Mostly, I disagree with your portrayal of BYU and its administration as a powerless pawn in all of this. First, you say,

"In fact, even if the MWC or BYU's AD WANTED to intervene, they cannot. The TV contract has already been signed, and the MWC and CSTV are at the mercy of CSTV and the mtn. to get distribution agreements in place. If BYU or the MWC tried, CSTV could tell them that it was none of their business what profit margins CSTV is able to get from the content which they already had agreed to pay top dollar for."

Hogwash. The AD's could get together and find some way out of this contract. Breach of contract if nothing else. CSTV said they would provide internet streaming. CSTV said they would put the games on the Mtn and ensure the fans could actually watch them. I am sure there are clauses in this contract that CSTV has already breached. The problem is, CSTV is contracted to pay so much money, that the Admins of the MWC schools are hunching down in the corners of their offices hoping that everything works out, and counting their money.

Further, you then contradict yourself.

"In response, CSTV demands that BYUTV NOT rebroadcast the BYU-Tulsa game on tape delay--even though KBYU used their own resources to produce the game, and it was allowed in the CSTV/MWC TV contract for BYUTV to broadcast the game."

As you point out, there is nothing in the contract to keep BYU from rebroadcasting the game. By definition, that means that it was only with BYU's consent that the game was withheld. They may have been asked, even threatened, but it was ultimately the choice of BYU to screw their own fans in order to let them continue counting their money.

Finally you state,

"No, the silence of CSTV and the satellite companies is enough to make MWC fans wonder that if their positions became known, that BYU and other MWC fanbases wouldn't be sympathetic to either of their positions. That if the truth were known, CSTV AND the satellite companies would be revealed as lying, sleazy, money-grubbing entities content to use and abuse whoever they can in their thirst for 3 more cents per subscriber."

You are still trying to imply that the satellite companies are somehow guilty in this. THEY ARE A BUSINESS TRYING TO MAKE A PROFIT. They did nothing stupid, as did the MWC in signing the contract, or CSTV in thinking they could get rich on the deal. Why should the satellites sign on when they believe it will lose them money? There is nothing sleazy or untoward about this. And surely you don't believe that they are intentionally queering a deal that would make them money. I find no fault in DISH or DirecTV at all. They are doing EXACTLY what their stockholders expect the to.

So let's put the blame on all the parties that deserve it, and none on those who don't. We are getting hosed by CSTV, the MWC, and the member institutions of the MWC. BYU is no doubt a contributor to this mess, and as per your own statements, agreed to not rebroadcast last nights game.

- Va Cougar