Englewood, Colo. and Chicago - EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) and its DISH Network satellite TV service last week announced the launch of the Big Ten Network.
"DISH Network recognizes how important Big Ten games are to our customers, and we are pleased to have reached an agreement with the Big Ten Network so we may continue offering our customers the best in college and all sports," said Eric Sahl, senior vice president of programming for DISH Network. "Additionally, when we launch the HD simulcast of the Big Ten Network next week, our customers will receive even more HD programming at the best value."
Big Ten Network President Mark Silverman said: "It's great to add DISH Network to our growing list of distribution partners, because it offers another important choice for our fans. DISH Network continues to enhance its HD sports lineup, and we're going to produce more events in HD than any new network in television history. We look forward to working closely with DISH Network to bring more and more viewers to the Big Ten Network."
DISH Network customers nationwide who subscribe to America's Top 100 and higher will find the Big Ten Network on Channel 439. Customers throughout the nation will also have the opportunity to preview the network until early 2008. At that time, the channel will be carried on America's Top 100 Plus service within the eight states with Big Ten institutions.
DISH Network will broadcast two games in high-definition Saturday on Channel 9467, including Akron @ Ohio State (12:00 p.m. ET) and Syracuse @ Iowa (8:00 p.m. ET), and officially launch the HD simulcast of the Big Ten Network the following week.
DISH Network customers enjoy comprehensive football coverage, including the NFL Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic, ESPNU, CSTV, CBS, NBC and ABC. Fans who can't make it to the games will feel like they're watching from the sidelines with DISH Network's industry-leading DishHD and unparalleled picture clarity. The leader in high-definition, DISH Network offers 39 national HD channels including NFL Network HD and ESPN HD, as well as HD local channels in more than 50 percent of U.S. households. DishHD is available free for six months to new customers, and new DISH Network subscribers may also receive a free upgrade to the company's industry-leading and award-winning HD DVR receivers, providing instant replays via a 10-second skip back function.
At least three Penn State football games and approximately 20 Nittany Lion basketball games will air on the Big Ten Network during the upcoming year, including the Buffalo (Sept. 15) football game and at least one conference clash. At least 15 of Penn State's conference men's basketball games will air on the network.
Penn State's field hockey, women's volleyball and men's and women's soccer teams will appear on the Big Ten Network this fall.
To get the Big Ten Network, fans should call 1-866-WANT-B10 and record a message or be patched through to their cable operator and request that the network be a part of their expanded basic package. Comcast customers should call 1-215-665-1700 to request the Big Ten Network.
The Big Ten Network will televise 350-400 events during its inaugural year, including 39 football games, 140 men's basketball games, including 64 of the 99 intra-conference games, women's basketball and more than 170 Olympic sport events.
The Big Ten Network is a national television network, available to all cable and satellite providers nationwide, that will allow fans to see their home teams regardless of where they live. The network currently has national agreements in place with DirecTV (Ch. 220) and AT&T and agreements with nearly 100 cable operators within the eight states of the Big Ten. In total, the network currently is available to viewers in more than 16 million homes. The Big Ten Network is a joint venture between subsidiaries of the Big Ten Conference and Fox Cable Networks.
The Big Ten Network will air approximately 70 live Penn State events during its inaugural year. The vast majority of Penn State's 29 varsity sports will be featured on the Big Ten Network in 2007-08, in addition to at least 60 hours of institutional, non-athletic programming.
For more information about the Big Ten Network on DISH Network, DishHD, or to subscribe to DISH Network, visit http://www.dishnetwork.com online, call 1-800-333-DISH (3474) or visit a local DISH Network retailer.
For more information regarding the Big Ten Network, visit http://www.BigTenNetwork.com online.