By Jay Jones, July 31, 2008
As some of you might know, I worked at KEZI and Chambers Productions for a number of years after finishing up at the University of Oregon. As a part of KEZI and Chambers, I had the privilege of working on a number of University of Oregon-related productions, such as Duck Vision.
Those projects were not only good projects, but they were fun projects. Some of my fondest memories at Chambers were of working with very talented co-workers, producing some of the best content in collegiate sports (at very late hours – most of the time that was of my own doing).
And Oregon fans won big.
I’ll keep my comments brief here. But I think the possibility exists that Oregon fans across the state are going to lose in this deal.
And I’ll tell you why: where will Duck fans be able to find University of Oregon programming next year?
Honestly, I don’t know.
My best guess is that ComcastSportsNet will have most, if not all, of Oregon’s programming. Rebroadcasts. Coaches shows. Sports specials.
But I don’t know. Do you?
And that’s kind of a problem.
But what if you don’t have Comcast? If you don’t have Comcast and you’re a Duck fan, you’re probably out of luck.
Sure, ABC will pick up a number of Oregon’s games this year. And there will be a few on FoxSportsNet and Versus (As my wife asked, “What’s Versus?”). But any additional programming is going to end up on some yet-to-be-announced network.
One of the great things about the OSN and Chambers partnership was that I knew I could count on Chambers affiliates across the state for Oregon sports. Where there wasn’t a Chambers station, some type of alternative usually existed.
If everything is on Comcast and you don’t get Comcast (and get satellite instead), I don’t think there’s going to be an alternative.
And Duck fans, that’s too bad, and won’t be fun.
But I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
So much for brief.
Here’s the press release:
NEW CONTRACT TERMS END CHAMBERS’ AFFILIATION WITH OSN
(Eugene, OR – 7/31/08) Chambers Communications announced today that new contract language just received from IMG Communications for Oregon Sports Network programming has caused Chambers to not renew its affiliation with OSN for locally produced coverage, live games and special interest shows highlighting University of Oregon athletics on Chambers’ television stations KEZI-Eugene, KOHD-Bend, and KDRV-Medford.
“Chambers Communications has a long history of providing viewers throughout Oregon with unprecedented coverage of University of Oregon athletics,” said Scott Chambers, President. “It is clear from the contract language that the University of Oregon, through its partnership with IMG, now has a business model for rights and programming that no longer has room for the local and statewide broadcast television partnership, viewers or advertisers offered by Chambers’ three ABC affiliates throughout the state.”
Recently, Chambers Communications finished its second successful five-year Agreement with OSN. Under the terms, the company’s three ABC Network broadcast stations produced and/or distributed more than 100 hours of University of Oregon athletic programs per year, including live football and basketball games, pre and post game programs, special coaches’ shows and pre and post season specials.
On January 7, 2008, after lengthy negotiations, Chambers Communications received a signed letter of intent from OSN for a new five-year agreement under similar terms of the previous agreements. In February 2008, the University of Oregon negotiated an exclusive sports representation arrangement with IMG, giving the company exclusive rights over University or Oregon sports inventory, including games, television programs, signage, and stadium game programs. Through numerous discussions between Chambers and the University, there was no indication that terms of the signed letter of intent would be significantly changed.
This past Friday, July 25, 2008, approximately four weeks before Oregon’s first football game, Chambers Communications received a contract offer from IMG outlining new terms. Included in the contract were substantially increased rights fees, restrictions on sponsors, significantly reduced company and sponsor benefits and the elimination of Chambers-produced programs featuring University of Oregon Athletics or coaches, except for live games.
“In the best interest of the company and its advertisers, Chambers Communications has no option but to reject the terms of the IMG contract,” said Dana Siebert, Chambers Chief Operating Officer. “Chambers Sports and our three ABC broadcast affiliates throughout Oregon will cease affiliation with the Oregon Sports Network effective July 31, 2008, the expiration date of the current five-year contract.”
ABOUT CHAMBERS COMMUNICATIONS
Chambers Communications, headquartered in Eugene, Oregon, is the parent company of Oregon ABC affiliates KEZI 9 in Eugene, KDRV 12 in Medford, KDKF 31 in Klamath Falls and KOHD 51.1 in Bend, with newsrooms in Roseburg, Corvallis and Coos Bay; Chambers Sports, an Oregon-based regional sports company; Chambers Cable of Sunriver, Oregon; Chambers Productions, a full service film and video production company based in Eugene, Oregon; and CMC.NET, an Oregon-based internet service provider. Chambers Communications is based in the Chambers Media Center, the most technologically advanced soundstage and production facility between Hollywood and Vancouver, BC.
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