Geraldine Laybourne's Oxygen will gain a coveted spot on the analog tier of Time Warner Cable's New York system next month.

Time Warner Cable parent AOL Time Warner increased its minority stake in Oxygen Media earlier this year, and the two companies formed a strategic relationship. As part of the deal, Time Warner Cable committed to distributing the women-oriented network to 10 million subscribers by fall of 2002.

Oxygen had been on Time Warner Cable's digital tier in New York. The shift will put the network on channel 61, in front of about 1.2 million subscribers, effective Dec. 19.

The agreement also included promoting Oxygen's television and online services on America Online. (AOL was one of the first investors in Oxygen Media when it began in 1998.)

Getting on in New York was one of Laybourne's personal goals.

?The number one question I have been asked since I launched Oxygen was, ?When will be I be able to see you in New York?? Finally, I have an answer,? Laybourne said. Beyond the size of the system, being carried in New York puts a cable channel in front of an important set of viewers: ad buyers, who decide whether or not to recommend a network to their clients.

In a press release, Time Warner Cable New York president Barry Rosenblum said: ?Oxygen's unique mixture of distinctive entertainment and informative programming, as well as its innovative Web properties, is a great addition to our standard service.?

The move means Oxygen will end 2001 with nearly 30 million household subscribers, an increase of 6 million homes since midyear, says Oxygen spokeswoman Laura Nelson.

Oxygen has distribution agreements in place for 42 million cable homes by the end of 2003; most of the agreements are a mix of analog and digital carriage, according to Nelson. Other cable operators carrying the service include Charter Communications, Insight Communications, Cox Communications, Adelphia Communications and Cablevision Systems.

Charter Communications launched Oxygen to more than 500,000 homes in June 1999 with a commitment for 4.1 million homes by 2002. Insight Communications distributed the service to the majority of its 1 million cable households in October 1999. Cox Communications brought Oxygen to nearly 1 million homes in March 2000 with a commitment for 20 million homes within three years. Adelphia Communications launched Oxygen in the fall of 2000, adding nearly 5 million more homes to Oxygen's subscriber count.

Meanwhile Cablevision Systems last month included Oxygen in its iO: Interactive Optimum digital offering, while satellite television provider DirecTV also has a distribution deal in place with Oxygen.

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