Comments on: DirectTV negotiating with Comcast-owned Versus in public

By: Despite struggles, Versus moves ahead with original programming

Despite struggles, Versus moves ahead with original programming — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:57:33 +0000

[...] that sprouted from the Outdoor Life Network in 2006. In recent months, the network has been in a contract dispute with DirecTV, one of the country’s primary cable providers. While DirecTV will likely [...]

By: brad black

brad black — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:54:57 +0000

Since versus is no longer on they should replace it with another channel that has huntins and ultimate fighting.with digital tv these days you can get good channels with just an antenna. You need to offer channels like versus to stay in business.

By: Carol Chidlow

Carol Chidlow — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:38:05 +0000

I’m sure there aren’t as many fans of cycling as there are of the NHL but Versus is the only channel that carries the cycling. Of course we’re upset that Direct TV can’t come to an agreement with ComCast. Please, please continue negotiations and make it happen.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 19:03:36 +0000

We switched from Dish to Directtv a few years ago when Dish couldn’t work out a deal with whoever owned Vs channel. We love the PBR and follow the careers of these athletes, so will definitely look at our options again. Tho, used to have trouble with Dish losing satellite signal repeatedly….don’t know if it’s improved, and I really don’t want to leave DTV, but…..we’ll see. I agree with previous posters that I could pay and extra quarter a month, but sure not $20 for the privilige of having Vs.

By: Diane

Diane — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:27:15 +0000

Pac 10 and Big 12 games on Versus. Going to be alot of pissed off people. Call and let them know you are angry.

By: Todd

Todd — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:30:29 +0000

I am not mad at any of you for feeling the way that you do. I am only scratching my head in puzzlement. The reason: Comcast’s strong-arm tacts are going to be repeated again in the not too distant future, you do realize that, correct? Today its DIRECTV that is the victim of this strong-arm tactic. Next year when Dish Network’s contract ends (or when it occurs), Comcast will most likely use the exact same tactic on DISH Network. Depending on the outcome with DIRECTV, Comcast may either increase or decrease the stakes when it unloads this same tactic on DISH Network. I do not actually know when the contract with DISH network expires, but believe it ; they did it to DIRECTV, they will do it to DISH Network too. I do not ask if ; I ask when? So if you guys want to abandon ship from DIRECTV, ok no problem. Just if you go with DISH network, mark your calendar, you are going to experience this all over again in the not too distant future.

You can’t change COMCAST. They are a Cable TV monopoly. That is why we all selected direct-home satellite as our provider.

Also……
And if you keep changing between DIRECTV & DISH Network, repeatedly, they will most likely flag your account as a HIGH RISK customer, in a similar manner that all Cell Phone (PCS) providers do: Sprint PCS, T-Mobile, Verizon, Cingular, Cricket, US Cellular, etc…. Which means you will NOT be eligible for special promotions or such. Or forced to wait a long time in-between special offers or discounts on your account. Don’t get your account flagged as High Risk, its a nasty thing. And Cell Phone companies now share info between them about their high risk customers. And I consider it likely that DIRECTV & DISH Net probably do the same thing.

By: Diane

Diane — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 03:25:58 +0000

Cakll or write Direst TV. I have had several people call me about this from DirectTV so they are looking at what we are saying.

By: Diane

Diane — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 03:24:04 +0000

Todd- if you followed Pac 10 football in our area- it is a big deal. Since we have two teams in our area, Fox sports channel will carry one if it is not the national game and that is usually USC. So UCLA fans have to watch games on versus. Basketball season quite a few game sre on versus. I suspect in the Bay area with both Cal and Stanford in their market, the same thing applies and I see that Versus carried their games as well.

By: Todd

Todd — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:43:34 +0000

I must say, basing your decision on TV provider on the carriage of one single channel? Are you kidding me? This is not the problem we had with Viacom, where they were threatening to withhold a whole group of channels. This is one single channel from Comcast, that is trying to get it some popularity. Good grief. I am glad you folks have no real capability of making decisions for DIRECTV or my family. 1 single channel, and you threaten to change TV providers. Good grief. Get a life. There are dozens of Sports alternatives to choose from. You’re telling me you can’t get past the lose of VERSUS? NHL is a niche sport, with a niche audience. Meaning, it has a die-hard group of viewers. But to everyone else, NHL means not a whole lot. UFC has a niche audience too. But outside that audience, no one cares. RODEO has a niche audience too. But outside of that audience, no one cares. NHL Center Ice will mever be as big as the NFL Sunday ticket or the even bigger MLB Extra Innings. Personally I like Football more then baseball. But I know that MLB Extra Innings probably has a larger audience. I yawn at VERSUS for its mostly niche only programming. If your not a hockey fan, rodeo fan or UFC fan, then VERSUS means nothing. And is totally irrelevant to most DIRECTV viewers. Did anyone consider that as the reason why DIRECTV will not budge on the high fee from Comcast on this 1 single channel?

Btw, to the person that mentioned that they had DIRECTV since before it was Primestar. Before 2000, DIRECTV was never PRIMESTAR. In 2000, DIRECTV bought out PRIMESTAR, a competitor. Before 2000, PRIMESTAR and DIRECTV were seperate and competing against each other.

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:03:03 +0000

everyone needs to email directv to tell them they will cancel

By: ellen woelfel

ellen woelfel — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:01:26 +0000

If you do not keep Versus we will be getting cable.

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:00:02 +0000

Just emailed Directv to tell them I will have to cancel my service if they can’t work this out by NHL playoff time – perhaps sooner. I could sacrifice a few games of regular season, but to not see my Flyers in the playoffs (I live out of market), because DirecTV doesn’t carry Versus I just can’t do. I have two sports subscriptions several HDDVR’s and pretty much all of the premium programming. I like Directv but hockey is probably th one thing that will make me change to cable or dish network. It’s ashame too because I got to see most of the games in HD last year (finally). They will lose close to $2000 in revenue from me this year. I don’t really know or care whether Comcast or DirecTV is the bad guy here, just get the problem fixed and the channel back on the air.

By: MillerTime8606

MillerTime8606 — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 08:21:45 +0000

Well wings are on versus several times this puts a dent in things if they don’t get it all worked out by then. Luckily my contract is with Directtv ends in December and I can move somewhere else if they don’t reach a deal. Comcast manages to fuck people even when they aren’t comcast customers.

Screw Gary Bettman also

By: Shayne

Shayne — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 05:48:54 +0000

Direct TV just installed a HDDVR so I could tape the NHL when I work.I upgraded my package to get VS for the NHL & also my Fox Sports.I will be talking to them about getting out of my contract if VS isn’t back.Heck,I’m dropping down to basic anyway in Dec & all Direct TV subscribers should do the same.If everyone dropped down to the basic package what could DTV do?The customer is always right?!!?

By: lakings

lakings — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 04:41:51 +0000

NHL is the greatest sport in the world. don’t really care about versus in the regular season tho they mostly show the Colorado avalanche anyways. i get the center ice package. its the playoffs I’m worried about. versus shows about most of it.

By: Scott

Scott — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 04:35:01 +0000

And amen cc, we are caught in this bullshit war going on behind the scenes. Just wait until nobody watches any TV at all and we going full streaming with 1000s of channels. THis is the bullshit that will drive us to it. Everyone needs to flood comcast with messages calling them bullshit.

By: Scott

Scott — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 04:31:39 +0000

If Directv is telling the truth Comcast proves again how they and Time Warner can ruin programming for the consumers. We are a freak’n pawn in the ivory tower game of business politics. This could come back to haunt Versus as a channel. There is talk of merging WEC with the UFC like it should have been. I am assuming that could end most of the problems of MMA fans getting access to content. MMA, Cycling, Racing, and Hockey are the only real big draws for the channel. And the channel is going to hemorrage if MMA fans with Directv like myself just stop watching.

By: Lance

Lance — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 02:33:36 +0000

No Tour de France no Direct TV for me.

By: cc

cc — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:39:55 +0000

Seriously? I’m reading most of the comments here and with all due respect to your tastes in sports (cycling, bull riding, indy racing, etc) the sports fans who are getting screwed the most here are the NHL fans! I live in Florida and originally from Pittsburgh. Most of the Penguins playoff and Stanley Cup Finals games were on Versus. Even when the Pens aren’t there I wanna watch the playoffs. As an NHL Center Ice subscriber I’m supposed to get every regular season game as well as the first two rounds of the playoffs for approximately $170. Versus carries two games/week during the regular season and coverage throughout the entire playoffs. So when Versus covers the game I won’t be able to see it because it won’t be televised on the Center Ice channels if it’s broadcast local, NBC, NHL Network, or Versus. This is clearly Comcast’s doings. Those little bitches, greedy and power hungry, are firing back at Direct TV for the NFL Channel feud they had. Comcast sux and I can’t understand why someone hasn’t slammed a plane into their headquarters. That said, I literally just had Direct TV installed (ditched comcast) and made it clear that my #1 priority is getting to watch the Penguins. Not one single expert working at Direct TV either. They forgot to mention that they had these issues with Versus on the horizon. Thanks Direct TV numb nuts! Can pretty much blame ESPN though for dropping their contract with the NHL because of the lockout in 2004/05. But ESPN would rather promote a bunch of steroid using, lying overpaid pretty boys and their economically unbalanced boring-assed sport of Major League Baseball?! ESPN could’ve stuck up for the NHL and promoted NHL and protected their investment and endorsed the improvements the NHL made, salary cap gives all markets a chance to win, new rules speeds up the game, less commercials, but instead they drop the NHL. Yet more and more people want to watch Crosby and Ovechkin and the Red Wings and such. Fuck Comcast!

By: DON

DON — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:18:56 +0000

I,VE BEEN WITH DIRECT TV EVER SINCE IT WAS PRIME STAR AND IF I CAN’T WATCH THE PBR I WILL GO SOMEPLACE WHERE I CAN.WORK IT OUT………………………

By: John

John — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:43:46 +0000

I just switched from Comcast to Direct TV and am now still getting beat up by Comcast. I switched for two reasons and that was because Comcast is to over priced and direct TV offered the versus channel. If they cannot get this worked out than why can’t Direct TV do what Comcast is asking and pass this on to the customer. I would easily pay more money a month to get the versus channel back on. I bet I would still pay less a month than I did at Comcast and have more channels as well. SIGN THE CONTRACT DIRECT TV! WE WANT OUR VERSUS BACK!!!!!!!!!!1

By: Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:00:31 +0000

Comcast is the bad guy here. I’ve also had Comcast/Charter and they’re service is terrible too.

If Direct can’t get this worked out I’m moving to DISH which has versus and a couple of other channels that are included in their base lineup.

By: Randy M

Randy M — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:54:46 +0000

If Comcast wants to compete with Directv they should start their own satellite service. Directv and Dish are saviors to the rural customers, no Comcast here. Don’t raise my prices, we should all pay the same per channel. Nothing beats Directv. I’m staying. Bad pub for you Comcast.

By: John Chamberlain

John Chamberlain — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:51:37 +0000

I am not there yet, and will wait a few (very few) days before I send this message to DirecTV:

I expect that you will restore Versus to your lineup in the next few days. If you do not, I will consider this a breach of contract and will feel free to sign up with another provider.

If that should be my only recourse I will contest any charges you may try to assess because of my early termination. This will include joining in any class action suits that may be brought.

BRING BACK VERSUS OR SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES.

By: Barry

Barry — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:05:12 +0000

It’s really hard for me to believe everyones shortsightedness on this issue. I’ve had DirecTV since 1998. I currently subscribe to their Premium Package, which includes Versus. I just called Dish TV and they said there is no issue with Versus and there carraige charges are not being raised. DirecTV is the only company being FU**ed by Comcast. Why do you suppose that is? Comcast is pretty much a monopoly and has lobbied Congress for numerous bills against the Satellite companys who are taking millions…if not billions of dollars in subscriber fees from them. Why should they cut a break to the largest satellite company in the world. I am a loyal DirecTV customer and if Comcast cannot give DirecTV the same carriage costs they give other major cable companies or Dish Network, then Screw them. I will miss my Indy Car racing but I still have Speed HD for my Formula 1 and Nascar. SCREW Comcast…!

By: svetlana

svetlana — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:36:29 +0000

I am one of the NHL who will drop my beloved dish if they don’t ALL grow up and work out the way to split up my money. Direct TV will also lose my purchase of center ice if this can’t be worked out!!

By: sean

sean — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:44:08 +0000

Comcast is SATAN! They are surely the cause of this. Directv is just a victim. Someone really needs to put this worthless cable company out of business.

By: chris m

chris m — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 16:12:42 +0000

for all of you who say that youre going to go to dish netowrk if Directv drops VERSUS, whos to say that Comcast wont do the same thing to DISH when there contract runs out?? Comcast is just trying to get more viewers and this is how theyre doing it, Directv will get Versus back we just dont know when but its safer than switching to dish or verizion when comcast may very well do the same thing to them.

By: Dieter

Dieter — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:45:19 +0000

If direct tv drops V.S I’ll drop direct tv. I need my hockey. I would pay more per month if I have to.

By: Benjamin

Benjamin — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:42:31 +0000

If DirecTV loses VS – they lose my business as well as many others.

IF DIRECTV fights for what it’s customer wants they will prosper and regain more than cost of VS

By: Mlaw

Mlaw — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 21:10:57 +0000

I’ll gladly trade Versus for LifetimeHD, but I’m a girl. I will however miss the NHL. I won’t lose sleep over this station going.

By: Merrick Taylor

Merrick Taylor — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 19:17:40 +0000

Versus is the only sports channel on Direct TV I watch. It has hunting, fishing,hockey, and my personal favorate cycling. Cycling finally got in HD. Pleases don’t take it away. Direct will loose Probibly close to half a million homes if it is taken away. They will probibly go to dish. Witch i hate. Direct has much better features in my book. But that is just me. I will tell you this, you will loose a lot of cyclist. KEEP VERSUS !!!!!

By: robbie walker

robbie walker — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 19:07:27 +0000

this would be the second channel they have droped since i have purchased the sports channels with them and i will drop them and go to cable. versus is one of the few channels i watch.

By: John Chamberlain

John Chamberlain — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 16:59:53 +0000

Oops, I meant to say go to Verizon.

By: John Chamberlain

John Chamberlain — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 16:58:31 +0000

When I signed on with DirecTV I specifically asked about the sports channels. At that time I asked about, ESPN, Speed, Fox Sports,TNT, AND Versus. I was assured that all were included. As far as I can see, if they don’t carry Versus they have breached their contract with me. I will not hesitate to change back to Time Warner, sign with Dish Network, or to go to Dish Network.

I don’t care about Comcast or DirecTV, nor whatever their problems are with each other. I ONLY CARE ABOUT WHAT I WAS PROMISED, AND THAT INCLUDES VERSUS!

By: mmoore

mmoore — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 16:33:23 +0000

We watch the INDY races but most of all we watch the HUNTING shows. Thoroughly enjoy them. I hope they don’t but if DirecTV does not pay the price Comcast wants, I will not change to Comcast EVER. They like to take channels away but yet increase prices. Why reward Comcast for being greedy? KEEP VERSUS ON DIRECTV

By: jvictor

jvictor — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 05:54:05 +0000

I want to say that it will be very bad if Direct Tv doesnt keep the Versus channel.. My family loves the racing etc that they cover and will have to consider finding a different provider if you lose the VERSUS CHANNEL.

By: dvardner

dvardner — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 05:47:26 +0000

Sorry but you are wrong about Pac 10 games. UCLA basketball and football are carried on versus in their home market if they are not on fox or the regional game. Checking the Bay area I found Cal and Stanford games are on versus as well. Fox cnnot carry both teams so one gets pushed to versus.

By: Eric Von Schlishter

Eric Von Schlishter — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 05:25:47 +0000

Fred Farrar and Julia make great points and as a lifelong Philly fan living now in Denver, there is a larger reason why this is all happening. And that is, Direct TV’s exclusive NFL Ticket package is their marquee attraction, even their website leads with it. Comcast’s reaction has been to declare their CSN PHILLY station exclusive to cable only. This provides a lot of protection to Comcast n the Philly market as most of my PA friends stay with cable over this. The latest Versus dispute is just another battle in the long war of exclusivity. Julia, funny you mentioned good ole Prism, I was a loyal subscriber for years when living in PA. Anyway, my relatives who work for Comcast here in Denver told me that Comcast runs a terrestial line for CSN Philly only throughout the US (via Prism lines) to avoid some FCC law of having to offer it to Direct TV or Dish if it was beamed off a satellite. I even offered Comcast here in Denver to trade all those CSN sports networks in other cities for CSN PHILLY. But they refused and still do not offer it here on Denver Comcast. Needless to say, I am not a fan of Comcast, but I understand their motives now. And in the end, it’s the subscribing public that loses choice. And until these exclusive agreements are broken up legally, we subscribers will continue to lose out.

By: Brent

Brent — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:20:26 +0000

I’m agreeing with Cogburn, I have about 1 more year on my DirectTv contract, however if they drop channels that were part of the package that I signed up for, doesn’t that constitute breach of contract on their part?

By: INDYCAR fan

INDYCAR fan — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 23:45:24 +0000

Versus has excellent Indycar coverage, but the IRL needs to get out of their contract if Versus is willing to give up 18 million potential viewers. I’m ticked at both sides. greedy bastards.

By: chris

chris — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 20:36:04 +0000

I own a bar and was thinking about switching to directv, which I already have at home. Without Indy Car, the bar stays Comcast and home is going Comcast or Dish.

By: Wes

Wes — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 16:37:23 +0000

DirecTV is not the problem here, Comcast is. They are trying to monopolize calbe TV by forcing other providers to pay huge fees. God forbid us that live in PHilly could actually watch all the Phillies games. Comcast doesn’t play fair. As much as I will mis Versus if it goes, and I hope it doesn’t I Will NOT give my moneey to Comcast.

By: dvardner

dvardner — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 01:59:39 +0000

Sadie- Many of us already pay way over base for a sports package that only includes Fox sports channels. For $25 a month I get Fox sports Prime Ticket and Fox Sports West. I pay because local Pac 10 games are on those channels. Unfortunately with two Pac 10 teams in my area ( and the Bay area as well)- Fox channels may carry one and the other is carried by Versus. Just include Versus in that sports package and I would be OK. I felt it was a rip off because I’d sure like to get the Fox channels outside my area like Cal and Stanford, but only can get the two channels.

By: Scott

Scott — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 02:45:34 +0000

Direct TV needs to think about losing NHL fans before dropping VERSUS. They already charge their viewers a hefty price for a HD box and hook up. Not to mention a ridiculous contract. I think real NHL fans will jump ship and find a new carrier before they gamble on purchasing Center Ice and then missing out on the Stanley Cup. Garbage. KEEP VERSUS or i’m paying to get out and never going back.

By: Kati

Kati — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 20:14:40 +0000

VERSUS is important to me and to millions of PBR fans out in Cowboy Nation. I will switch my satellite service to Dish or even to cable in order to keep the Versus channel. For goodness sake, DirecTV…get a grip and keep this popular channel for cycling, bull riding, Indy car, and college sports fans! Charge us more if you have to, but at least do the right thing and keep VERSUS.

By: Cogburn

Cogburn — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 23:56:16 +0000

Im wondering if i can drop direct tv legally even tho im in a contract when they start removing the channels i expressly signed up for?!!

By: rooster

rooster — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 23:49:01 +0000

Direct TV needs to keep Versus!Work it out or one less DTV customer here!

By: Sadie

Sadie — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:30:21 +0000

Directv is not wanting to drop Versus. Comcast is asking for a significantly larger amount of money to extend their contract with Directv that they are from other companies. So in saying that if Directv were to agree to the amount that Comcast is asking of them, then it would be safe to assume the “savings” would be passed on to the customers in the form of raising the price of their base packages.

By: CycleSurfer

CycleSurfer — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:55:55 +0000

The reason I chose satellite was because they carried what was OLN and is now Versus (local cable company did not carry OLN) for the cycling shows. If Direct TV drops Versus, I guess I will be moving to Dish Network.