WSR Gridiron Report

glad for you Jim
Directv better not let me down.
if anyone hears anything, let us know.

The major cable companies may be fine in the big cities. The cable services I've had in small towns truely suck as compared to satellite. It's hard for me to believe the Pac 12 network will give our conference national expossure if it isn't on both satellite companies.

So far a trainwreck in coverage. Those cable companies you mention only cover about 1 tenth of the Los Angeles market, and those are in the coastal communities like Hermosa Beach, Redondo and parts of Santa Monica. The person negotiating this TV deal isn't thinking with their head.

Hopefully things change. Without satellite and then Verizon whatever TV viewing ratings the Network is anticipating will fall woefully short of goal.

For those who currently will get the Network, congratulations. For the rest of the out of market audiences, cross your fingers.

I consider jjones the foremost authority on the TV deal as no one's followed this more closely than him the past 18 months. I'm just hoping that the conference figures out a way to expedite additional contracts and deals because the cable companies aren't enough to capture the national audience.

yeah i have comcast!! But the Alumni Bar here has Direct TV. hmmmmm

The real expert on this topic, Jon Wilner of the San Jose Mercury News updated today on the topic. Basically if you live in the seven state footprint (California, Oregon,Washington, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, or Arizona and have access to oneof the four cable providers you will have access through basic cavble to the PaC 12 Network starting 8/15. There is nothing to report on negotiations with the Telcos (ATT and Verison) and the satelite companies Dish and Direct as not much is happening. They are talking but a deal with any of them is not likely until close to the deadline.

Options right now are wait to see if others are added which is very likely. Sign up with a cable company listed as a partner who also has full access to ESPN/ ABC, Fox and their SN and the new network and this can be expensive. Or get a good intrernet connection and subscribe through the conference at whatever fee they will charge. I am not sure what that fee will be but I am sure you can find out closer to August. Do not expect any major deals until very latee July or maybe even August since right now they are not likely.

Gary I am confused by your comment on the LA market as I thought that the big providers there are TW, Charter, Comcast, Cox and now ATT and Verizon in addition to the satelite companies. I know the LA area is a diverse place with lots of options for buyers but I cannot believe Verizon is that big with only 3.9 million subscribers nationwide, I will be very surprised if Verizon is not added as the are a Corporate Partner of the PaC 12

Go to Jon Wilner blogs for more information. He is a former Arizona Daily Star writer who hates Arizona but is good onthis issue.

Jim

Most sports baars in Phoenix (and there are many mostof whom I have not tried) also have Direct including Hooters, O'Sullivans, but the best of the bunch Padre Murphy's which is an off track betting spolrts bar has both Direct and Cox although they mostly use Direct. I know thqat the AD's meet in May to resolve some issues but I do not expect any action on the negotiations until very late july or even mid August. Not to tell you whawt to buy but I would pick Verizon in fact if it was available here and had the PAC 12 I would switch from Cox which is extremely expensive.

Has anyone heard if the conference is in negotiations with Charter at all. Idid not know they were big out west.

Jim

I will update aas available but the May AD meeting will not show much and hen in June the football schedules for TV will be partially revealed. It will not be until the very last minute on these negotiations and some will not be closed even then.

I will continue to monitor jon wilner and Pac 12 sources.

Jim