MADISON, Wis. -- Madison cable customers might not get access to the new Big Ten Network.

It is set to debut in about three weeks, but so far there is no deal in place for Charter Cable.

University of Wisconsin-Madison officials said they are confident that a deal will happen eventually.

"We'd like it all to be settled in advance of the network launch on Aug. 30," said Vince Sweeney, associate athletic director at UW-Madison. "If it's not settled and deals aren't done with Charter by that time, we're hopeful it would happen shortly thereafter."

The Big Ten said it thinks its new network should be included in expanded basic packages. But Charter said there is not enough interest, given the price the Big Ten wants for the network, to include it in expanded basic cable packages.

"There are also a lot of customers who don't want a cost impact on their bill 12 months out of the year and really have no interest in the Big Ten Network," said John Miller, director of communications for Charter's central division.

Charter said it wants the network in the sports tier option.

So far, DIRECTV is the only place fans will find the Big Ten Network in Madison. Without it, fans will only miss the Citadel game, though Sweeney said that the Big Ten Network will get one other football game.

Sweeney said that winter sports on the network will feature many UW-Madison events.