Big Ten Network In Dakotas, Bits of Minnesota

In case anyone lives on the tundra, this press release just hit my inbox. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. and CHICAGO – Midcontinent Communications, the Upper Midwest’s leading provider of television, local and long-distance telephone service, broadband and cable advertising services to communities in the Dakotas and western Minnesota, and the Big Ten Network today announced that Midcontinent will add the Big Ten Network to its channel lineups beginning August 15. The announcement was made by Tom Simmons, Midcontinent Senior Vice President of Public Policy, and Big Ten Network President Mark Silverman. “We’re thrilled that Midcontinent is joining the long and growing list of affiliates offering the Big Ten Network to their customers,” Silverman said. “When fans tune in, they’ll find unparalleled coverage of Big Ten sports – they’ll see more action and more in-depth analysis than ever before.” Simmons said Midcontinent recognizes that many of its subscribers are Big Ten fans, and so the company was focused on offering the network in time for football season. “We’re really pleased that we will be adding the network to our channel lineup, and we expect it to become a very popular destination for our customers very quickly,” he said. Midcontinent will offer the network on the expanded basic level of service to its customers in Minnesota, one of the eight Big Ten states, and on a digital level of service elsewhere. The Big Ten Network has carriage agreements with more than 230 community-based cable systems, and all of the top alternative video, satellite and telephony-based video suppliers providing local service within the eight states with Big Ten universities. By Aug. 15, the network will be available to approximately 70 percent of all homes in the eight Big Ten states and could reach up to 55 million homes nationwide.