From Deseret News archives:
Comcast viewers to get Jazz games
Agreement means cable subscribers will see all
The battle between Fox Sports Net-Utah and Comcast is over. Utah's largest cable provider will air all 40 Jazz games that FSN carries during the 2006-07 season.
"This is great news. It means more Jazz fans will get to see more Jazz games," said Randy Rigby, the Jazz's senior vice president of broadcasting.
"In the end, we're all pleased," said Tim Griggs, vice president and general manager of FSN-Utah. "I think Comcast and the Jazz and certainly FSN-Utah are really glad we worked everything out.
"These things happen from time to time in our business. It's not uncommon. People see things differently, and it takes a lot of patience and hard work and willingness on all sides to compromise."
"We are, of course, excited to have this worked out," said Comcast spokesman Ray Child. "And I'm most excited for our customers."
Financial details of the agreement to air the 13 additional games were not released, but a year ago FSN-Utah said it was a six-figure deal under discussion and Comcast said it was seven figures.
Comcast refused to pay that premium. And FSN-Utah ran newspaper and radio ads urging subscribers to complain to the cable company or switch to a satellite system.
"I wouldn't say it was a major problem, but it was a serious annoyance," Rigby said.
Talks between FSN-Utah and Comcast resumed early this summer.
"The Jazz were very patient and heavily involved... I don't think anybody wanted to go into the season without getting this done," Griggs said.
"I just strongly encouraged them to get together on this," Rigby said. "I didn't want this going on. This was a top priority ... so we could all sleep well."
And, after all the rancor between the two companies last season, Griggs sounded entirely conciliatory now that the deal is done.
"I think Comcast showed willingness to try to solve this," he said, acknowledging that part of the problem was that the negotiating began so late in the process a year ago and the added costs were not in Comcast's budget. "That certainly didn't help. You have to put yourself in the other folks' shoes.
"But it's great that there's so many games available now."
As was the case last season, 40 Jazz regular-season games will be telecast on KJZZ-Ch. 14, 40 games on FSN-Utah and two on cable one each on ESPN and TNT. Five games will be simulcast on NBATV.
E-mail: pierce@desnews.com
Comments
- Millions will have to repay tax credit 8:16 a.m.
- Rockets at market target general 8:11 a.m.
- Iraq committee disbands soccer assn 8:05 a.m.
- Watson gets British Open exemption 7:59 a.m.
- Carter defends handling of Iran crisis 7:53 a.m.
- 13 bodies found west of Baghdad 7:49 a.m.
- Afghan gov't: anti-corruption squad 7:46 a.m.
- Edward Woodward dies at 79 7:40 a.m.
- Obama: Uncensored society healthy 7:34 a.m.
- NASA fuels space shuttle for liftoff 7:29 a.m.
- BYU happy to escape with victory
231 - TCU creams U.
225 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
207 - Will state consider gay rights law?
149 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
131 - RSL heads to MLS title game
126 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - Celtics crush Jazz
104 - TCU stays 4th in AP; Y. 19th, U. 23rd
102 - 3A: Hurricane advances to title game
89
All of that said, the idea that it was necessary for Joseph to understand...
and Hurricane played a great game - let's give them some credit.
What other professional teams out there are greeted by their fans on their...
Not a rebuilding year? Come on Cougar fan, facts are facts. 60% of the Utah...
Don't be bitter! Someday your cougars may get to play in a BCS game and...
The Jazz need to clean house and rebuild, starting with the coach.
I was thinking the exact same thing. But hey... this isn't the first time has...
Please give us your sources of information from which you've derived your...
Whenever a writer refers to Obama by saying he "nudged" this or that... it...
To those that say we need this solution, take a look at the countries that...

You can be the first to comment on this story.