Beavs' 2012 opener signals change

REMEMBER WHEN Big Ten Network debuted a few years back? Options were few, only two major providers carried it at launch and regional audiences generally received a lesser sought event the other varying networks had passed on. The Pac-12 Network is taking a decidedly different tack.

Things have changed over the years for the Big Ten Network – there are more football games, more carriers and better matchups. But the Pac-12 Network is shaping up to be a different animal altogether.

In years past, Oregon State’s home opener against Nicholls State might not have been televised. If it was picked up, it probably wouldn’t have been in HD.

But in 2012, the Pac-12 Network will televise the OSU-Nicholls State game on Sept. 1 at 12:00 p.m. PT.

The Pac-12 Network now ensures that all Oregon State football games, and all Pac-12 games, will be televised. The Pac-12 Networks are also “full-time native HD linear networks available to video programming operators.”

The Pac-12 announced only the early part of their broadcast schedule last week – the first three weeks plus one more game in Week 4, with more to come later.

Sixteen games are now set – there will be 19 more that will be scheduled, with Oregon State almost certainly in line for more of them. The Pac 12 Networks will have the top or second choice of games in seven of 13 weeks.

Computers, tablets, and some smart phones will all be part of the Pac-12 Digital Networks package, made available through TV Everywhere authentication.

Negotiations remain ongoing with DirecTV and Dish. The Pac-12 Network has deals currently in place with Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox and Bright House Networks, giving it 40 million homes.