If you're one of the 1.2 million Mountain West Conference fans who get the mtn. Television Network, 2007 promises to be a big year.

If you're among the millions of other MWC fans who don't have access to your team's games on television, you're being asked to mobilize.

Perhaps you've seen the television ads, or the billboards, or heard former BYU standout Ty Detmer on the radio, extolling fans to call DirecTV and request the mtn. Ads for targeting Dish Network will follow.

"We've stopped asking fans to be patient," said Kim Carner, general manager and vice president of the Mtn. "We've started asking them to get on the phone, to be impatient."

Whether the phone campaign will work, or whether the lack of a carriage agreement is simply about the greed of the negotiating parties, we may never know. The deal with the satellite companies could close the day before the first game -- or perhaps never.

What fans do know is Year 2 of the first-of-its-kind, conference-specific television network will either be exactly what they need -- or more of the same frustration.

"We're certainly hearing it," Carver said. "Fans are making plenty of noise, sometimes more directed at us, not DBS (satellite providers). At Comcast and the mtn. we're responding and we're accessible."

Either you get the mtn. and the other two networks for MWC sports (CSTV and Versus) or you don't. There's really no middle ground for fans, some of whom are very happy with the network and others (who can't get it) who aren't.

"It's so tough when people can't see us. We're an amazing network," Carver said.

The Mtn. will reach 6,000 hours of programming by the first college football Saturday of September and has experienced a 70 percent growth in its first year. Sure, the lack of availability on satellite providers is the biggest topic of discussion, but Carver is promising a more comprehensive and dynamic package in Year 2 for those who get the Mtn.

"We've come together as a cohesive group," Carver said. "We threw this network together pretty quickly, so it was nice to have the summer to regroup. Last year, I was literally standing in the hallway asking someone, 'Do you work here?' and they said, 'Yeah, do you?' "

Caver said the reception of the network has been very positive, especially about the Mtn. Summit in Las Vegas and the "9 Weeks, 9 Schools" programming over the summer.

Fans can expect the return of studio shows "The Mountain View" and "The Mountain Cap" as well as a few triple header football Saturdays. Co-host Courtney George is taking maternity leave, so Natalie Vickers will join Marius Payton for the studio shows. There is also new programming in the works.

Carver said the network would love to go to high definition broadcasts and the investment is under discussion.

"We move pretty quickly around here," she said. "HD is the perfect vehicle for us."

Carver also said the Mtn. won't be made available for live streaming on the internet in order to keep the pressure on the satellite companies.

Seven of BYU's football games in 2007 will be broadcast on the Mtn. Three more will be on Versus and three will be shown on CSTV. The BYU-Utah game will be shown on both the Mtn. and CSTV. The Mtn. will carry 30 MWC football games in 2007, with another 23 games on CSTV or Versus.

The Mtn. can be found on Comcast, as well as on local provider MSTAR. General Manager Matt Clayton said MSTAR is available not only in Provo but in Orem, Lindon, Payson, Murray, Midvale and West Valley City. In the coming months, MSTAR will be expanded into home in Brigham City, Cedar Hills, Centerville, Layton, Perry, Riverton and Tremonton.

Daily Herald Sports Editor Darnell Dickson can be reached at 344-2555 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Get all your BYU sports news at CougarBlue.com