From Deseret News archives:
MWC and CSTV ready lineup announcement
The Mountain West Conference and CSTV are preparing an announcement that we're promised will please a lot of local fans. It will involve not just CSTV but also The mtn., the soon-to-be-launched channel devoted entirely to MWC sports.
And it's a big deal to local fans, given that BYU and Utah each are scheduled to have 10 of their 12 football games telecast on either CSTV or The mtn. this fall.
Don't be surprised when Comcast, the largest cable provider in Utah, plays a big part in the announcement. And don't be surprised if it goes beyond just what cable systems will carry the channels.
"We have what we think are going to be some very well-received announcements ... about who can see us when," CSTV president Brian Bedol said in an interview with the Deseret Morning News. "We assure you there will be distribution that will deliver on the promise of giving the most fans in the Mountain West territories the most access to the most games."
(CSTV had hoped to make the announcement at the Mountain West meetings currently under way in San Diego, but that has been delayed because of unrelated business at Comcast.)
CSTV is also negotiating with cable providers in other MWC markets: Bedol was in San Diego last week; he's scheduled to be in Las Vegas today. And there have been talks about The mtn. with various cable operations and satellite providers Dish and DirecTV.
He also said it was possible that CSTV could syndicate games to local broadcast stations in markets that don't carry either CSTV or The mtn. "We assure you there will be distribution," Bedol said.
That appears unlikely in Utah, however.
"There are multiple negotiations going on simultaneously, and they happen at a different pace," Bedol said. "But I really do sincerely feel great about where we are.
"Often, these are negotiations that go down to the wire. We're doing everything that we can to get them done before they head down to the wire."
Since CSTV and the MWC announced the deal two years ago, CSTV has been acquired by CBS. Which, if nothing else, puts CSTV on a strong financial standing and able to pay the league the $82 million in rights fees the pact calls for over seven years.
But speculation that MWC football and/or basketball games could end up on CBS is premature at best.
"I would say that's not a big part of the plan. There may be the occasional game that does, but that's not part of the upcoming announcement," Bedol said.
E-mail: pierce@desnews.com
Comments
- Obama: Troop drawdown gradual 9:29 a.m.
- Exports up 6th straight month 9:24 a.m.
- Austria passes gay civil unions bill 9:18 a.m.
- EU seeks united front on climate 9:16 a.m.
- Nobel returned to Iranian laureate 8:46 a.m.
- Stocks rise on trade deficit, jobs data 8:45 a.m.
- Gay-friendly curriculum phased out 8:43 a.m.
- Spanish gov't to change abortion bill 8:41 a.m.
- IOC OKs cycling, tennis changes 8:28 a.m.
- BCS = power conference monopoly 8:15 a.m.
- Crash landing next to I-15
- Palin signs books, chats with fans
- Psychologist: Mitchell schizophrenic
- Panel passes BCS playoff bill
- Hot Rod behind mic for Lakers
- Max Hall wants to look ahead
- Nude bathers cited for lewdness
- Cougars use depth to beat ASU
- Non-BCS schools not given fair shot
- Jazz go up against 'the best'
- Letters: Global warming a lie
233 - TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl
206 - BYU football: Bronco weighs in on Hall
185 - Cougars going back to Vegas
150 - Utah/BYU rivalry can be more civil
147 - Andersen apologizes for Jordan hoax
138 - Max Hall wants to look ahead
120 - Palin signs books, chats with fans
114 - Revive full food tax?
100 - Panel passes BCS playoff bill
97
The basketball team put together its best effort in trouncing Michigan.
Four WAC schools earned invitations to bowl games this year and, since...
They are who they thought they were: alarmists and deceivers who did or are...
Of course, the gay community NEVER bullies, manipulates, or uses intimidation.
Have you ever watched a cat play with a mouse? If you saw the Jazz play the...
I live in Saratoga Springs, and the roundabout in Lehi is horrible. There...
Shame on the Utah County Sheriff department. Surely there are more important...
to Merry Christmas: Christmas tress are actually a Pagan tradition that was...
Sowell is right on, as usual. We are losing our freedoms every day by...
So BYU can't run their mouths because they haven't won in the tourney for...
Do you REALLY believe that President Obama has "a deep seated hatred for...


You can be the first to comment on this story.