ESPNU Among Top Emerging Networks in Beta Cable Operator Carriage Study

February 8, 2008 - In Beta Research Corp.’s annual survey of cable operators regarding their interest in emerging and/or digital networks, ESPNU received high scores among operators planning to add networks to basic or digital cable. ESPNU tied for third among all emerging networks, with more than one-third of all respondents agreeing they were very interested or fairly interested in carrying the channel by the end of 2008.

“This study supports what we have been saying all along – ESPNU’s commitment to serving the college sports fan on a 24/7 basis with a mix of new programming and telecasting of games from campuses across the country has positioned the network as THE place to watch college athletics,” said Burke Magnus, vice president and general manager, ESPNU. “The network’s continued growth in distribution is due in part to cable operators recognizing the value ESPNU brings to their customers.”

The telephone survey was conducted in September/October 2007 among general managers and/or marketing directors and VPs of individual cable systems. The study determines interest in adding specific emerging or digital networks by the end of 2008; recall of sales presentations, sales materials and trade ads for specific emerging/digital networks; interest in carrying/adding specific mid-sized cable networks and the number of networks to be added to analog basic and digital cable.

ESPNU

ESPNU was launched on March 4, 2005. The network features extensive studio programming and live coverage of games, including college football, college basketball and other Olympic sports from over 20 Division I conferences. The network also has a wide-ranging, long-term agreement with the NCAA calling for enhanced coverage of 22 NCAA Championships, showcasing sports from each of the three collegiate seasons. ESPNU also has re-air rights to games on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN Regional television programming.

In addition, ESPNU.com, the companion to the ESPNU college sports television network, is the online destination for college sports content, including news, information, extensive online video and audio and more.

ESPNU currently reaches approximately 20 million homes through secured distribution agreements with Charter, Cox, DIRECTV (Channel 609), EchoStar’s DISH Network (Channel 148), AT&T, Insight Communications, Mediacom, Time Warner, Verizon, hundreds of smaller affiliates and is close to distribution agreements with many others.

Source: ESPN

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