Deseret News | Reader comments: Sorry, but U. vs. Y. is only on The mtn.

Reader comments
Scott D. Pierce: Sorry, but U. vs. Y. is only on The mtn.

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Irritated! | 2:16 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

Who were the lame brain idiots who thought an exclusive tv network only on Directv was the way to go, forcing college football fans to pay expensive subscriber fees to watch a MWC game? Its a great way to alienate those who enjoy watching MWC games, but can't attend in person.

I refuse to sign-up for Directv just so I can watch MWC football games on The Mtn. I care little for all the commentaries, coach interviews, blah blah blah that are the supposed added benefits of The Mtn.

I continue to resign myself to catching the sportsnews highlights.

Still no mtn | 4:18 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

News bulletin to the mtn folks--I STILL won't buy an overpriced package featuring a woefully inferior TV network just so I can watch BYU/Utah. I don't care how annoying Greg Wrubell is--I'll just tune in to KSL on the Internet instead. Your little ploy won't work with me. I don't care THAT much.

Good luck with everyone else!

Texas Ute | 4:56 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

Oh yes the Mtn network is such a great tool in helping the MWC recruit outside of the intermountain west. Ha! The leadership of this conference has firmly established itself as a non -BCS conference inspite of attempts by BYU, TCU and Utah to bring positive noteriety home. The rest of the nation will continue to look at it as sub standard football because of its poor leadership.

BTHO BYU

Comments continue below

kvjones40 | 5:19 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

Every week I watch mainstream media to see if there are highlights of BYU, Utah and TCU games, three highly ranked teams. There is very little or no mention of any of their games. I think this is direct result of the Mtn contract. I believe that the MWC has BCS qualified teams with Heisman type players. But unless they get media attention every week the MWC will not get the respect other teams enjoy. I feel the Mtn contract is like trying to still use BETA video tapes when everyone else is using the VHS format. Oh, and by the way, nobody uses video tapes anymore either.

MTN man | 5:31 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

OK, but is the game going to be in HD on DirecTV?

That's what I want to know. Sadly, I think I already know the answer.

Skippy | 5:49 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

It all about the money $$$$$$$$$

Anonymous | 6:19 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

yeah i agree, not knowing the EXACT channel 6 days in advance used to drive me CRAZY!!

whatever!!! that is the most ridiculous argument i have ever heard. i can't believe i read that.

What a mess | 6:37 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

How could the conference leave ESPN? It must be some recruiting tool to be able to tell a ptential player that he will be seen on TV by at least 14 people each week.

19 | 6:51 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

Certainly having a monopoly is good for the seller. You don't need to be an economist to figure that out. Everybody already knows that. But monopolies are not a favorite with consumers and, sure, while using the biggest game of the year to flex your monopoly muscle makes good business sense, it doesn't change the fact that the Mountain Sports Network was a folly that needs to be corrected as soon as the contract is up. Hiding the Mountain West teams from the rest of the country is a disservice to the conference and its fans.

How 'bout | 6:54 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

The Mountain starts streaming the games over the internet for a cost, ala CSTV? :)

Lame | 7:11 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

The whole thing is lame. The MWC leadership is lame, the Mtn is lame and the fact that we remain in an inferior conference is lame. It's tough to be a Ute fan.

Better Schedule | 7:12 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

Worse TV coverage.

The MWC left ESPN because the Connecticut beancounters wanted to schedule MWC games on Tues, Wed, Thur, Fri and Sat.

Playing Tue or Wed games would be a disaster for game preparation.

As bad as the television coverage has been, NOT having to play weeknight games and Saturday night games every week is better.

only in utah | 7:21 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

this will only happen in utah! I wont support it. As mentioned its about the money!!!

RE: MTN man | 7:23 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

Yes, you can watch the game in HD on DirecTV. If you have an HD receiver and subscribe to HD Access. The game will be on channel 616.1.

Anonymous | 7:34 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

Until the Mtn. is on Dish, it's still a joke. If it wasn't a JOKE, Dish would have it in it's lineup.
Shame on the MWC for not negotiating better and resolving this before agreeing to the contract. That's a big "too bad for you" to the fans.

Cheapskates | 7:39 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

You guys would complain if someone gave you a brick of gold, you would say "Oh theres a scratch on it I dont want it". If you cant afford fifty bucks a month you shouldn't be watching football anyway you should be getting a second job.

Ute in Philadelphia | 7:42 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

Well, since The Mtn. does not service the Philadelphia metro area, I will not be watching the game this year. I DO get Versus and the CBS-Sports package though. While watching the half-time show of the Wyoming @ UNLV game last night, one of the anchors asked a panel which rivalry game they would want to watch this year --> No. Carolina-NC State, Michigan-Ohio St, and BYU-Utah. The BYU-Utah game was the overwhelming favorite. Even CBS-Sports knows this game should be broadcast.

What a ridiculously horrible and short-sighted agreement. It's now not only time to fire Craig Thompson for allowing this to happen, it's time to fire whoever it was that HADN'T fired Thompson ALREADY, thereby allowing "it" to continue.

Does anybody know if this game will be given an internet broadcast?

Better Schedule???? | 7:50 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

What are you talking about?? I would much rather have a game on Thursday as you could actually watch it!! I upgraded my Directv just so I could get the BYU TCU game and then when I sat down to watch it, it was on VS which is an additional upgrade. So forget it the mtn is a bad deal all the way around. This game should be a national intrest game but more people will watch Boise State play Fresno State the following Friday.

DH | 7:53 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

Be like me folks. My wife and I are having a great time doing things together on Saturday afternoon other than watching Mountain West football. I thank the MWC for this. I always thought I needed footbal on Saturday afternoons but I don't. I can enjoy life doing other things and it doesn't even bother me anymore that I don't watch BYU football. My marriage is happier, I am experiencing more of life, and I still have the NFL on Sunday, and if I get any cravings on a Saturday there are plenty of good football teams on many of the "real" networks. So again, thanks to the MWC for allowing me to learn this!

BTW, people who say "Only in Utah" are really showing their ignorance.

re: only in Utah??? | 7:58 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

What an assinine comment; the MWC is also in Texas, California, Nevada, Colorado, Wyoming and New Mexico.

Cry Babies | 8:06 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

What a bunch of cry babies, never in the history of the WAC or the Mountain West Conference could you get every BYU, Utah or Mountain West Conference team game if you were an out of state fan. Not to mention all of the MWC news and coaches press conferences. Now with direct TV you can get every game. Quit crying, get a better job and get your priorities straight. This is one fan that loves the current TV deal!!!

Utah Man | 8:06 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

Just thankful I have tickets to the game. I don't think I can handle sitting through another one of the Mountain's "quality broadcasts". C'mon guys I can build better graphics with my Mac! Most college television stations do a better job. Even Comcast, which owns The MTN doesn't broadcast it in HD, what does that tell you?

Utah by five.

Hey Philly | 8:07 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

The Mtn. does service the Philadelphia area. It's on DirecTV as part of their all sports pack that costs a whopping $12.00 per month.

Just like everyone else out there, I think the broadcasters, the camera work, the pre-game, half-time, and post-game shows are shoddy (and that's generous!).

But, like many, I can't afford to buy tickets to every game. But, like most of you, I can afford $48 for four months to make sure I get to see my team play.

Get over it. Cheapskate said it best. And, by the way Cheapskate, where's my gold brick??? LOL

Cougar in Virginia | 8:09 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

I scrapped my cable and signed up for DirecTV this August so that I could watch all the BYU games. So far, I haven't missed a play. The sports package the mtn. comes on is only $12 a month, and after Nov. 22, I'll call and cancel it, and I'll actually be paying less than I was for cable, but now DVR service is included. Sure, I'd rather watch the games on ESPN, sure, the mtn. announcers and production values are atrocious, and sure, it's terrible for exposure and recruiting. But thanks to DirecTV, at least those of us outside the area who are already interested have a way to watch the games. Plus, I also get the Big Ten Network!

RE: What a mess | 8:13 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

"How could the conference leave ESPN?"
They got out of the ESPN contract because they didn't want to play games when no one would be watching - two cases in point: 1) Remember when the only MWC basketball games on ESPN were on Monday nights and started at 10 PM MST? 2) Look at Ball State's games. They played on Tuesday this week...Tuesday!

Huh??? | 8:19 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

Living out of Utah, I've seen more games this year than the previous 5 combined. Direct TV has been a godsend to those out of the "homeland."
Watching football is a hobby or enjoyment that some wish to pay for.
In addition, I'll get 22 or so BYU and Utah basketball games.

The national trend is to move sporting events to pay cable television....NFL ticket, YES network, FS Utah for Jazz games.
If commenting on a message board of a local newspaper help you feel better, than feel free.

Cranky Coug | 8:21 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

Re: DH

You make me want to throwup! :)

Short Memories | 8:21 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

I just don't get the complaining. When the MTN West had its contract with ESPN, I'm guessing BYU was on 2-3 times a year, tops. Utah, maybe twice. Fans act like we were on every week, which just wasn't the case. Why are we so worried about national perception, hi-lights on ESPN, etc.??? Who cares about ESPN. Does anyone really think the opinions of Mark May and crew mean anything? Does anyone think that a 4 or 5 star recruit makes a decision to come to BYU or Utah based upon which network we are on? NFL scouts do more than sit around waiting for ESPN to tell them who the top players are. The WAC has its contract with ESPN, and I'm guessing Boise State will be on ESPN 2-3 times this year (espn.360 games do not count).

DieHardCougar | 8:22 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

It's too bad BYU can't be undefeated going into the Holy War like Utah. If both teams were undefeated, then maybe ESPN would have sent College Gameday back to SLC. That would have been sweet to see that game on ESPN.
Oh well, guess I'll turn on the mtn. on Nov. 22, when it's supposedly going to be broadcast in HD...

WHAT! | 8:29 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

Who cares, as long as the game is on TV. It hasn't been that long ago that only about 1/3 of the Ute games were even on TV. Cougs and Utes should quit squaking and enjoy the game!!!

To: MTN man | 8:35 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

The Utah-BYU game WILL be in HD on DirecTV. Maybe you didn't know the answer after all.

Dave in NC | 8:43 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

Is it any wonder "Y" BYU gets no respect here in the East? Come on guys, you want national exposure or do "U" just want to gripe about it? Get your TV contracts worked out.

Eean, FL Coug | 8:48 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

I agree with kvjones40. Do you want a barometer of the national impact that the Mtn. has? Just watch the Top 25 run down on Sports Center or College GameDay Final. To date I have not seen a single highlight of either BYU, Utah, or TCU when facing a non-BCS opponent, even though all three teams are ranked in the Top 20 and are a combined 28-3. They barely get the box score mentioned. Props to the Mtn. Ha.

SDB | 8:52 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

Why isn't the game broadcast in Arizona? I assume there are thousands of alumni from both schools living here in the desert who would love to watch this game but I guess we will have to settle on listening to internet radio. I say BOOOO to the Mtn. GO UTES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sell, sell, sell | 8:58 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

This game should be sold off to the highest bidder. Perhaps after the sell the Mtn can purchase some HD equipment.

re:Texas Ute | 8:59 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

The mtn is definitely a tool all right. It's unfortunate that now that the mountain west has three (arguably four with Air Force) teams that could benefit from increased exposure and media attention for purposes of the BCS and its included polls, yet all they have is this below average station with limited distribution. And the problems that the Big Ten network and NFL network have had being distributed (with much larger viewer bases) seems ominous.

Here's looking to another decade of anonymity, mountain west!

Tyler | 9:08 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

Why must we suffer watching the horrible MTN. No wonder some TV providers don't want it to be one of their channels, it looks like a high school broadcast.

Money on the MTN | 9:35 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

I don't blame the MWC for making the deal for the MTN, they reportedly got three times the money that ESPN was offering. The blunder however was miscalculating how easy it would be to immediately get deals with the cable and satelite providers to broadcast the MTN.

Re: DH | 9:39 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

Dork-o-meter:

1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10
^

Still Angry | 9:42 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

I'm glad everyone hates this arrangement. What will it take to end the tyranny of the mountain west and the unbelievable power of CSTV to control media outlets. The brave souls responsible for this despotism have all taken down their e-mails from their sites--at least the BYU guys. Does anyone know how well this has worked out financially? Will it end once the grotesquely long contract is finished?

re: short memories | 9:49 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

That is true about the number of games that ESPN picked up, but that contract allowed the local stations to air the games that the ESPN package did not pick up (Utah on KJZZ and BYU on KSL). Obviously, the current deal with the MTN prohibits that from taking place.

Your Point? | 9:55 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

It's available so who cares. Big deal, so it's not ESPN. Did you look at ESPN's offering to the MWC...it was pennies. The MWC doesn't need friends like that. Why complain. The 'mtn' is the first network of it's kind and frankly, was the model COPIED by the Big-TEN and to be copied by the SEC. All the 'mtn' did was do it first and in time, you'll realize that this deal is way more valuable than any ABC-ESPN deal could have been because ultimately, CBS wants the MTN as a part of ITS long term stake on major college football. If you look at the way the networds jocky for conference broadcast rights, the ABC-ESPN consortium and the FOX Sprots Group have been directly competing for the big conferences and paying an enormous (potential loss) premiums for the right. Whereas the MWC is a relative steal and bargin that CBS has locked up. The fact that CBS has no time slot available to put the BYU-UTAH game on nationally is unimportant. What matters is that the 'mtn' has a pretty sweet deal right now. Look for a BCS/Cotton Bowl spot sooner than you think (2011).

NFL Network | 10:00 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

It's interesting that Scott uses the NFL Network as an analogy for the MTN but it should've been taken a step further: The reason why the NFL has not reached deals with everyone is because of the exhorbitant pricetag they are asking. Maybe the MTN is being ridiculous in how much they're asking from providers like Dish Network.

Earlier in the season when BYU/Utah looked to go into Nov. 22 undefeated, I wondered about the possibility of a bigger network buying the rights to broadcast. It's obvious it never would've happened since I believe it was part of the deal that the MTN signed with DirecTV that it would not be sold or even allowed to be broadcast on wider distributed channels, an exclusive advantage for DirecTV. Remember when the MWC TV schedule came out and they announced BYU/Utah would be on the MTN, and everyone was like "huh?" How do you choose the MTN over CBSC and Versus which both have a bigger audiences?

In fact, I bet DirecTV had a little under-the-table deal with the MTN that it would not be available on any other distributor, all the while claiming to be "in negotiations" with other providers.

cougforlife | 10:08 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

The commissioner of the MWC should be fired for this. Ball St. is ranked ahead of BYU because of our bad TV package. Our TV package is the worst in the country. No one outside of the MWC schools has even heard of this crappy channel. And the worst part is that is not even HD. There are hundreds of thousands of BYU fans outside of Utah who are dying because they can't watch this game. The biggest football game the MWC has ever witnessed will only be watch by a few people in Utah. No national media has will watch this game. The concept of the mount ains is great but having ta game like this on the MTN is utterly redicouls. Fire Craig Thompson for this!

On Your Mind | 10:12 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

I remeber last year you were all complaining you weren't on direct tv. No you are complaining that you are? Beggars can't be choosers

Dish Network | 10:17 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

I'm really disgusted with the MTN. They seem to be oblivious to the fact that the MTN is nowhere to be found on Dish Network. It's like they made the agreement with DirecTV and said, "Hey, we got our satellite deal we were looking for" and forgot about Dish, almost like they got some sort of sweetheart deal from DirecTV to not pursue distribution anwhere else. DirecTV has approx. 20 million subscribers versus about 16 million for Dish.

stupid | 10:30 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

And we wonder why we are always hoping to get national respect. This is plain stupid. BCS on the line, the Cougars possibly being 10-1. Best Utah-BYU match-up in years and no one will see it except people who already know about the MTN West. Dumb.

MADRYBEG | 10:39 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

One positive that occurs is that this game will be in HDTV!! It had better be good, though.

Everything else about the Mtn. SUCKS. I ONLY watch it because I have to. The pregame, halftime, commentators, postgame are terrible. We are force fed because we have to watch this network to see our favorite teams. This deal is dumber than when the WAC expanded to 16 teams.

There's Still Ray-dio | 10:40 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

Although seeing the game is MUCH MORE interesting than just hearing it, those Dish Network subscribers (outside of the regular BYU Sports coverage area)
CAN HEAR the BYU games live done by the KSL announcers on BYU RADIO which is channel 980 on
most Dish Network channel line-ups. That's better than reading about the game after it's over.

Too bad that there's so much "Greed" also known as "market exclusivity" in the TV biz, but that's the case. Having ACCESS to "Desired" programming should be better than it is.

Radio, "The Theatre of the Mind" is still there for us who live out of the Watsatch Front area who are Dish Network subscribers. I'm not un-doing my long term subscription for just one game, BUT IT Would be nice to "see" it though. Don't believe that Direct TV has the BYU Radio (audio channel) in its line up. There's lots of LDS Gospel flavored music the "BYU Radio" many hours daily.

It's a good positive "Audio" channel!!~~

Chief Arrow | 10:42 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

I switched to direct for Mountain West Conference sports - but found I had to get a new prescription for my glasses - but then found the fuzzyness did not go away - and due to the eye strain trying to see just who had the ball, I'm now back to listening to MWC sports on the internet: My imagination provides a much clearer picture - if you know what I mean ! ! ! !

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