On Friday, bigwig US carrier AT&T revealed that its U-verse TV service had worked out an agreement with ESPN for carrying the Longhorn Network --- the deal coming on the eve of the 2012 football season at the University of Texas.

While the financial terms of the deal have not been officially disclosed, AT&T said that the network will be made available to the company's video subscribers in time for Longhorn's opening clash against Wyoming on Saturday, September 1, at 7 p. m. (CT).

As a result of U-verse TV's deal with ESPN, the August 2011-launched Longhorn Network - which chiefly focuses on University of Texas sports, academics and cultural programs - will now be available to those Texas-based U-verse TV customers who subscribe to the U100 package and above. In the other areas where U-verse has a reach, the advantage of watching programs in HD and SD will be available to customers subscribing to the U450 package.

Moreover, under the terms of the agreement, AT&T also apparently has plans underway to launch - at some time in the future - a live, linear feed of Longhorn Network online to its subscribers through computers, smartphones and tablets.

Noting that U-verse TV's deal with ESPN underscores AT&T's attempts "to deliver the content customers want," Jeff Weber - president of content and advertising services at AT&T Home Solutions - said: "We know fans are passionate about watching Longhorn football, and we're thrilled to offer Longhorn Network to U-verse TV customers in Texas and nationwide."