Sorry about using the Bettman graphic. THere really wasn't one that was appropriate!

This is a classic example of stuck between a rock and a hard place for hockey fans. When I first heard about the pending decision of Direct TV to no longer carry Versus, I thought it was an “NHL” thing. But as I read what little there is about it, I realized this is all part of the on-going war for subscribers between cable and satellite providers.
Granted, this is my opinion, but I have been in the Cable TV business for my entire adult life. I have watched this war wage on and on. Even though the TV viewing market is ever expanding, the economy and competition have a lot to do with the prices you pay, sometimes even more than the carriage fees the carrier pays.

Versus is owned by Cable MSO Comcast Cable. (I can tell you that Comcast is doing very well in luring new subscribers.) The current dispute is over how much they want Direct TV to pay them per subscriber. Their original deal was .18 per subscriber. According to Direct TV, they are asking for considerably more to renew the contract. However, I do not know HOW much more. I don’t know if they are asking to DOUBLE it or how much they pay per subscriber for OTHER channels. I did read that Direct TV said they won’t pay more than what is in line with their other services. Well… what are those numbers?

Versus has been ever increasing its subscriber base since its rebranding. And now that it is heading into another year with the NHL as it’s flagship sport, maybe they ARE worth more than .18 per subscriber. Maybe Direct TV customers are paying more than that for channels they don’t even watch. I am not a Direct TV subscriber, so I can’t tell.
What I can tell is that once again, hockey fans will be held hostage over money. I’m not even sure who is right and who is wrong in this case. Maybe there ISN’T a right and wrong!

But my question for Direct TV is this: Why the hell would you pull a stunt like this now when there are so many choices for subscribers? You take your fight to the streets and so many other service providers will be HAPPY to take your subscribers and give them steep discounts for the first year and all when hockey season is about to start.

Versus may not be all that important to many DTV subscribers and maybe not even important to hockey fans, as long as the Center Ice package and the NHL Channel are still going to be carried. (To be honest, Versus does carry other sports and has improved their programming exponentially in the past year.) But, should the hockey fans look at this as a slap in their face, Direct TV may find themselves with a very loud and passionate group clamoring for attention.

So my suggestion to you Direct TV subscribers who are also hockey fans, contact Direct TV and complain. Threaten to go to Fios or your local cable company. Ask them what the carriage fees for OTHER channels are and see how they compare to what Comcast wants for their Versus product.

Remember, it’s the squeaky wheel, right? Well, no one can be squeakier than hockey fans! Become part of the equation or Direct TV subscribers will miss out on 52 regular games this season as well as some of next season’s playoff action.

Please don’t think that this little squabble over money will get the NHL any closer to being on ESPN again. This has nothing to do with that at all. (As a matter of fact, it may just make Comcast throw MORE money at the NHL to keep them) This is basic supply, demand, and payment terms. The sad thing is… The fans are actually the ones paying… and no one is asking them!

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