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Big Ten Network, Charter strike deal
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The Big Ten Network has reached a multi-year distribution agreement with Charter Communications that will add the channel to the second biggest cable system in Minnesota.
No date was given for when the BTN would appear on Charter but the network is going to be placed on the expanded basic level ofservice for the upcoming football and basketball season. Charter will then evaluate the best level of service on which to place the channel.
"Charter is pleased that an agreement 'in principle' to offer the Big Ten Network to our customers has been reached," said Tucker Carlson, the director of government and franchise relations for Charter. "We believe this agreement is in the best interests of all Charter customers. ... We will work closely with BTN to add the channel as soon as possible to our line-ups, hopefully in time for this Saturday's opening games."
The Gophers will open the season on Saturday night against Northern Illinois in a game that will be seen on BTN. It's been a busy week for BTN, which also reached deals with Time Warner (no longer in Minnesota) and is believed to be very close to an agreement with Mediacom. However, there are no assurances that all Mediacom systems, including those in Minnesota, would get BTN even if a deal is finalized. Comcast, the biggest cable operator in Minnesota, added BTN to its lineup this month.
Charter has approximately 300,000 subscribers in Minnesota and the primary provider in the Apple Valley/Lakeville area, Red Wing, and the Buffalo, Elk River and St. Cloud area.
No date was given for when the BTN would appear on Charter but the network is going to be placed on the expanded basic level ofservice for the upcoming football and basketball season. Charter will then evaluate the best level of service on which to place the channel.
"Charter is pleased that an agreement 'in principle' to offer the Big Ten Network to our customers has been reached," said Tucker Carlson, the director of government and franchise relations for Charter. "We believe this agreement is in the best interests of all Charter customers. ... We will work closely with BTN to add the channel as soon as possible to our line-ups, hopefully in time for this Saturday's opening games."
The Gophers will open the season on Saturday night against Northern Illinois in a game that will be seen on BTN. It's been a busy week for BTN, which also reached deals with Time Warner (no longer in Minnesota) and is believed to be very close to an agreement with Mediacom. However, there are no assurances that all Mediacom systems, including those in Minnesota, would get BTN even if a deal is finalized. Comcast, the biggest cable operator in Minnesota, added BTN to its lineup this month.
Charter has approximately 300,000 subscribers in Minnesota and the primary provider in the Apple Valley/Lakeville area, Red Wing, and the Buffalo, Elk River and St. Cloud area.
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