BREAKING NEWS: Big Ten Network Strikes Deal with Comcast

After leaving major cable subscribers in the dark during its initial season, the Big Ten Network has finally reached a deal with Comcast, meaning viewers in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin will start to see the channel on August 15.

Here’s the press release from the Big Ten Network.

However, the deal is not permanent. Mike Farrell of Multichannel News writes that Comcast will pay the price of 70 cents a subscriber (down from BTN’s demand of $1.10) and can elect not to carry it after the 2008-09 college basketball season.

Judd Zulgad of the Minneapolis Star Tribune says under the deal, most of the Twin Cities will be able to watch the Big Ten Network, but not Charter Communications subscribers.

Bob Fernandez of the Philadelphia Inquirer says the deal was a compromise between the two sides.

Tom Witosky of the Des Moines Register says Iowans remain shut out as Comcast does not serve the state.

We’ll continue to monitor developments in this story.

About Ken Fang

Ken has been covering the sports media in earnest at his own site, Fang's Bites since May 2007 and at Awful Announcing since March 2013. He provides a unique perspective having been an award-winning radio news reporter in Providence and having worked in local television. Fang celebrates the three Boston Red Sox World Championships in the 21st Century, but continues to be a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan.

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