Universal Sports Transitions From Multicast Distribution, Inking Deals With Six Providers
CEO Sternberg: network nearing major pacts
By Mike Reynolds, Multichannel News -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/4/2012 3:02:20 PM
Universal Sports Network has signed carriage deals with a number of providers as it has transitioned from multicast distribution.The Olympic-style sports network, which inked its first license fee deal with DirecTV in 2011, had been carried as multicast service in many of the top DMAs. However, the network announced last summer that it would move to become a traditional cable channel upon the expiration of the multicast contracts with the broadcasters on Dec. 31, 2011.
Universal Sports CEO David Sternberg said the network recently reached carriage agreements with Alaskan cable operator GCI, Hiawatha Broadband Communications in Minnesota, Cascade Communications in Oregon, Waitsfield Cable in Vermont, MTC Cable in New York and IPTV distributor SkyAngel. He said the service previously had been offered on a multicast basis through some of those providers.
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Talkback
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I agree that Universal Sports has been less than forthright to its loyal viewers regarding this situation, causing many a great deal of frustration, and leaving almost all in a state of bewilderment and with a very bad taste in their mouths. Essentially, viewers have been left out in the cold with no programming for the foreseeable future and been ask to become pawns in some back room game.
Given that the network must have had to know the ramifications of its decisions beforehand, the PR front has largely been handled in an amateurish fashion, and the network viewed from the outside as not serving the interest of its loyal viewers and sporting events in the least and deeply staining its brand.
I just wish that big business, mergers and/or the allure of onetime future profits from big quadrennial international sporting competitions does not trump offering the loyal fans of cycling, swimming, skiing, track and field, rugby etc. a year-around outlet to watch the competition, in its purest form, and the athletes they enjoy most.
Ned Hawkins - 1/4/2012 11:00:16 PM EST -
I echo the sentiments of others in saying that Universal Sports/NBC have been misleading to customers regarding the changeover. I was sorely disappointed in Universal Sports decision to discontinue Over the Air programming. Whatever you thought about increasing your distribution and coverage, you just lost a large group of viewers like me who don't have or want Cable or satellite TV. Personally,I felt Universal Sports was one of the best things on TV, but your deceptive ads admonishing us to “demand that Universal Sports be included in your cable package” has left a bad taste in my mouth over NBC products in general.
Jim Jones - 1/4/2012 5:56:25 PM EST
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