Pac-12 Networks Signs SureWest Deal in Northern California

Pac-12 Enterprises has reached an agreement with Consolidated Communications for its SureWest Communications to carry the Pac-12 Networks’ Bay Area regional service.

SureWest has launched the Pac-12 Bay Area regional network, which places particular emphasis on athletic action centering from Stanford and Cal-Berkeley, in both the standard- (channel 160) and high-definition (626) formats.

The new agreement, financial terms of which were not disclosed, gives SureWest subscribers access to hundreds of live sporting events, including all football games, 150 men’s basketball games and other specialty content that will be featured on the Pac-12 Networks, comprising one national and six regional networks across the conference’s footprint.

“We are extremely excited to launch the Pac-12 Bay Area Network,” said Rob Koester, director of product management for Consolidated Communications, in announcing the affiliate pact. “Demand for this network has grown exponentially and now customers in our Sacramento market can enjoy hundreds of live Pac-12 collegiate sporting events from the comfort of their homes.”

Pac-12, which kicked off in August, had charter deals with Time Warner Cable, Comcast, Bright House Networks and Cox, subsequently scored a master contract with the National Cable Television Cooperative and signed pacts with a number of co-op members. It also has a deal with Dish Network.