Comcast/NBC Universal would have the ability to put national product on NBC (Irish worried yet?), national cable on Versus, and then games on a Pac-12 controlled regional network. Most conference TV deals have requirements that state how many games must be made available via national over-the-air distribution, national cable (70+ million homes), and down the line.
So, the Pac-12 deal could spell out that NBC gets exclusive time slot and first pick of games (14 regular season and championship game) and pays around $60 million a year. Versus then gets next choice of games with the option to also sublicense some games to regional carriers (like FSN), schedule Thursday night games (for maybe a total of like 24 football games per year) and they would pay $90 million a year. Then the remaining games and all "other" content is contracted with the Pac-12 Network for something like $60 million a year. That makes $210 million a year, all games get coverage on national/regional TV. The conference owned network would then also distribute profits (whenever that occurs) to the member-owners.
If it were Fox, then just replace NBC with Fox, and Versus with Fox Sports.
Interesting to see ESPN in the picture as a player in the conference-owned network.
And the argument over getting satellite channels is a moot point, since the solar flare activity in 2011 will destroy all TV satellites, so you might as well dump your dish. :lol: