More than five months after announcing a distribution deal with Disney and ESPN, Sony PlayStation Vue has moved ahead with the launch of the Longhorn Network for subscribers in Texas and Oklahoma.

For qualified subs, the University of Texas sports net is offered on PS Vue’s “Core” multi-channel plan starting at $34.99 per month.

ESPN said the following channels will be added “soon” to PS Vue’s lineup: ESPN3, ESPN Goal Line, ESPN Buzzer Beater, ESPN Bases Loaded, ESPN Deportes and ESPN Classic.

The launch of the Longhorn Network also comes on the heels of PS Vue’s debut of “slim” multichannel TV packages that are offered nationwide and feature dozens of live cable channels and next-day access to shows from most broadcast TV networks. PS Vue’s multichannel service packages that include live broadcast TV are still limited to seven markets – New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Dallas and Miami.

“ESPN is committed to Longhorn Network and serving Texas sports fans wherever they consume content,” Stacie McCollum, ESPN’s senior director, Longhorn Network Programming & Acquisitions, said in a statement. “The network’s launch on PlayStation Vue further expands LHN’s availability to fans within Texas and Oklahoma. It is a prime example of consistent distribution growth year over year for the network since launching in 2011.”

“The University of Texas is delighted that the Longhorn Network is making this launch,” added Mike Perrin, University of Texas Men’s Athletic Director. “We have a great relationship with the network, and additional distribution of content remains a hallmark of success.”

PlayStation Vue currently supports the PlayStation 4 and PS3 consoles, Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick,  its app for the iPad and iPhone, and via the Google Chromecast streaming adapter (through compatible iOS devices).

DirecTV is adding The Longhorn Network to its lineup today.

With the launch, the ESPN-owned  network, devoted 24/7 to the University of Texas and its mascot, Bevo (pictured), will push its subscriber base to 17 million subscribers in the Lone Star State and throughout the nation. 

The rollout from DirecTV's distribution pen is part of the comprehensive cariage agreement the top DBS provider signed with ESPN parent, The Walt Disney Co., last month.

Longhorn Network will be available to DirecTV customers in Texas on channel 677 via the Choice package or above, and nationwide for customers who subscribe to the DirecTV Sports Pack.

In addition, DirecTV subs who receive LHN as part will soon be able to watch the network’s exclusive live events and content via WatchESPN on their computers, smartphones, tablets and connected devices – at home or on the go.  DirecTV, which will raise the price for NFL out-of-home package, Sunday Ticket,  is expected to offer WatchESPN beginning in late February or early March and will be available on DirecTV Everywhere shortly thereafter.

The Longhorn Network launched in 2011 and televises more than 175 athletic events in 20 sports annually, as well as academic and cultural programming from in and around the greater Austin community. DirecTV customers have access to exclusive Longhorn games, Texas coaches’ shows, dedicated pre- and post-game football coverage, basketball and baseball games, nightly news/information programming, in-depth features and all-access content and programs covering the history and pride of Texas athletics.

ESPN said it has promoted company veteran Stephanie Druley to senior vice president, production for its College Networks, making her responsible for all creative and editorial content, studio and remote events, and all talent and production personnel for both the recently launched SEC Network and Longhorn Network.

As a senior coordinating producer, Druley led the launch of Longhorn Network in 2010. In March 2011, she was promoted to vice president, production, and in 2013, named vice president, production college networks.

“Stephanie is one of the most respected executives at our company. Her leadership and expertise are evident in everything she touches including the successful and celebrated rollout of SEC Network and the numerous industry awards she and her teams have collected throughout her career,” said ESPN executive vice president, production John Wildhack in a statement. “The hallmark of her work whether for NFL, SportsCenter or in the college realm, is producing dynamic, creative and engaging multiplatform content that gives fans the best possible insights and analysis on the sports and issues they care about most.”

Druley, began at ESPN as a production assistant in 1990, and her past positons included production oversight of all NFL studio shows for ESPN including the Emmy Award-winning Sunday NFL Countdown, Monday Night Countdown, NFL PrimeTime and NFL Live.  In addition to managing all content, planning, budgeting and staffing for those programs, Druley was responsible for ESPN’s annual on-site coverage of the Super Bowl. In 2006, she spearheaded the popular SportsCenter “My Wish” series.

Amped-up affiliate action continued apace for The Walt Disney Co., as the programmer Monday announced a multiyear, multiplatform renewal pact with Suddenlink Communications.

The comprehensive deal, financial terms of which were not disclosed, encompasses a suite of Disney’s channels, including the launch of the SEC Network, and an array of advances services, notably the programmer’s Watch line of TV Everywhere products. Suddenlink video subs will be able to access Disney’s diversified content base across televisions, computers, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles and connected devices.

The agreement follows Disney’s renewal with the National Cable Television Cooperative on Aug. 1, and last month’s deal with the National Telco Television Consortium, plus pacts with Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Cox, among others, for the SEC Network, which kicks off on Aug. 14.

Among its holdings, Suddenlink operates systems in Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas, Kentucky, Missouri and Louisiana, all of which are within the Southeastern Conference’s 11-state footprint.

In addition to the SEC Network addition, Suddenlink will launch the University of Texas’ Longhorn Network ahead of this year’s football season, and introduce Fusion, Disney’s joint venture service with Univision. Starting this fall the full suite of authenticated Watch services, including WatchESPN, will be available to the MSO’s customers. 

Continuing services covered by the broad scope of this agreement include: ABC Family, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN Deportes, ESPNEWS, ESPN Classic, ESPN3, video-on-demand services and retransmission-consent for KABC-TV in Los Angeles, WTVD-TV in Raleigh-Durham, KTRK-TV in Houston and KFSN-TV in Fresno.

“A number of our customers have expressed interest in the SEC and Longhorn Networks, and a sizable majority have told us how much they value Disney networks like ESPN and ABC Family,” said Kathy Payne, Suddenlink senior vice president and chief programming officer at Suddenlink. “We’re very pleased we can provide those customers what they’ve said they want, and we’d like to specially thank the SEC and Longhorn fans who contacted us for their enthusiasm and patience, as we worked with Disney to complete this comprehensive, long-term agreement.”

“Suddenlink TV customers will benefit greatly from this latest multi-year renewal agreement,” noted Sean Breen,  senior vice president, affiliate sales, Disney & ESPN Networks Group.  “Not only will they continue to receive top quality content from Disney and ESPN networks ahead of the new fall programming slate and upcoming football season, but also additional, highly sought after services.”