Sports

Comcast Cable Could Soon Offer Big Ten, Gophers

(WCCO) The Big Ten Network has been TV for almost a year, but it hasn't been seen on many TVs in the Twin Cities.

Both major satellite providers, DirecTV and Dish Network, had the Big Ten Network, but Comcast Cable did not.

That will change in the fall. Sources on both sides of the negotiations say a deal is close, but will not comment publicly until the deal is signed.

Both expect the Big Ten Network to appear on Comcast at the start of the 2008-2009 football season, on a digital channel, as part of the expanded basic cable service.

"About time, it's about time," said construction worker Travis Boettcher. "We've all been waiting for a while."

Boettcher works on the new football stadium, loves the Gophers and looks forward to watching them on cable again.

"I know it was a big hassle and a big deal, and just a lot of hoops to jump through, but it's about time that it's finally coming here," he added.

Across the street, University of Minnesota Junior Gabe Krenik raised the flag at Williams Arena, and remembered a great finish he didn't get to watch.

"The Indiana-Gopher game in the Big Ten Tournament, where Hoffarber hit the shot with 2 seconds left, that would have been great to watch. I didn't get to see it live, though," lamented Krenik.

Former band member Anneli Icenogle considered new TV options, now that her Gophers will be back on cable.

"I'm moving out of my apartment now, so I'm considering maybe not getting cable," said Icenogle. "If the Big Ten Network is on there, it'll really be a bigger selling point for me than a lot of other channels."

Comcast says that "expanded basic" is the same tier of service as popular channels like CNN and ESPN, but because Big Ten Network will be on a digital channel, viewers will need a cable box to get it.

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