Fansided

Pac-12, DirecTV continue ugly battle over carriage of Pac-12 Networks

By Andrew Coppens

Jan 2, 2014; Boulder, CO, USA; A general view of the Pac 12 logo before the start of the game between the Oregon State Beavers and the Colorado Buffaloes at Coors Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2014; Boulder, CO, USA; A general view of the Pac 12 logo before the start of the game between the Oregon State Beavers and the Colorado Buffaloes at Coors Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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As the college football season draws closer, fans across the country are waiting anxiously to see their favorite teams and conferences get underway. Unfortunately for Pac-12 fans with DIRECTV, seeing anything from their favorite teams on the Pac-12 Networks appears rather unlikely.

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The two sides have been at an impasse since the Pac-12 Networks launched in 2012 and no DIRECTV customer has seen the network or individual school programming since that time.

It’s gotten so bitter that the two sides are now fighting over the SEC Network of all things. Yes, the SEC has such far-reaching powers as to be an example for an ongoing carriage fight between a satellite TV provider and a conference on another coast of the United States.

Just five days ago DIRECTV brought the SEC Network in to the debate while issuing its latest statement on why the Pac-12 Networks aren’t on its service:

"A few fans have asked why DIRECTV is able to provide the new SEC Network and not the Pac-12 Network. We were able to forge a sensible compromise with SEC Network owner ESPN that represents a good value to the people living inside the 11 states with SEC schools, as well as alumni around the nation. We remain in contact with the Pac-12 Conference about doing the same for its fans inside of the core six stats and the other supporters nationwide, and are open to exploring any options that offer similarly strong value."

The Pac-12 wasn’t too happy with that comparison and issued its own statement on the state of negotiations (or lack thereof):

"DIRECTV is treating you unfairly.  More than 60 TV providers carry Pac-12 Networks, and we’ve offered DIRECTV the same fair deal. But DIRECTV continues to ignore their customers and Pac-12 fans. They said “yes” to the SEC Network, Big Ten Network, and dozens of other sports networks and “no” to Pac-12 Networks. They have offered up many excuses, but the reality is that they are depriving so many customers of great content."

What is different about the Pac-12 Network than the others? It isn’t just a single network and therefore its value is different to the league and television providers. Having “regional” networks for each school makes negotiations a bit different.

As one can see from the two statements, the provider and the conference are not likely to resolve this two-year old impasse any time soon either.

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