Less than one month after signing a deal with Comcast, the Big Ten Network announced that its content will be available in both standard-definition (SD) and high-definition (HD) on Verizon’s FiOS video service.

The Big Ten Network has already joined Verizon's most widely available level of service in the Ft. Wayne, Ind., area and will launch during the next few months, region by region, in all additional areas where Verizon’s IPTV service is available.

Terry Denson, VP of FiOS TV content and programming, said that HD content, especially sports, is among the most attractive offering for current and potential FiOS TV subscribers.

"Verizon has placed a high priority on providing the best in both sports and high-definition content to our FiOS TV subscribers," Denson said. "Big Ten Network is an exciting addition to our channel lineup, giving customers a front seat to their favorite college football games."

After refusing to carry the Big Ten Network on its basic tier last year, Comcast recently added it to its expanded basic tier in the seven states that it serves with Big Ten schools (story here).The Big Ten Network has an estimated reach of 35 million households and is also reportedly negotiating with Mediacom in Iowa for carriage.

Since launching its video service in 2005, Verizon said it has become the nation's ninth-largest video distributor, with more than 1.2 million customers.

Verizon and the Big Ten Network also announced that they will launch video-on-demand (VOD) and broadband offerings together within the coming year.

Verizon also announced today that is has launched a new subscription-TV service for small- and medium-size businesses.

Verizon FiOS TV for Business is immediately available in some areas of the 13 states in Verizon’s footprint. The states are California, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas and Virginia.

Pricing for FiOS TV for Business begins at $49.99 per month in most areas for small-business customers.

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