NHL News: DirecTv no longer carrying Versus
by Jim Schmiedeberg on Aug 24, 2009 11:00 AM EDT
in NHL News
15 comments
The NHL can't be happy about this.
According to the LA Times, DirecTv has been running a crawl on Versus announcing that as of August 31st, they will no longer carry the channel due to poor ratings.
Highlights:
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. The first Pac-10 game on the Versus schedule will be Sept. 26.
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.
"It is a significant rate hike and the deal is discriminatory because Versus is not offering the same package options as other distributors."
According to Nielsen ratings numbers, Versus is averaging 3,000 more viewers at any given time since rebranding itself from the Outdoor Life Network to Versus in 2006-2007. On DirecTV, Versus ranks 61st among 74 English-advertising supported cable networks.
I'm not sure how many people subscribe to DirecTv, but its a pretty significant number, and that's alot of people not watching 54 games this season.
Thank God I switched back to Comcast about 2 months ago.
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Its nice now that Cablevision, Comcast, Time Warner all have it now, but i’m worried the same could happen. Its gotta hurt to see a DirecTV exec to say that VS. ratings are “poor overall”.
Still I would take Versus over ESPN anyday.
by Justinleon on Aug 24, 2009 11:04 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Right now the two sides are playing hard ball. Versus wants more money, DirecTV doesn’t want to pay them what they’re asking for. It’ll get sorted out in plenty of time for the hockey season. Both sides — but especially Versus — have too much at stake.
by Laurie Carr on Aug 24, 2009 11:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
directtv
Seems like directtv wants to make more people buy its nhl package, no? I know I will buy it now w/o versus
I am Alamo, I am a Machine!
by TraderAlamo on Aug 24, 2009 11:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
blueshirt banter
great rangers blog put together here!
I am Alamo, I am a Machine!
by TraderAlamo on Aug 24, 2009 11:23 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You guys should stream a video feed
Sneak a camcorder into the garden.
by Rangers Bleed Blue on Aug 24, 2009 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Does anybody know how much longer the NHL’s contract with Versus goes until?
by Lunkwill Fook on Aug 24, 2009 11:26 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
They just renewed it for another 2 years at least I think...
They just renewed it for another 2 years at least I think…
by Dekim19 on Aug 24, 2009 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
not positive but
arent the local feeds blacked out when a game isnt being played on versus. one of the few times ive ever been glad to have time warner
nhl really shouldve stuck w/espn bc u are guarenteed viewers and versus hd feed is terrible. hate when the rangers are on versus
by Conway on Aug 24, 2009 12:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
correction
when a game IS being played on versus
by Conway on Aug 24, 2009 12:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This could all be hardball
I remember the whole YES/Cablevision fiasco years ago.
Gary Thorne=Simply the Best!
by The American Mr.Hockey on Aug 24, 2009 1:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
DirecTV Sux!!!
’nuff said
Where in the bible does it say that a man can't fire off some knuckle-children in the privacy of his own neighbor's living room while his neighbor's at work because I don't have a DVD player?
by schmied77 on Aug 24, 2009 2:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
VERSUS SUX AND SO DOES DIRECTV.......
HOCKEY ON VERSUS IS TERRIBLE !!!! HOW WILL I SEE THE RANGERS WHEN THEY ARE NOT ON MSG ? I GUESS I HAVE TO BUT THE NHL PACKAGE….UNBELIEVABLE
by froese99 on Aug 24, 2009 4:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Boo Hoo!
Stop being selfish and think about all those poor Professional Bull Riding fans for a second, will ya!
by Reg Dunlop on Aug 24, 2009 10:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
DIRECTV
Another small item Directv will not tell you…..but MSG HD is NOT avaiable on the Center Ice Package.
According to Directv, the NHL and MSG are still have disscussions……MSG HD stopped last year right after Christmas.
What good is having the Center Ice Package, a 60" TV with full HD, only to watch the Rangers is standard def?
Pathetic at best….the NHL is pushing real fans away and Directv just doe snot care
Even if you add the regional sports package at $11 per months, as soon as the game starts….MSG HD goes dark
by NYR94 on Aug 25, 2009 10:38 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
One other quick point…..if the game is on Versus, buying the NHL Center ICe package will not help…..ONLY Versus carries the game……
by NYR94 on Aug 25, 2009 10:40 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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