ChiefWahoo
New member
Re: Versus on Directv - Enough is Enough!!!
When did Versus start broadcasting College Hockey?
When did Versus start broadcasting College Hockey?
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Versus on Directv - Enough is Enough!!!
- Thread starter BB_Cubs
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P
Priceless
Guest
Re: Versus on Directv - Enough is Enough!!!
ESPN broadcasts the WSOP from July-November in prime time.
ESPN broadcasts the WSOP from July-November in prime time.
Re: Versus on Directv - Enough is Enough!!!
Most during the summer where you pretty just have baseball and TV viewership is usually down.
Most during the summer where you pretty just have baseball and TV viewership is usually down.
Re: Versus on Directv - Enough is Enough!!!
Thank you for this good insight. That's why I started this thread...to flesh out the issues and try to make some sense of this mess. I agree with you that it would make sense to move Versus to the Sports Pack on Directv. You are right, if you're a hockey fan, you're already paying for that package so what's the diff? All I know is that its going to suck to not be able to watch playoff hockey. It all boils to one thing: G-R-E-E-D!!!!
But that's not the big hang-up as I understand it.
Comcast wants Directv to keep Versus on the same subscriber tier it's always been on, yes. That we agree on. But that's not the main issue as I've understood it -- and it's something Comcast conveniently leaves out of all their press releases.
Comcast wants to charge Directv the SAME money per-subscriber that they charge Dish Network for carrying Versus.
The whole problem is that Dish doesn't have Versus on a "basic" package -- it's on a higher, more premium package of some kind. That enables Dish to offset Versus' higher per-subscriber costs (which most feel are too high anyway given the channel's ratings and overall programming) by charging a premium for the package it's in. Given how low the interest is in Versus overall, that seems to be the most equitable thing to do -- but Comcast isn't allowing Directv to do that.
What Comcast wants is for Directv to keep Versus in the basic package it was in -- but charge Directv as if it's in a premium package, when it isn't. Ultimately, under Comcast's demands, one article guessed that Directv could pay up to 20% more per-customer than Dish Network does -- can you blame them for not agreeing to go along with that deal?
I'm not going to cry a river for Directv either when two big corporations go at it, but to me, seems like Comcast is the one making the most demands for a channel that has, in the big picture, very limited appeal.
What makes the most sense is for Comcast to allow Directv to move Versus to the premium Sports Pack (which is where it ought to be, most hockey fans like us already have it, and you'd have a hard time justifying Versus being on a "basic" package given its paltry ratings) like they allow Dish Network to do. Then Comcast gets their fees. But Comcast, apparently, wants to have their cake and eat it too -- they want the most viewers, while also charging a premium for them. At this point in time with a channel that has very, very small ratings outside of the NHL I'd say they're the ones demanding more than Directv is.
And it might be more complicated than that -- Directv and Comcast have been bickering over some of the regional sports networks' contracts, so that's probably tied in to some degree.
Either way, we're all the big losers in the end.
Thank you for this good insight. That's why I started this thread...to flesh out the issues and try to make some sense of this mess. I agree with you that it would make sense to move Versus to the Sports Pack on Directv. You are right, if you're a hockey fan, you're already paying for that package so what's the diff? All I know is that its going to suck to not be able to watch playoff hockey. It all boils to one thing: G-R-E-E-D!!!!
HockeyMan2000
New member
Re: Versus on Directv - Enough is Enough!!!
It sure does. And it's not like Directv is passing on the savings of not carrying Versus to the rest of us subscribers -- they haven't added another channel in its place to offset the loss.
I love Directv for the out of market sports and I think it's fantastic as a college hockey fan. That said it's been a slow progress to get new HD channels in the last year...I'm hoping with the new satellite they launched (and should be operational soon) that things start moving along quickly. Especially that ESPNU gets turned on within the next month so that we'll have HD for the NCAA playoff games. Watching standard-def on the channel is like watching TV through a dirty pair of glasses!
As far as the Versus situation goes -- I truly believe Comcast is just trying to exploit the one (and only) big property they have. It's like they want Vs. to be treated like ESPN when it's a far cry, obviously, from it. If another big provider ends up at loggerheads with Comcast then I think they'll probably start negotiating.
It sure does. And it's not like Directv is passing on the savings of not carrying Versus to the rest of us subscribers -- they haven't added another channel in its place to offset the loss.
I love Directv for the out of market sports and I think it's fantastic as a college hockey fan. That said it's been a slow progress to get new HD channels in the last year...I'm hoping with the new satellite they launched (and should be operational soon) that things start moving along quickly. Especially that ESPNU gets turned on within the next month so that we'll have HD for the NCAA playoff games. Watching standard-def on the channel is like watching TV through a dirty pair of glasses!
As far as the Versus situation goes -- I truly believe Comcast is just trying to exploit the one (and only) big property they have. It's like they want Vs. to be treated like ESPN when it's a far cry, obviously, from it. If another big provider ends up at loggerheads with Comcast then I think they'll probably start negotiating.
IrishHockeyFan
Still outranks his daughter
Re: Versus on Directv - Enough is Enough!!!
Why? DirecTV customers are not victims of any kind of crime or consumer fraud perpetuated by DirecTV. Comcast and DirecTV are not doing anything illegal to each other. They are attempting to make business deals in their own best interests. Comcast has a service it is willing to offer for a price. DISH Network and DirecTV are two completely separate entities doing a similar business but offering it in different ways. No law on the books exists that says Comcast has to offer Versus to both under the same terms. While greed on the part of both is the major underlying cause in this dispute, it isn't against the law.
Why? DirecTV customers are not victims of any kind of crime or consumer fraud perpetuated by DirecTV. Comcast and DirecTV are not doing anything illegal to each other. They are attempting to make business deals in their own best interests. Comcast has a service it is willing to offer for a price. DISH Network and DirecTV are two completely separate entities doing a similar business but offering it in different ways. No law on the books exists that says Comcast has to offer Versus to both under the same terms. While greed on the part of both is the major underlying cause in this dispute, it isn't against the law.
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Priceless
Guest
Re: Versus on Directv - Enough is Enough!!!
People might have a cause if their contract specifically mentioned Versus, but DTV can add and drop networks whenever they want. And if you really are upset about losing the NHL, you can call them and haggle a bit and they'll probably give you a discount on Center Ice.
People might have a cause if their contract specifically mentioned Versus, but DTV can add and drop networks whenever they want. And if you really are upset about losing the NHL, you can call them and haggle a bit and they'll probably give you a discount on Center Ice.
IrishHockeyFan
Still outranks his daughter
Re: Versus on Directv - Enough is Enough!!!
And it is for this reason that no subscriber can ever have a legal beef about what channels they receive. All the fine print for all of these providers always includes something about adding, dropping, or changing the channels whenever they see fit.
And it is for this reason that no subscriber can ever have a legal beef about what channels they receive. All the fine print for all of these providers always includes something about adding, dropping, or changing the channels whenever they see fit.
candycanes99
HAVE SOME CLASS
Re: Versus on Directv - Enough is Enough!!!
Other providers don't have the same troubles it seems. There's an ongoing feud between these two companies. The NFL Sunday Ticket contract that DirecTV got ticked off Comcast, and Comcast still won't release some of their regional sports networks to DirecTV. This is just one piece of the puzzle that they decided to argue about. Comcast got into a similar feud with the NFL because NFL wanted their "NFL Network" on the standard tier and Comcast wanted to relegate it to the sports tier because of lack of programming (sound familiar?). Comcast eventually won that debate I believe, but they didn't have to drop it from their lineup like this situation.
Other providers don't have the same troubles it seems. There's an ongoing feud between these two companies. The NFL Sunday Ticket contract that DirecTV got ticked off Comcast, and Comcast still won't release some of their regional sports networks to DirecTV. This is just one piece of the puzzle that they decided to argue about. Comcast got into a similar feud with the NFL because NFL wanted their "NFL Network" on the standard tier and Comcast wanted to relegate it to the sports tier because of lack of programming (sound familiar?). Comcast eventually won that debate I believe, but they didn't have to drop it from their lineup like this situation.
scsutommyboy
Frozen four or Bust!!
Re: Versus on Directv - Enough is Enough!!!
No. If I did, why would I recommend that one [a class action lawyer] take a look at the issue?
No. If I did, why would I recommend that one [a class action lawyer] take a look at the issue?
HockeyMan2000
New member
Re: Versus on Directv - Enough is Enough!!!
Looks like we're thankfully nearing the end of the line. There have been rumblings on the DBSTalk board from some Directv insiders who have said to "have patience" and that "soon" there will be a solution. One also said next week the situation would be cleared up, and this was from a poster who only appears to tell people when new stations are turned on (and he's been right whenever he does it).
Now there's this story, which has been picked up in a few places and basically states the same thing (even if Versus says a deal by April is unlikely):
http://www.cagepotato.com/exclusive-directvversus-dispute-likely-end-next-week
Note it seems Comcast is going to relent and permit Directv to put Versus in the Sports Pack (which makes the most sense). Either way, whether it's next week or not, I think it's a good bet the station will be turned back on in time for the NHL playoffs.
Looks like we're thankfully nearing the end of the line. There have been rumblings on the DBSTalk board from some Directv insiders who have said to "have patience" and that "soon" there will be a solution. One also said next week the situation would be cleared up, and this was from a poster who only appears to tell people when new stations are turned on (and he's been right whenever he does it).
Now there's this story, which has been picked up in a few places and basically states the same thing (even if Versus says a deal by April is unlikely):
http://www.cagepotato.com/exclusive-directvversus-dispute-likely-end-next-week
Note it seems Comcast is going to relent and permit Directv to put Versus in the Sports Pack (which makes the most sense). Either way, whether it's next week or not, I think it's a good bet the station will be turned back on in time for the NHL playoffs.
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MadCityRich
20 Years and Counting
Re: Versus on Directv - Enough is Enough!!!
While watching the Bruins v Devils last night on Versus (I have Dish Net), I heard "Doc" Emmrick welcome Direct TV viewers.
Sorry I didn't catch the channel number, but congrats to all Direct TV hockey fans who were held hostage all season.
While watching the Bruins v Devils last night on Versus (I have Dish Net), I heard "Doc" Emmrick welcome Direct TV viewers.
Sorry I didn't catch the channel number, but congrats to all Direct TV hockey fans who were held hostage all season.
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