Big Ten Network to double wrestling coverage in 2009-10

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Big Ten Network ()
10/20/2009


CHICAGO - The Big Ten Network will double its coverage of wrestling this season, with television coverage of the Big Ten Championships, the Midlands Classic and nine duals. In addition, the network will stream 15 more duals on www.BigTenNetwork.com.

"Once again, the Big Ten is the nation's most dominant wrestling conference, and we're pleased to bring fans even more wrestling coverage than ever before," Big Ten Network President Mark Silverman said.

Coverage begins on Dec. 10 with an in-state battle between Iowa and Northern Iowa.  The action heats up in January with the Midlands Classic in Evanston, which will be televised at 7 PM ET on Jan. 3.

The network will televise a dual match on many Friday and Sunday nights in January and February, culminating with live coverage of the Big Ten Championships at 2 PM ET on Sunday, March 7, from the campus of the University of Michigan.

Nearly all of the televised events will air live, or on a same-day delay basis to avoid schedule conflicts with men's basketball and hockey.  Streamed events will be available live and on-demand at www.BigTenNetwork.com.

The network has made a significant financial investment to provide fans with a high-quality streaming experience that is comparable to watching an event in high definition.

Every Big Ten Conference team was ranked in the final 2009 InterMat top 25 poll, including No. 1 Iowa, No, 2 Ohio State, No. 8 Illinois, No. 9 Wisconsin, No. 11 Michigan, No. 13 Northwestern, No. 15 Minnesota, No. 17 Penn State, No. 23 Purdue, No. 24 Indiana and No. 25 Michigan State.

The Big Ten Network is now available to up to 73 million homes across North America through satellite providers such as DIRECTV, DISH Network and Shaw Direct (Canada), telco companies such as Verizon FiOS and AT&T U-Verse, and on cable in 19 of the nation's top 20 media markets. Fans can find the channel specific to their area and provider by entering their zip code at www.bigtennetwork.com/channelfinder.

2009-10 BIG TEN NETWORK WRESTLING SCHEDULE

Event                                       Air Date                   Air Time                                    Outlet

Northern Iowa at Iowa               Thursday, Dec. 10      7 PM ET (LIVE)                         BigTenNetwork.com

Midlands Classic                        Sunday, Jan. 3            7 PM ET (delay)                          Big Ten Network

Oklahoma State at Iowa             Sunday, Jan. 17          7 PM ET (delay)                          Big Ten Network

Illinois at Penn State                   Friday, Jan. 22            7 PM ET (LIVE)                         BigTenNetwork.com

Minnesota at Michigan State       Friday, Jan. 22            7 PM ET (LIVE)                         BigTenNetwork.com

Indiana at Wisconsin                  Friday, Jan. 22            8 PM ET (LIVE)                         Big Ten Network

Illinois at Michigan State             Sunday, Jan. 24          1 PM ET (LIVE)                         BigTenNetwork.com

Penn State at Ohio State            Sunday, Jan. 24          7 PM ET (same-day delay)           Big Ten Network

Wisconsin at Minnesota              Friday, Jan. 29            7 PM ET (LIVE)                         BigTenNetwork.com

Penn State at Iowa                    Friday, Jan. 29            TBD (LIVE)                                BigTenNetwork.com

Penn State at Wisconsin            Sunday, Jan. 31          2 PM ET (LIVE)                         BigTenNetwork.com

Illinois at Northwestern              Sunday, Jan. 31          7 PM ET (same-day delay)           Big Ten Network

Michigan State at Iowa              Sunday, Jan. 31          TBD (LIVE)                                BigTenNetwork.com

Northwestern at Penn State        Friday, Feb. 5             7 PM ET (LIVE)                         BigTenNetwork.com

Minnesota at Illinois                   Friday, Feb. 5             8 PM ET (LIVE)                         Big Ten Network

Purdue at Michigan State           Sunday, Feb. 7           7 PM ET (same-day delay)           Big Ten Network

Michigan State at Penn State      Friday, Feb. 12           7 PM ET (LIVE)                         BigTenNetwork.com

Northwestern at Iowa                Friday, Feb. 12           TBD (LIVE)                                BigTenNetwork.com

Iowa at Minnesota                     Sunday, Feb. 14          7 PM ET (LIVE)                         Big Ten Network

Northwestern at Wisconsin         Friday, Feb. 19           7 PM ET (LIVE)                         BigTenNetwork.com

Penn State at Minnesota             Friday, Feb. 19           7 PM ET (LIVE)                         BigTenNetwork.com

Ohio State at Iowa                     Friday, Feb. 19           10:30 PM ET (same-day delay)     Big Ten Network

Indiana at Michigan State           Sunday, Feb. 21          1 PM ET (LIVE)                         BigTenNetwork.com

Iowa at Wisconsin                     Sunday, Feb. 21          1 PM ET (LIVE)                         BigTenNetwork.com

Michigan at Northwestern          Sunday, Feb. 21          7 PM ET (LIVE)                         Big Ten Network

Big Ten Championships              Sunday, March 7        2 PM ET (LIVE)                         Big Ten Network