[Hank 91]

According to our man Jon Wilner, an agreement is close with DirecTV. If you've got Dish, don't hold your breath. Just another of many, many reasons to switch. (Reason #1, of course, is Breaking Bad, but I digress...)

http://blogs.mercurynews.com/collegespor...ity-issue/

[Hank 91]

According to our man Jon Wilner, an agreement is close with DirecTV. If you've got Dish, don't hold your breath. Just another of many, many reasons to switch. (Reason #1, of course, is Breaking Bad, but I digress...)

http://blogs.mercurynews.com/collegespor...ity-issue/

[fullmetal]

Wow, DirecTV would be a brobdingnagian win for sports bars everywhere.  For the Pac-12's sake, I sure hope the contract is sweet.

[fullmetal]

Wow, DirecTV would be a brobdingnagian win for sports bars everywhere.  For the Pac-12's sake, I sure hope the contract is sweet.

[washingtonismoney]

For comparison's sake--when the Big Ten Network launched, it only had DirecTV and ATT Uverse. The Pac-12 network has (if we fudge DirecTV into launch, which seems fair) Comcast, Cox, Bright House, DirecTV, etc. Whether it will prosper in the long run is another question, but the start certainly seems positive.

[washingtonismoney]

For comparison's sake--when the Big Ten Network launched, it only had DirecTV and ATT Uverse. The Pac-12 network has (if we fudge DirecTV into launch, which seems fair) Comcast, Cox, Bright House, DirecTV, etc. Whether it will prosper in the long run is another question, but the start certainly seems positive.

[OutsiderFan]

Can someone explain to me why a cable carrier has to agree to carry a channel before someone can get it online?  I mean it seems silly that content can't be streamed over the Internet just like content on any website.  For example, MLB Extra Innings on Yahoo! shows live game highlights on the Yahoo! site.  Why can't the P12N put games on its website?  Why does the cable company have to carry the channel?  Makes zero sense to me.

[OutsiderFan]

Can someone explain to me why a cable carrier has to agree to carry a channel before someone can get it online?  I mean it seems silly that content can't be streamed over the Internet just like content on any website.  For example, MLB Extra Innings on Yahoo! shows live game highlights on the Yahoo! site.  Why can't the P12N put games on its website?  Why does the cable company have to carry the channel?  Makes zero sense to me.

[washingtonismoney]

But several of the biggest cable systems that are being billed as offering the Pac-12 Network are only doing so in the western part of the country. The fact that the Pac-12 won't reveal the number of subscribers suggests to me that it's much lower than everybody has been led to believe.

Same thing happened for the Big Ten Network.

[washingtonismoney]

But several of the biggest cable systems that are being billed as offering the Pac-12 Network are only doing so in the western part of the country. The fact that the Pac-12 won't reveal the number of subscribers suggests to me that it's much lower than everybody has been led to believe.

Same thing happened for the Big Ten Network.

[FarmBoy]

OutsiderFan - My hypothesis is it's probably based on two things:
1) Your internet provider may not opt to stream that content, so they may block it. When I had Comcast in CA, I only used them for my Internet, and they still allowed me to watch ESPN3.com on my computer, so I got most game carried on the ABC family. But I moved to MA and signed up for Charter, Internet only, and found that they would not let me stream ESPN3 or the NBC Olympics unless I had the cable package as well. Bandwidth costs money, so they are reserving it to paying customers.

2) the Pac12 net work may be agreeing to not stream games to not Cable/Satellite customers as part of the value proposition to their carrier partners. I don't usually carry a cable or satellite package and stick to DVDs and streaming for my media consumption. So if Pac12 offered an online only service, I would be more than happy to sign up for that and not have to get a package. The only reason Cable/Satellite firms are going to pay to carry Pac12 content is if they can monetize it by charging money for the channel or acquiring additional customers. So if the Pac 12 wants a piece of the Cable/Satellite pie, then they probably need to agree to not broadcast over the Internet.

This is just my guess.

[FarmBoy]

OutsiderFan - My hypothesis is it's probably based on two things:
1) Your internet provider may not opt to stream that content, so they may block it. When I had Comcast in CA, I only used them for my Internet, and they still allowed me to watch ESPN3.com on my computer, so I got most game carried on the ABC family. But I moved to MA and signed up for Charter, Internet only, and found that they would not let me stream ESPN3 or the NBC Olympics unless I had the cable package as well. Bandwidth costs money, so they are reserving it to paying customers.

2) the Pac12 net work may be agreeing to not stream games to not Cable/Satellite customers as part of the value proposition to their carrier partners. I don't usually carry a cable or satellite package and stick to DVDs and streaming for my media consumption. So if Pac12 offered an online only service, I would be more than happy to sign up for that and not have to get a package. The only reason Cable/Satellite firms are going to pay to carry Pac12 content is if they can monetize it by charging money for the channel or acquiring additional customers. So if the Pac 12 wants a piece of the Cable/Satellite pie, then they probably need to agree to not broadcast over the Internet.

This is just my guess.

[jayasena]

If you've got Dish, don't hold your breath.

You could see every one of Stanford's football games on most cable/satellite providers the past couple of years (with the appropriate level of programming and packages, of course). Ironically, it appears that the advent of the Pac-12 Network will be a step backwards (at least from a Stanford football point of view) with several games limited to a smaller set of providers.

[jayasena]

If you've got Dish, don't hold your breath.

You could see every one of Stanford's football games on most cable/satellite providers the past couple of years (with the appropriate level of programming and packages, of course). Ironically, it appears that the advent of the Pac-12 Network will be a step backwards (at least from a Stanford football point of view) with several games limited to a smaller set of providers.

[Redrum]

Last year, IIRC I saw or could have watched all but one of the Stanford games.

This year my estimate is I will be able to see maybe three or four.  Remind me to assassinate  Larry Scott if I get around to inventing a time machine.

[Redrum]

Last year, IIRC I saw or could have watched all but one of the Stanford games.

This year my estimate is I will be able to see maybe three or four.  Remind me to assassinate  Larry Scott if I get around to inventing a time machine.

[OutsiderFan]

I was able to see every California and Stanford game on TV in Connecticut last year with the exception of the Presbyterian game which I had no interest in watching anyway.

Games were available on DirecTV (ABC/ESPN, Comcast BA/CA, VS) and on ESPN3.

If P12N and DirecTV don't come to an agreement, the first time I will get to see California and Stanford play is on Sept. 15 when the Bears are at Ohio State and Stanford hosts USC.  So I will miss four games I want to see and would have been able to see with the last TV deal, unless a DirecTV deal is done by next Wednesday.

The online streaming would have been an option, but that doesn't appear to be one for the Pac 12.

[OutsiderFan]

I was able to see every California and Stanford game on TV in Connecticut last year with the exception of the Presbyterian game which I had no interest in watching anyway.

Games were available on DirecTV (ABC/ESPN, Comcast BA/CA, VS) and on ESPN3.

If P12N and DirecTV don't come to an agreement, the first time I will get to see California and Stanford play is on Sept. 15 when the Bears are at Ohio State and Stanford hosts USC.  So I will miss four games I want to see and would have been able to see with the last TV deal, unless a DirecTV deal is done by next Wednesday.

The online streaming would have been an option, but that doesn't appear to be one for the Pac 12.

[Farm93]

The extra money each team in the conference will get annually will be significant once this litte network is up and running.  I don't think too many ADs in the conference are THAT concerned about a few fans thousands of miles away missing 3 or 4 games this year, if the channel generates millions of dollars every year going forward.

The Pac12 Networks also are a clear win for every student-athlete that is not on a football team.  Women's soccer was on last weekend, and women's field hockey is on this weekend.  If you were able to watch women's field hockey on TV last year then your TV and streaming skills are simply amazing.  That TV access for all sports is a big for Stanford and the conference, and I would guess it will be a helpful recruiting tool over time.

Oh, and did I mention the money?  When the network gets on DirecTV all will be fine.  And the Pac12 ADs will delighted even if a few fans outside the conference footprint missed a few OOC games in early September.

[Farm93]

The extra money each team in the conference will get annually will be significant once this litte network is up and running.  I don't think too many ADs in the conference are THAT concerned about a few fans thousands of miles away missing 3 or 4 games this year, if the channel generates millions of dollars every year going forward.

The Pac12 Networks also are a clear win for every student-athlete that is not on a football team.  Women's soccer was on last weekend, and women's field hockey is on this weekend.  If you were able to watch women's field hockey on TV last year then your TV and streaming skills are simply amazing.  That TV access for all sports is a big for Stanford and the conference, and I would guess it will be a helpful recruiting tool over time.

Oh, and did I mention the money?  When the network gets on DirecTV all will be fine.  And the Pac12 ADs will delighted even if a few fans outside the conference footprint missed a few OOC games in early September.

[washingtonismoney]

The Pac12 Networks also are a clear win for every student-athlete that is not on a football team.  Women's soccer was on last weekend, and women's field hockey is on this weekend.  If you were able to watch women's field hockey on TV last year then your TV and streaming skills are simply amazing.  That TV access for all sports is a big for Stanford and the conference, and I would guess it will be a helpful recruiting tool over time.

I think this is the best part, for me. I watched women's soccer last week, the third women's soccer game in three years. And that's a problem--for me. I like soccer, and I especially like it when it's played at a high level. That's very much the case for our team. So more opportunities to watch is a very good thing.

I expect distribution will sort itself out eventually. In the meantime, if you don't have it, complain to your cable provider. Customer always right, etc. etc.

[washingtonismoney]

The Pac12 Networks also are a clear win for every student-athlete that is not on a football team.  Women's soccer was on last weekend, and women's field hockey is on this weekend.  If you were able to watch women's field hockey on TV last year then your TV and streaming skills are simply amazing.  That TV access for all sports is a big for Stanford and the conference, and I would guess it will be a helpful recruiting tool over time.

I think this is the best part, for me. I watched women's soccer last week, the third women's soccer game in three years. And that's a problem--for me. I like soccer, and I especially like it when it's played at a high level. That's very much the case for our team. So more opportunities to watch is a very good thing.

I expect distribution will sort itself out eventually. In the meantime, if you don't have it, complain to your cable provider. Customer always right, etc. etc.

[jayasena]

The Pac12 Networks also are a clear win for every student-athlete that is not on a football team.  Women's soccer was on last weekend, and women's field hockey is on this weekend.  If you were able to watch women's field hockey on TV last year then your TV and streaming skills are simply amazing.  That TV access for all sports is a big for Stanford and the conference, and I would guess it will be a helpful recruiting tool over time.

I think you are mistaking availability for exposure. I'm willing to bet the number of people who would watch the early-season OOC football games on even one of the less-critical providers (say, Dish) alone would far outnumber the cumulative national audience for sports such as women's field hockey and women's soccer combined. I'm not trying to belittle some sports, I'm merely stating a fact.

As for the long-term recruiting advantage, do you think the other conferences would sit idly by if the Pac-12 network becomes a success?

[jayasena]

The Pac12 Networks also are a clear win for every student-athlete that is not on a football team.  Women's soccer was on last weekend, and women's field hockey is on this weekend.  If you were able to watch women's field hockey on TV last year then your TV and streaming skills are simply amazing.  That TV access for all sports is a big for Stanford and the conference, and I would guess it will be a helpful recruiting tool over time.

I think you are mistaking availability for exposure. I'm willing to bet the number of people who would watch the early-season OOC football games on even one of the less-critical providers (say, Dish) alone would far outnumber the cumulative national audience for sports such as women's field hockey and women's soccer combined. I'm not trying to belittle some sports, I'm merely stating a fact.

As for the long-term recruiting advantage, do you think the other conferences would sit idly by if the Pac-12 network becomes a success?

[Redrum]

"In the meantime, if you don't have it, complain to your cable provider. Customer always right, etc. etc. "

...this universe without Comcast,  where the cable providers respond to complaints?  I want to go there but can't find the trapdoor or hidden lever that makes the bookcase slide back to reveal the entrance.

[Redrum]

"In the meantime, if you don't have it, complain to your cable provider. Customer always right, etc. etc. "

...this universe without Comcast,  where the cable providers respond to complaints?  I want to go there but can't find the trapdoor or hidden lever that makes the bookcase slide back to reveal the entrance.

[needle]

We wail and we gnash, but, honestly, how many times have we ever given a thought to tuning in to the Big 10 Network?

For me, the answer is pretty much never. Just something to keep in mind.

[needle]

We wail and we gnash, but, honestly, how many times have we ever given a thought to tuning in to the Big 10 Network?

For me, the answer is pretty much never. Just something to keep in mind.

[Viking_Guy]

Well, I was going to today, because it's playing Stanford women's soccer at Penn State this afternoon at 4:30 PT :).

VG

[Viking_Guy]

Well, I was going to today, because it's playing Stanford women's soccer at Penn State this afternoon at 4:30 PT :).

VG

[Hank 91]

Bad news. Now the reports are that a deal appears unlikely before the season kicks off. The link to the full article is below, but here's the nitty-gritty:

So much for the Pac-12 Network and DirecTV coming to terms. According to a source who is knowledgeable to these situations, it doesn't look as if either side has come to the table in time for the beginning of the season.

It seems the general sticking point is the regional networks. To be honest, that's no surprise. It might've been a bit presumptuous on the part of the Network to assume DirecTV would open up five or six channels in addition to the flagship channel. Until now I had been ignoring all the bad news and just assuming that everything would work out. Now I have no idea how I'm going to be able to watch the San Jose State game. I love DirecTV, I love the idea of the Pac-12 Networks, but I hate that they can't get along.

http://www.pacifictakes.com/2012/8/24/32...rectv-deal

[Hank 91]

Bad news. Now the reports are that a deal appears unlikely before the season kicks off. The link to the full article is below, but here's the nitty-gritty:

So much for the Pac-12 Network and DirecTV coming to terms. According to a source who is knowledgeable to these situations, it doesn't look as if either side has come to the table in time for the beginning of the season.

It seems the general sticking point is the regional networks. To be honest, that's no surprise. It might've been a bit presumptuous on the part of the Network to assume DirecTV would open up five or six channels in addition to the flagship channel. Until now I had been ignoring all the bad news and just assuming that everything would work out. Now I have no idea how I'm going to be able to watch the San Jose State game. I love DirecTV, I love the idea of the Pac-12 Networks, but I hate that they can't get along.

http://www.pacifictakes.com/2012/8/24/32...rectv-deal

[fullmetal]

Find a sports bar with Comcast?

[fullmetal]

Find a sports bar with Comcast?

[Farm93]

The Pac-12 Network channel is 9 days old.  That's it.  It will take a while for it to get better distribution, but it will happen.

How often have I watched the BigTen network?  At 9AM on Saturdays in the fall ESPN and ESPN2 have two BigTen games.  Those channels often have two better teams that are killing weaker opponents.  Sometimes the more entertaining BigTen weekend games are on the BigTen network where two middle teams are more evenly matched.  So I have definitely watched that channel on Saturdays from time to time.  The BigTen network also has replays during the week, and if there was a mini-classic game (ie. Notre Dame v Michigan) I have stopped to catch that replay too.  I was not planning on watching Stanford soccer today, but I did know the contest was on the BigTen network.

Of course, I am likely not a casual fan.  I can even claim I have watched BYU weekly wrap-up shows on the BYU network.  FWIW - the BYU network has pretty healthy distribution nationally.  I appreciate the Mormon loyalty potential, but if BYU TV can be on my local cable provider I think it is reasonable to think that the country can eventually see the Pac-12 channel.

A small step back for a couple of weeks to get a massive step forward in reach and revenue is worth it.  9 days in.  Stay calm.

[Farm93]

The Pac-12 Network channel is 9 days old.  That's it.  It will take a while for it to get better distribution, but it will happen.

How often have I watched the BigTen network?  At 9AM on Saturdays in the fall ESPN and ESPN2 have two BigTen games.  Those channels often have two better teams that are killing weaker opponents.  Sometimes the more entertaining BigTen weekend games are on the BigTen network where two middle teams are more evenly matched.  So I have definitely watched that channel on Saturdays from time to time.  The BigTen network also has replays during the week, and if there was a mini-classic game (ie. Notre Dame v Michigan) I have stopped to catch that replay too.  I was not planning on watching Stanford soccer today, but I did know the contest was on the BigTen network.

Of course, I am likely not a casual fan.  I can even claim I have watched BYU weekly wrap-up shows on the BYU network.  FWIW - the BYU network has pretty healthy distribution nationally.  I appreciate the Mormon loyalty potential, but if BYU TV can be on my local cable provider I think it is reasonable to think that the country can eventually see the Pac-12 channel.

A small step back for a couple of weeks to get a massive step forward in reach and revenue is worth it.  9 days in.  Stay calm.

[Redrum]

"We wail and we gnash, but, honestly, how many times have we ever given a thought to tuning in to the Big 10 Network?"

Just like most of us haven't spent a lot of time obsessed with the availability of chemotherapy... until we need it.

It just seems stupid for the human race to keep building the Galactic Hive Mind  where for good or ill everything is connected to and informs everything else,  except   when-- by arbitrary choice-- it isn't.

Quit complaining about my complaining.

[Redrum]

"We wail and we gnash, but, honestly, how many times have we ever given a thought to tuning in to the Big 10 Network?"

Just like most of us haven't spent a lot of time obsessed with the availability of chemotherapy... until we need it.

It just seems stupid for the human race to keep building the Galactic Hive Mind  where for good or ill everything is connected to and informs everything else,  except   when-- by arbitrary choice-- it isn't.

Quit complaining about my complaining.

[Class_of_75]

Good news on the DirecTV front?

http://www.pacifictakes.com/2012/8/25/32...rectv-dish

[Class_of_75]

Good news on the DirecTV front?

http://www.pacifictakes.com/2012/8/25/32...rectv-dish