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Versus vs. DirecTV: two sides to the story

Posted on 03 September 2009 by Robert Seidman

Versus is still dark on DirecTV, but more light is being shed in its skirmish with Comcast. Here’s a brief synopsis.

DirecTV initially said it was about price, that Comcast was seeking a 20% hike in licensing fees for Versus. Additionally DirecTV has said it is paying more for the service than other providers. But Comcast says that isn’t so and that the issue is that DirecTV wanted to move the package into some digital sports tier ghetto on DirecTV where Versus would’ve been available to six million fewer DirecTV subscribers.

Previously Versus was available to subscribers of the Total Choice Xtra package, where it was available to around 14 million on DirecTV who subscribe to that package at no additional cost. From DirecTV’s perspective, it is merely looking to get similar treatment as its satellite competitior DISH:

http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/09/03...he-story/26125

Multichannel News writes that DISH Network carries Versus in the "AT250 tier and has about a 35 percent penetration rate," and DirecTV has indicated it's looking for a similar deal. Before being taken off the air, Versus had access to about 80 percent of DirecTV's subscribers.

Is the DISH Network comparison a fair one? Keep in mind that Comcast struck that deal with DISH back in the OLN days; way before the name change, the increase in properties and ratings growth. Also keep in mind that Versus has clearance above 70 percent on nearly every major cable provider, from Time Warner to (naturally) Comcast.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puc...urn=nhl,187145

I have no dog in this hunt but, in looking briefly into the matter, it seems that DirectTV is not an innocent party being abused in this situation.