72 replies to this topic

[DropThePuck]

DirecTV says it will no longer carry Versus network

For the last couple of days, DirecTV satellite television subscribers have been seeing a crawl if they've watched any Versus network programming telling them that as of Aug. 31, DirecTV will no longer carry Versus.

For college football and NHL fans who get their television through DirecTV, this could be bad news.

Five Pacific 10 Conference games (as yet undetermined) as well as an assortment of Big 12 and Mountain West games, and an NHL package of 54 games could become unavailable to DirecTV subscribers just when those seasons start.
...
Robert Mercer, director of public relations for DirecTV, said: "Versus' overall ratings are poor and have not increased nearly enough to justify what we're paying them, let alone the significant increase they're asking for."

<LA Times link>

[DucksFan2035]

i dont blame directv from a money stand point. why waste money on something that is doing poor and then be asked to pay more? i'd say no. Sucks on a hockey fan level for whoever has DirecTv

[Dark Knight]

i dont blame directv from a money stand point. why waste money on something that is doing poor and then be asked to pay more? i'd say no. Sucks on a hockey fan level for whoever has DirecTv

It's fine during the season but it would be a nightmare during playoffs (I subscribe to DirecTV). They'll figure it out I assure you or the rabid football fans will riot It would also make Bettman look like an idiot... oh... nevermind on the last one. Too late for that.

[TecKaHoLiC]

I am spazzing out! The playoffs will make me crazy!

[lvsprt]

Wow not good news for myself, a diehard Direct TV subscriber, but then as long as I see the Ducks games elsewhere, which most of them I can, all is well. It does say alot about how Versus can't seem to build the following like they thought they would.

[Dark Knight]

Update on the DirecTV Versus feud. I wrote DirecTV and received an answer. Here's an excerpt:

If we are unable to reach an agreement by August 31, we will continue to negotiate with Versus, however, it's unlikely that we'll be able to keep Versus on the air during negotiations. In the meantime, you'll still be able to watch college football on Big Ten Network, the MTN., ESPN, ESPNU, ESPN GamePlan, local channels and your Regional Sports Network (RSN). NHL games are available on NHL Network, NHL Center Ice, and your RSN.

Does this mean that if they don't reach an agreement with Versus those games will be on NHLN? Stay tuned.

[ladiesandgentlemen]

Does this mean that if they don't reach an agreement with Versus those games will be on NHLN?

Versus has the master contract for the NHL. Unless there is a provision in the contract that requires it to be carried by DirecTV or to be shown in x amount of households that can't be met without it, Versus holds the cards with NHL games.

But Versus needs DirecTV a whole hell of a lot more than the other way around, so I expect Versus to fold to DirecTV's demands... at least by the time the season starts.

[ladiesandgentlemen]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Versus being replaced by The BlackBerry Network on DirecTV.

With every single game of the KHL being beamed into households everywhere, and shows like Steal a Penguin, starring Lario Memieux, the Hamiton Predators starring Bary Gettman, and Make it Seven(teen) starring Sadya Nuleman.

Jim Balsillie would have a blast being that network's guru.

[Todrick]

Update on the DirecTV Versus feud. I wrote DirecTV and received an answer. Here's an excerpt:

Does this mean that if they don't reach an agreement with Versus those games will be on NHLN? Stay tuned.

No it doesn't

NHLN DOES show SOME games, but it's no substitute

[ladiesandgentlemen]

From DirecTV news:

Versus on DIRECTV

Comcast, the largest cable company in the U.S., owns Versus. They regularly try to charge us amounts well in excess of what is fair and reasonable to carry the programming they own. Their reason is obvious: they want to stifle competition from DIRECTV. Comcast's unfair terms undermines DIRECTV's ability to offer our customers the best possible value. If we simply accept these terms, we would have to absorb the unreasonable costs Comcast wants to charge us, and in turn we will be forced to increase the rates our customers pay. We do not want this to happen. In fact, Comcast has forced us to remove Versus because we would not accept the terms they demanded.

We are currently in contract negotiations and will continue to work with Comcast until the matter is resolved. Rest assured that we are making every effort to ensure that you continue to be satisfied with your service.

For more information, please read our FAQs below...

Link

Note: I realize this has been mentioned as a possibility on the NHL News thread, but now that it has happened I feel it's important enough to have a separate thread, since it will impact so many people and decisions might be made from any new info and updates on the situation.

[Dark Knight]

More opinion on this mess

And more...

When a three-year extension was announced with Versus in 2008, your commissioner was all smiles and claimed interest in the game would grow in the U.S. along with the Versus viewership.

Well, surprise, surprise, that looks to be yet another ruse in a long line of poppycock propaganda that insults the intelligence of hockey fans across the board whenever it’s shamelessly used.

LINK

[TecKaHoLiC]

This is bumming me out! This better be back by time our Stanley Cup run begins!

[lvsprt]

Dreadful turn of events, but then when it comes to hockey coverage we so often have to settle for what the powers that be decide. I don't get NHL centerice package for the sheer reason that if I had it I would be watching hockey 24/7. I have a very hard time pulling myself away from a game. As a matter of fact the NHL Network free preview is on right now and I caught myself watching (being mesmerized) by a last year playoff game between Carolina and Boston. I mean come on, not particularly the best choice but hey I haven't seen a hockey game for soooooooooooo long it was just really nice on the eyes. But alas I have to be a mom to two and wife and other major everyday duties so in order to effectively do these things I don't get centerice. Long story short don't take my Versus away too!

[QuacksMeUp]

Dreadful turn of events, but then when it comes to hockey coverage we so often have to settle for what the powers that be decide. I don't get NHL centerice package for the sheer reason that if I had it I would be watching hockey 24/7. I have a very hard time pulling myself away from a game. As a matter of fact the NHL Network free preview is on right now and I caught myself watching (being mesmerized) by a last year playoff game between Carolina and Boston. I mean come on, not particularly the best choice but hey I haven't seen a hockey game for soooooooooooo long it was just really nice on the eyes. But alas I have to be a mom to two and wife and other major everyday duties so in order to effectively do these things I don't get centerice. Long story short don't take my Versus away too!

LOL!!! I feel your ?pain?.....

I recently went from basic cable (no box, just feed) to a cable box package just so I could see playoff hockey on my TV instead of on a stuttering P2P on the internet! I quickly realized that having the NHL Network, Versus and the MLB Network 24/7 along with Fox Sports, ESPN and all the international soccer you could possibly need might not be such a great idea as far as getting any sleep ever again, or making it to anything on time ever again. Then the big blow came when my 20 year old Magnavox old school TV finally blew a fuse and died. I grudgingly went and got my first flat screen "bells and whistles" TV. Well, WOW!! When hockey season begins and the Dodgers and Angels make the playoffs I won't be seen around work or home for pretty much all of October. I probably should take my vacation that month.

[MrsBevo]

It's the hockey fans that have been suffering ever since Versus took over NHL games, and hockey fans at the mercy of cable and satellite providers who may or may not carry the channel.

[ladiesandgentlemen]

Here's Versus' side of the story:

Versus president Jamie Davis said the network's distribution fallout with DirecTV is about positioning, not price.

..."DirecTV wanted to take Versus away from 6 million subscribers who were receiving it for no additional cost," said Davis in a Sept. 2 interview. "That was simply not acceptable for us. We hope to resolve things amicably, but that's a non-starter."

DirecTV, in an email response later that day, wrote "we've asked for packaging rights similar to other distributors like Dish," which it says carries Versus on its AT250 tier and has about a 35% penetration rate. "Our contention is, if it's good for Dish, why isn't it good for us? At this [point], the deal is terminated and we are treating this as a new network, from scratch. So we're attempting to gauge the market and Dish seems like a good barometer."

Link

[ladiesandgentlemen]

Along with DK's approach to the situation, here's one form letter suggested by a Kukla's Korner member:

Dear Sir or Madam:

I have been a loyal DirecTV customer for years, and had been planning on being one for many years to come. However your recent decision to remove the sports network Versus from your service will soon force me to switch to another provider so I may continue to receive their NHL programming. I strongly encourage you to reconsider your position regarding renewing Versus’ contract and hope that you begin to understand just how many customers you are about to lose by not doing so. I hope to remain a customer going forward but will cancel my service at the beginning of the NHL season if this situation is not rectified.

Sincerely,
-

Link

Paul Kukla, a contributor at NHL.com, is keeping up on the issue on his excellent website.

[Dark Knight]

Along with DK's approach to the situation, here's one form letter suggested by a Kukla's Korner member...

After I sent them a couple of emails, they called me at home to assure me that they're doing all they can to fix this issue.

[ladiesandgentlemen]

Hope on the horizon... or not?

Versus, DirecTV talking; deal for season opener still doubtful

The NHL's first games on Versus this season are scheduled for two weeks from today on Oct. 1, with the Washington Capitals visiting the Boston Bruins and the San Jose Sharks at the Colorado Avalanche on a night when Joe Sakic's(notes) No. 19 will be raised to the rafters.

In other words, the time for genuine concern has arrived if you're a hockey fan with a DirecTV subscription that hasn't had Versus on the satellite service since it was unceremoniously yanked on Sept. 1 following a contract dispute.

Good news: Both sides confirm negotiations are ongoing after talks broke down earlier this month; and Jade Ekstedt, spokesperson for DirecTV, said the parties are "very aware" that the clock is ticking to the start of the season.

The less-than-good news: Getting Versus back on DirecTV by the first official puck drop isn't looking particularly promising at this point, according to the network's president.

"The two sides are now talking again, and that's a good sign," said Jamie Davis, president of Versus...

Puck Daddy

EDIT: I see that DK has already posted this on the NHL News thread. Unless otherwise notified, I think I will leave this here in this thread just as documentation.

[Dark Knight]

EDIT: I see that DK has already posted this on the NHL News thread. Unless otherwise notified, I think I will leave this here in this thread just as documentation.

My bad. This is where it belongs. I'll delete my post.

[Dark Knight]

Each side’s interpretation differs greatly, but the bottom line for the 14 million homes in which Versus was available on DirecTV is this: If the dispute isn’t settled by Thursday, the hockey lovers in that group won’t be able to see the two NHL games that will be broadcast exclusively on Versus…
...
“If we don’t have a deal with Versus by the time hockey season starts, DirecTV would certainly be open to putting these games up for our customers while we continue to negotiate,” DirecTV vice president of public relations Darris Gringeri said. “Obviously, Versus has to allow us to do that, but we’d certainly be open to doing that. At the end of the day, it would be their decision.”

A Versus spokesman who did not want to be named said: “Why would it be our decision when DirecTV is the one who took us down in the first place?”

Read More >>

[lvsprt]

This feud is becoming increasingly bitter, all at the expense of the fans. How many games did Versus have on their schedule for the Ducks this year?

[Duckette]

This feud is becoming increasingly bitter, all at the expense of the fans. How many games did Versus have on their schedule for the Ducks this year?

-2

[Dark Knight]

Bettman, sharing the stage with Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis at the "Capitals Convention" at National Harbor, made a call-to-action for disgruntled fans caught in the DirecTV/Versus standoff -- one that threatens to keep the opening of the NHL season on the cable network off of the satellite service.

"Call DirecTV and tell them you're not happy," the NHL commissioner instructed. So it's pretty clear on which side of the battle-lines the League resides.

LINK

[Dark Knight]

Open letter to NHL fans that are also DirecTV subscribers and interested in the NHL on Versus.

[Todrick]

Open letter to NHL fans that are also DirecTV subscribers and interested in the NHL on Versus.

Translation:

Versus is Right, Direct TV is wrong.

[lvsprt]

I'm sorry, this is crap, but VERSUS never impressed me anyway. They are so East coast biased in the games they show and we aren't even on their schedule this year anyway so what ever.

[Dark Knight]

I'm sorry, this is crap, but VERSUS never impressed me anyway. They are so East coast biased in the games they show and we aren't even on their schedule this year anyway so what ever.

The only way it would affect us would be playoff time...

[lvsprt]

Yeah DK, you got me there. For my own

[Dark Knight]

Yeah DK, you got me there. For my own

That ticket on my post was to ... me