Under the multi-year agreement, Victory Sports – which broadcasts in the Midwest regions of the US covering the areas around Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and the Dakotas – have secured the regional cable TV rights to over 100 collegiate basketball (pictured) and football contests including games from a number of other regions such as the Western Athletic Conference and the Big East leagues.
Victory Sports, an affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, is also spreading its subscriber base further and will be available to cable providers throughout the Upper Midwest from early in 2002.
The regional network’s main rival in the market is the Fox Sports Net affiliate Fox Sports Net North, previously known as the Midwest Sports Channel, which holds the rights to Minnesota Wild and Minnesota Timberwolves games.
Victory Sports’ president Kevin Cattoor was formerly head of the Midwest Sports Channel prior to its acquisition by Fox Sports Net.
Elsewhere, ESPN has expanded the reach of its content further still, having signed a deal with the Next Generation Network (NGN), the world’s largest digital out-of-home media network. The tie-up will provide sports news, scores and information to over 7,200 of NGN’s digital screens which are strategically placed in high-traffic locations in cities across the US.
