The Pac-12 Networks, ESPN and FOX will combine to televise the entire 80-game 2013 Pac-12 home football schedule, the Pac-12 Conference announced today. The Pac-12 Networks will air 35 Pac-12 home games, while ESPN and FOX will televise a total of 45 games from Pac-12 sites, including the Pac-12 Championship Game.
The networks announced their picks for the first three weeks of the 2013 season today, as well as all Thursday and Friday games hosted by Pac-12 Conference schools.
Utah’s season-opener against Utah State on Thursday, Aug. 29 at 6 p.m. Mountain Time will mark the first college football game broadcast on FOX Sports 1, FOX’s new national, multi-sport network. FOX Sports 1 will replace what is currently called the Speed Channel in the cable and satellite lineups in August.
The kick time and TV for three other Utah home games was announced today as well: Weber State on Sept. 7 (noon/Pac-12 Networks), Oregon State on Sept. 14 (8 p.m./Fox Sports 1) and UCLA on Thursday, Oct. 3 (8 p.m./FOX Sports 1).
All remaining television selections and start times for games hosted by Pac-12 institutions will be announced 12 or six days in advance. Non-conference road game times and TV will be released by those institutions or conferences, including Utah’s Sept. 21 game at BYU. The expectation is that every Pac-12 football game will be televised this season.
“Today’s announcement assures Pac-12 fans will once again enjoy the best television coverage of their favorite teams,” said Commissioner Larry Scott. “Through Pac-12 Networks, and our partners ESPN and FOX, all 80 Pac-12 home games will be available to passionate Pac-12 fans all across the country.”
Utah’s chief rival, BYU, continues its long-term deal with BYU-TV and ESPN to have all of its games televised. BYU has announced that start times and networks have been determined for four of its road games and one home game. Generally speaking, television rights are owned by the home teams.
The Cougars’ opener at Virginia will be televised live on ESPNU Aug. 31, 1:30 p.m. Mountain Time from Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Va. BYU’s annual pre-LDS Conference Friday night match-up with Utah State, in Logan this year, has been claimed by CBS Sports Network. The game is Oct. 4 at 6 p.m.
Other games claimed for live TV broadcasts at this time are Boise State at BYU Oct. 25 (6 p.m. on ESPN), BYU at Notre Dame Nov. 23 (2:30 MDT on NBC) and BYU at Nevada Nov. 30 (11 a.m. on CBS Sports Network).
ESPN has first rights on the other seven games on the Cougars schedule, including Texas (Sept. 7) and Utah (Sept. 21). BYU-TV will broadcast any games not claimed by the Worldwide Leader.
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @oldschoolag
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2013, all rights reserved.