U., Y. fans urged to call about mtn.

As rivals on the field, it is not often the Utes and Cougars join athletic forces, but that is exactly what we are doing as we rally our alumni and friends on an extremely important cause.

The Mountain West Conference recently entered into a new, groundbreaking television partnership with CSTV and Comcast that led to the creation of the mtn. — the first television network devoted to an athletic conference.

Nearly two months ago, Comcast and CSTV announced a new partnership and distribution agreement. We were excited to see Comcast, as well as other independent cable companies across the Wasatch Front, add the mtn. and CSTV to their programming.

CSTV and the MWC are now in difficult negotiations with satellite television providers to make the mtn. available to its subscribers. Many of our alumni and supporters live outside the Intermountain West where satellite, on demand, and Internet broadcasts are very important. It is imperative that we establish coverage on satellite and various new mediums.

As we entered negotiations with Dish Network and DirecTV, CSTV anticipated a tough, drawn-out process. Negotiations have been ongoing for months, and CSTV will continue to work tirelessly to finalize a satellite distribution deal.

With our first games on the mtn. approaching, we've received hundreds of e-mails, phone calls and letters from our fans. Many have wondered what to do. Most have asked "how do I get Utah or BYU on television?" Others have wondered how they can help.

Our message is, you can make a difference in these negotiations. In conversations with the MWC and CSTV we learned the satellite companies have questioned our fans' interest in our television product. As alumni and supporters, you have the power to affect the outcome of the negotiations.

We need your help. If you live in an area where your only option for getting the mtn. is through satellite distribution, contact the satellite companies. Let them know you are interested in satellite if they add the mtn. If you already subscribe to Dish or DirecTV, contact the company and tell them you want the mtn.

This weekend is the first Utah and BYU football games on the mtn., and it's important to keep the pressure on the satellite providers. A big push by our alumni and friends could lead to a quicker resolution.

In the short term, we understand the new broadcast partnership may be confusing and not perfect. An undertaking of this magnitude will take some time to work out the details. There have been, and will continue to be, obstacles to overcome.