Two in one day for the Big Ten Network. While Cox Communications does not have a huge presence in the Midwest, it does have subscribers in suburban Cleveland. Here’s the announcement:
Cox Launches the Big Ten Network in Ohio in Time for Buckeye Football Season
PARMA, Ohio and Chicago – Cox Communications announced that it has reached an agreement to carry the Big Ten Network in time for the start of the 2008-09 football season. The Big Ten Network is now available on Cox Channel 62 and on Channel 724 in high definition and is available to all Cox cable subscribers in the Cleveland area. The channel position may change later this fall to align the network with other sports programming.
“Cox is pleased to be able to offer the Big Ten Network,” said Anne Doris, vice president and general manager of Cox Cleveland. “The Buckeye State has many Big Ten fans, and we worked diligently to negotiate the best deal for our customers.”
Big Ten Network President Mark Silverman said the network is looking forward to welcoming Cox subscribers. “We’re thrilled that Cox in Cleveland is joining the long and growing list of distribution partners offering the Big Ten Network to their customers,” Silverman said. “When fans tune in, they’ll find unparalleled coverage of Big Ten and Buckeye sports – they’ll see more action and more in-depth analysis than ever before.”
Cox serves almost 150,000 service subscribers in 10 suburbs on Cleveland’s west side. The Big Ten Network is expected to broadcast three of the first five Ohio State University games this season including this Saturday against Youngstown State University, September 20 against Troy and September 27 against Minnesota.
So the Big Ten Network is quickly working to get its channel on in time for the Saturday season openers. It’s carrying 7 games this Saturday, including six at noon ET.
