Big Ten Network Signs Carriage Deal with Comcast

June 23, 2008

After negotiations began nearly a year ago, Comcast and the Big Ten Network have announced that they have reached a long-term multimedia agreement for Comcast to carry Big Ten Network programming in time for the 2008 college football season.

Comcast will offer Big Ten programming through the cable giant's television, broadband, and video-on-demand services. The Big Ten games and network programs will also be available on Comcast in high-definition format.

Big Ten Network to Reach Majority of Big Ten States on Comcast

Beginning August 15, Comcast will launch the network as part of its expanded basic level of service to customers in most states with Big Ten universities -- Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. Comcast will launch the network in the Philadelphia area on the company's digital service level. Comcast does not reach viewers in Iowa, another Big Ten state. Under the terms of the agreement, beginning in spring 2009 Comcast may move the network to its digital level of service in most of these states.

In non-Big Ten states, Comcast can provide Big Ten Network programming on any level of service, including its sports entertainment package.

Comcast and Big Ten Network to Reach More Big Ten Fans

"We are very pleased with the agreement we have reached with the Big Ten Network to carry hundreds of live Big Ten events," said Madison Bond, executive vice president, content acquisition, Comcast Cable. "We will be providing our customers with Big Ten programming through our signature video-on-demand service, and will have lots of highlights, replays, scores and more through Comcast.net so fans can keep pace with Big Ten action whenever they want to."

Big Ten Network President Mark Silverman said the network is thrilled to have Comcast as a distribution partner. "This agreement allows us to reach many more Big Ten fans with our programming because of the high concentration of Comcast subscribers in Big Ten states. With the Comcast deal now in place, the Big Ten Network will be available to more than two-thirds of all homes in Big Ten Country."