How many will cancel/change if VS. isn't brought back in time?

[Cyber36]

This should be interesting. Wouldn't you have to pay extra to cancel if your service agreement isn't up?

[Stuart Sweet]

If you get great enjoyment out of hockey, I tip my hat to you. I, however, do not.

[Rakul]

I can count on one hand the number of times I've ever watched Vs. So even as a casual hockey fan DirecTV is still my best option.

[dgsiiinc]

I love hockey, but I'm not about to switch to E* or TWC over Versus. I might be singing a different tune of Versus had bothered to schedule any of my team's games this season, of course.

[jerrylove56]

My God, how much longer are you people going to cry and whine over this 1-channel being cut-off. NHL hockey is not popular. Surely, the NHL is smart enough to televise its games with more than 1 network. No wonder few watch it anymore. (I use to love hockey and gave up watching it when the franchises would move from city to city.) Dear DirecTV take the bandwith that was used on Versus and turn on ESPNU HD.

[WebTraveler]

My God, how much longer are you people going to cry and whine over this 1-channel being cut-off. NHL hockey is not popular. Surely, the NHL is smart enough to televise its games with more than 1 network. No wonder few watch it anymore. (I use to love hockey and gave up watching it when the franchises would move from city to city.) Dear DirecTV take the bandwith that was used on Versus and turn on ESPNU HD.

I don't think you should knock NHL fans and their passion. As for your idea of ESPNUHD that could also count as a whine....how many times has that been brought up? Probably much more than Versus, so the question I need to ask, how much longer are you going to whine about ESPNU?

[Stuart Sweet]

Please stay on topic; there is no need for personal attacks.

[fornold]

I enjoy a good hockey game, especially the playoffs. But it is not worth changing providers or paying extra for.

PS. As for ESPNU, they can turn that off too.

[tcusta00]

Never had the channel on in my house... I don't even know where it is.

[mstanka]

My God, how much longer are you people going to cry and whine over this 1-channel being cut-off. NHL hockey is not popular. Surely, the NHL is smart enough to televise its games with more than 1 network. No wonder few watch it anymore. (I use to love hockey and gave up watching it when the franchises would move from city to city.) Dear DirecTV take the bandwith that was used on Versus and turn on ESPNU HD.

Ok... so just because YOU do not watch this channel does not mean that it should go away. Maybe take away all the religion channels, or the shopping channels, or should I dare say the NFL package, these are ones that I do not watch.

I for one would not leave Directv if they do not come to an agreement before my team plays on Nov 23rd, however, I would want Directv and Vs to come to an agreement quickly.

Michael.

[mx6bfast]

My God, how much longer are you people going to cry and whine over this 1-channel being cut-off. NHL hockey is not popular. Surely, the NHL is smart enough to televise its games with more than 1 network. No wonder few watch it anymore. (I use to love hockey and gave up watching it when the franchises would move from city to city.) Dear DirecTV take the bandwith that was used on Versus and turn on ESPNU HD.
What if ST was won by another provider? I'm sure there would be much more threads about it.

I chose no. I'm a casual viewer, used to watch it a lot more years ago. I do love watching the playoffs though, those games are nearly always good.

[Ken S]

We will be moving to a service that carries Vs HD come next July for the Tour de France.
There's nothing that special on DirecTV to keep us as subscribers and my guess is that there will be other channels dropped or shoved into premium packages as time goes on.

[blackhawkzone]

I have Bell out of Canada for my hockey coverage(and sunday ticket also).

I could care less what either side does here. They both have done some anti consumer things in the past with this or other issues.

[Coca Cola Kid]

I don't watch Versus but I wish they would resolve the carriage dispute and put it back up. Carriage disputes do more harm than good.

[hdtvfan0001]

Never viewed Versus, so nothing missed here.

[nitty316]

There is no way I would ever give up all my Sports in HD because I can’t get a few Hockey games on Versus. Now drop ESPN or all the FSN’s and we may have a problem.

If I were going to cancel I would do it because of what I'm missing in terms of college football.

[espnjason]

Hockey is a hell of a sport. But admittedly, I haven't watched too much since the lockout and last season slowly brought me back into it. There are just too many things that do not make sense in the NHL right now and being on Versus is one of them. Having grew up with NHL being on ESPN, Versus' coverage in comparison is less than adequate at best.

Personally, I wouldn't mind paying an extra few dollars on the NHLCI package if I know I can get the Versus games on there. If the NHL brass is smart, they would allow that since it will be a true measurement of the number of customers that watch Versus for hockey and willing to pay for such.

The NHL needs to remain aware of the fact that comcast isn't available everywhere and in some areas, cable is not an option.

[braven]

What's VS?

[Mike Bertelson]

I don't watch Versus so I'm not going anywhere.

I'm not sure I would cancel service over one channel anyway. I can't think of one that would cause me to switch....of course I say that now. :grin:

Mike

[Uncle Freddy]

I won't cancel if it's not up by the start of hockey season, but if it's not up by the playoffs, I'll be gone.

[lflorack]

Not a hockey fan (happy that you are) and never watched Versus anyway.

[tvjay]

Don't miss it.

[SPACEMAKER]

Hell no I won't be cancelling D* over this. Not even close.

[Jaytee946]

Don't miss it, but it begs a question, I sure DTV has the numbers to show the percentage of customers that viewed Versus on a daily basis and maybe it didn’t justify more dollars to keep it…my 2 cents…

[Peter305]

I won't cancel if it's not up by the start of hockey season, but if it's not up by the playoffs, I'll be gone.

This is my position as well.

[tullahomatom]

A bigger issue for me is no MSG HD on center ice

[profbobo]

Maybe the poll should be reworded.

"If you miss the VS. channel because of NHL Hockey, will you cancel if it's not back within the first month of the season?"

A lot may vote no because they don't care about Versus programming. That's fine. I'm not interested in ESPNU. That doesn't mean it isn't important. It's just not important to me.

I voted no; however, I'll probably suspend my account before the playoffs start and trial another provider.

[sigma1914]

I voted no, but I'll just add TWC for the Playoffs to watch Detroit make their run. NHL-CI gives me 73 Detroit games, which is more than enough.

[billsharpe]

I think I watched two college football games on Versus last year -- not in HD, not very good PQ.

I won't miss the channel.

[hawnr6]

dont follow hockey much..

but I am missing the WEC.. which is basically the UFC for the lighter weight classes. Hopefully the WEC can get off Vs and find another network (like spiketv)..

[TomJ]

I voted no but hope this gets resolved soon for the few college football games on Versus I might want to watch in addition to the hockey games. I almost added Center Ice last season but didn't know how much I would watch it. I already have Sunday Ticket, League Pass, Extra Innings, and March Madness. Besides the cost, it's tough to watch everything I have now.

[JayPSU]

I won't miss VS. until playoff time when from round 3 on you can ONLY watch the games on VS. If it's not back by then, I may very well consider other options.

[dlt4]

Not a hockey fan (happy that you are) and never watched Versus anyway.

Ditto!

[RACJ2]

I want VS back on as soon as possible, but wouldn't drop D* over it. Especially since when I returned my DVR's to the TW cable office, they never turned off my basic cable. So I can at least watch VS in SD. My Sabres have several games I would like to see in HD and even more important is the playoffs in HD.

[DCSholtis]

dont follow hockey much..

but I am missing the WEC.. which is basically the UFC for the lighter weight classes. Hopefully the WEC can get off Vs and find another network (like spiketv)..

Dana White runs WEC as well if I'm correct. What he should do with WEC is try to see if FSN would like a piece the action as far as carrying it. I think they carry some UFC stuff anyhow as does Spike. Also he should try and get a contract with CBS/Viacom if there isn't one in place already with another UFC type company to replace the one that went bust last year. As far as IRL hope their contract has an out and beg ESPN or even NBC take them back. 2 problems solved. Far as the NHL, screw em they created this mess let them lay in it. Better yet, put me in the room let me negotiate. I'd have Versus dark before sundown. :D

[say-what]

Never watched VS before, don't miss it

[RAD]

I think I've watched maybe 10 minutes of Vs. in total since it's been on, I won't miss it at all.

[MonyMony]

I voted no, but I'll just add TWC for the Playoffs to watch Detroit make their run. NHL-CI gives me 73 Detroit games, which is more than enough.

I plan on doing the same thing here for Pittsburgh games. NHLCI will be enough for me 70+ Pens games and if this is still going on come playoff time then will add Verizon FiOS for TV. But as much as this whole situation annoys me there is no way that I would cancel D*.

[jodyguercio]

Seems to me that if directv has NHL Center Ice (which it does), doesn't that show you more hockey than was covered on Vs correct? Why cancel directv because one channel is gone?

[Brian Hanasky]

VS is not a concern. So I voted no.

[evan_s]

It's frustrating not being able to get some of the Oregon State games but Sunday ticket is much more important to me. Wouldn't really want to go back to the tiny HD in Comcasts dvr's anyway.

[DC_SnDvl]

i am going to miss a few games I want to watch NCAA FB and NHL but I will get over it.

[je4755]

Big NHL fan (CI subscriber) and only watch Versus when hockey is being shown. If this dispute lasts until the playoffs, I will augment my current “local networks only” HD package from Comcast while dropping some DirecTV movie channels to balance expenditures. This change also would make available Travel Channel HD if DirecTV fails to add it by next spring.

[tonyd79]

Versus is not on anymore? ;)

Seriously, the Hockey coverage on Comcast here is all SD for Center Ice, so it is a matter of trading one channel (Versus) for the others. Same goes for Fios, I think. Fios does not have a lot of HD sports other than local stuff. My buddy got Fios because he couldn't get DirecTV in his new condo (no line of sight) and he didn't get the baseball package because of the lack of HD.

[capecodsooner]

I won't cancel because of it but I will miss my Bruins's opening night game.

As of NOW it will be broadcast only on VS in the Boston market. 200K missing sets according to the news show I heard last night. Wish TV38 still did the games and not CSNE or VS.

Not enought to cancel but makes me wonder when my bill will go down a buck or two since D is no longer paying VS any fees....and I lost one of the HD offerings provided by the leader in sports programing delivery.:sure:

[Coca Cola Kid]

Why do we need another thread about the Versus dispute? The first one is already 10 miles long. http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=163322

I suggest a merger into the old one.

[vicmeldrew]

i am only interested because of the tour de france so i can wait it out longer than hockey fans, but one way or another i will watch the tour next july and versus is the only channel that carries it.

[psunate77]

I won't cancel if it's not up by the start of hockey season, but if it's not up by the playoffs, I'll be gone.


This..

[scoop8]

A bigger issue for me is no MSG HD on center ice

Ditto. I'd much rather see the MSG-HD issue settled right now but the Vs issue will become a lot bigger if the impase drags into the playoffs.

I voted "No". I won't be switching providers due to the Vs issue. DTV, for me, has other reasons that I chose them years ago and have stayed with them....ST, EI, for the 2 main reasons.

[Movieman]

Never cared for the channel anyway.

[Syzygy]

I've never watched VS.

[dvdmth]

We have subscribed to both cable and satellite for over 10 years now, so this doesn't affect me nearly as much as most people. If I had D* only, however, I would consider switching to cable, but only if the channel is not restored by next April for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Even then, it would be hard to make the switch since the NFL Sunday Ticket package is quite addictive (I could live without it, but a certain Vikings fan would be less than pleased...).

[Surveyor40]

I seldom watched VS. Even if VS was one of my favorites, I would not cancel D* over one channel.

[pbg]

The pole is about Versus, but the outcome of this dispute will have implications on the long term relationship between DirecTV and *all* of Comcast's proprieties. I voted no. Its time to take a stand. I think in the long run it will be for our good. At least I'm hoping so.

[Scott Kocourek]

I voted NO.

I am not a watcher of VS. I do realize it would suck to lose a channel that I watched all of the time. Sorry Versus watchers.

Scott

[JoeTheDragon]

The pole is about Versus, but the outcome of this dispute will have implications on the long term relationship between DirecTV and *all* of Comcast's proprieties. I voted no. Its time to take a stand. I think in the long run it will be for our good. At least I'm hoping so.

maybe not all they don't full control / ownership of there rsn's they only own about 20%-25% of csn chi and the teams own the rest.

[bb37]

Sorry Vs fans. The NHL doesn't mean that much to me, the IRL doesn't mean that much to me, NCAA football doesn't mean that much to me. I'm staying with DirecTV.

[bonscott87]

HUGE Red Wings fan and I'll miss a few games but heck no I won't drop DirecTV because of Versus. I wish Versus would just fold already (or lose the NHL contract anyway), their hockey coverage is terrible and I cringe every time I have to watch the Wings on that channel. I'll listen to Ken Kal on the radio before I'd ever leave DirecTV for 5 hockey games a season.

[sunfire9us]

HUGE Red Wings fan and I'll miss a few games but heck no I won't drop DirecTV because of Versus. I wish Versus would just fold already (or lose the NHL contract anyway), their hockey coverage is terrible and I cringe every time I have to watch the Wings on that channel. I'll listen to Ken Kal on the radio before I'd ever leave DirecTV for 5 hockey games a season.

Im also a die hard Red Wings fan and I totally AGREE with you when it comes to their coverage being ****ty as HELL!!! Will never forget a game I was watching last year and when that goal tender from another team broke a record during the time the Red Wing game was on, VS turned around and instead of showing the Wings game was only showing that crap!!!! I was so mad!! I even emailed them and let them know they did a ****ty job covering the Wings game that night. Like you I hate it when VS has to be the one to watch the Red Wings on. Would rather just watch all of them on FS DET.

[jahgreen]

I am a hockey fan--grew up in Detroit--but I'm glad DirecTV is telling Comcast to stick it. Besides, my recollection is that Versus's hockey coverage was awful. Of course, I compare any hockey coverage to what I watched on CBC as a kid, so it's all pretty bad by comparison.

[fluffybear]

The only thing that disappoints me is Versus is suppose to cover the 2010 America's Cup.

[REDSKINSFAN47]

i will not switch over this,i might try the radio for caps games on versus,this will be different.i fear i might not be able to get the weak am station from dc,that they are on.

[DieHardCenaFan22]

HUGE Red Wings fan and I'll miss a few games but heck no I won't drop DirecTV because of Versus. I wish Versus would just fold already (or lose the NHL contract anyway), their hockey coverage is terrible and I cringe every time I have to watch the Wings on that channel. I'll listen to Ken Kal on the radio before I'd ever leave DirecTV for 5 hockey games a season.

I totally agree! Whenever they are on Vs. I mute it and listen to Ken Kal and Paul Woods... MUCH better then the crap VS. throws at us...

But I do agree with the next poster after... I'd rather watch them all on FSD as well. Best hockey coverage hands down! I enjoy listening to Ken and Mickey!

[DBSooner]

The only thing I ever watched on Versus is college football and WEC. Losing those two is not enough for me to cancel D* though.

[armophob]

Never heard of it

[Gloria_Chavez]

I'll miss my beloved Cardinal (Stanford football), but I won't cancel.

[Gloria_Chavez]

Fluffybear, I'll miss the America's Cup as well. It seems like Ellison is trying to litigate the time and place, however. Majestic yachts.

[Lodi25]

i want versus back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Mod edit: reduced the volume of the yelling...)

[Sixto]

Have never watched the channel.

[roadrunner1782]

If you get great enjoyment out of hockey, I tip my hat to you. I, however, do not.

I'm with you on that. I also don't know if I would ever leave Directv or any other satellite or cable company for that matter over one channel missing. I do, however, understand people being upset over VS. not be on D* anymore.

[bayrider]

I'll just drop NHL as a whole. I'll keep my D* though.

[psuscott0483]

i think the versus thing will be sorted out before playoffs next year which is the only time versus is on my tv anyway. i didnt think they carried very many regular season games last year until feb/mar but it may have just been that there were little games of interest to me. i get that detroit / pittsburgh are the big franchises right now, but why do they deserve ALL the good coverage??? and this year we will see more philly because of them being the winter classic team.

[FrostyMelon]

...didn't know the channel existed until I read about it being canceled...so, what do I care.

[jmotter]

With the ever increasing cost of NFL sunday ticket and now DTV dropping VS it may be time to go the FIOS TV.

Rupert Murdoch is getting richer once again by screwing his customers. I think it's just a ploy to try and gain NHL Center Ice customers.

If I can figure out how to get a big hard drive on a FIOS HD DVR i'm out of here.

[Coca Cola Kid]

With the ever increasing cost of NFL sunday ticket and now DTV dropping VS it may be time to go the FIOS TV.

Rupert Murdoch is getting richer once again by screwing his customers. I think it's just a ploy to try and gain NHL Center Ice customers.

If I can figure out how to get a big hard drive on a FIOS HD DVR i'm out of here.

Rupert sold D* to Liberty Media last year. geez read the paper.

[jmotter]

I did read about the Detroit Lions...LOL

[Coca Cola Kid]

I did read about the Detroit Lions...LOL

Ya they won

[BruinsHockey08]

I won't be canceling my directv if this isn't over by the start of the season, but since my contract if up in June it will be hard to stay with this company since it has really fallen behind on the national channels, and I don't need all of the RSN's or PPV's they have. Unless they do something drastic within the next 9 months I doubt I'll be with DTV

[Ira Lacher]

I won't cancel if it's not up by the start of hockey season, but if it's not up by the playoffs, I'll be gone.Agree. My contract runs out at the end of March. And my wife will appreciate the year of reduced cost, thanks to Dish Network promotions.

[jtbell]

I hope they bring it back before the Tour de France, but I am not going to switch to an inferior provider for it.

[Sim-X]

yea no, not going back to over compressed comcrap

[VLaslow]

Vs HD looks very nice on TWC, but I really don't care.

[RACJ2]

Vs HD looks very nice on TWC, but I really don't care.Vs SD doesn't look too good on TWC and I do care. Although I'm still glad they forgot to disconnect me, just in case Vs doesn't return to D*.

[fluffybear]

Fluffybear, I'll miss the America's Cup as well. It seems like Ellison is trying to litigate the time and place, however. Majestic yachts.

I saw an article a few days back which appears to indicate Ellison is now on board and everything is a go for February. GGYC was officially named challenger of record and all the necessary information regarding boats, size, weights, etc. had been given to the challengers.

[tcusta00]

Interesting poll results. I know it's probably an insignificant sample but assuming it's at least a close representation of DirecTV's customer base it would appear DirecTV made a poor financial decision by standing its ground.

Versus wanted a 5 cents per subscriber increase. DirecTV said no. 14,000,000 times 5 cents is $700,000 per month. DirecTV stands to potentially lose, using the results of this poll, over a million subscribers. If the average profit per customer is just $10 per month then they're losing almost 15 times the amount they would have spent on the increase.

I think this is more about principle than money though. If Comcast starts owning more of the content (see the NBCU thread) then this dispute can set an important precedent. If Comcast can walk all over DirecTV here then they can do it with other, more important channels.

It appears that there's some negotiating today to bring it back... we'll see.

[Doug Brott]

Interesting poll results. I know it's probably an insignificant sample but assuming it's at least a close representation of DirecTV's customer base it would appear DirecTV made a poor financial decision by standing its ground.

Even if these numbers are correct (reasonably safe), how many of those who say they will cancel will actually cancel? The grass may look greener on the other side, but I doubt all of the 7.5% of the folks that say they will cancel will actually go through with it. I'm not saying that they are happy with the situation, but when push comes to shove will they make the change?

Versus wanted a 5 cents per subscriber increase. DirecTV said no. 14,000,000 times 5 cents is $700,000 per month. DirecTV stands to potentially lose, using the results of this poll, over a million subscribers. If the average profit per customer is just $10 per month then they're losing almost 15 times the amount they would have spent on the increase.

Numbers games are fun :) .. If $0.05/month per subscriber were the only thing bogging this down you may be right. Since it is bogged down, I believe it's more reasonable to think that something bigger is going on here.

I think this is more about principle than money though. If Comcast starts owning more of the content (see the NBCU thread) then this dispute can set an important precedent. If Comcast can walk all over DirecTV here then they can do it with other, more important channels.

Oh, you said that, too. :D

[sigma1914]

So, did the 30 people cancel today?

[kenmoo]

Rarely watch hockey but I do look forward to the America's Cup, some Pac 10 football and definitely the Tour de France.

Anyone know if the rumor is true that DirecTV wants to move Versus to a higher tier package to pay less in per subscriber fees and receive a higher revenue from the subs that do want to have Versus?

[Ira Lacher]

Haven't heard this, but it makes perfect sense to move this to Sports Pack. After all, those of us who are hockey/IRL etc. fans seem willing to pay more for this. And the Sports Pack seems to be the specialty tier for FSC, which is also a niche sports channel although soccer fans are as rabid and dedicated as hockey fans. (I am both! :D)

[REDSKINSFAN47]

Rarely watch hockey but I do look forward to the America's Cup, some Pac 10 football and definitely the Tour de France.

Anyone know if the rumor is true that DirecTV wants to move Versus to a higher tier package to pay less in per subscriber fees and receive a higher revenue from the subs that do want to have Versus?

csr told me last night this was the case,but directv was willing to drop this.

[Dolly]

I don't need VS. for my Hockey coverage. I watch the Pittsburgh regional sports channel and that covers my favorite team :sunsmile:
But I'm sorry for those of you who do need the channel :( Too often I'm afraid people only think of what they want/need and don't think about what other people want/need :(

[Cyber36]

So, did the 30 people cancel today?

I will cancel when Center Ice 3 week freeview is over.............