The University recently joined 22 other schools taking part in asatellite radio programming package aimed at bringing subscriberstop-ranked collegiate athletics.
Sirius Satellite Radio recently reached an agreement with theUniversity to broadcast LSU sports on its College Sports Radio forthe next three years, said Herb Vincent, associate athleticsdirector.
Initial talks began about three weeks ago. The contract wassigned last week but there have been no discussions about anythingpast football, Vincent said.
Sirius provides more than 120 channels, many of them commercialfree, of music, news and sports to subscribers for $12.95 permonth.
The University was approached by Sirius about a partnership, butbecause LSU is a state institution it was required to engage in abidding process.
Sirius won over XM, its competing satellite radio provider,through a “competitive bidding process,” Vincent said. The companywill pay the University $105,000 per year for the broadcastingrights.
Sirius has to the right to broadcast LSU sporting events, whichinclude football, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball andsoftball, but is not necessarily under an obligation to do so.
“I think this is good for LSU sports,” Vincent said. “It is onemore way to reach our fans and for them to have a way to enjoy thegame.”
Ron Rodrigues, a spokesman for Sirius, said the quality of anddedication to LSU athletics was a primary reason the University waschosen to be included in the new package.
“We obviously know how much students and alumni value sports atLSU,” Rodrigues said. “They have a great alumni following.”
He said the main focus is to bring LSU sporting events to formerstudents who, because of their lack of proximity to Baton Rouge,may not be able to listen to local broadcasts.
“Former students spread all across the country,” Rodrigues said.”This brings the game to them and lets them experience LSUsports.”
Sirius recently broadcast the LSU vs. Oregon State footballseason opener on its Channel 112. The University is one of eightSoutheastern Conference schools included in the package.
Success of the new partnership cannot be determined untilsometime after football season, Rodrigues said. The company doesnot take ratings; instead, it relies on measures of how many newsubscribers it gets as a result of the new broadcasting.
Despite not having the initial results of the broadcastAthletics Director Skip Bertman was optimistic about the future ofthe University’s new partnership.
“This is a wonderful thing,” Bertman said. “Anywhere, people canget some radio broadcast. It is an amazing thing to make LSU sportsavailable to so many.”