Deals
TV One scored carriage and got a financial partner in one blow, as DirecTV added the startup to its "Total Choice" package and kicked in an unspecified equity investment to boot. TV One jumps from 6mln HHs to 20mln HHs. — Cisco and Nortel appear to have been awarded contracts to supply gear for Comcast’s new nationwide optical network, beating Lucent and Ciena, according to a research note from Lehman Brothers. — Harron Equity Partners completed acquisition of a majority ownership interest in Gans Comm, an op serving around 42K basic cable subs in PA, MD and VA. Daniels served as financial advisor to Gans. — CSG Systems reached a deal with Time Warner Cable to provide billing and customer care support for its Shreveport, LA, market. — Stan Hitchcock’s country music-tinged newbie BlueHighways TV signed with Insight for carriage in its 13 markets. Insight is the 2nd cable MSO to commit to carrying the network; Bresnan was first. Insight’s Midwest systems made it a natural fit for BlueHighways, Hitchcock said.