Two Big Ten Network Releases For You

I have two releases from the Big Ten Network to post. First, this one is about the network’s football ratings this season.

Big Ten Network Football Telecasts Enjoy Ratings Increase in 2009

Third season of coverage yields impressive numbers

CHICAGO – Ratings for Big Ten Network national football telecasts dramatically increased across the board in 2009, based on Nielsen metered-market data. The average for the network’s afternoon telecasts improved by 28 percent over the comparable period last year, while the average ratings for the network’s eight primetime games increased by a whopping 183 percent.

In just its third season on the air, the network averaged a 2.3 household (HH) rating for its 12-week afternoon football window in its nine metered markets.* The rating exceeded all other sports cable networks airing football during the same noon ET time period.

The network also had significant ratings increases for its eight primetime games. In prime time, the network averaged a 1.7 rating in the nine metered markets, 183 percent higher than last year’s rating. Of several key matchups in prime time, the highlight was Iowa’s last-second win at Michigan State on Oct. 24.

The network’s most-viewed football Saturday was Oct. 3 when Michigan-Michigan State and Northwestern’s come-from-behind-win at Purdue averaged a combined 4.7 HH rating in the nine metered markets. That night in prime time, the Ohio State-Indiana game attracted a 4.5 HH rating across the nine markets. In all, the network’s games were the top-rated cable programs in either afternoon or prime time in Detroit, Indianapolis, Columbus, Cleveland and Dayton.

Other key matchups driving the ratings included Purdue’s stunning upset of Ohio State on Oct. 17, Wisconsin’s defeat of Michigan at Camp Randall on Nov. 14 and Northwestern’s dramatic victory over Wisconsin on Nov. 21.

In addition, the network’s post-game shows in both the afternoon and in prime time also showed ratings increases, with the Saturday Wrap-Up show up 20 percent and the Wrap-Up following the primetime games up 163 percent.

“These season-long ratings show that the Big Ten Network is establishing itself as a top destination for college football fans,” network President Mark Silverman said. “We look forward to carrying this momentum into the Big Ten basketball season, with the network airing two-thirds of all conference games.”

The network’s final game telecast of the season is at 12:30 PM ET on Saturday when Illinois hosts Fresno State.

*Source: Nielsen Arianna Overnights. Metered Markets: Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Detroit, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis and Pittsburgh.

The Big Ten Network also will count down the top conference games from this season.

Network to Count Down 2009’s Top Football Games on Dec. 14

Fan vote to determine which 10 are re-aired in a Dec. 26 college football marathon

CHICAGO – The 2009 Big Ten football season included amazing come-from-behind wins, last-second victories and stunning upsets. At 9 PM ET on Dec. 14, the Big Ten Network will air Top Ten Football Games of 2009, a 30-minute special hosted by Rick Pizzo.

Fans can view the list of possible games, watch highlights and vote for their top game of the year at http://www.bigtennetwork.com/topgames. Voting ends on Dec. 20. The top games, as chosen by fans, will air on Dec. 26 in the Best Football Games of 2009 marathon. The following 15 games are under consideration:

Sept. 5: Iowa 17, Northern Iowa 16

The Panthers lined up for the potential winning field goal with seven seconds left, but Iowa’s Broderick Binns blocked a 40-yard attempt on first down. Believing the game was over, several Hawkeyes allowed UNI to recover the ball with a second left. After officials reviewed the play to make sure there was time on the clock, the Panthers tried again on second down, and for a second straight kick Iowa was able to get a hand on the ball to preserve the win.

Sept. 12: Michigan 38, Notre Dame 34

Down three points to rival Notre Dame, Michigan’s freshman quarterback Tate Forcier hit Greg Mathews for a 5-yard touchdown pass with 11 seconds left to cap off the game-winning drive and lift the Wolverines to a 38-34 victory over No. 18 Notre Dame.

Sept. 12: Wisconsin 34, Fresno St. 31 (2OT)

After fighting hard for four quarters, Wisconsin safety Chris Maragos came up with an interception in the second overtime, and Philip Welch kicked a 22-yard field goal to give the Badgers a 34-31 victory over Fresno State at Camp Randall Stadium.

Sept. 26: Iowa 21, Penn State 10

The Hawkeyes upset the fifth-ranked Nittany Lions for a second straight year, with Adrian Clayborn sparking a comeback by returning a blocked punt for a touchdown in the eventual 21-10 victory. A season after a stunning 24-23 win over then-unbeaten Penn State, the Hawkeyes handed Penn State its first loss of this season with a 16-point fourth-quarter flourish.

Oct. 3: Michigan State 26, Michigan 20 (OT)

Michigan State freshman Larry Caper ran for a 23-yard touchdown in overtime to give the Spartans a 26-20 victory over the No. 22 Wolverines. Michigan State hadn’t beaten Michigan twice in a row since winning three straight from 1965-67.

Oct. 10: Iowa 30,
Michigan 28

Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi threw for 284 yards and two touchdowns after he was picked off on his first pass, and No. 12 Iowa survived yet another close call, beating Michigan 30-28 for its best start since 1985. The win gave the Hawkeyes their first 10-game winning streak in more than 80 years.

Oct. 17: Purdue 26, Ohio State 18

Led by quarterback Joey Elliott, who threw for 281 yards and two touchdowns, Purdue had one of its biggest upsets in years when they stunned No. 7 Ohio State, 26-18, at Ross-Ade Stadium. The Buckeyes had five turnovers in the game, four by quarterback Terrelle Pryor.

Oct. 24: Iowa 15, Michigan State 13

To stay undefeated, Iowa needed every last second and one more perfect throw from Ricky Stanzi. He connected with Marvin McNutt for a 7-yard touchdown pass as time expired and the Hawkeyes escaped with a 15-13 victory against Michigan State keep their title hopes alive.

Oct. 24: Northwestern 29, Indiana 28

Stefan Demos kicked a 19-yard field goal with 21 seconds left and Northwestern completed a comeback from a 25-point deficit in beating Indiana, 29-28. Mike Kafka shook off three second-half interceptions by hitting Andrew Brewer on a key fourth-down pass that set up the eventual game-winning score.

Oct. 31: Minnesota 42, Michigan State 34

Adam Weber passed for a career-high 416 yards and five touchdowns, helping Minnesota hurdle a school-record 17 penalties and hang on to beat Michigan State 42-34. Playing without injured star wide receiver Eric Decker for the first time, Weber stepped up by completing 19 of 31 passes.

Nov. 7: Northwestern 17, Iowa 10

Dan Persa threw a touchdown pass and Marshall Thomas recovered a fumble for another score, and Northwestern dealt a crushing blow to Iowa’s national championship hopes with a 17-10 victory in Iowa City.

Nov. 7: Illinois 35, Minnesota 32

Terry Hawthorne returned an interception for a touchdown and Clay Nurse had four of Illinois’ eight sacks to lead the Illini to a 35-32 victory over Minnesota. Jacob Charest threw for 185 yards and a touchdown after replacing Juice Williams, who left in the first quarter with an injured left ankle.

Nov. 14: Iowa 24, Ohio State 27 (OT)

With the Big Ten title and a Rose Bowl berth on the line, Devin Barclay, a 26-year-old former pro soccer player, kicked a 39-yard field goal in overtime to give Ohio State a 27-24 victory over Iowa. The win sent the Buckeyes to the Rose Bowl for the first time in 13 years.

Nov. 14: Michigan State 40, Purdue 37

Kirk Cousins threw three touchdown passes, and Michigan State overcame an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat Purdue 40-37 and become bowl-eligible. Michigan State’s Brett Swenson made four field goals, including the game-winning 21-yarder with 1:51 left in the game.

Nov. 21: Northwestern 33, Wisconsin 31

A purple mob rushed to the middle of Ryan Field to celebrate Northwestern’s 33-31 victory over No. 17 Wisconsin. The Wildcats built a 27-14 halftime lead behind the passing of Mike Kafka to Andrew Brewer and then used late defensive plays to hold off the Badgers.

I have more stuff coming up.