April 14, 2009

CHICAGO - The Big Ten Network will have the most comprehensive spring football coverage, with four separate studio shows beginning on April 11.

On three consecutive Saturdays in April, the Big Ten Network will present special hour-long editions of Big Ten Tonight to bring fans the best action, extended highlights, analysis and interviews with head coaches and top players from every Big Ten spring football game. The special episodes of Big Ten Tonight will air at 10 p.m. ET on April 11, 18 and 25.

"Each special episode of Big Ten Tonight will ensure that fans see the very best of that day's action," Big Ten Network President Mark Silverman said.

The network will air a 90-minute Big Ten Spring Football Wrap-Up at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 30. Studio host Dave Revsine will anchor the program from Chicago, while analysts Gerry DiNardo and Howard Griffith will review every Big Ten spring game, break down the action, discuss the most intriguing position battles and predict which players could have breakout seasons in 2009.

Big Ten football teams will conduct their spring games on April 11 (Michigan), April 18 (Indiana, Purdue, Wisconsin) or April 25 (Illinois, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State). Iowa will not hold its annual spring game as the playing surface at Kinnick Stadium is replaced.

"The spring is such a critical time for every program as new schemes are implemented and new stars emerge. The Big Ten Network is the place to find the answers," Griffith said.

About the Big Ten Network:
The Big Ten Network is the first nationally distributed network dedicated to covering one of the premier collegiate conferences in the country. With approximately 350 live events, and nearly all of them in HD, the 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. The network operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, showcasing a wide array of classic-to-current sports and televising 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. Each year, the network offers approximately 35 football games, 105 regular season men's basketball games; 55 women's basketball games; dozens of Big Ten Championship events; Big Ten Tonight, a nightly studio show; coaches' shows; and classic games. Available to all cable and satellite providers nationwide, the network currently has agreements with more than 250 affiliates, including AT&T U-Verse, Charter, Comcast, Cox (Cleveland), DirecTV, DISH Network, Insight, Mediacom, Time Warner Cable and Verizon FiOS. For updated information on the Big Ten Network, go to www.BigTenNetwork.com.