Longhorn Network set for Friday debut

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Longhorn Network, the much-hyped and controversial partnership between ESPN and the University of Texas, launches Friday with a significant question: Will anyone be watching?

As of Thursday, ESPN and Texas officials had yet to announce a major cable or satellite provider to carry the Longhorn Network and its 24-hours, seven-days-a-week focus on Texas sports.

The biggest carrier so far is Verizon, which announced Thursday it would carry the network on its FiOS TV sports package with a potential reach of about 4 million subscribers in about a dozen states, including Texas.

"We have confidence someone will see us on Friday," said Stephanie Druley, vice president of programming for the Longhorn Network.

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