[Husker] Games on Versus network

Wed Oct 21 13:00:01 CDT 2009

Something to keep in mind when the inevitable discussion about having a "Big Twelve Network" or even a "Nebraska Network" comes to mind.  Even the Big Ten Network and the NFL Network have huge issues with carriage on cable systems.  There's simply limited bandwidth on cable, and while satellite providers do have more to offer, they have their own issues.

Personally, I'd love to see cable companies adopt an ala-carte model for programming.  I know that I'll end up paying HBO level rates for ESPN, but I don't need to pay for MTV and Lifetime.  I wouldn't mind paying $1 a month for Versus as well.  What I don't like is paying $60 a month for 200 channels when I really only watch about 20.  And sometimes the only way to get the channels I want is to pay for a higher priced tier that only gives me one more channel.  (Dish packages Versus in a "Gold" package that costs an extra $10 a month, for example...)

Of course, the days of cable TV (and possibly satellite TV as well) are numbered.  Eventually, all of your sports programming (and any other live programming such as news and weather) will be delivered over the internet in an ESPN360 format, and your prerecorded entertainment will be delivered from an iTunes type of service.  Probably still 10 years away, but that's where we're headed.

 Mike Jaixen
http://huskermike.blogspot.com
http://www.cornnation.com

----- Original Message ----
From: Scott R Lawson <SLawson at uamail.albany.edu>
To: Quinn Coldiron <qcoldir at yahoo.com>; Mike Jaixen <mikejaixen at yahoo.com>; Husker List <husker at tssi.com>
Sent: Wed, October 21, 2009 12:09:03 PM
Subject: RE: [Husker] Games on Versus network

Thanks for the info. One of the things I find interesting is Direct TV
claims they are doing this so they will not have to raise costs for the
customer, but we all know they will raise costs for the customer anyway
at some point (as they have regularly done over the years just like any
other business). Quite honestly Versus sucks IMHO, and I like hockey,
having just purchased the NHL home ice package from Direct TV because I
am a Red Wings fan out of market and I can now see all their games
(except of course for the ones on Versus).

I would think things like this would affect future contract discussions
with conferences and/or the NCAA if they agree to be on networks that
are not available to all customers.

Scott in NY

-----Original Message-----
From: Quinn Coldiron [mailto:qcoldir at yahoo.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 12:58 PM
To: Mike Jaixen; Scott R Lawson; Husker List
Subject: Re: [Husker] Games on Versus network

Interesting, but I for one will never go back to cable.  I love my
DirecTV.  My experiences with Cox have been so bad I will never go back.
I can live without Versus.

>One way to encourage this to get resolved is to contact both
organizations
> and express your displeasure, especially with DirecTV.

I look at it the other way.  I think Comcast puts too much value into
the product (Versus).  Not worth it IMHO and it's a product I can easily
live without.  The NHL surely is not something the vast majority of this
country is just dieing to see and willing to pay higher cable bills for.

Q

-----------------------------
Quinn P. Coldiron

----- Original Message ----
From: Mike Jaixen <mikejaixen at yahoo.com>
To: Scott R Lawson <SLawson at uamail.albany.edu>; Husker List
<husker at tssi.com>
Sent: Wed, October 21, 2009 10:11:23 AM
Subject: Re: [Husker] Games on Versus network

The background I have on the issues between Versus and DirecTV is that,
at it's core, it's a cable vs. satellite issue.  Versus is owned by
Comcast, a major cable provider nationwide, and Comcast is looking to
"stick it" to DirectTV as a competitor in many of their markets.
Comcast has invested in rights to college football and NHL hockey, and
is seeking an increase in the fees they charge the satellite company to
compensate.  DirecTV responded by yanking Versus, thinking that people
won't drop DirecTV to get access to a few college football games and the
NHL.

It's basically a big game of chicken where the customers are the pawns.
(A couple of years ago, there was a similar issue between Omaha's ABC
affiliate and Cox Cable.) One way to encourage this to get resolved is
to contact both organizations and express your displeasure, especially
with DirecTV.  If you are outside your commitment period with DirecTV,
suggesting that you might consider switching back to cable or to Dish
Network if you miss the NU/Baylor game might help put some pressure on
DirecTV to get Versus re-enabled.  (Not sure how you pressure Comcast,
since you aren't a customer...)  If fans don't complain about the loss
of Versus, there is no pressure on DirecTV to work this out.

Mike Jaixen
http://huskermike.blogspot.com
http://www.cornnation.com

----- Original Message ----
From: Scott R Lawson <SLawson at uamail.albany.edu>
To: Husker List <husker at tssi.com>
Sent: Wed, October 21, 2009 9:35:02 AM
Subject: [Husker] Games on Versus network

Is anyone on the list familiar with the "feud" between Comcast (which
owns Versus network) and Direct TV? Of course, now that I have Direct TV
they do not carry Versus because of some disagreement with Comcast. All
the notifications on Direct TV indicate they are working to resolve this
issue but I suspect this will certainly not happen by the Baylor game
(which of course is on Versus).

Any insiders here that can give me good news about this 'conflict'? ;-)

I hate going to bars to watch the games.

Scott in NY

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