Aldo Giovanni Amato

USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee

MURFREESBORO — As Conference USA Commissioner Judy MacLeod watched MTSU top UAB courtside on Sunday in Birmingham, several fans watched the game on CBS Sports Network.

The network is one of four TV networks to air C-USA games as part of the league's current TV deal approved last summer.

While the deal came under scrutiny for the more than $10 million loss in rights fees, there have been bright spots as the conference looks toward its new TV deal talks this spring.

The current TV deal, announced in May 2016, is for two years.

In particular, beIN Sports has been a success with conference officials for its production quality.

The network, primarily known for its coverage of international sports, chose C-USA as its marquee conference, essentially replacing previous partner Fox Sports as C-USA's fourth TV partner.

"They have always been well prepared and the production quality is great," MacLeod said. "If we can figure out the distribution to increase that, it's just really been a great partnership.

"We've been their first college partner and have done a great job for us."

Three of MTSU men's basketball games were produced by beIN Sports this year.

Halftime shows have included analysis from former NFL star quarterback Donovan McNabb, who also played college basketball at Syracuse.

The reaction to the new TV partner has been mixed among MTSU fans.

"BeIN seems like a step up from (the American Sports Network) picture-wise," MTSU fan and alumnus Trey Randolph said.

Brad Hopkins, also an MTSU alumnus and basketball fan, said the production quality is nice but wished for a better reach.

"It's somewhere between bad and OK," Hopkins said. "I'm not sure we could ask for much better in the current landscape.

"I like beIN's coverage, but I don't think it helps us grow our brand because it doesn't reach enough people."

Those factors and others will be something for MacLeod and conference officials to consider when negotiating for the new TV deal starting this spring.

Although no partners have been announced for the next deal, MacLeod said she'd "certainly like to have (beIN) back."

To go along with beIN, C-USA games are shown on ESPN, CBS Sports Network, the American Sports Network and sometimes streamed at CampusInsiders.com.

Randolph, Hopkins and other MTSU fans agree that CBS has been one of the top TV networks when it comes to watching Blue Raider games.

"CBS Sports Network does a great job," Randolph said. "It's a good broadcast.

"If you could get them every time it would be great."

Conference USA also launched its own in-house network, C-USA TV, last year. Member schools are responsible for producing games and subscription revenue goes right back to the schools.

"We've had a few hiccups," MacLeod said of the in-house production so far. "The growing pains continue but we're still making some strides.

"Some of our schools are getting a lot better but we still have more to do quite frankly. We'll get better."

Reach Aldo Amato at 615-278-5109 and on Twitter @Aldo_Amato.