DIRECTV will add another sports network next month, this time it is the home of the Mountain West Sports conference, known as the Mtn.
The mtn. was actually the first network launched to exclusively cover one conference, but things have been tough for the pioneering conference. The conference itself is made up of 10 smaller western schools, and while their fans are passionate as all college fans are, their numbers are small in comparison to the super conferences such as the SEC and Big Ten.
That meant difficulty in securing a big time television distribution contract. The Mountain hasn’t been seen on any major distribution outlets since it began operations.
That will change on August 27th, as DIRECTV will start carrying the Mtn. on channel 616.
Initially the Mtn. will be carried on a regional basis. DIRECTV subscribers in the Mtn area will see the channel if they subscribe to the Choice package or higher.
The conference will be entering its 10th year of operation as the 2008-09 sports season kicks off in just a few weeks. Customers of DIRECTV in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming should have access to the Mountain West channel from the August 27th launch date. Also DIRECTV subscribers in the Dallas-Ft. Worth and San Diego areas should get the Mtn. as well.
What do you do if you don’t reside in those areas and you want the Mtn? It is still available, but you will have to pay a little extra. The DIRECTV Sportspack is $12 per month, and gives you access to all of the regional sports networks outside of your home area. While that adds up to $144 a year, if there are other sporting events outside of your area that you are interested in, it may be worth the money. The mtn. and DISH Network have yet to reach an agreement.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I love the Utah Utes! They are my all time favorite college team! I hope this year in sports I will get to watch them kill the cougars in any and every sport, on Direct Tv. The best satellite provider because you guys carry the mountain!!!!!!
Sincerely, Bryson Wolf
(The #1 Ute fan in the world!!!!!)
PS: KILL THE COUGARS BECAUSE I HATE THEM!!!!!!!!!!
Gee Bryson, you will get to see the utes, but this additional exposure will be demoralizing to you as you watch the Cougs win out in head to head competition with the small college to the north.
Bob
The rest of the country will now get to see plenty of great Mnt West football and basketball.
They will also get to experience what the Cougs and utes have known for years, the intimidating PIT. GO LOBOS.
Dropping versus channel is a breaking my contract. Never never would I have signed up with Direct if I knew I could not watch my Saturday and Sunday nite bull riding. This is the one thing that me and my boyfriend really enjoy watching on TV together. We have a very important PBR coming up in Brazil. I think the first time ever. I want to watch that and watch all leading up to that. Big time fan of bull riding and will drop direct tv if they take this from me. They would like to charge me for dropping them before our two year contract. But there are several issues I have with them already that would be my free out. Not offering versus anylonger? This was a channel that was offered to me when we began the contract.