Longhorn Network Reaches Pact With Time Warner

UT's biggest win over the weekend came on Friday when it was announced that Time Warner Cable -- the largest provider in the state reached an agreement with ESPN to carry the Longhorn Network.

Time Warner has over 2 million customers in Texas, all of whom now have the LHN available on their expanded basic cable package.

If I were a betting man - and I have been known to be one on occasion - I would bet that the final negotiations included "future considerations" on the part of ESPN in their negotiation over the clearance of the SEC Network in Texas.

Time Warner joins AT&T U-Verse as the most recognizable names of providers offering the LHN. Other carriers include: Grande Communications, Charter Communications, Cox Communications, Verizon FiOS TV, Google Fiber, Consolidated Communications and En-Touch Systems.

There are three other major carriers out there that ESPN is still working on getting clearance - Comcast, DirecTV and Dish.

One other piece of news over the weekend that portends what ESPN wants for both the LHN and the SEC networks was the announcement of a "TV Everywhere" deal with AT&T U-Verse.

U-Verse customers who get Longhorn Network as part of their service will be able to access the network's live events on devices such as a PC, iPhone, or iPod from anywhere.

Customers will simply provide their AT&T U-verse ID number and password to access live content online at LonghornNetwork.com while they can download a free app for their iPhone and iPod.