Hoops games on Pac-12 Networks in Stardard Def

[hoopsbwc34]

Anyone else outside of Arizona been stuck watching basketball games in SD this year? I just sent this email to the Pac-12 Networks and Duane Lindberg, Associate Commissioner of Television:

The concept of having regional stations replay old games when live basketball is on the national feed is not helping our exposure, the ease of access for fans, or getting the conference additional money. It is also making it hard for me to enjoy Pac-12 basketball in HD. Live games should be on all the regions, unless there is a conflict with another live regional sporting event. Period.

I have Xfinity in Denver, CO and noticed that the PAC12 Mountain High Definition station is showing a lot less live basketball action this year compared to last. Xfinity is only required to have one HD feed and they understandably chose to carry the regional feed in HD. As such, I am stuck watching the SD national feed for most Arizona games.

I understand not preempting Utah or Colorado live sports, but why is PAC12 Mountain choosing to show replay events instead of live games in HD when they are available? Yes I can stream it, but I don't get the benefit of my DVR. And this just makes it harder. Why do you want to make it harder for your fans to enjoy what they want?

Please read this: http://registerguard.com/rg/sports/3397 ... y.html.csp" target="_blank

Here's a great quote from Mr Meeks: "Given the Pac-12’s struggles to achieve distribution for its networks — and the gap in revenue and exposure that already exists with the Big Ten and SEC — I’m not sure it’s wise to do anything that would make it harder for fans to watch Pac-12 football and basketball. The whole idea behind a conference network is to make it easy for fans to watch the games. The Pac-12 Network is making it possible, but it’s not making it easy."

[gumby]

Co-sign. I have the Washington regional station. This is the first year, I've had to watch so many games in SD. Plus, I had to upgrade Comcast package to get that channel.

Good job.

[Chicat]

You have an HD option?

You're lucky you don't live where I do....

[pc in NM]

the Pac-12 network is the shame of, and functions to the detriment of, the Pac-12 Conference....

... a major limiting factor to the emergence of the conference nationally.

[cats101]

Shit sucks

I was looking for the USC-OREGON game yesterday and they were playing replays of old games. Wtf is the point of the network of its going to be local

[ChooChooCat]

Get Kodi, PAC 12 Network in HD for free.

[carolinacat]

I've been amazed with the quality of stream from xrxs.net

[gumby]

You have an HD option?

You're lucky you don't live where I do....

Yes, but if we're not playing a Washington school, we're not on it. Used to be. Now they show "classic" football game or something.

[84Cat]

Get Kodi, PAC 12 Network in HD for free.

+1

All the regional channels & the nat'l in hd.

[gumby]

Gotta have DVR. Often not home when games tip.

[hoopsbwc34]

Gotta have DVR. Often not home when games tip.

+1

It's about ease of access for fans? Why are they making it so hard for fans to watch the games the way they want?

I can stream it in HD using the Pac-12 Now app on my Chromecast...but it's just annoying that I can't REW, pause, etc.... Last season was so much better. How many people do you think are watching these replays during live games?

[hoopsbwc34]

Here's the response from their PR person, Kirk Reynolds:

Matt

I received your note. Sorry you have been getting frustrated.

We never intended to have seven identical networks, which really had been the case for the first two years as we started building our library content from scratch. The shift to program the regional networks separately really started last year, but has become most noticeable this basketball season. This will be the norm in the future as Pac-12 Network, our national feed, becomes the primary network, while the regionals will be devoted to the two universities in each region. That has been the plan since we launched.

We have requested from the outset that Comcast also make Pac-12 Network available in HD. Hearing directly from their customers often carries more weight so we encourage you and your friends to let Comcast know you want Pac-12 Network in HD. We will continue to make the push on our end in hopes of solving the issues you mentioned in your note.

Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback and good luck to your Wildcats.

Kirk

What frustrates me is how they kick the can, and try to pin it on Xfinity. SEC, Big 10 don't have these issues. Pac-12 needs to take responsibility for their own fans viewing experience.

Expect more of the same come this next football season based on this quote, "This will be the norm in the future"

[AZCatGirl]

So the norm is that I have to upgrade my sports package if I want to watch the national feed on TV, but streams of every Pac 12 channel are free with my normal TV package.

If they're going to pull this bullshit they could at least make an app for stream boxes. It's annoying to have to use the phone/tablet app.

[gumby]

So their intent all along was to show archival stuff over live games to differentiate, forcing people to upgrade packages to watch SD? Brilliant.