Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott during halftime of Thursday’s Oregon-Arizona State football game said that “no progress has been made in the conference’s negotiations with DirecTV to carry the Pac-12 Networks.” Scott said, “It’s very frustrating for us and disappointing for our fans, especially because we’ve got coming up in the next two weeks our four Top 25 teams on the network.” Scott did announce that the nets are “now available to customers on their iPhone and iPod Touch devices through the Pac-12 Now fan experience.” In Phoenix, Paola Boivin notes the nets will be “available on Android devices in several weeks” (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 10/19).
NO NEED FOR TRANSLATION: In Montreal, Steve Faguy reports the Canadian Radio-television & Telecommunications Commission Thursday denied BCE Inc.'s application to acquire Astral Media. The organization in the process also denied a "related application from Bell Media's parent company to convert Montreal's all-sports radio station from English to French in order to satisfy the commission's limits on common ownership.” The decision is the “best possible outcome for TSN Radio 690 and its fans” as approval of the deal, “even with conditions, would have meant that Montreal Canadiens hockey broadcasts would move to CJAD, and CKGM would be converted into French, sold off or shut down” (Montreal GAZETTE, 10/19).
DRAFTING STRATEGY: In Indianapolis, Anthony Schoettle notes NBC officials are confident F1's move to NBC and NBC Sports Net "will add eyes to the IndyCar broadcasts, not divert attention from the series.” The deal would "seem to indicate that NBC is ready to make a major commitment to open-wheel racing in all forms." Schoettle: "If the growing U.S. F1 audience gets exposed to some IndyCar promotions, all the better.” NBC officials “already are talking to IndyCar leaders about some intriguing cross promotions between the series.” NBC “hopes to pull some of the fans of F1’s U.S. morning broadcasts into afternoon IndyCar races” (IBJ.com, 10/17).
A NATURAL MOVE: USA TODAY’s Michael Hiestand notes it “seems logical” that Dan Patrick’s daytime radio show, also simulcast on DirecTV, would “move to the NBC Sports Network.” The show had “aired on Fox Sports Net outlets until the sides this week couldn't reach a new deal.” Patrick on-air Tuesday said that a “new TV distribution will be announced soon.” NBC Thursday had no comment. Patrick “already is heavily associated” with NBC, serving as the in-studio host for "Football Night in America" (USA TODAY, 10/19).
