Season package sales of University of Hawaii sports by pay-per-view subscription dropped for a third consecutive year, resulting in about $17,000 less in rights fees for the athletic department this year.

UH is due to receive $2.45 million from its share of the 18-event, 20-game package, down from $2.47 million last year — and $2.6 million in 2008 — despite a rise in the subscription price, the school said.

Renewal subscribers paid $420 and new subscribers anted up $500 in 2010, a $20 rise from 2009.

UH associate athletic director John McNamara said, "I think given the fact that we’re still not out of the economic situation we’ve experienced the last two years, to have numbers that are consistently performing well has been pleasing."

Norman Santos, Oceanic vice president for operations, said, "While the economy may have had some effect, there are other factors to consider such as teams’ past record, the opponents on the PPV schedule, diluted interest because of over exposure of the sport on TV and perhaps the price of the package overall."

In addition Oceanic rebated customers after ESPN picked up the football game against Boise State, which had originally not been selected by ESPN and was listed on the PPV package.

Oceanic’s contract with UH runs through 2014.