It's Pac-12 media days this week, and nothing says media more than the formation of your own network. Or should I say networks, plural. Today in New York, conference commissioner Larry Scott announced the formation of Pac-12 Networks, which "will include a national network and six regional networks, in conjunction with four of the nation's largest cable operators: Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications and Bright House Networks."
↵The six regional networks will be in Southern California, Northern California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and "Mountain." The latter will encompass both Utah and Colorado, newcomers to the conference. The venture will begin in August 2012.
↵A few takeaways from this deal:
↵- ↵
- The TV rights are wholly owned by the conference, and include "TV everywhere" rights, making programming available via smart phones, tablets, etc ↵
- The Pac-12 Networks will eventually carry 850 live events per year, including all football and basketball games that aren't nationally telecast ↵
- Time Warner has really establishing itself in Southern California. It already has a $3 billion, 20-year deal with the Lakers. The Dodgers are currently under contract with Fox, though an August 16 hearing in Bankruptcy Court could open up the bidding for a new TV contract to satisfy the Dodger creditors. If that happens -- who knows the likelihood at this point? -- look for Time Warner to be a player there as well, and look for Fox to scramble to try to not lose another local franchise. ↵
For more news and information on the Pac-12, be sure to check in with Conquest Chronicles and Bruins Nation.