Wide Open West, RCN strike deal for Big Ten Network (updated)

In a huge victory for the Big Ten Network, Wide Open West, which serves much of Chicago area (the same territory as Comcast), has signed a deal with the fledging sports net to carry the network on an expanded basic cable package in the eight states where there are Big Ten schools.

Later in the day, BTN also struck a deal with RCN Cable, which serves Chicago’s lakefront from Rogers Park on the north to Hyde Park on the south. RCN will also carry the sports net on expanded basic.

BTN is already being carried on Dish Network and Direct TV, as well as many smaller cable operators.

This no doubt will put even more pressure on Comcast, Time Warner, and Charter – the three major cable operators that still refuse to carry the network on their systems.

So come on you three – what are you waiting for? For you all to lose business?

updated 2:22 on 2007-09-29

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