Versus Removed Sept 1 from DirecTV

**Ira Lacher** · 08-25-2009 12:25 PM

Ah! Then the solution is obvious: Versus keeps its subs rates the same, and DirecTV moves them into a more accessible tier. Voila!

**MSHAW2715** · 08-25-2009 12:54 PM

Based on the fact that Directv is quoting number. Versus must be asking for them to move them down to the base package, but why your deal won't work is Versus wants a large increase on top of that. If they had just wanted about the same rate and moved down to the base package, Directv might have said yes.

Originally Posted by Ira Lacher

Ah! Then the solution is obvious: Versus keeps its subs rates the same, and DirecTV moves them into a more accessible tier. Voila!

**durl** · 08-25-2009 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by espaeth

I wouldn't be so sure. Comcast, the largest pay TV provider in the US, puts Versus in their basic programming package for their subscriber base of 23.9 million viewers.

DirecTV and Dish both relegate Versus to only their top programming packages, Choice Xtra and Classic 250 respectively, so they both only bring a fraction of their subscriber base to the table.

True, Comcast's customer base is pretty deep. That's a big selling point for Versus. I just believe Directv's broad customer base is still a key selling point. It's hard to ignore roughly 18 million homes.

Comcast saw some weak numbers in the 4th quarter of 2008; they gained half the number of new cable subscribers than expected while they lost twice as many as expected. Meanwhile, Directv gained more subscribers than expected.

**Ira Lacher** · 08-25-2009 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by MSHAW2715

Based on the fact that Directv is quoting number. Versus must be asking for them to move them down to the base package, but why your deal won't work is Versus wants a large increase on top of that. If they had just wanted about the same rate and moved down to the base package, Directv might have said yes.

OK, then, offer them a slight increase and the move. Isn't that better than to lose access to 18 million subs?

**skottey** · 08-25-2009 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by durl

I'm 99.99% positive that Versus used Directv's market share as part of their pitch to lure contracts from NHL

Doubtful. If cable channel A is in 40 million homes and cable channel B is in 120 million homes, sport X is still going to write a contract with whoever is willing to spend the most money. At the end of the day it boils down to money. Versus got so many games on a national level because they laid out the money, not because they were in so many homes. The NHL wants fans, but they want fan's money even more so. Can't say that I blame them. I'm in business to make money myself. I want to make my customers happy too, but money is the mean reason I work.

**deez04** · 08-25-2009 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by espaeth

Numbers are actually better than they were pre-strike. NHL attendance stats have been gaining while NBA numbers have been dropping. Depending on which numbers you use, NHL attendance often slightly exceeds NBA attendance.

Down The Stretch: NHL Passes NBA In Average Attendance

Supersonicsoul: The unofficial blog of the SEATTLE Supersonics.

The recent Stanley Cup playoffs also put up bigger TV viewership numbers than we've seen for hockey in years.

2009 Stanley Cup final: Game 7 may have hit recordratings - From The Rink

Wow! Good to know! Thanks for the update on that.

I do hope we keep Versus for the UFL in the fall.

**Frank Booth** · 08-26-2009 10:41 PM

Versus playing chicken with DirecTV over NHL coverage - Allan Muir - SI.com

Interesting article. Kind of backs up my post that Versus way overpaid for the Indy Racing League and needs to cover it's losses.

**Jimbo** · 08-26-2009 11:24 PM

Originally Posted by Frank Booth

Versus playing chicken with DirecTV over NHL coverage - Allan Muir - SI.com

Interesting article. Kind of backs up my post that Versus way overpaid for the Indy Racing League and needs to cover it's losses.

Nice find !

I expect that this will be resolved at the last moment as usual.
That said, it could go on till one of the MAIN dates appear, College Football or the NHL starts and suddenly re appear on that date.

**KCK_Halo** · 08-27-2009 01:23 PM

I just cannot see (with my small mind) how the NHL will permit this to occur. They have invested too much into building the "new NHL" on Versus. As many of us, I expect this to go down to the wire...maybe even a week or so into the new season just for drama. But I cannot see how it will not be fixed with all parties coming to an amicable settlement.

**scoop8** · 08-27-2009 05:53 PM

"Come....let us reason together"

I sure hope the "glass half-full" crowd is right about this one. I can't make a guess on this. I do see it the same way about the NHL trying to get this resolved though.