Chicago —The Big Ten Network announced Tuesday that its programming will become available in standard and high definition to Cablevision customers throughout the company's New York metropolitan service area beginning immediately. Cablevision, the nation's fifth-largest cable television operator serving 3.1 million customers, will offer the Big Ten Network in standard definition on channel 413 and high definition on channel 720, as part of Cablevision's iO TV Sports Pak.
"We're thrilled that Cablevision will offer the Big Ten Network to their customers," Big Ten Network President Mark Silverman said. "There are thousands and thousands of Big Ten fans and alumni within Cablevision's footprint, particularly in the New York metropolitan area, that will now receive unparalleled coverage of Big Ten sports."
"Cablevision is pleased to add the Big Ten Network to the iO TV Sports Pak in standard and high definition as we bring its comprehensive sports coverage to sports fans throughout the New York metro area," said Gary Schanman, Cablevision senior vice president of video product management. "Offering the best in college, professional and extreme sports, the iO Sports Pak delivers more of the games and events fans want to see, at a tremendous value."
The Big Ten Network will televise at least 35 football games this fall, the vast majority of which will be produced in high definition. During the week, the network will have live studio shows dedicated to Big Ten football including Big Ten Football: Breakdown (Tuesdays, 10 p.m. ET), Big Ten Football: Sites & Sounds (Wednesdays, 10 p.m. ET), Big Ten Football: Behind the Schemes (Thursdays, 10 p.m. ET) and Big Ten Football and Beyond (Fridays, 10 p.m. ET).
The first of three Penn State Days on the Big Ten Network for this summer was this past Sunday, with the next two scheduled for July 10 and 22. The Nittany Lions will be featured for 24 hours starting at 6 a.m. ET each day.
This past weekend, the Lions were the big winner at the Big Ten Network's 2008-09 Awards Show, capturing four of the nine award categories. Penn State swept all three awards determined by fan voting and was the only school represented by nominees in all nine award categories.
About the Big Ten Network: The Big Ten Network is the first nationally distributed network dedicated to covering one of the premier collegiate conferences in the country. With approximately 350 live events, and nearly all of them in HD, the network is the ultimate destination for Big Ten fans and alumni across the country, allowing them to see their favorite teams, regardless of where they live. The network operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, showcasing a wide array of classic-to-current sports and televising more Olympic sporting events and women's sports than has ever been aired on any other network. Original programming highlights activities and accomplishments of some of the nation's finest universities. Each year, the network offers approximately 35 football games, 105 regular season men's basketball games; 55 women's basketball games; dozens of Big Ten Championship events; Big Ten Tonight, a nightly studio show; coaches' shows; and classic games. Available to all cable and satellite providers nationwide, the network currently has agreements with more than 250 affiliates. For updated information on the Big Ten Network, go to www.BigTenNetwork.com.