New SB Nation members Barking Carnival have a wonderful outline of just why ESPN's Longhorn Network is so slow to expand its viewership, and as with anything in the emerging market of "cross-platform programming" and the notoriously nasty world of cable television rights, it's complicated:
This is a battle between two 800 lb gorillas who show no signs of giving in. According to the Media Business Corp., there are over 7.5 million cable and satellite homes in Texas. Time Warner Cable is the dominant distributor, with over 2 million homes. Until ESPN cuts a deal with TWC, the others are basically content to sit back and wait and see what price point is set by the major distributor.
For more coverage of the Texas Longhorns, visit Barking Carnival and Burnt Orange Nation. For college football news from around the nation, go to SB Nation's college football page.