GolTV

[Guest]

Can anyone offer some insight into why GolTV (24-hours a day soccer channel) is available on Dish network, but not DirecTV? I E-mailed GolTV and their response stated that they did not expect to be carried on DirecTV for at least 2 years. Do these new channels have to sign exclusivity agreements with a satellite provider in order to get picked up?

[TNGTony]

GolTV, I think, is an exclusive to Dish Network until June 2005. After that Dish has first dibs to renew. I think this is part of the deal that will put GolTV on AT150. For those that don't know, it is now mirrored on channel 407 for AT150. But it is now yet available to mortal beings on that channel. I'm pretty sure that it will become available this (possibly next) wednesday at 5pm easter.

See ya
Tony

[juan ellitinez]

Hey Tony is it possible to have a primary english audio on the channel 407 location?

[guest]

Tony,

Thanks for the info, although it's not the answer I wanted to hear. I am confused as to what happens in June 2005. When you say Dish has first dibs, do you mean they are able to keep it exclusively after then? If I tell my wife I want to add a Dish system to my DirecTV one, she'll freak.

[TNGTony]

Juan,

I think they are just going to mirror the channel and have an "alternate" alternate audio available. Kind of the reverse of what they are doing with Toon Disney for Dish Latino.

Guest:
What I mean is that Dish has a first crack at keeping GolTV as an exclusive to Dish in 2005. I don't know the terms. And this is all second hand. But if it's like the NFL and NLB pakcages DirecTV does the same thing with, essentially the company would set a price. If Dish pays it, that's it. Exclusvity continues for the next X years. If Dish refuses, then they make themselves available to other distributors.

That's a very simple view of a more complex transaction, but you get the idea.

See ya
Tony