USOC Network to debut ’10

[Unknown]

wow it going to on comcast. but i doubt Directv will get it.


DENVER (AP)—After more than two years of negotiations, the U.S. Olympic Committee is ready to introduce a network devoted solely to Olympic sports.

Details about the “U.S. Olympic Network” will be unveiled Wednesday, though a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press the network will go on the air next year after the Vancouver Olympics and that Comcast will be the broadcast partner, with plans to place the network on one of its basic tiers.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because details of the deal have not been released.

The USOC has been touting the Olympic network as a way to keep Olympic sports in front of viewers for more than only a few weeks during an Olympic year. It is supposed to be a particular benefit to smaller sports that struggle to find air time once the Olympic torch goes out.

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/news?slug=ap-usocnetwork&prov=ap&type=lgns

[RACJ2]

Sounds like a good concept, "a way to keep Olympic sports in front of viewers for more than only a few weeks during an Olympic year". I know I fall into the category of mainly watching those sports during the Olympics. Although it sounds similar to the NBC OTA sub channel we get here in Dallas on channel 5-3 called KXAS-US.

[mreposter]

Isn't it sad that even with ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN News, ESPN Classic (soon to be ESPN3?), ESPN DePortes, ESPN U and dozens of other Fox Sports and RSN channels that this stuff can't seem to find an outlet...

[donley]

Yes, KXAS-US is Universal Sports which in fact covers mainly Olympic sports. Not sure there is room for or a reason for two such channels. Maybe one of them will buy the other at some point.

[fluffybear]

wow it going to on comcast. but i doubt Directv will get it.


http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/news?slug=ap-usocnetwork&prov=ap&type=lgns

It never hurts to send DirecTV an email and request the channel be added. If enough customers show interest, DirecTV would be foolish not toconsider it.

Personally, I would love to see this channel. I'm only disappointed that it will not premier until after the Olympic games as it would be nice to get people in the mood for Vancouver.

[RACJ2]

Isn't it sad that even with ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN News, ESPN Classic (soon to be ESPN3?), ESPN DePortes, ESPN U and dozens of other Fox Sports and RSN channels that this stuff can't seem to find an outlet...There was more coverage back in the day when ABC had "Wide World Of Sports" on Saturdays. As a weekly show, that was disbanded back in the late 90's.

[Steveknj]

There was more coverage back in the day when ABC had "Wide World Of Sports" on Saturdays. As a weekly show, that was disbanded back in the late 90's.

There's more money to be made showing repeats of the same poker tourneys, 20 versions of their sports news shows a day, infomertials etc.

I remember when ESPN became the outlet for ALL of the non mainstream sports. It's funny because these cable sports networks killed WWOS, because they became the outlet for the WWOS fare. Now, even the Cable channels don't show them. But I guess today there are "new" novelty sports that weren't around in the 60s and 70s. UFC, Poker and so forth have replace Demolition Derby, barrel jumping and cliff diving.

[mreposter]

There was more coverage back in the day when ABC had "Wide World Of Sports" on Saturdays. As a weekly show, that was disbanded back in the late 90's.

Yep, with Jim McKay doing the "...the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat..." while that poor skier crashed every week... Jim was a classy guy, I miss his respect for sports and honest reporting style.

[Unknown]

here is a update on another channel which is coming to directv.

NBC is negotiating with DirecTV and is expected to have an announcement in the next few weeks on having the satellite provider pick up Universal Sports.

[sum_random_dork]

A while back weren't their rumors that ESPN was looking at turning one of their channels (Classic I assume)into an Olympic channel? Also, I wonder if Universal Sports will in fact become the Olympic Channel? USOC would carry more prestige than Universal Sports I'd imagine. The only other part of this could be maybe Comcast is fronting the Olympic Channel? They have a lot of channels they own now and they love sports channels???

[RACJ2]

Yep, with Jim McKay doing the "...the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat..." while that poor skier crashed every week... Jim was a classy guy, I miss his respect for sports and honest reporting style.I agree... it brings back some good memories.