That's according to an article by The Chicago Tribune.
Comcast, the nation's largest cable operator, has been reluctant to add the channel, saying the Big Ten Network was demanding that it be offered in a basic programming tier. The cable operator wanted to include it in a sports tier, which would require an extra fee.
But The Tribune reports that the deal is likely to be announced this week. The Big Ten Network airs live college basketball and football games as well as other college sports.
"For all intents and purposes, it's done," The Tribune quotes one source as saying.
The newspaper writes that the Comcast deal would nearly double the number of homes that can watch the Big Ten Network from 30 million to 55 million.
However, Time Warner, Mediacom and Charter, which has several million subscribers in strong Big Ten markets such as Michigan and Ohio, have still refused to add the channel.
The Tribune reports that Comcast will carry the Big Ten on an expanded digital programming tier rather than in an exclusive sports package. However, Comcast will have the option to move the channel to a different package in the future.
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