Versus Removed Sept 1 from DirecTV

**HD MM** · 08-24-2009 03:31 PM

Versus needs DirecTV MUCH more than DirecTV needs Versus.

DirecTV knows they are in the driver's seat with these negotiations. All of the concern now is meaningless. I guarantee you Versus and D* will come to agreement before Hockey Season.

**scoop8** · 08-24-2009 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by HD MM

Versus needs DirecTV MUCH more than DirecTV needs Versus.

DirecTV knows they are in the driver's seat with these negotiations. All of the concern now is meaningless. I guarantee you Versus and D* will come to agreement before Hockey Season.

I'm going to hold you to that guarantee

Kidding....but I think you're right about "who needs who" most.

What I'm wondering is, what, if anything, is the NHL trying to do about this issue? I know they can't officially do anything, but I wonder if the league is in contact with DTV and Comcast about this?

As others have mentioned, the NHL would lose a considerable amount of exposure without Vs on DTV.

**espaeth** · 08-24-2009 08:07 PM

Originally Posted by deez04

I didn't know Hockey was still around? Didn't they go on strike and take a huge hit in fan base?

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

**Jimbo** · 08-24-2009 08:41 PM

Originally Posted by SandraC

That's not the issue though. ESPN Sunday Night baseball sucks when Luis Tiant comes on a couple of weeks ago and the announcers stop announcing the game for an entire inning to promote an ESPN special. ESPN Monday Night football sucks as well.

But we would not want to lose ESPN, as like it or not that is the only place to see those games. Same thing applies to Versus.

Like it or not, Versus is the only place to watch games that are exclusively on Versus.

Sandra

I don't have a problem with ESPN

**Jimbo** · 08-24-2009 08:43 PM

Originally Posted by deez04

Hey!! If they drop Versus HD can they add ESPNU HD to make up for it?!!! That would be sweet and I know alot of people would take that trade.

I didn't know Hockey was still around? Didn't they go on strike and take a huge hit in fan base?

About 5 years ago.... where ya been ?

**skottey** · 08-24-2009 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by deez04

I didn't know Hockey was still around?

That is foolish.... you are either attempting humor or have been under a rock.

**rey_1178** · 08-24-2009 09:04 PM

Originally Posted by skottey

That is foolish.... you are either attempting humor or have been under a rock.

i believe it's humor

**DodgerKing** · 08-24-2009 09:41 PM

Originally Posted by skottey

That is foolish.... you are either attempting humor or have been under a rock.

No...He has been under ice.

**durl** · 08-25-2009 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by HD MM

Versus needs DirecTV MUCH more than DirecTV needs Versus.

DirecTV knows they are in the driver's seat with these negotiations. All of the concern now is meaningless. I guarantee you Versus and D* will come to agreement before Hockey Season.

I agree with your conclusion that Versus needs Directv. I'm 99.99% positive that Versus used Directv's market share as part of their pitch to lure contracts from NHL, PAC-10, etc.. And when you rank 61st among 74 networks, you're don't have a lot of justification in demanding higher carriage fees. Versus speaks of growth (which is good), but saying you're the "fastest growing" is a completely relative term right out of the marketing department.

I believe they'll reach an agreement in the 11th hour, too. They need each other, but Versus needs Directv far more than vice versa.

**espaeth** · 08-25-2009 11:57 AM

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, PAC-10, etc..

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.