Versus Dropped by DirecTV

When I see a story bringing up the debate about whether or not the NHL needs to be on ESPN, my head starts to hurt. It has been weighed, debated, hashed, re-hashed, kicked, tortured, and finally we move on yet again. Today however, there is a new reason to talk about it. ESPN is not about to be dropped by a satellite TV service provider. Read on after the jump for details.

From the DirecTV website:

Comcast, the largest cable company in the U.S., owns Versus. They regularly try to charge us amounts well in excess of what is fair and reasonable to carry the programming they own. Their reason is obvious: they want to stifle competition from DIRECTV. Comcast's unfair terms undermines DIRECTV's ability to offer our customers the best possible value. If we simply accept these terms, we would have to absorb the unreasonable costs Comcast wants to charge us, and in turn we will be forced to increase the rates our customers pay. We do not want this to happen. In fact, Comcast has forced us to remove Versus because we would not accept the terms they demanded.

We are currently in contract negotiations and will continue to work with Comcast until the matter is resolved. Rest assured that we are making every effort to ensure that you continue to be satisfied with your service.

This has got to be an ackward position for the two companies to work through. A channel DirecTV's customers want, but most could care less about, which is owned by its largest service rival. It would be like Target negotiating with Wal-Mart to carry toilet paper. Though I suppose more people care about toilet paper than care about Versus.

Versus means something to the Wilderness readership. It is the only cable / satellite channel with a contract with the NHL. Fox Sports carries local teams, but Versus is the only channel showing games from around the league. It is the only nationally available channel willing to actually pay to carry NHL games.

The NHL cannot be pleased about this today, but there is little they can do. Their contract is with Versus, not with DirecTV. Center Ice is still available, at $150, so they have that to fall back on.

With Versus no longer available, how will DIRECTV make up for the loss?

•NHL — available on NHL Network, NHL Center Ice, and your RSN.

Don't think DirecTV doesn't realize who the two groups are that make their channel possible:

Should I switch to DISH or cable?
No. There's no need to consider switching providers. DIRECTV has the best variety of exclusive and premium content available anywhere and we have similar programming on other channels (see above). If you are concerned about NHL, we still have time to negotiate with Comcast before the start of the NHL season. For PBR fans, we offered to carry PBR programming, but PBR events are exclusive to Versus and cannot be made available to DIRECTV.

Of course, Comcast, and Versus, have their own take on the issue:

THEY ARE TAKING AWAY YOUR RIGHT TO IN-DEPTH COVERAGE OF THE SPORTS YOU LOVE… THE NHL, INDY CAR, WORLD EXTREME CAGEFIGHTING, PBR WORLD FINALS, THE TOUR DE FRANCE AND TOP RANKED COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAMES INCLUDING #2 TEXAS AT WYOMING AND #19 FLORIDA STATE AT #24 BYU.

CLICK HERE NOW TO KEEP VERSUS ON YOUR CHANNEL LINE-UP.

For those who would like to get involved, the link to "demand Versus on DirecTV" is here. Otherwise, you might miss those two college football games listed above, and we know how cranky that would make you.

This situation likely gets resolved before the season starts. This is two major carriers flexing their muscles. Neither one can afford to push the buttons of the few of us that actually watch hockey. It is unlikely Comcast is hoping that we all run to them for Versus. They want the advertising revenues, DirecTV wants its customers happy. Something will get worked out.

Be patient. Or, you could always demand they bring it back sooner by adding your name and contact information to Comcast's website so they call you and give you their sales pitch. It is your choice.

-Buddha