DIRECTV is gearing up to begin broadcasting of the Mountain West conference network, the Mtn. This is a reminder for fans across the nation to once again review their cable and satellite TV packages. Why? To make sure their pay television carrier has all of the necessary channels for a great football season.
Last year in the college game, the big dispute was between the Big Ten Network and cable TV companies Comcast and Time Warner. Both DISH Network and DIRECTV reaped the benefits, as fans across Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and other mid-west states switched to satellite TV.
One of the disputes this year is out west, where DIRECTV has picked up the Mountain West conference’s network, the Mtn. While this was huge for the mtn, they have yet to strike a deal wit h DISH Network. That has leaders in the conference starting to speak out publicly about the fact many DISH Network subscribers will once again be in the dark when it comes to seeing Mountain West football this season.
First up is BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe, who went after DISH Network recently. During BYU’s annual Campus Education Week, Holmoe questioned whether DISH Network is even interested in carrying the mtn this year.
“I don’t know if Dish is interested,” said Holmie, being quoted in the Mormon Times.
Time is certainly running out, as college football kicks off next week. DISH Network reportedly has the same offer on the table that DIRECTV agreed to months ago. That deal treats the mtn like a regional sports network, broadcasting the network to fans living in the Mountain West conference footprint, and allowing access nationally to the channel to those who pay extra each month.
Mountain West Commissioner Craig Thompson seems to be in the same boat. Thompson recently stated on KFAN 1320, a sports talk radio station in Salt Lake City, that fans should be switching to DIRECTV. The mtn begins broadcasting on DirecTV on Wednesday, August 27th on DIRECTV channel 616. DIRECTV customers in the designated markets of Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming as well as the areas of Dallas/Fort Worth and San Diego should all get the mtn at that time. Viewers in other areas who want the mtn will have to subscribe to either the DIRECTV Premier package or the SportsPack. Thinking of switching to DIRECTV? New subscribers can get four months free of the Premier package when signing up for the NFL Sunday Ticket at the monthly rate of $74.99 for four months. So that deal will give you not only the Mountain West conference, but every NFL game for the season.
