Hey Charter, Pac- 12 has 6 Teams in AP Top 25! UPDATED

That's right Charter, the Pac 12 has 6 football teams in the AP top 25 and you don't have the Pac 12 Networks! What's wrong with you. They are:

2. Oregon Ducks

13. USC 

14.  Oregon State 

18. Stanford 

23. Washington  

25. UCLA

Charter you might as well sell your franchises on the West coast... we have your number. 

UPDATED:

A friend just pointed out to me that  of the 6,  four  are in Charter areas:  Oregon, OSU, USC, UCLA . Yes, Charter, your are making lots of "friends" (sarcasm)

 

 

Wilner: Charter "following DTV's lead."

John Wilner of the San Jose Mercury News has an update to his blog that confirms nothing is going to happen anytime soon with DirectTV and he has this paragraph of interest to Charter customers:


Scott (Pac 12 Commissioner) added Thursday night that the lack of progress with DTV doesn’t preclude carriage deals with U-verse, FiOS and Charter. ”We have individual conversations,” he explained.
But I get the distinct sense that Charter, at the very least, is following DTV’s lead.

http://blogs.mercurynews.com/collegesports/2012/09/28/pac-12-networks-no-evidence-of-directv-deal-anytime-soon-and-other-notes/

The long twilight war with Charter

It looks like Charter and the Pac 12 Networks have settled into a long twilight war over a carriage agreement.  It seems to me Charter believes it can wait as long as DirecTV doesn't have a deal. I don't expect anything  will be happening for some time.  DirectTV and Charter will try to "bribe" folks who want to end their service with "free" perks such as  HBO or NFL Ticket etc. It took at least a year for the Big 10 Networks to get some carriage deals so it may be the same with the Pac 12.  I personally believe the Pac 12 Networks should hold the line on the requirement the Pac 12 Networks be put on a lower tiers in the Pac 12 Footprint states.

For me, I will be getting the Dish as soon as my Charter Bundle contract ends and they try and raise prices on me. No, I will not be "bribed" with freebies.

Charter Customers....Games you will not see this weekend!

UCLA at Colorado, 3 PM PT/6 PM ET, Pac-12 Networks

Oregon State at Arizona, 7 PM PT/10 PM ET, Pac-12 Networks

Bruins, Buffalos, Beavers and Wildcats...... time to contact Charter!

Support Your Local Schools....... Move to Dish!

Since the beginning of this blog one of  the most productive sites for information has been Jon Wilner's Blog over at the San Jose Mercury News.
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/collegesports/2012/09/21/pac-12-networks-directvs-latest-offer-is-disingenuous-and-heres-why/

Since San Jose is in the San Francisco Bay Area Wilner has cultivated sources within the Pac 12 Networks in San Francisco and the Pac 12 in nearby Walnut Grove. The "comments" section of his blog has been a gather place for those those interested in the carriage agreements between the Pac 12 Networks and the cable/satellite industry.

Here is an exchange of interest to Pac 12 Fans in Southern Oregon including Grants Pass and Medford that both have Charter.

Duckfan97526 says:

September 23rd, 2012 at 8:55 am

...........As a duck fan in Grants Pass, our choices are DTV, Charter, or DISH. That isn’t much of an option. I fault both the PAC-12 and DTV for this.

Jim Jones says: September 23rd, 2012 at 9:35 am in response:

Well if those are your 3 choices in Grants Pass you better go with /dish(cannot believe I am saying this I hate Dish) as neither DTV or Charter will have it for a long time. If you want PaC 12 networks do what you have to do if NFL is moe important then stay with DTV. At least you have choices. The two latest offers by DTV are PPV for short term so negotiations can continue. As far apart as they are this owuld never work. Second a 14.95 Stand alonewhichno other sport channel has been stuck with which would then force renegotiaitons with Dish, comcast, TW,Cox and Bright House and owuld not reach a very large market. also there is no room for price reducitons as that would require reducing price for all carriers who have signed which is not going to happen. the market price has been set either take it or leave it.

Based upon my research for  this blog,Jim Jones seems to know what is going on with the Pac 12 Networks and has very good "sources".

On another point, based upon my research it appears the big sticking point between Charter and DircTV is the Pac 12 holding firm on the requirement that cable and satellite systems MUST carry the Pac 12 Networks on a basic tier in the Pac 12 footprint (States where Pac 12 schools are located) and may put them on an upper tier outside the footprint.  Charter and DirecTV don't want to have to pay for everyone of their subscribers within the footprint even though  many others including Dish have agreed to it.  The Pac 12 schools want everyone to receive it in the Pac 12 states because they are the home schools and want to cultivate their fan base for all sports and not just football and basketball.  The Pac 12 is very firm on this point and it is a matter of principal with them and they will not give in. With the exception of Sanford and USC, all the schools of the Pac 12 are state supported institutions that get some or all of their support from the taxpayers of their state.

Thus, if you live in Southern Oregon the move to Dish has begun. Support your local schools!

Charter Business

Just got a letter from "Charter Business" asking that I switch my office  Internet and telephone over to Charter!

Hummmmm...... this is is a real hard decision !

Start calling Charter !

October 6 Games you will NOT get if you have Charter cable!

Washington State at Oregon State, 3:00 p.m. PT, Pac-12 Networks
UCLA at California, 7:00 p.m. PT, Pac-12 Networks

Looks like Charter is alienating fans in THREE states.

Well, at least the folks working for Charter on their Fasebook page will earn their pay and then some.

USC vs Cal and No Charter

All Summer long all the so called experts were writing that Charter would have to come to a deal with the Pac 12 Networks by September 22, the day USC pays Cal in football on the Pac 12 Networks.  The thinking was Charter could not ignore the large base of USC fans who are Charter customer in Southern California. Charter could ignore the Oregon fans in Southern OREGON because of the relative small population base but NOT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA!  Well, welcome to the club!  Today is September 22nd and NO DEAL.

Pac 12 Networks Fans Spoof DirecTV Ads

Pac-12 Networks: DirecTV’s latest offer is “disingenuous” and here’s why

Check out Jon Wilner's latest post at the San Jose Mercury News.  It sounds like "war" has broken out between the Pac 12 Networks and DirecTV and it is alleged  DirecTV  is "disingenuous" which a $5.00 word for liar! BTW the comment section is often as good as the main post so check back often.

http://blogs.mercurynews.com/collegesports/2012/09/21/pac-12-networks-directvs-latest-offer-is-disingenuous-and-heres-why/

UPDATE from Awful Announcing Blog

"Word is that Charter isn't really motivated to get a deal done and waiting to see what shakes out elsewhere."

http://www.awfulannouncing.com/2012-articles/september/pac-12-network-and-big-ten-network-patiently-awaiting-the-arrival-of-reason.html

Pac 12 Networks Games this Week not on Charter!

Well, Pac 12 sports fans this is the week all the so called experts said was the absolute deadline for Charter and the Pac 12 Networks to work out a deal because of the power of the USC fans in LA missing the USC football game vs Cal on the Pac 12 Networks.  Charter has many pockets of coverage areas in the L.A. area, such as in Pasadena around of all places the Rose Bowl, as well as other areas. The "experts" said that Charter couldn't  ignore such a large base of customers.  Well, if they are going to make a deal they are cutting it mighty close.  Did the USC defeat at Stanford last week make any difference? I don't think so, but I also have doubts about Charter and the Pac 12 coming to a deal anytime soon.  This weeks games on Saturday are:

CAL @ USC

3:00 PM

Pac-12 Networks

UTAH @ ASU

7:00 PM

Pac-12 Networks

No Pac 12 Networks Deal with DirecTV for TWO YEARS????

http://blogs.mercurynews.com/collegesports/2012/09/19/pac-12-networks-directv-non-update-and-the-leagues-letter-to-fans/


More back and forth between the Pac 12 and DirecTV...... this is getting bitter!!!!!!

http://www.pacifictakes.com/2012/9/19/3360490/pac-12-network-directv-standoff

Letter to Pac 12 Fans

Dear Pac-12 Fan,

It was another fantastic weekend of Pac-12 football, with three wins by top-25 Pac-12 teams on Pac-12 Networks.

Unfortunately, once again DirecTV customers didn't get to see the games.

We have been hearing from tens of thousands of you about how frustrated you are missing these games. We share your disappointment.

Despite your thousands of emails, tweets, calls and posts, DirecTV is tuning out its loyal customers and still refusing to reach a fair agreement.

While we cannot explain it, so far DirecTV, which has always claimed to be the "sports leader," is simply not interested in offering its customers the Pac-12 Networks. That means fans like you could lose a full season of conference matchups, including Cal at USC and Utah at Arizona State this Saturday.

We find DirecTV's position baffling. First, the deal we've offered DirecTV is fundamentally similar to the deal that has already been accepted by DISH, four of the largest cable companies in the country and more than 40 others. How can a deal that works for all those companies be "unaffordable" for DirecTV, the largest satellite TV provider in the country and the company that built its brand offering every subscriber the "all the sports they crave"?

Second, DirecTV's claim that the games on the Pac-12 Network are not of interest is absurd. In college football, every game is a big game - something we'd all expect the leader in sports to understand, particularly when it offers its customers Big Ten Network, CBS College and many regional sports networks. While we admire our Rose Bowl brethren at the Big Ten, why shouldn't Pac-12 fans and alums be insulted by DirecTV's decision to trivialize the games that matter to them? Just like those Big Ten fans, we want to see every game our teams play.

Put simply, DirecTV is failing its customers and betraying its promise to be the sports leader. Based on the company's position today, fans will miss out on 20 upcoming conference football games airing on the Pac-12 Networks, nearly half of the season's remaining conference games, including some of the most compelling rivalries in the country. Fans will also miss out on the 20 hours of in-depth analysis, coaches' shows and previews that air each week, as well as the 150 men's basketball games, (nearly 70 percent of all Conference games) including eight tournament matchups, scheduled to air later this year.

We will continue to work day and night to achieve 100 percent distribution for all Pac-12 fans, and we appreciate all you've done to help with those efforts thus far. We hope you will continue making your voice heard, but with the distinct possibility that DirecTV fails to recognize the value of offering the Pac-12 Networks to its customers for the long haul you should also consider other providers in your area that offer the Pac-12 Networks. By standing up for your rights as a consumer, you can shape the behavior of the companies, like DirecTV, that are supposed to serve you.

Tell your provider to reach a fair agreement to carry Pac-12 Networks today or switch to one of the more than 40 cable and satellite distributors that does offer Pac-12 Networks in your area.

 

Working for Charter

Since I started this blog I have read a large amount of interaction between Charter employees and their customers over on their Facebook page. Those of us who are unhappy with Charter's service, or lack of service in the case of the Pac 12 Networks should stop and realize we are just dealing with folks who work there and have little or no power to change things. It doesn't do any good to "yell" at them or be anything less than courteous and polite. BTW I really dislike the works "Charter Sucks!" The folks that handle the Facebook page for Charter are in Tom Wolf's phrase "flack catchers". Be nice to them even if you are unhappy with Charter. They are just working stiffs trying to pay their bills like everybody else. Some interesting comments from former and present Charter employees can be found here:

http://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Charter-Communications-Reviews-E5480.htm

Some interesting quotes:

The Big Lie - I was hired to work in tech support and discovered that over 70% of my performance evaluation was based entirely on how well I attempted to upsell additional products during support calls. Scheduling is absolutely awful in all phases - often the lowest census would be during the busiest times, and conversely the highest census would be when the phones weren't ringing at all. Forget ever having consecutive days off, or ever taking a sick or vacation day - "We're understaffed - we need you to come in" is a constant refrain when those are requested. Quite frankly, I'd rather live in a cardboard box than work there again.
Advice to Senior Management – Separate sales and support.

Worked outside the Charter footprint at a call center in Louisville. Free access to movie channels online, rewards bonuses for selling, commissions are good.

Cons – Work is dull after short while. It is a hardcore customer service job with a minimal focus on troubleshooting and a heavy focus on selling and marketing skills. Must be very patient and willing to accept the fact you are going to be unable to fix many things. Must be willing to get yelled at on a daily basis, be called names, and recieve conditional appreciation from your superiors.

Advice to Senior Management – There are many problems with Charter. More tools and less rules. Charter tends to flip-flop on its proceedures and policies a lot. Pick a plan and stick to it, fine tune-it, and listen to the employees much better.

I encourage Pac 12 fans to continue to let Charter know we want the Pac 12 Networks and if they don't, move on to Dish.  However, it important to be civil in doing so. I still live in a world were folks are folks and like to be treated like folks.  I guess I learned that from my folks who were from South Dakota!

Welcome to the Fight Mail Tribune Newspaper

Sometimes this quest to get Charter to carry the Pac 12 Networks has been a lonely campaign. Last Summer I could see that Charter might not pick up the Pac 12 Networks, just as they didn't pick up Comcast Sports/Northwest, for four long years, when they were the sole provider of the Oregon (Duck) Sports Network.I therefore started this blog and it was gratifying to see there were lots of Duck fans flocking to Charter's Facebook page to register their complaints at missing the Oregon Duck football games broadcast on the Pac 12 Networks. Now the Medford Mail Tribune Newspaper has joined the fight with a front sports page article above the fold titled "If you want Pac-12 TV, let someone know" by Tim Trower the Mail Tribune's Sports Editor. Now the guy is an Oregon State Beaver, but on this issue, as he writes in the article "It's a cause that both Ducks and Beavers can get behind." Here is a link to today's story: http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120916/SPORTS/209160329 The article even gives some props to this blog when he writes:

There's also a blog (www.jimwickre2.blogspot.com) started by Medford attorney and avid Duck fan Jim Wickre devoted solely to getting Charter to pick up Pac-12 Networks. It offers how-to advice for those wishing to cancel with Charter and has interesting industry reading.

I also loved this comment about the folks at Charter who run their Facebook page:

Complaints on Charter's Facebook page get responses from company representatives. They say they understand your frustration and are working to get a deal done. But they don't seem sincere. They are copy-and-paste form answers, one of which contained a typo that was recycled over and over. The Charter people suggest all complaints will be logged and, presumably, viewed by someone important.

He sure got that right! Welcome to the FIGHT Mail Tribune, "This time I *know* our side will win."

Charter Cable made a lot of Oregon Duck Fans angry in Southern Oregon

Since Charter Communications does not carry the Pac 12 Networks the primary Cable provider in Southern Oregon created a lot of unhappy folks in Southern Oregon today. Since I was only able to listen to the Oregon game on Radio I spent a lot of time over at Charter's Facebook Page and a lot of Duck fans were there too giving Charter "a piece of their mind." Regardless of what Charter does in the future regarding the Pac 12 Networks they made a lot of enemies in Southern Oregon. Charter has a reputation of poor customer relations and boy did they add to it! A lot of P.R. spin and efforts at being a good community member, by Charter, were thrown out the window. Even if they later pick up the Pac 12 Networks, Duck fans will have a long memory!

Update on Charter "tests" of Pac 12 Networks

In the last 24 hours this was posted on a Oregon fan forum:

Just talked to a technition here in Medford and he told me that they will locally switch ESPNU to the Oregon game. Hopefully it's true. He also said they have been testing signal strength for the network its self.

Well, it didn't happen today but this is the second report of a "test" by Charter in the last week. On Wednesday I reported the following:

Is Charter testing the Pac 12 Networks on their cable system ? I have it from a very good source here in Oregon that the Pac 12 Networks was up and running on the Charter cable system in his residence located in an Oregon town. (Not Medford) My source reports that it was a "test". This may be good news. Before, the Dish started carrying the Pac 12 Networks and before there was a public announcement there were reports of satellite activity. Was this just a "local" controller freelancing (if that is possible) or was it something more? Developing ?

In anyone as any additional information let me know in the comments section below>

Pac 12 Games You Will Not see Today on Charter

Charter is not carrying  the Pac 12 Network so these are the games you will not see today on TV.

Tennessee Tech (2-0) at No. 4 Oregon (2-0) 3 p.m., Pac-12 Network: Portland State (1-1) at 

South Carolina State (1-1) at No. 24 Arizona (2-0) 10:30 p.m. Pac-12 Network: 

Houston (0-2) at No. 22 UCLA (2-0) 10:30 p.m. Pac-12 Network:  (Times are Eastern)

How to Quickly Cancel Your Charter Cable Service so you can get the Dish

http://voices.yahoo.com/how-quickly-cancel-charter-cable-service-3094134.html?cat=3

If you cancel before your contract is up there may be a fee. Pay it.   Read your contract! If you agreed to it, pay your legal obligation and say hello to the Dish and the Pac 12 Networks. The choice is yours. As with all things do your due diligence before you jump.

  
Post your experience in the comment section below.

Will DirecTV Give In ?

This writer thinks so and explains why:

http://www.awfulannouncing.com/2012-articles/september/directv-pac-12-network-kerfuffle-is-wearing-thin.html

DirecTV's Side of the story !

We have been in discussions for several months with Pac-12 Network and hope they will continue to work toward an agreement.

If Pac-12 Network would allow us to make their channel available only to those customers who want to pay for it, the network would already be available on DIRECTV. But, as it stands now, the price is much too high to accept their demand that we make it available to all customers, some of whom will have to take on this unnecessary cost for a channel they don’t want.

We will continue to work with Pac-12 Network to resolve this for the benefit of both fans and non-fans alike. Until then, the majority of Pac-12 football games featuring the most popular teams with national title implications remain available to all DIRECTV customers through the ESPN family of networks and ABC Sports, FOX Sports and FSN, FX, CBS Sports and CBS Sports Network, NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network and several other regional services.

Me...... it's my understanding that the Pac 12 Networks will allow it to be on a paid upper tier outside the Pac 12 Footprint but wants it on a lower tier in Oregon, Washington, California, Arizona, Utah and Colorado where interest is highest for the "home town" team! That doesn't seem too unreasonable.

Husky fans and Cougar fans agree Charter is the worst!

There is not a lot Univerity of Washington Husky fans  and Washington  State Cougars  agree upon but they both agree Charter is wrong and unresponsive to consumer demands to not carry the Pac 12 Networks! Make the switch to Dish Network !

Charter holds out on Pac-12 Network

There is another letter to the "Since you ask" column in today's Medford Mail  Tribune newspaper.

While there are hundreds of channels available to cable and satellite providers, few come with a rabid fan base from the get-go. Sitcoms and mini-series take hype and marketing weeks and months before the debuts. Sports fans merely need to look at the schedule and are ready to tune in............

http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120913/NEWS/209130332

Is Charter Testing for the Pac 12 Networks on their System?

Is Charter testing the Pac 12 Networks  on their cable system ? I have if from a very good source here in Oregon that the Pac 12 Networks was up and running on the Charter cable system in his residence  located in an Oregon town. (Not Medford)  My source reports that it was a "test".  This may be good news. Before, the Dish started carrying the Pac 12 Networks and before there was a public announcement there were reports of satellite activity. Was this just a "local" controller freelancing (if that is possible) or was it something more? Developing ?

If any Charter subscribers notice anything similar  I would appreciate a comment below with the date, location and channel # of the Pac 12 sighting on Charter!

Charter Customers Get $30.00 off Your Oregon Duck Football Tickets on Saturday

Open letter from the University of Oregon to Charter Customers

September 12, 2012

Attn. DirecTV & Charter: We Want Pac-12 Networks

EUGENE, Ore. – After missing last weekend’s win over Fresno State and facing another Saturday of Oregon football without being able to watch the Ducks on Pac-12 Networks when Tennessee Tech visits Autzen Stadium on Saturday, many Oregon fans who subscribe to DirecTV or Charter Cable are at their wits’ end, and it’s hard to blame them.

Pac-12 fans inundated DISH leading up to last weekend’s first full slate of football games on the conference’s television hub and the satellite company responded by partnering with Pac-12 Networks. Fans spoke, DISH listened and delivered.

The other major carriers have undoubtedly received thousands of calls, letters and e-mail as well, but still haven’t gotten the message. So in order to remind them before another game is missed, we are encouraging all fans to make a collective effort, en masse, to call, e-mail, tweet and chat with customer service at DirecTV and Charter at 10 a.m. (PT) tomorrow.

DirecTV Customer Service
Phone: 1-800-531-5000
Twitter: @DIRECTV
Website: www.directv.com
Company Slogan: “Good TV, Better TV DirecTV”

Charter Customer Service
Phone: 1-888-438-2427
Twitter: @CharterCom
Website: www.charter.com
Company Slogan: “Brings your home to life”

Oregon cities served by Charter:

Medford, Klamath Falls, Grants Pass, Ashland, Roseburg, Florence, Newport, Lincoln City, Coos Bay, North Bend, Cannon Beach, Tillamook, Astoria, Seaside, Pacific City, Depot Bay, Waldport, Reedsport, Bandon, Port Orford, Gold Beach, Brookings, Dallas, Creswell, Clatskanie, Hood River, The Dalles, Lakeview, Pendleton, Hermiston, Milton-Freewater, La Grande, and many more.

BRING IN YOUR BILL, GET A $30 TICKET

For Oregon fans who are DirecTV or Charter customers, and therefore don’t have access to Pac-12 Networks, the Oregon Athletic Department is offering a $30 ticket (limit 4) to Saturday’s game vs. Tennessee Tech (12 p.m. PT at Autzen Stadium). Fans just need to bring in a current bill from either DirecTV or Charter to the Moshofsky Center ticket office between now and 5 p.m. Friday, or to the Autzen Stadium South Ticket Building on Saturday. The flat $30 ticket represents a 23% savings over the regular single game price. Tickets are subject to availability and must be purchased in person (no online or phone orders).

__._,_.___

Ducks & Beavers agree Charter the worst

There is not a lot Univerity of  Oregon Ducks and Oregon State Beavers agree upon but they both agree Charter is wrong and unresponsive to consumer demands  to not carry the Pac 12 Networks! Make the switch to Dish Network !

Pac 12 Football Games you will NOT see on Charter this week!

Tennessee Tech (2-0) at No. 4 Oregon (2-0) 3 p.m., Pac-12 Network: Portland State (1-1) at

South Carolina State (1-1) at No. 24 Arizona (2-0) 10:30 p.m. Pac-12 Network:

Houston (0-2) at No. 22 UCLA (2-0) 10:30 p.m. Pac-12 Network:  (Times are Eastern)

Just think Charter, you have alienated fans in Oregon California and Arizona. Next week can we make it Washington too?

The Move to Dish

I will be giving Charter a little more time to sign up to carry the Pac 12 Networks but have already been plotting my exit strategy to the Dish if they don't see the light!
I have a 24 month Charter bundle  agreement with Charter but the agreement is 3/4 completed  and so the buyout of $150.00 is reduced by 3/4 or thus a buyout of $37.50.

I will be keeping the Charter Internet, which I like,  but may drop the land line phone and just rely on our cell phones for a big savings!

I will cut back on the Charter's cable TV, from" Digital Home",  to "Expanded Basic" for our old analog TV's and get the Dish for our high definition TV's so we can get the Pac 12 Networks. Even without dropping out land line phones the price under the above plan is competitive with the Charter bundle after the 2 years are up and Charter's standard prices go into effect.  Without the Pac 12 Networks the Charter bundle was a good price for the guaranteed two years.  However, when the two years  are up Charter really raises their prices.  Without a land line I will actually save money after the bundle deal has expired.

One of the main reasons we have kept our land line is for multi  telephone conversations when our adult children call home so my wife and I can both talk and listen . However, last night I figured out how we could do that on our cell phones,  Who said you couldn't teach an "old dog" new tricks.

One way or another I will be getting the Pac 12 Networks, that is non negotiable!

Dish Network FAQ

The Pac 12 Networks has a support page that answers a lot of questions folks have.  Check it out here:

http://support.pac-12.com/forums/21265837-dish-network-faq

Get  the Dish here:

www.dish.com

As with all things caveat emptor (let the buyer beware) This is not an endorcment.

GET THE DISH !

Just got this email from the Dish Network:

DISH is pleased to announce we have entered a multi-year agreement to carry Pac-12 Network on the DISH lineup.
We know you value your Pac-12 games, and we’re happy you can enjoy these games on channel 413!
Pac-12 Network is available on Channel 413 in America’s Top 120+ packages and above, where regionally available, and in the Multi-Sport Pack nationally.All customers can enjoy Pac-12 Network for a limited time in Free Preview. Just tune to channel 413 and enjoy! This makes DISH the only satellite provider to carry the sports programming. Currently our competitors DIRECTV, FiOS and U-Verse have decided not to carry the programming. Thank you for your patience as we worked to reach an agreement.Sincerely, DISH 

 More:

DISH and the Pac-12 Networks have reached a deal to broadcast the conference's football offerings on the satellite provider, starting today.
Games -- including the No. 4 Oregon Ducks taking on Fresno State at 3:30 p.m. in Autzen Stadium -- will be broadcast today on channels 413, 445 and 446. The multi-year agreement is the first between the Pac-12 and a satellite provider.
Customers of DirecTV remain without the channels. Comcast previously has a deal with the Pac-12, broadcasting on standard definition channels 420 and 421 and high definition channel 720 in the Portland area.
“DISH is delighted to offer our customers more than 800 sporting events available on Pac-12 Networks each year, while giving them a great value,” said Dave Shull, DISH senior vice president of programming, in a statement. “This is a great partnership with the Pac-12 that goes beyond the TV screen to the campuses in the form of an exclusive sponsorship to support the programs and the students.”
DISH is offering Pac-12 Networks as a free preview for a limited time to all DISH customers. Games are available starting this weekend, including the following:
- Sacramento State at Colorado, 12:00 p.m. PT, Ch. 445
- Eastern Washington at Washington State, 12:00 p.m. PT, Ch. 446
- Southern Utah at California, 12:00 p.m. PT, Ch. 413
- Fresno State at No. 4 Oregon, 3:30 p.m. PT, Ch. 413
- No. 18 Oklahoma State at Arizona, 7:30 p.m. PT, Ch. 413
- Duke at No. 25 Stanford, 7:30 p.m. PT, Ch. 445
“DISH wanted to deliver Pac-12 Networks to its customers and our fans will benefit,” said Gary Stevenson, President of Pac-12 Enterprises, in a statement. “DISH’s line-up and ability to offer Pac-12 fans nationwide access to an unprecedented number of live quality sporting events make this a huge day for DISH customers and Pac-12 fans.”
DISH customers will have login access to stream all Pac-12 Networks content and additional sporting events through Pac-12 Now in the coming weeks.
Pac-12 Networks is available to all DISH customers as a free preview for a limited time. It is included in America’s Top 120+ package and above for customers in Pac-12 territory (which includes the six states with Pac-12 schools) and available nationwide in the Multi-Sport Pack for $9 per month.

Now unless Charter agrees to carry the Pac 12 Networks  there will be customers all over Southern Oregon making the switch ..... more to come........

__._,_.___

Mad as Hell & I am Not Going To Take It Anymore!

We are starting the 2nd week of Pac 12 Football and many of us have the worst of all worlds.  We are caught in a power play between Charter and the Pac 12 Networks ! So what can you do! Some suggestions!

1. Refuse to donate to your Pac 12 school until you get the  Pac 12 Networks on Charter. If you have to donate a certain amount for your seats etc limit donations to the minimum amount.

2. Call Charter and cancel any extra  services you don't really need. Do you really need HBO, Showtime etc.  What  channel "tiers" can you do without! 

3. Talk to your friends, neighbors and coworkers.

4. When someone asks how you like your Charter services...... tell them!

5. Write  letters to the editor of your local newspaper.

6. Use the "social media" to spread your displeasure!

6. Let business that advertise on Charter know how you feel.

7. Be firm but polite.Don't make threats...... act!

UPDATE:

8.  GET the DISH!!!!!!!

Week 2: Wilner Carriage Update..... No Good News!

http://blogs.mercurynews.com/collegesports/2012/09/07/pac-12-networks-the-broadcast-schedule-carriage-and-tv-everywhere-updates-for-sept-15-games/


UPDATE:

More bad news to include Charter:

http://www.pacifictakes.com/2012/9/7/3299831/pac-12-network-dish-u-verse

Looks like only hope is to get Dish to force Charter and DirecTV to carry or lose customers. I will dump charter TV  if my only option to get the Pac 12 is to get the Dish. I may keep Charter Internet and go with another phone company.

From Pac 12 Networks

Dear DISH Customers,

We have heard from many of you and wanted to provide you with an update. We have been making progress towards an agreement with DISH...
But we are not there yet.
While our conversations have been productive, suddenly DISH seems hesitant about just how much fans really want the Pac-12 Networks. With millions of you throughout the country, especially those of you out West, we know you are excited about watching your favorite Pac-12 teams. Unless we get a deal done soon, you will miss another weekend of football and will be in jeopardy of missing out on the full season.
But you can make the difference. And the time is now!
Contact DISH today - let them hear your voice, even if you have already told them you want Pac-12 Networks.

• Call them at 1-888-926-5457
• Send them an email

Make sure they hear loud and clear that you want the Pac-12 Networks. With your help, we hope to be on the DISH dial very soon.
Thank you for your support.

Dish Rumor!

Early this morning Pacific Takes blog reports:

  

progress with Dish seems to be moving a bit faster. Or at the very least, Dish is considering adding the satellite network.One of the preliminary indicators that a TV network might be on the verge of getting picked up is when a satellite company receives an uplink for the channel. An uplink indicaes that there could very well be a channel inserted into the lineup in the near future, and the satellite company is putting the channel together to ensure that things will be ready once an agreement is actually signed.

Well, guess which network showed up in the latest set of uplinks from Dish: The Pac-12 Network gets listed at 413.

http://www.pacifictakes.com/2012/9/6/3296215/pac-12-network-dish

D.C. Duck Fans May Be Out of Options!

It is a tradition for Washington D.C. Oregon Duck fans to gather at several sports bars to watch Oregon games.  There may be a problem this Saturday! My daughter who lives  in Washington D.C. sent me this email she received:

Watch Party

The next watch party is this Saturday at 6:30 PM ET against the Fresno State Bulldogs. Due to a failure by Comcast and DirecTV to come to an agreement with the PAC-12 Network we are uncertain of the game's availability in the DC area. We are working on alternative solutions which involve streaming the game via the Internet. As of right now we are optimistic that both locations will have the game. We will provide an update on Friday afternoon once we have solidified details of our capabilities. Please keep pestering/bothering/annoying/harassing Comcast and DirecTV here. If you have any questions please email XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX and we will do our best to answer them.

Charter Forces Fans to Travel!

Because the new Pac-12 Network has yet to reach a deal with Charter Communications, DirecTV or Dish Network, most southern Oregonians can not tune in as the No. 4 Ducks (1-0) host Fresno State (1-0) at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. The only place in Jackson county is in Ashland which has their own cable network which will carry the game.  The sports bars in Ashland are planning for a big day.  Duck fans don't drink too much and Drive!!!

  ...http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120906/SPORTS/209060324/-1/SPORTS

Open Letter from Pac 12

Dear Pac-12 Fan,

We thank you on behalf of all of us here at Pac-12 Networks. We have been thrilled by your support since our launch just a few weeks ago. More than 79,000 of you have emailed your television providers to tell them you want Pac-12 Networks, with over 40,000 emails to DirecTV alone. Countless others have tweeted, made phone calls and posted to their Facebook pages.
But despite this outpouring, some TV providers are not respecting your voices.
As we approach another weekend of thrilling Pac-12 football, the fact is that a number of providers including DirecTV, Dish, AT&T U-Verse, Verizon Fios and Charter Communications are still refusing to reach a fair agreement with us.
These providers all carry the Big Ten Network. Why are they giving Pac-12 fans the Big Ten, but not the Pac-12?
If deals are not reached by this weekend, you will miss some great games:

• Arizona hosting No. 18 Oklahoma State
• No. 4 Oregon welcoming Fresno State
• Washington State and Coach Leach's home opener against Eastern Washington
• No. 25 Stanford hosting Duke
• Cal hosting Southern Utah 

That's not fair to you. College football fans know: EVERY GAME MATTERS.
So keep speaking out. Tell your provider to reach a fair agreement with us before kick-off this Saturday or you'll find a provider in your area that carries us.
We are offering fair, market-based agreements evidenced by the fact that more than 35 providers, including three of the top five cable companies in America, have already signed up to carry our networks. They recognize the value we're offering to fans. Click here to see which of these providers are in your area.
This is shaping up to be a great year of Pac-12 football. We are carrying 35 of the best games of the season, including 20 conference matchups and rivalry games beginning in Week 4. And we are already looking forward to the more than 140 basketball games and other Pac-12 sports we'll be covering all year long.
So keep supporting your favorite team. And we will continue sharing updates as they become available.

Basketball Games You Will Not Get!

Click on the link to see the 150 Pac 12  Basketball Games you will NOT get if you are a Charter Customer. YES, 150 GAMES!

http://sports.blogs.mydesert.com/2012/09/04/pac-12-announces-2012-13-mens-basketball-tv-schedule/

Week 2: Pac 12 Football Games on Pac 12 Networks

Saturday, September 08

Eastern Washington State @ Washington State Cougars

12:00 PM

Sacramento State  @ Colorado Buffalo's

12:00 PM

Southern Utah @ CAL Bears

12:00 PM

Fresno State  @ Oregon Ducks

3:30 PM

DUKE @ Stanford Cardinal

7:30 PM

Oklahoma State  @ Arizona Wildcats

7:30 PM

If you are not happy to not be able to see your team on TV call Charter Communications or your cable/satellite  provider.

Charter there are a lot of Oregon Duck fans that want to see the Ducks! You are creating a lot of bad will that will not soon go away. Fans talk to those business that do advertising on Charter! I am NOT advocating a boycott but a polite word to the advertisers may do some good. They don't want unhappy customers. Some business target sports fans.

The major sports distribution battles and how it affects you

Pac 12 Fans waiting on Charter!

The link below gives a very good overview of the battles between sports channels and the cable / satellite distributors.

The article points out that the Pac 12 has been attacking DicectTV for walking away from the negotiation  table with the Pac 12 Networks and thus the letter from the Pac 12 to their fans (see post below for full letter) and I might add the humerus  video posted below by the Cal AD having  DirecTV taken out of her home.

If Dish, AT&T, and Charter back away from the table as well, they will probably get similar treatment too. Essentially the Pac 12 is saying if you don't pull the trigger we're not afraid to go after you despite how wonderful and successful we portray ourselves to the media.

Best guess at what the deal is: Pac 12 Networks has the leverage and they know it. They're anxious to get deals done but the dominoes will fall and likely in the next 30 or so days. This isn't Texas with 3 terrible football games and some basketball mixed in, but a large conference with a lot of quality games spanning football and basketball.
All of the companies are basically like people in a pool seeing who can hold their breath the longest. It's doubtful anyone will drown and everyone is going to get air at some point.
When the games start getting more meaningful or if Dish/ATT cave first, DTV will follow suit. All three of those companies have been at the negotiating table and don't want to piss of the large swath of fans who REALLY want this channel. They are just playing it out, because they might be able to squeeze the Pac 12 a little bit and nobody is knocking the door down for the channel yet with not that many top tier games in the first couple of weeks. That changes when USC plays Cal.

http://www.awfulannouncing.com/2012-articles/august/the-major-sports-distribution-battles-part-2-of-2.html