Versus Removed Sept 1 from DirecTV

**MSHAW2715** · 08-19-2009 10:26 PM

Versus on DIRECTV

You may have seen a message on your TV screen saying that you may no longer receive the Versus channel after August 31, 2009. DIRECTV is in contract negotiations with Versus and we're making every effort to keep the channel on the air without interruption.
For more information, please read our FAQs below.
On-Screen message says I may lose Versus. Why?
We're in contract negotiations with Versus. The contract doesn't expire until August 31, 2009, so you'll continue to receive the channel from DIRECTV until then.
What happens if you can't reach an agreement?
We hope to reach an agreement prior to the expiration of the contract, but if we don't Versus may be removed from DIRECTV.
If Versus is taken down for any period of time, how will DIRECTV make up for the loss?
We're working hard to keep Versus on the air, but if Versus comes down, we will communicate with you and do what we can to ensure your continued satisfaction and loyalty until the matter is resolved. We will continue to negotiate with Versus to resolve this matter. 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 RSN. NHL games are available on NHL Network, NHL Center Ice, and your RSN. MMA is available on HDNet and Spike TV, IRL on ABC, and Professional Bull Riding on ESPN2.
What's keeping you from reaching an agreement?
Versus is asking for terms which do not reflect the market and which they are not asking of all other distributors. DIRECTV wants to keep your monthly fees low, so it's doing everything it can to avoid paying exorbitant programming fees.
Should I switch to DISH or cable?
No. There's no need to consider switching providers. We're working to continue negotiations and provide uninterrupted service for our customers. DIRECTV has the best variety of exclusive and premium content available anywhere and we have similar programming on other channels (see above).
Is this all just so DIRECTV can save money?
Not at all, this is about DIRECTV getting treated fairly and not wanting to pass on high programming fees to our customers.

**tigerfan33** · 08-19-2009 10:30 PM

I didn't know Chuck ran Direct also!!

Wow. Just before college football season.

**Jimbo** · 08-19-2009 10:50 PM

Originally Posted by tigerfan33

I didn't know Chuck ran Direct also!!

Wow. Just before college football season.

Is there College football on VS ?
I thought it was basically HOCKEY and other assorted stuff.

IF D* doesn't get the contract settled with them and the Hockey season starts and the game you would get is on VS and NOT your RSN due to contract, would they turn the game on , on your RSN because of this ?

Jimbo

**tigerfan33** · 08-19-2009 10:54 PM

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Is there College football on VS ?
I thought it was basically HOCKEY and other assorted stuff.

IF D* doesn't get the contract settled with them and the Hockey season starts and the game you would get is on VS and NOT your RSN due to contract, would they turn the game on , on your RSN because of this ?

Jimbo

Yes. PAC 10 and another conference. I think it is the same that BYU is in. Is this the SWAC??

Pretty good hd pq. I wish ESPN hd looked as good.

**MSHAW2715** · 08-19-2009 10:54 PM

They have college football. First game 9/12 Texas vs Wyoming. Big 12, Pac10 and MWC games.

**allargon** · 08-19-2009 11:00 PM

Originally Posted by tigerfan33

Yes. PAC 10 and another conference. I think it is the same that BYU is in. Is this the SWAC??

Pretty good hd pq. I wish ESPN hd looked as good.

No the SWAC features mostly historically black schools in the central South (LA, MS, AL).

BYU is in the Mountain West. I think I've seen WAC and Conference USA games on Versus, too.

**tigerfan33** · 08-19-2009 11:00 PM

Mountain West Conference is the other.

**stone phillips420** · 08-19-2009 11:06 PM

yes i think cfb on versus was mostly mwc, but that has to change as mwc ha its own channel so i expect to see lots of wac games on versus

**Frank Booth** · 08-19-2009 11:14 PM

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Is there College football on VS ?
I thought it was basically HOCKEY and other assorted stuff.

IF D* doesn't get the contract settled with them and the Hockey season starts and the game you would get is on VS and NOT your RSN due to contract, would they turn the game on , on your RSN because of this ?

Jimbo

No. Versus games are exclusive, and on Tuesdays no US-based RSN can show a game that starts the same time as the game on Versus. So your options are:
1. Dish
2. Cable
3. Canadian (grey market) satellite
4. FIOS (if they carry Center Ice)
IIRC, when Dish and Versus has their fight back in 2005, Dish customers went without national NHL coverage for almost a full season.

BTW, Versus also carries the Indy Racing League. Another instance of an organization looking for a payday, as opposed to growing the product with availability.

**Jimbo** · 08-19-2009 11:24 PM

Originally Posted by Frank Booth

No. Versus games are exclusive, and on Tuesdays no US-based RSN can show a game that starts the same time as the game on Versus. So your options are:
1. Dish
2. Cable
3. Canadian (grey market) satellite
4. FIOS (if they carry Center Ice)
IIRC, when Dish and Versus has their fight back in 2005, Dish customers went without national NHL coverage for almost a full season.

BTW, Versus also carries the Indy Racing League. Another instance of an organization looking for a payday, as opposed to growing the product with availability.

And to think ,VS was nothing a few short years ago and now they are next to nothing and demanding contracts.

I normally will watch my games on networks OTHER than VS if possible, but there are times when the Wings are NOT on the RSN because of VS contracts, being blacked out due to it, it would be nice to see them open up the RSN if this conflict were to accure , I know this would be a league call, I doubt that D* would be the one to make the call, it would have to go thru the league first.