Time Warner Adding ESPNU in N.C.

Time Warner Cable will add ESPNU to most of its North Carolina systems just in time for college-football season, the News & Observer in Raleigh, N.C., reported.

ESPN’s college-sports service will air at least one-dozen Atlantic Coast Conference football games kicking off Saturday, Sept. 1, and the network will be added to the operator’s systems Aug. 31, the News & Observer reported.

Time Warner's Digipic tier, which will include ESPNU, costs $64.75 per month, but the company’s Melissa Buscher told the newspaper a promotional offer will allow new subscribers to order Digipic for $39.95 for an unspecified period.

Time Warner spokeswoman Maureen Huff told the News & Observer the contractual arrangements are "long-term."

In April, Time Warner and Disney reached a comprehensive multiyear distribution agreement that extended retransmission consent for ABC-owned broadcast-television stations in Time Warner markets and ensured distribution for varied cable networks, including a host of ESPN services, Disney Channel and ABC Family.

It also provided for Time Warner's launch of ESPNU and ESPN2 HD and for carriage of Disney Channel on Demand and ESPN Deportes.