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Today I received an email with the subject: “BYU - Mountain West Conference Broadcast”

Sounded interesting. Well, it then said:

Dear BYU and Utah Alumni and Friends:

As rivals on the field, it is not very often where the Utes and Cougars join
athletic forces, but that is exactly what we are doing as we rally our alumni
and friends on a cause that is extremely important to the success of both
institutions.

What is BYU sports marketing thinking? If you want to petition support from BYU alumni you shouldn’t mention anything about Utah. Just tell BYU alumni that you need help. Mentioning Utah needs to do the same for us to really get the Mountain West Conference Games on Cable TV doesn’t do anything but hurt the process. Seriously, what were they thinking?

Here’s the full email for those that are interested. Getting the Mountain West Conference and the mtn. on TV really is a pretty big deal and something that should be supported. However, helping the Utes be on TV has NOTHING to do with it.

Dear BYU and Utah Alumni and Friends:

As rivals on the field, it is not very often where the Utes and Cougars join
athletic forces, but that is exactly what we are doing as we rally our alumni
and friends on a cause that is extremely important to the success of both
institutions.

Many of you know the Mountain West Conference recently entered into a new,
ground breaking television partnership with CSTV and Comcast. This partnership
has lead 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 and broadcast options such as
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. Broadcast
deals are complicated and take time; however, CSTV will continue to work
tirelessly until a satellite distribution deal has been finalized.

With our first games on the mtn. approaching, we’ve received hundreds of emails,
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 help. You can make a difference in these negotiations.
In recent conversations with the MWC and CSTV we learned the satellite companies
have questioned the degree of interest by our fans in our television product.
As alumni and supporters of our two institutions, 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, we need you to 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, please contact the company and tell
them you want the mtn.

Listed below are several ways to contact the satellite companies. Please make
an effort to call, email or write. It is imperative the satellite companies
hear from you, the consumer.

DirecTV
1-800-824-9081 (existing customers)
1-888-238-7177 (new customers)
directvcustomercare@directv.com
www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPage.jsp?assetId=1100070 (log a request
online)

Dish Network
1-888-284-7116 (existing customers)
1-888-825-2557 (new customers)
http://www.dishnetwork.com/content/faq/index.shtml

Cable TV
Time Warner Cable Dallas (972) 742.5892 - three prompts
Cox Cable Las Vegas (702) 383.4000 - two prompts
Cox Cable San Diego (619) 263.9251 - one prompt, hit “0″
Time Warner Cable San Diego (858) 395.3220

Many of you have called your satellite provider, and your efforts have helped in
the early negotiations. 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 for everyone. 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.

Looking at the big picture, we believe the new contract with CSTV/Comcast will
help elevate the Mountain West Conference and its institutions to new heights in
exposure, recruiting, national fan interest and success. As of Friday, Sept. 1,
the MWC is the only conference in America to have its own regional television
station. Distribution will come, but it may take some time and patience.Â

With your help we can make it happen.

Sincerely,

Dr. Chris Hill
Director of Athletics
University of Utah

Tom Holmoe
Director of Athletics
Brigham Young University

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