Budill said the Pac-12 Networks have turned a significant operating surplus every yearKATE SCOTT
Pac-12 Networks Senior VP/Head of Distribution & Partner Marketing Alden Budill joined the network in '16, and said she would stand it up against companies with "more resources and longer track records," according to Jon Wilner of the San Jose MERCURY NEWS. On the carriage standoff between DirecTV and Pac-12 Networks, Budill said, "Would we love to have DirecTV? Absolutely. But our focus is on that slow and methodical build of value across our portfolio of partnerships -- and doing that in parallel with evolving our content strategy to create a compelling product." She added, "The Pac-12 Networks have turned a significant operating surplus every year, they’ve delivered on the mission to elevate the sports that never had been broadcast before, and they’ve represented those student athletes in a caring way." Budill: "Would we all like to be making more money? Of course. But I don’t see it as, ‘We’re challenged.’ I see it as, ‘Wow, we have this amazing foundation to build from, to evolve into the next phase.’ When you look at the trends in the industry, the narrative is that ratings are down, that TV is done. That’s not true. With linear TV, with people on their couch looking at the big screen, yes that’s down. But if you look at total content consumption and factor in mobile and tablets, it’s up." More Budill: "The ‘Pac-12 is challenged’ narrative -- I understand why it exists, but I don’t see that from where I sit. I see lots of opportunity" (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 5/31).
