Big Ten Network to double wrestling coverage in 2009-10

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