 105 men’s basketball games, 55 women’s basketball games and your other favorite Big Ten Network programming, here’s what you can do to help:

• Visit www.IWantBTN.com to learn more
• Call 1-855-926-8210 to reach Dish Network customer service
• Leave a comment on Dish Network’s Facebook page
• Follow @IWantBTN on Twitter and use the hashtag #IWantBTN

Thanks for your continued support of BTN, a valuable partner to Wisconsin athletics.

On Wisconsin!

Sincerely,
Barry Alvarez
Director of Athletics