Updating Some Details on The Mtn. Deal With DirecTV
Quick update on The Mtn. and its pending deal with DirecTV ...
A spokesman for the network tells me that the rumor that the deal would bar the network from also making a deal with Dish Network is not true. "We would welcome Dish Network as a distribution partner," Hayne Ellis said.
Also, while most reports have echoed San Diego State's Jeff Schemmel in saying an Aug. 1 launch is planned for The Mtn. on DirecTV, the actual language in the contract stipulates only that the network be carried "no later than Sept. 1."
A spokesman for the network tells me that the rumor that the deal would bar the network from also making a deal with Dish Network is not true. "We would welcome Dish Network as a distribution partner," Hayne Ellis said.
Also, while most reports have echoed San Diego State's Jeff Schemmel in saying an Aug. 1 launch is planned for The Mtn. on DirecTV, the actual language in the contract stipulates only that the network be carried "no later than Sept. 1."
posted by www.sltrib.com @ 9:47 PM |
1 Comments:
While this is a small of amount of good news, most people are still not aware of how horrendous this deal is and has been for the MWC. The presidents of the schools and the commisioner (Thompson) are to blame and should be skewered for almost destroying the conference, recruiting capacity, and the fan base. Unless there has been some major renegotiating, and this is unlikely, since the presidents and the commissioner thought it would be a good idea to sign away all negotiating power and give it to Comcast and The Mountain!! (Chris Hill admitted to this on local radio). How stupid do you have to be, not only to sign this deal, but to also give away the right and the ability of the conference to negotiate it's own deals? Incredible, beyond belief incredible.
Also, most people do not realize that in most instances, you still won't see your team play. This is especially true for the 2 flagship schools Utah and BYU. The original deal with The Mtn. disallowed any broadcast by local channels (another inconceivable blunder by the presidents and Thompson). I doubt that local chanels will now be allowed to televise games. Here is the scenario: If BYU and Utah are playing at approximately the same time, only one of the games can be televised. Either Ute fans or Cougar fans will be left out in the cold with no coverage. Also, contrary to popular opinion, The Mtn. does not broadcast all MWC games. They may decide to televise San Diego vs Wyoming (for example) and again, Ute and Cougar fans will be left without TV coverage. We may have better distribution with the addition of DIRECTV as a partner, but the deal and the The Mtn. still stink to high heaven. Thompson should have been fired over this, and the presidents should be taking all the heat. Instead they have tried to blame the satellite networks who have nothing to do with the comprehensive and massive blunders on this disastrous deal.
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