star2city Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 In spite its relatively low profile, Western Kentucky has one of the most extensive reaches of any college satellite sports network. Most of the cable networks in the South and Atlantic regions broadcast Western Kentucky games. This from a school with modest basketball success, limited national recognition, and which is only now going IA in football. What would prevent UND from getting similar distribution for it's FSSN, which conceivably would be able to distribute not only football, volleyball, M&W basketball, but hockey (and a telegenic spring sport would only make it more attractive)? Hilltopper Satellite Sports Network: On November 15th 1999, the staff of WKYU-PBS unveiled the only satellite uplink truck owned by a Kentucky university. This in itself was extraordinary but in the mind of Producer/Director David Brinkley, it was simply the final piece of a puzzle. Once again standing apart from the crowd, David and the others at WKYU-PBS sought out to create a student-run sports network devoted to Western Kentucky University Athletics. If this were to happen, it would make WKU head and shoulders above any other university out there. Few other university in the country have ever had the equipment and the staff on hand to take a sports network from start to finish. To accomplish this there would have to be a cooperation between WKYU-PBS, Western Kentucky University and affiliates across the nation. WKU's conference, Sun Belt recently signed an agreement with ESPN that may threaten the HSSN: The Sun Belt Conference issued a back-patting press release last week, extolling the virtues of the league Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nodakvindy Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 It makes a ton of sense. I'd love to see FSSN do a deal with the YES network for UND hockey. The gold standard college hockey program aligning with the gold standard of pro sports. It would be a perfect complement since the hockey and baseball seasons mirror almost perfectly. Even if they only got $1 and a few ad spots a game, the coverage alone would absolutely be worth it. REA could even align with that food service deal that the Cowboys and Yankees have put together. Why not bring together the finest hockey, football and baseball facilities on the planet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
star2city Posted February 25, 2009 Author Share Posted February 25, 2009 It makes a ton of sense. I'd love to see FSSN do a deal with the YES network for UND hockey. The gold standard college hockey program aligning with the gold standard of pro sports. It would be a perfect complement since the hockey and baseball seasons mirror almost perfectly. Even if they only got $1 and a few ad spots a game, the coverage alone would absolutely be worth it. REA could even align with that food service deal that the Cowboys and Yankees have put together. Why not bring together the finest hockey, football and baseball facilities on the planet. Knew the Yankees had a network, but never had access to it: YES Network With the resources of the REA and FSSN, there's got to be opportunity out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nodakvindy Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Another missed opportunity is Canada. And this is where the lack of leadership in the WCHA Commissioners office is so obvious. Hockey East now has a TV deal with Rogers Sportsnet putting games on in Atlantic Canada. UND should look to do something similar with the Sportsnet branch that serves Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. This would be a huge recruiting coup, as Canadian players could be watched by their friends and families. If Denver, CC, UND and UAA partnered to create a weekly package you might be able to get both Sportsnet West and Sportsnet Pacific to pick it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
star2city Posted October 6, 2009 Author Share Posted October 6, 2009 In spite its relatively low profile, Western Kentucky has one of the most extensive reaches of any college satellite sports network. Most of the cable networks in the South and Atlantic regions broadcast Western Kentucky games. This from a school with modest basketball success, limited national recognition, and which is only now going IA in football. What would prevent UND from getting similar distribution for it's FSSN, which conceivably would be able to distribute not only football, volleyball, M&W basketball, but hockey (and a telegenic spring sport would only make it more attractive)? Seems dreams do come true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RD17 Posted October 6, 2009 Share Posted October 6, 2009 Seems dreams do come true. You are a prophet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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