Deseret News | 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.

122 comments | Read story

... | 10:43 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

and the broadcast quality on KSL and, begrudgingly, even KJZZ was better than the Mtn's atrocious broadcasts. As a former sports journalist, I cringe every time I watch a game on that channel. We did better work in our high school newsroom...

Fools, all of you, Fools. | 10:43 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

*If you lived in Utah, the old package was certainly better. Free games on KSL or KJZZ every week.

*If you already pay for cable or satellite TV, the costs are essentially a wash.

*ANYONE in the US can now get just about EVERY SINGLE MWC game annually. It required ESPN Gameplan to do that previously, and even then you were likely out a few games. ESPN Gameplan costs significantly more than three months of the SportsPack.

*Are you truly surprised a cash-strapped tv network would have such poor quality? Now that the DTV deal is in place, the quality will improve steadily. They are broadcasting TWO games in HD this year. They will likely increase that into the tens next year. I'm willing to bet by 2011 ALL games will be in HD.

*The quality of the pregame shows, production team, etc. are on par with everything else I've watched. ESPN announcers suck too.

MississippiUte | 10:46 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

I'm glad the MWC left ESPN and got their own network. I was disappointed in the overall terms ($$$) of the ESPN deal which was doubled or more by owners of the MTN, but also in the ESPN dictated times for playing. I like having the Utes play mostly on Saturdays and special games ala TCU on a TH night...which was in HD and on CBCS tv. The overall distribution of the MTN to date is better and needs to improve, but I do have Directv and the MTN here in Mississippi and glad to be getting it. Rather than the MWC getting the shaft by ESPN and being dictated to by them, the conference has their own network, which in time will become better. btw, it's been reported in your local papers that the BYU/UTAH game is going to be in Hi Def.

Comments continue below

Kevin in the Terrace | 10:59 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

I think the MWC should desolve, re-form a new conference and get out of this TV deal.

Stop your whining! | 11:19 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

Stop your whining, pony up the cash, and tune in to watch Utah, BYU, and TCU kick some butt. If it's not that important to you then don't! It's that easy.

Calm down | 11:23 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

The Mtn will get better. It already has gotten better. I cant stand it either right now but im willing to give it a few years. But heres what ALL of you forget. CSTV paid 82 million for the rights to MWC games which is well more than double what ESPN was offering. So give it at least a full five years and by that time maybe they'll be rid of Marius Peyton, both Christensens and maybe even they're broadcasts might look better than a youtube video.

BYU games | 11:34 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

I have lived in the midwest almost all my life and for years I have been able to see 80% or more of the BYU football games each year up until 2 years ago. Before ESPN GamePlan made it expensive (not to bad when split between a few friends) I used to catch about half the games (the ones not on ESPN) on the Church Satellite System and/or could catch them played back that evening/Monday evening on BYU TV. So before the MTN and even before/during the ESPN Gameplan years I saw lots of BYU games in the middle of no where. The first year of the CSTV/MTN deal I still saw almost every game as CSTV would do web casts for a price ($5 cheaper than ESPN GamePlan). Then they started to play hard ball with the consumers to get us to force the cable/satellite outlets by restricting it to a smaller availability and put the onus on us to call them and complain as their negotiating tactic. And I feel like BYU fans have been the ones hurt the most because we likely make up a larger market share than many other teams in the conference. Terrible

donga | 11:38 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

After the picture quality and lame broadcasters, I find it really irritating they can't follow the play half the time and they do not show any scores of any of the other games in progress...not even MWC scores. Sort of lame, don't you think? Are they so strapped for cash they can't hire decent camera men or put a banner on the screen on occassion to list the scores? No teleprompter near by so the guys in the booth can at least mention some other scores from around the country?

em | 11:48 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

Who cares about ESPN. We are getting the game on TV right. That's all that matters. Besides if the MWC was telvised on ESPN, the conference will still be ignored and treated like a step child. They cater to the good old boys anyway.

Bundy | 11:52 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

The mtn. exists to promote the conference, not the other way around. I think the partnership with CBS could potentially be much better than any ESPN/ABC partership if we can get more exposure.

I think the optimal solution is to work out a deal where high profile games can be broadcast nationwide on CBS and the rest will still be carried by the mountain, versus, and CBS-S. This way we still get the increased exposure we are after, without having to jump through ESPN's hoops.

I guess I'm the only one | 11:59 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008

I like the MTN. I am a LDS, Las Vegan and a Utah alum and so I very much enjoy the specialized coverage of UNLV, Utah & BYU. I submit to you that are mad (apparently livid even) over the MTN that ESPN was not the answer and will not be the answer. Even when the Mountain West is competitive with the big conferences (like this year), the Mountain West teams would always be given second-class citizen treatment on that network, if given any coverage whatsoever.

Also, the 9:00 or 10:00 tip-offs for basketball in order for the games to be televised on ESPN was just awfull. Look what late games have done to Major League Baseball and the World Series. The network is still in its infancy and will continue to get better.

re; DH | 12:03 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008

For once in my life I agree with a cougar (Cranky cougar!)

NON | 12:04 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008

Just to make it interesting, the U of U is paid for by tax payers money, which means the football program survives on tax payers money. Translation Tax payers should be able to watch the game on a local network. Some how though the school that is paid for by tax payers can't even get to watch a football game unless they pay for it.
San Francisco Rocks!!! As Utah Alumni I feel sorry for the people that work hard and support the team but still have no rights to the team that they pay for.

Gilbert, AZ Coug Fan | 12:18 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008

The game IS on in AZ... if you have Direct TV. I do. You want to see the game? Let me know and you can come see it at my house.

As for the Mtn quality, we obviously have a plethora of highly qualified TV critics posting here. The camera work is definitely lacking, but then I have seen similar lazy camera work on several other networks, too. The pre-post game shows? I think the anchor and commentators are just as good as what I see on other networks. "They just spout stuff to the camera." Are you not paying attention to ESPN and Fox and others? It's the same thing!

And no one cares about basketball, I guess. That is a big draw for me. I can see EVERY BYU conference basketball game now. And many other BYU sports, too. Sorry, forgot the world revolves exclusively around football.

idaho cougar | 12:22 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008

Aparently some of you only watch espn for the beer commercials. BYU has been covered in their rundowns, as well Utah. It's clear they are not the darlings, but let's be realistic. The Direct TV deal is way better than the espn deal simply by the fact that unless you were in Happy Valley, you could not get a game anywhere. Now at least we can see every game, including next weeks Utah loss to the Cougs, all in HD. The mtn guys are pretty pathetic, but its a start!!

re: NON | 12:32 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008

Is your TV station that you watch run by the government? If not how does tax dollars and the school have anything to do with the TV contract? Not sure how this leap/connection is being made?

This year I bought a slingbox and a member of the church sent it to his Dad in Utah. We get all the games now . . .

BlueBoy | 12:37 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008

How'd they ever come up with such a stupid name as "The mtn." anyway? Cap "The" but not any part of "mtn" and add a period as part of the name? "the mTn" would've been better! Or "THE MTN"! The way they did it is so counterintuitive to most people that they can't spell it correctly (as "The mtn.").

At least it's on satellite now. That's why I switched from Dish when I wanted to upgrade to HD. Wonder how many others did that?

ESPN | 12:45 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008

ESPN is the way to go not some obscure and incapable network like the MNT. Exposure is everything in college sports and BYU (and other MWC) players are paying big time to line Craig Thompson's and a few others pockets. I would rather (and will continue to) watch ESPN games and then read about what happened in the lowly MWC conference anyway. If you don't believe look at the facts. Boise State and Fresno have gotten far more exposure and benefit from ESPN than any MWC teams have gotten from the MNT. BYU needs to get out of their contract with the MNT as soon as they are able.

Hey MWC! | 12:57 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008

Please listen to the voice of the fans! We don't like the mtn.! We want you to get a divorce and find someone else who is much nicer and sweeter.

Todd Should | 1:00 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008

Todd C. should quit the mtn and try to get his old job at BYU tv back. Maybe then his clout can get the games back there. Craig T. is tiny man.

To Blueboy | 1:05 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008

M ountainWest T elevision N etwork. MTN.

tom_al | 1:14 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008

I hate the MTN.

lol mtn | 1:27 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008

the mtn is such a stupid channel, lol

the mtn west teams want national respect, the first step would be to play on a station everyone can actually watch.

the wac has a game on espn every week yet the mtn continues to only be shown in the local market.

the mtn is the best thing that ever happened to usu and wsu. now these to schools are getting lots of games on kjzz which they didnt get before.

thanks!

sincerly,

usu john

TINY MAN | 1:44 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008

You said it first, but I AGREE!!! LOL.

mtn | 1:46 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008

MARRIED TO NOTHING.

MTN | 1:49 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008

My Turn Now.

Jack from Ark | 1:53 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008

I have been extremely happy with MTN on Direct. The 600 level channels (MTN on 613) is available on the second tier around 39.00 per month. This is cheaper by far than the hit and miss of PPV or worse yet the table scraps we got from ESPN. They gave me a great deal this year that has brought every game to my TV set. I am very happy with Direct and MTN. So quit your complaining and if you want UTE or BYU on tv GO DIRECT. The color coverage is also getting better.

Red "E" | 2:07 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008

Utes are Red "e" to kick some cougar tail on 11/22/08. Good thing its on the MTN, so the emabarrasment won't go so deep. There won't be many viewers for sure.

Ben in Texas | 2:09 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008

Since when did national coverage = national respect? I believe the WAC has an ESPN contract and they do not get any more respect than the MWC. In fact I heard quite a few pundits extol the strength of the MWC this year. The MWC currently has 3 ranked teams and a 4th this is getting serious votes, I believe that is more than the WAC or any of the other non-BCS conferences despite their ESPN coverage.

Now, I agree that the camera shots and general program development of the MTN need some major help, but lets not delude ourselves into thinking that an ESPN contract is the one thing keeping us out of the national championship.

Craig Thompson | 2:13 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008

We can all thank Craig Thompson for this mess as well as for the Joke of a bowl game our conference gets. 1st place MWC vs 5th place Pac-10? That was a brilliant move.

Ingrates! | 2:25 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008

The Mtn except for the low resolution (non HD) is an infinetely greater option than existed before, we now get every conference game, press conferences, weekly coaches show, ect. Stop the murmuring and upgrade your package if you are a true fan!

Death to The MTN | 2:27 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008

I hate the MTN. Especially the commentators. It is hard enough trying to figure out what is on my TV with all the junk cameras they use without trying to figure out what the junk the commentators are trying to say.

Idaho n8ive | 2:42 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008

I am now living in Anchorage, Alaska and with the way this Country is headed I need to cut back on things, cable being one of them. Now I can't enjoy the games I would like to, such as B.S.U. or B.Y.U., it would be nice if more games were offered on regular T.V. but the pocket book speaks the loudest or is more hungry. The Government is helping everybody else why not, auh that is wishful thinking. It would be nice if the pocket book never came first, again that is wishful thinking. Back to real life being up here in the cold I will have to read about it in the newspaper, I can afford $1.50 on Sunday. Go B.Y.U. and B.S.U.

rvalens2 | 3:02 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008

Thank God I'm also a Boise State fan! At least I get to watch them every week and on my local station to boot.

Note to the powers that be in the Mountain West conference:

Once this MTN contract is over, please go back to ESPN even if you have to do so with your tail between your legs. Either that or negotiate with CBSC so your games are exclusively broadcast there. At least they offer HD. The TCU vs Utah game looked great, I felt like I had a front row seat!

Like many others I won't subscribe to DirecTV just to get the MTN. I'm already on DishNetwork and will not switch just to watch one game a year.

If MTN wants to expand its viewership they need to get in gear and get their lousy network on something other than DirecTV.

Big rivalry? | 3:10 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008

I can't believe the doofus who said people in the East Coast would rather watch BYU-Utah than Mich-Ohio State. This Mtn deal proves that NO ONE cares that much outside of your little state with 2.5 million people. Utah is way overrated, BYU is too, and there are so few people outside of the Wasatch Front that even care. Get over yourselves!!!!

UoU | 3:10 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008

THIS IS WHY THERE IS NOT MORE RESPECT FOR OUR CONFERENCE.
Utah, BYU, and TCU should get together and threaten bailing on the MWC due to this awful disgrace of a tv "deal"
Yet again, a HUGE game for our teams and conference will be barely mentioned to those and by those who make important decisions in college football.
OUT OF THE MWC!!!

Hard Hat | 3:20 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008

At least The Mtn is easier to find now than in the past few years. I do wish they would work on the camera work and get things up to speed that way. Poor angles and grainy images are not the way to go. For those complaining about DirectTV and the cost, just go find a sports bar or restaurant that has the game on and watch there.

Re: Craig Thompson | 3:30 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008

This year the Vegas Bowl gets the Pac-10 #4. It alternates each year between #4 and #5. Not that that dilutes your argument or changes things at all considering how poor the Pac-10 is this season...

Pathetic | 3:53 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008

It is truly pathetic that we are stuck being represented exclusively by the Mtn. No wonder the BCS looks down on the Mountain West Conference. A truly pathetic move.

RE: Cheapskates | 4:10 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008

Yeah, I guess I should get a second job so I don't have time to watch it anyway. What a ****! I hope you don't lose your job or house in this mess of an economy.

Greatful for the MTN | 4:17 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008

I haven't missed a game for two years. The games are played on Saturday afternoon (as they should be) with an occassional one on Thursday. With a DVR you can delay the broadcast a few seconds and listen to the KSL audio in sync with the game if you don't like the MTN commentators.
There are few conferences that have as good of coverage as the MWC; with the exception of Notre Dame.
If you want something to worry about take a look at the current negotiations for the BCS bowls after 2010. Those games may become pay per view if Disney (ESPN) have their way.
I'm loving what I get with the MTN; worth every penny. It's the only reason I have cable here in Las Vegas. Cox signed up for the MTN before DirecTV.

Todd Christiensen is a Homer | 4:50 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008

The entire MTN network is strewn with past BYU football and basketball players. It's hard not to be a "homer" when you are televising your own team. Tood Christiensen is the worst announcer of all time. Why do you think NBC fired him? I'll do it cheaper than Todd and do it better. He may be ok on the sidelines or maybe he could help the camera crew stay focused on the ball. Any time there is an option, the camera person gets lost. It will be a long game being that Air Force runs an option offense.

UGH! | 5:07 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008

IT IS REDICULOUS TO SPEND SO MUCH TO SEE A RIVALRY GAME SHOWED ON TV. NO WONDER EVERYONE CONGREGATES TO THOSE FEW HOSES THAT HAVE THIS EXCLUSIVE CHANNEL! I'LL BE GOING TO GRANDMA'S HOUSE TO SEE THIS GAME! GO UTES!

Go_Utes | 5:27 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008

I hope you Cougar fans know that you can always watch it at a bar. Only problem is that you'll have to travel to the next town so nobody you know sees you.

Brian | 5:40 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008

I've taken the money I would have spent on the mountain to buy season football tickets and take my wife and children to the game, taking turns. On the away games I can listen on the radio if I want while getting my honey-do list done, so I don't waste so much of my Saturday. My wife's happier, my children get the feel of a college game (hopefully planting more desire for them to go to college), and I enjoy the radio announcers, who just seem to know more about football and who also seem to have more passion for the game. Maybe that will work for some of you too.

Colorado Cougar Fan | 6:04 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008

Well that stinks! What about Comcast? Do they offer the Mtn?

JMcH | 6:24 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008

Hey KvJones40--Beta is still a lot better than VHS!

BYU fan | 6:50 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008

I think that this game should at least be on a local chanel like abc or cbs. A lot of people are going to miss out on this game because they dont have the Mtn. The Mtn is not a good channel to be watching the big game on, sometimes it is fuzzy and the sound system is very poor. Everybody who has dish network will also not be able to watch this game either.

RE | 6:54 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008

I think most of the comments on this blog are from unhappy negative people who would complain about anything and everything. I think the MTN has made great strides in every aspect of production and soon to broadcast in HD. I have been watching some of the team profiles for the upcoming BB season and this has been really fun to watch. I have also enjoyed the other sports broadcast on the MTN. I think the Mountain West Conference is going to have a real gem with this network down the road. All sports are moving in this direction. If you want to watch you will have to pay.

$$$$ is the reason folks... | 7:11 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008

Nowadays guys...on TV it's starting to become the way of "you get what you pay for". The days of "free" football shows is going away to the point of paying for it. There are packages for the season that can be purchased and they're quite good deals at $79.95 approx if purchased early. Or purchase a one time viewing for $19.95 and it's well worth it. Far cheaper than going to the game. The same goes for Streaming viewing on the internet which I've viewed a few times and it's really not that bad at all. Works quite well. So get over it with the "free" viewing and simply decide that it's not a bad thing to pay something to get something.

But I do agree to some point that with BYU/Utah being a big game this year especially if Utah is still undefeated and BYU beats them, that there should be some focus in getting them on TV on a wider scale. I think it will be a very good game this year especially that it's being played at the U of U's stadium where BYU usually wins their games there. LOL

Cheers!

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.