Sept. 29, 2007
- The Big Ten Network: Programming Schedule
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
- Check out gohawks.com
- WATCH: Kirk’s Tuesday press conference
- WATCH: Kirk’s postgame vs. Indiana
CHICAGO – The Big Ten Network announced Friday a pair of distribution agreements involving cable television systems that compete in the Big Ten Conference’s eight-state footprint and pushed total distribution of the new television network to beyond 30 million homes.
The University of Iowa football team will make its second apperance on the Big Ten Network today when the Hawkeyes entertain Indiana in an 11 a.m. (Iowa time) start at historic Kinnick Stadium. In Iowa, the Big Ten Network is available as part of the basic level of service on more than 60 locally-owned and locally-operated cable television systems and to DirecTV and Dish Network satellite television subscribers.
WideOpenWest, the nation’s largest alternative cable video services provider and 11th-largest system operator overall, and the Big Ten Network announced that WOW will provide Big Ten Network to its expanded basic television customers throughout Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and Indiana, in time for this weekend’s football games on the network.
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The agreements boost Big Ten Network’s availability beyond 30 million homes in its first 30 days, making Big Ten Network the only new network in cable or satellite television history to earn that distinction. In fact, no other new cable or satellite network has surpassed 30 million homes in its first year, and only five others have achieved that milestone within their first two years.
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RCN Corporation, a leading provider of video, data, and voice services to residential, small business and commercial customers, and the Big Ten Network announced that RCN will provide Big Ten Network to its expanded basic television customers in metropolitan Chicago and in its Pennsylvania markets in time for this weekend’s football action.
The agreements boost Big Ten Network’s availability beyond 30 million homes in its first 30 days, making Big Ten Network the only new network in cable or satellite television history to earn that distinction. In fact, no other new cable or satellite network has surpassed 30 million homes in its first year, and only five others have achieved that milestone within their first two years.
With the additions of WOW and RCN to its distribution lineup, Big Ten Network has carriage agreements with every one of the major alternatives to the biggest cable system operators that currently provide local service within the eight states where there are Big Ten institutions.
“We’re excited to be able to offer Big Ten Network to our customers,” said Colleen Abdoulah, president and chief executive officer for WOW. “We recognize how important these games are to Big Ten fans and are pleased we were able to reach an arrangement with Big Ten Network that makes sense for all of our customers.”
“WideOpenWest has created a significant business by offering consumers an exciting alternative to traditional cable and other television providers,” said Mark Silverman, president of the Big Ten Network.
“We are tremendously pleased that WOW, along with over 140 television distributors, recognizes that fans throughout the Midwest want to have access to the wide variety of games, events and programs available on the Big Ten Network. While we still have a way to go, we’re honored to have reached 30 million homes faster than any other new network in history.”
“RCN prides itself on providing our customers with comprehensive choices in sports programming. Therefore we are excited to bring the Big Ten Network to two of the most important areas surrounding Big Ten institutions,” said RCN President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Aquino.
“We’re pleased to have reached an agreement to bring the Big Ten Network to our customers throughout Chicago and our Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley Pennsylvania markets where these schools and their activities are often seen as cornerstones to the local community.”
Silverman was pleased with the progress the network has made in its short history.
“We’ve now reached agreements with every one of the top alternative video, satellite and even telephony-based video suppliers serving the eight states where there are Big Ten institutions, plus another 140 or so smaller, community-based cable systems. Though we have a ways to go, we’re very proud that Big Ten Network is the first new network in the history of cable or satellite television to surpass 30 million homes within its first 30 days on the air.”
About WOW
WOW! is a competitive provider of cable television, high-speed Internet, and telephone services. WOW! Cable features Basic Cable, Digital Cable, and advanced services such as VOD, HDTV and DVRs. WOW! Internet provides customers with a choice of high-speed connections from 768kbps all the way to 6Mbps. WOW! Phone offers the convenience of unlimited local, long distance, and local toll calling in the United States. Customers can bundle any two or all three services together at a great value, while benefiting from the convenience of dealing with just one company for all their entertainment and telecommunications needs.
About RCN Corporation
RCN Corporation, http://www.rcn.com, is one of the largest facilities-based competitive providers of bundled cable, high-speed internet and phone services delivered over its own fiber-optic local network to residential, small business and commercial customers in the most densely populated markets in the U.S. RCN provides service in the Boston, Chicago, Eastern Pennsylvania, New York, and Washington, D.C. metropolitan markets. In addition, RCN operates two commercial divisions – RCN Business Services, a provider of bulk video, broadband internet access and voice services to small and medium business customers, and RCN Business Solutions, a fiber facilities-based provider of high-availability telecommunication services to both retail and wholesale business customers
About the Big Ten Network
Big Ten Network is dedicated to covering the Big Ten Conference and its 11 member institutions. Big Ten Network provides unprecedented access to an extensive schedule of conference sports events and shows and original programs in academics, the arts and sciences, campus activities and associated personalities. Sports programming includes live coverage of more major men’s and women’s events than ever before, along with news, highlights and analysis. The network is available to all cable and satellite carriers and television distributors nationwide, with most programs offered in stunning high-definition television (HDTV). Big Ten Network, launched August 30, 2007, is a partnership between the Big Ten Conference and Fox Cable Networks.
Click HERE for more information about the Big Ten Network.