Big Ten Network Picks Up Another Cable System

Unfortunately for Iowa, it's not Mediacom. The Big Ten Network has signed an agreement with Midcontinent picking up subscribers in North and South Dakota and Western Minnesota.

Here's the Big Ten Network's press release:

Midcontinent to launch

Big Ten Network in August

Cable operator serves more than 200,000 customers in Dakotas, Minnesota

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.

Big Ten Network is hoping it will pick up Mediacom, Time Warner Cable and other systems, before the start of the season.