With more than two months until its Aug. 15 seven-channel launch, Pac-12 Enterprises has “firmed up its technological support roster and opened up its marketing strategy rooted in multi-platform content,” according to Mike Reynolds of MULTICHANNEL NEWS. The group last week said that In Demand will team with Comcast Media Center to provide the networks with “an array of technical support services, including expansive TV Everywhere and video-on-demand plans coming out of the gate.” The Pac-12 Conference, in an “unprecedented push, will launch seven channels -- a national feed, as well as six regional networks.” Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks and Cox Communications, co-owners of In Demand, have “all made distribution commitments to the TV services that together will total 40 million homes.” Pac-12 Enterprises President Gary Stevenson said that conversations with additional distributors “have yet to yield any agreements.” But when asked if other carriers would be on board when the networks debut in mid-August, Stevenson said, “Absolutely.” Sources said that the Pac-12 Networks is “seeking a monthly-license fee of between 90 cents and $1 within conference markets and as much as 50 cents in other areas.” Stevenson said consumer marketing will begin to be seen in the next week "before ramping up as we approach August 15” (MULTICHANNEL NEWS, 6/11).
SPARSE DISTRIBUTION: In San Antonio, Sandra Zaragoza wrote the Longhorn Network “is still not able to answer the question that is most annoying [Univ. of Texas] sports fans: When will they be able to see the network on their cable systems?” The network “has attained sparse distribution,” but it “has not reached deals with Texas’ major providers," Comcast, TWC, Charter, AT&T U-verse, DirecTV and Dish Network. LHN VP/Production Stephanie Druley said that the network’s “top priority is to get distribution deals done.” Druley also hinted that such negotiations “are starting to make headway while stating that she is not privy to them.” Talks between TWC -- the “main cable providers for San Antonio and Austin -- and the network appear to have come to a standstill.” Zaragoza noted regardless of “what the network is showing, some believe its inability to achieve wide distribution can tarnish the Longhorn brand” (SAN ANTONIO BUSINESS JOURNAL, 6/8 issue).
