• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, January 30, 2008

MTV's on-campus network is now expanding to areas near campus. The place-based network, available on some 750 colleges, has reached deals with a range of MSOs to carry it, looking to reach students living outside the dorms.

Cable operators Charter and Suddenlink, along with telco TV providers Verizon and AT&T and others, will offer MTVu on their systems in college towns.

MTV Networks says the deals will make the channel available to some 2.6 million subscribers (1.3 million on Charter), giving it both traditional and place-based distribution.

The network launches Feb. 2 on the MSOs in 700 areas with a considerable college-student population.

Network content--all short-form--is heavy in the music genre, with videos and features on acts popular with the college set. Among program offerings this spring are bits where stars Mary J. Blige and Ludacris serve as guest professors for a day.