Oct. 22, 2009
CHICAGO; - The Big Ten Network, dedicated exclusively to Big Ten Conference television programming, today announced it is launching on Rogers Digital Cable in select areas of Ontario and New Brunswick. The announcement was made today by Big Ten Network President Mark Silverman.
In making the announcement, Silverman said the network, dedicated to showcasing one of the premier athletic and academic conferences in the United States, will be an instant hit with sports fans in Ontario and New Brunswick.
"There are many millions of Big Ten fans in Canada," Silverman said. "We expect the Big Ten Network to become a popular destination for Rogers' customers very quickly."
With the addition of Rogers, the Big Ten Network has distribution deals with three of the four largest distributors in Canada, which include Shaw Cable and Shaw Direct. The network also has an agreement with the Canadian Cable Systems Alliance, covering small, independent operators and two other large independents, SaskTel and Mountain Cable. All carry both HD and SD feeds of the network.
Silverman said when viewers tune in to the network, they'll find unparalleled coverage of Big Ten sports and their favorite teams, an increasing amount of original programming about football and basketball and shows featuring entertaining stories about what's happening around the Big Ten.
The Big Ten Network will be launched in select areas beginning today in a phased approach over the coming week. Prior to launch, temporary free previews are available on channel 385. Big Ten SD will be available on channel 408 in Ontario andNew Brunswick major systems, while HD will be available in Ontario major systems on channel 546. Following the free preview, the Big Ten Network will be available in the Rogers Sports Theme Pack.
The Big Ten Network is the first internationally nationally distributed network dedicated to covering one of the premier collegiate conferences in the United States. With approximately 350 live events, and nearly all of them in high definition, the network is the ultimate destination for Big Ten fans and alumni across North America, 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 the activities and accomplishments of all 11 Big Ten universities. Each year, the network offers between 35 and 40 football games, 105 regular season men's basketball games; 55 women's basketball games; dozens of Big Ten Championship events; nightly studio shows dedicated to football; coaches' shows; and classic games.