Nov. 21, 2012
Dear Fellow Bruins,
At a time when we are celebrating a Pac-12 South championship in football and have just started what promise to be exciting men's and women's basketball seasons, we are more excited than ever to cheer on our Bruins.
I am sure you would agree that all of us with UCLA roots are in a truly great position to advocate for all of our various sport programs in addition to our university as a whole. I write to you today to alert you to a new opportunity to give back to the Bruins and advocate for our university.
As many of you know, this past August, the Pac-12 Conference launched its own media outlook called the Pac-12 Networks. The Networks are a first-of-its-kind content provider devoted to Pac-12 sports and the broader academic missions of the universities.
Over the first two months of existence, Pac-12 Networks has more than delivered for Bruin fans. Largely thanks to Pac-12 Networks, more than 40 UCLA athletic events were televised through November 10, and there will be even more coverage coming in the winter and spring seasons. The expanded year-round, around-the-clock coverage includes not only football, but also our volleyball, soccer, basketball, baseball, softball and water polo teams. Some of the Olympic sports have never been televised before until now. There is no question the additional exposure will have a positive impact for all of our teams.
In addition to the games, the Pac-12 Networks give Bruin fans more in-depth coverage and better access to our teams and student-athletes. Through pregame and recap shows, 1-on-1 interviews, and new original programming, the Pac-12 Networks are telling the stories about UCLA and the rest of the Pac-12 that have never been told.
As is the case with every start-up, Pac-12 Networks has encountered a few challenges in reaching distribution agreements with some cable and satellite TV providers. We have all become accustomed to these issues over the years, but in this case, we need to collectively step up as Bruins and demand our Pac-12 Networks.
It is frustrating that fans, including myself and my family, cannot see their school's games because many of their television providers have not yet agreed to carry Pac-12 Networks. It only gets worse when you consider that 48 television providers, including all the major cable companies and DISH Network, have all come to the same agreement to carry the Pac-12 Networks.
As alums, we need to band together and express our outrage at these providers who will not agree to carry the Pac-12 Networks. I have begun speaking to my own friends and family about the great benefits of the Pac-12 Networks. And I urge you to do the same: call your provider and demand Pac-12 Networks; get on Twitter or Facebook and make your voice heard; or go to IWantPac12Networks.com and share your point of view.
Thanks to all of you in the UCLA Family for your help.
Happy Thanksgiving and Go Bruins!