The Longhorn Network, which will launch tonight without a national distributor airing the first day of the 24-hour network’s existence, has announced agreements with six local operators in Texas, including Irving-based Consolidated Communications. Consolidated will be one of four Texas-based carriers, and the only one in D-FW, to show tonigh’s inaugural day of programming, which begins at 6 p.m.
Verizon officials have announced national distribution plans for the network, a collaborative effort between Texas and ESPN, starting Sept. 1.
In addition to Consolidated Communications, other Texas-based carriers that launched Friday included Bay City Cablevision, Mid-Coast Cablevision and Texas Mid-Gulf Cablevision. Two other local operators, En-Touch Systems and E-Tex Communications, will launch on Sept. 1.
The Longhorn Network will carry the football team’s Sept. 3 opener against Rice (7 p.m., Austin).
_ Jimmy Burch
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