Beginning with today's game against SMU, the live satellite broadcast signal for all Hawaii football games will be digitally scrambled to prevent viewers who didn't buy the pay-per-view package from getting the games for free. Satellite football signal
scrambled for nonbuyers
Star-Bulletin staff
This will include fans on the mainland who do not subscribe to, or are unable to, receive the broadcast via Fox Sports West, KWWL and Action Sports.
"It's an unfortunate by-product that some of our fans on the mainland will no longer get the game live," said John Fink, general manager of KHNL/KFVE, which produces the UH games for broadcast. "But there is no way to scramble just the signal that comes back to Hawaii. We know there are people getting the satellite feed but, now that we have the pay-per-view, it's illegal and costing the university revenue."
This is the first season for live pay-per-view telecasts, broadcast on Oceanic Digital PPV 255. The cost is $12.95 per game/$75 per season on Oahu, $5/$25 on the neighbor island.
"Rather than go after people who haven't paid for the game, we decided to digitally scramble it," said Fink. We've provided descramblers for our (broadcast) partners on the mainland. It's unfortunate for some of the mainland fans because it's meant a greater exposure for the UH program."
Rebroadcasts of the games are still free.
An estimated 12,000 homes and 30 commercial venues bought the initial package for the Aug. 31 season opener against Eastern Illinois, generating at least $400,000 for UH.
Pay-per-view sales have remained steady the past month, according to officials.
Seasiders' Porter Coach of the Year
LAS VEGAS >> Brigham Young-Hawaii tennis coach Dave Porter received the College Coach of the Year Award at the U.S. Professional Tennis Association's 10-day World Conference.Porter coached the Seasider women's and men's teams to the NCAA Division II national titles last season. The victories made Porter the first coach in Division II history to win both titles in the same year.
The Seasider women are 191-2 the past six years. Porter's career coaching record is 725-104.
