Versus Vs DirecTV

Mike Adams | National Hockey League

Oct 22, 09:36 AM | Hype this story!

Those of us who are DirecTV subscribers were unable to watch Tuesday’s Penguin domination of the Blues thanks to the ongoing dispute between Versus and DirecTV. In deciding whose side you should be on in this dispute, there are a few important facts you should know.

First, as most of you probably know, Versus is owned by Comcast, a cable company renowned for its poor customer service. Don’t believe me? Well, maybe you’ll believe the latest JD Power And Associates survey. Gee, imagine that. Comcast consistently comes in near the bottom of the rankings, while DirecTV is consistently near the top. So we have a company that consistently treats its customers like garbage fighting a company that at least tries to please its customers. That right there should tell you which side is more likely to be on the right side.

Then there’s the NHL. Are they blameless in this debacle? No, most certainly not. First off, they are the league that decided to throw its lot in with a two-bit fledgling network called OLN. That network has slowly improved its hockey coverage, but game and studio production is still nowhere near the level it needs to be at. One peek at TSN and CBC broadcasts from north of the border will confirm this. Their production is leaps and bounds ahead of their American counterpart.

So why did the NHL choose to go with the Comcast/Versus deal rather than a more established network like ESPN? Money was certainly a factor. But one also suspects other factors played a role. You see, the owner of Comcast Spectacor is none other than Ed Snider. Yep, the same Ed Snider who owns the Flyers. Now, it can’t be possible that the NHL awarded the contract to Versus in order to enrich one of its favorite owners, could it? Nah, I’m just being way too cynical. Or not.

Could it be that the reason that this dispute has not yet been settled is that behind the scenes the NHL stands fully behind Mr. Snider and Comcast? Could it be that Mr. Snider’s company is holding DirecTV hostage (“pure sports terrorism,” if you will) just to further line the greedy pockets of Comcast?

We outsiders have no way of knowing the answers to these questions. But inquiring minds want to know. It is time for the NHL to come clean on the relationship between Ed Snider, Comcast, Versus, and the NHL. We deserve to know, Mr. Bettman. But please don’t hold the press conference on Versus, or many of us long-time hockey fans will be unable to see it.

Comments

  1. Dabich

    Oct 22, 10:15 AM

    How does one go about contacting someone about this poor coverage problem? Is there anyone to e-mail or call?

  2. TheOneAndOnlySurge

    Oct 22, 10:55 AM

    Bettman is the one that needs to be contacted. This is the NHL’s problem more than it is Versus/Comcast or DirecTV. The NHL is the one that has viewers unable to watch their favorite teams. The NHL should allow regional coverage of these games until this issue is resolved. At least allow it to be aired on NHL Gamecenter.

  3. Detective Dan

    Oct 22, 12:03 PM

    This will only get even more interesting if Comcast ends up buying NBC.

  4. Ray aka WildcatRay

    Oct 22, 12:29 PM

    Is GE indeed offering NBC for sale or is it only a rumor at this point?

  5. Doc Nagel

    Oct 22, 01:08 PM

    The other side of this story is that DirecTV is owned by NewsCorp – i.e., Rupert Murdoch. And when the NHL came out of lockout, nobody wanted the US TV rights at all (NBC is still paying nothing, yes?) I can’t believe there’s any conspiracy, just all the players in this stupid game pursuing their own ends.

    I don’t think there’s any good side to be on in any dispute among media conglomerates.

  6. Ray aka WildcatRay

    Oct 22, 02:10 PM

    Do you think the league is getting much, if anything, from Comcast/VS?

  7. Dabich

    Oct 22, 02:36 PM

    Heck, can’t they start their own TV station broadcast games????

  8. Pens1967

    Oct 22, 03:24 PM

    The NHL does have its own network, NHL Network.

    I’m waiting for one of the local broadcast stations to figure out they can use one of their new extra 2 digital frequencies to start an all local sports channel. The Pens already did this with 105.9’s HD radio channel.

  9. bag o' pucks

    Oct 22, 05:52 PM

    @Ray. If I remember correctly, the initial NHL-Comcast deal after the lockout was 3 years, $200M. I’m uncertain of the worth of the renewal contract.

    I have Directv (despite my hatred for Newscorp). Listened to the St. Louis game on the radio, was none too happy about it.

  10. bag o' pucks

    Oct 22, 05:52 PM

    @Ray. If I remember correctly, the initial NHL-Comcast deal after the lockout was 3 years, $200M. I’m uncertain of the worth of the renewal contract.

    I have Directv (despite my hatred for Newscorp). Listened to the St. Louis game on the radio, was none too happy about it.

  11. Pens1967

    Oct 23, 07:15 AM

    Looks like Comcast OnDemand is now carrying at least some WBS games. They have the Bridgeport and the previous game up until 10/26/09 if you want to see the Baby Pens in action. Looks like WBS is wearing new uniforms, which are the same as the Pgh ones.

  12. steve

    Oct 25, 09:03 PM

    Not to defend Comcast, but the big roadblock is that Direct TV wants to start charging customers additional fees to get versus (and espn classic). Comcast’s offer to versus was to continue the status quo, which was rejected.

  13. Albert

    Oct 25, 10:14 PM

    So…what happens come playoff time if you are a DirecTV subscriber?

    You have DTV b/c of NHL Center Ice, b/c you are a big fan, b/c you don’t live in your hometown anymore, and then…come playoff time you have to go to bar OR switch TV coverage if you want to see your team in the playoffs?????

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