Longhorn Network: Grande First Centex Distributor Onboard

by Wescott Eberts (GoBR) on Sep 2, 2011 6:17 PM CDT in News

It may not quite be the eleventh hour, but it certainly felt like that Friday afternoon in Austin with no cable providers signed on to distribute the Longhorn Network with the opening game against Rice on Saturday evening rapidly approaching. That all changed with the announcement from ESPN that Grande Communications will carry the Longhorn Network in time for the opener.

While Grande is hardly a distributor on par with Time Warner Cable, the big kid on the block in Texas, it does have a reasonable share of the market in Austin, San Marcos, San Antonio, Midland/Odessa, Waco, Corpus Christi and Dallas. Grande joins Verizon and a handful of other small distributors as carriers of the network and could pressure Time Warner Cable to reach a deal with ESPN or lose Longhorn customers.

The big news here is Texas fans in the Austin area will have access to the game, taking some pressure off of ESPN for the hard-line negotiation tactics adopted by the sports entertainment giant that have begun to frustrate fans wanting at least an opportunity to see the game. So, Horn fans, get on the horn to your friends with Grande. And breathe a big sigh of relief.

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proud grande subscriber

Just called Grande, and sure enough, the LHN is already showing on Grande HD Channel 829. Everything looks good and it’ll be tough to peel me away from the couch this evening. Mack, VY, Ricki, and Colt are all sitting around a table telling war stories and watching highlights right now on a show called “Longhorn Legends.” Pretty sweet.

In my weakened state, the customer service rep sold me the HBO package for six months.

by bklynBEVO on Sep 2, 2011 6:38 PM CDT reply actions

+1

and an employee, Time for a Time Warner exodus to Grande for Longhorn fans who are in Grande’s service area. Grande also has the NFL Network which TWC doesn’t have.

by Ryan2907 on Sep 2, 2011 6:47 PM CDT up reply actions

I’m switching over to Grande next week.

SEC- Southern Evangelical Cheaters. Since Jesus didn't specifically mention cheating in football in the New Testament, they are good to go.

by dimecoverage on Sep 2, 2011 6:43 PM CDT reply actions

The Switch

My parents have also scheduled their switch for next week. I’m expecting Grande installers to be busy starting next week.

by Ryan2907 on Sep 2, 2011 6:49 PM CDT up reply actions

Time Warner Cable

I doubt that they will be pressured to pick up the Longhorn Network, they still haven’t picked up the NFL Network which Grande has.

by Ryan2907 on Sep 2, 2011 6:51 PM CDT reply actions

This is what worries me.

by honkskillet on Sep 2, 2011 9:53 PM CDT up reply actions

I am so happy!

I have Grande cable and internet. I now have The Longhorn Network. So happy.

Who are you?!
I'm Kick Ass!

by TexasGarcia37 on Sep 2, 2011 7:07 PM CDT reply actions

You have the Longhorn Network

And a boner, apparently.

There is so much beauty because life can be so symmetrical that it gives birth to this almost silent poetry . . . (like) a girl who's terrible at grammar saying, "Mama, you raised me good," and then being pushed down a well . . .

by lnghrn53 on Sep 2, 2011 7:11 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Does it show?

Sorry.

Who are you?!
I'm Kick Ass!

by TexasGarcia37 on Sep 2, 2011 7:24 PM CDT up reply actions

still not helping my situation. why must I be tortured.

by horninraidercountry on Sep 2, 2011 7:56 PM CDT reply actions

OK, everyone with Grande...

…post your address here. I’ll bring the beer…lots and lots of beer.

You can probably swing a date with LonghornEm too. (She called things off with little brother today ya know…)

by mailliw on Sep 2, 2011 8:31 PM CDT reply actions

This ain't even a bone.

Just old rotten piece of gristle a buzzard wouldn’t eat.
Just something for the dogs to fight over and keep’em quiet for a bit.

But then again it sure makes the Aggies look stupid, Grande communication and the others are such a big boost to the exposure of UT.

by Xerxes on Sep 2, 2011 8:58 PM CDT reply actions

define:curmudgeon

"Reality continues to ruin my life."

by jlhotze on Sep 2, 2011 9:04 PM CDT up reply actions

Two questions...

1) I live in Hawaii, what are the scenarios that I face? BTW, I am stuck with Oceanic Time Warner here.

2) Will it be carried on ESPN3?

by honkskillet on Sep 2, 2011 9:51 PM CDT reply actions

Is LHN on Verizon basic cable nationwide? It it on a higher tear than basic? Is it on basic in Texas but not OOS?

by honkskillet on Sep 2, 2011 9:54 PM CDT reply actions

basic in Texas

you have to get ultimate package to get it outside of Texas. It’s pricey, but the package comes with pretty much every single channel including every single premium channel. I subscribed earlier today. It’s already worth it.

now (periodically) tweeting @BZatBON

by billyzane on Sep 2, 2011 10:46 PM CDT up reply actions

GRANDE!!!!

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by ElMariachiLoco on Sep 3, 2011 12:18 AM CDT reply actions