On Thursday, the South Bend Tribune released the first part of a special Q & A session with Jack Swarbrick. One of the interesting things that Swarbrick stated during the session was about a Notre Dame Network. Here is the question and answer:
Q: We spoke a few months ago about Texas’ network deal. What about a Notre Dame Network? What’s the reality of that? What are some of the ideas that are being brainstormed about with that right now?
A: There will be a Notre Dame Network, but people sort of envision that in traditional terms of something dramatic and new. You’ll sort of grow into it as you produce more and more digital programming and distribute it more broadly, and we’re committed to that.
What is central to our ability to really build out of a viable network is the increased delivery of broadband video to homes. Texas is a cable platform, because they have dense geography. Ours is the inverse of that. We have fans everywhere – not a huge concentration in one cable market. And so we’re going to be really well-positioned, as technology advances here, and we’re spending our time now building our digital programming.
This is an extremely interesting answer from Swarbrick. It is obvious that Notre Dame does not have a specific fan base as Texas or Ohio State would. Therefore, Notre Dame would need to distribute nationally. There are probably as many Notre Dame fans as either of these school, however, Notre Dame may be the second most popular school in every area. Therefore, a cable channel like the BTN is not possible. It is unclear what Swarbrick meant exactly. But it is probably over the internet or other type of internet-based video. How ever it is brought to people's homes people must be able to see. It needs to be in their face and not something people need to look for. By doing so, Notre Dame may be able to expand its base and obviously bring in more money to the athletic budget (like it needs it).
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