BYUtv is "having no trouble selling advertising for its upcoming telecasts" of the school's football and basketball games, though the network is "not calling it advertising," according to Scott Pierce of the SALT LAKE TRIBUNE. BYU Broadcasting Managing Dir Derek Marquis said, "We call it underwriting or sponsorships. ... BYUtv is like PBS as far as the regulations." Federal guidelines prevent PBS from accepting traditional advertising. But Marquis said corporate sponsors are "coming out of the woodwork" for the BYU athletic content. Marquis: "They're contacting us saying, 'Hey, how do I get on board with that?'" Pierce notes BYUtv will carry the Oct. 22 Idaho State-BYU football game, a "slew of men's basketball games and 120-plus live sports events, along with studio shows." All programming will be "underwritten by corporate sponsors." Marquis said, "There are ways to monetize this, and we're taking advantage of them. But that isn't the reason behind any of this. It has never been about the money. It's always been about fan access" (
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