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Fans frustrated by West Coast blackouts of Big Ten Network games
Xfinity subscribers on the West Coast who wanted to watch the television broadcast of the game between the USC Trojans and Minnesota Golden Gophers on Oct. 5 were out of luck.
The game was covered by the Big Ten Network. However, the network's broadcasts of games involving Big Ten newcomers USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington are blacked out by Xfinity up and down the West Coast.
Comcast/Xfinity reportedly blacking out Big Ten Network for Oregon, Washington, USC, UCLA games https://t.co/sBpJs5zvfT
— The Oregonian (@Oregonian) August 27, 2024
On its website, Xfinity defines a blackout of a sporting event as follows:
"A blackout is when sports teams and leagues (or schools and conferences) prohibit certain games from being seen on certain channels due to ticket sales or games being carried on other channels."
However, Sports Illustrated reported that the cause of the regional blackouts of certain Big Ten games is a "disagreement between Comcast/Xfinity and the Big Ten Network." In the wake of the standoff between the cable provider and the network, a Comcast/Xfinity spokesperson issued a statement:
"We're sensitive to the impact these costs have on our customers and have been in discussions with Fox and the Big Ten Network to find a solution to make certain former Pac-12 games avaialbe the people who want themwhile not forcing others to pay for content they don't want to watch. We hope to be able to reach a fair agreement with Fox and the Big Ten Network to be able to offer these games to our customers."
Fox is the majority owner of the Big Ten Network.
Before the start of the season, journalists reported on the disagreement and resultant blackouts.
Big Ten Network confirms Oregon, Washington football games will be blacked out on Comcast/Xfinity https://t.co/JfME3c0zXu
— The Oregonian (@Oregonian) August 31, 2024
As the midpoint of the college football season draws near, the standoff and blackouts persist.
Fan bases of the impacted teams have taken to social media and online "Xfinity Community Forums" to vent their frustration.
Fansided reported that these fans have alternatives. However, the suggested alternatives involve paying for streaming services such as YouTube TV. For Xfinity customers on the West Coast who have already paid for a Big Ten Network subscription, these suggested alternatives are not entirely satisfying.
More must-reads:
- CFB Week 6 winners, losers: Stunning victories define weekend
- CFB Week 6 knee-jerk reactions: Top SEC teams collapse, two Big Ten playoff contenders eliminated
- The 'USC Trojans in the NFL Hall of Fame' quiz
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