Scott Dochterman, CR Gazette –
BTN and Dish Network reached a temporary deal that will enable football fans to watch four season-opening games on the national satellite provider today.
“BTN and Dish Network have agreed to a short-term arrangement,” according to BTN spokeswoman Elizabeth Conlisk in an overnight statement. “Discussions continue toward a long-term agreement.”
The sides reached a negotiating impasse earlier this week and their deal was set to expire on Friday night. Dish Network agreed to carry BTN within a week of the network’s launch in 2007.
The network will broadcast four football games today. Northern Iowa’s season opener at Wisconsin airs on BTN at 2:30 p.m. Among the other BTN games airing today include Ohio State Coach Urban Meyer’s debut against Miami (Ohio) and Purdue’s Danny Hope coaching against his former team, Eastern Kentucky. Indiana State at Indiana airs tonight.
ESPNU will televise Iowa’s 2012 debut against Northern Illinois, but the Hawkeyes’ next two games are scheduled to run on BTN.
For more on the BTN, which celebrated its fifth anniversary on Thursday, click here