VERSUS/DirecTV Talks Could Jumpstart Soon. Every Hockey Fan in the World Responds: “SOON? FML!”
A very long article from Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News gives you some facets of what lies ahead for the VERSUS/DirecTV scuffle:
The ratings amelioration has come without DirecTV’s 14 million-plus homes, as much of that subscriber loss has been made up by sneak previews on a number of cable operators and Dish Network, which has provided Versus a full berth of its homes. As such, Versus’ sub count has only declined to 71 million homes from 75 million, before the DirecTV drop.
The Dish free preview, though, is slated to end on Nov. 30. However, sources familiar with the negotiations indicate that Versus and Dish are moving toward a more permanent, expanded placement for the network. Before the preview, Dish carried Versus on its Classic Gold 250 package and above. The DBS provider also recently signed a deal with Professional Bull Riders Inc., one of Versus’ prime properties, to become the official satellite television partner of the PBR
After indicating all it is seeking from Comcast is “equal treatment,” DirecTV also directs users to viewing alternatives to sports featured on Versus like the National Hockey League, college football, mixed martial arts, auto racing, bull riding and hunting and fishing fare.
For its part, Versus maintains the disconnect centers principally on DirecTV wanting to place it on a lower level of service, one that would give it access to 6 million down from 14.4 million.
Davis said Versus changed its proposal several weeks back, keeping pricing the same under the recently expired contract and capping the money DirecTV would have to pay, even as the DBS provider’s overall subscriber rolls might grow.Some observers in the sports TV community say another factor that could perhaps impact the Versus-DirecTV stalemate is Comcast’s reported push to form a joint venture partnership with NBC Universal. They point to the potential for Versus to add replays of Notre Dame football games, and/or a pair of live Fighting Irish contests that NBC Sports can contractually shift to cable. Moreover, Versus would likely become one of NBC’s stable of Olympics networks for London in 2012 (the deal wouldn’t likely be closed in time for the upcoming Winter Games in Vancouver next February) and beyond, as expected to bid for the 2014 Olympics in Socchi, Russia and Rio De Janiero in 2016.
“Versus just isn’t at that level of interest yet. Like all other carriage disputes it’s a matter of price. I’m sure they’ll eventually come to terms.”
The DirecTV spokesman wouldn’t engage: “That’s all speculation,” he said.Mansell did say that a Comcast-NBC U union could benefit both parties on the sports side, pointing toGolf Channel sharing talent and facilities resources with NBC on the links game; regional sports networks teaming with NBC owned-and-operated stations, including local ad sales efforts; and the companies going after college conference and other major properties, a la ESPN-ABC.
All that tells me is that we’re still a long way away from some hockey on DirecTV.
Reading this article give me no hope that this is any where close to getting done.