Is the Versus Channel Still on FiOS
griddle
Newbie

I read recently that DirectTV dropped Versus from it's channel lineup.  I recently ordered FiOS, but it's not installed yet.  Is Versus still available in the lineup?  I know that somehow FiOS and DirectTV are linked....just not sure if this channel got dropped. 

I hope not, I am a big hockey fan, and that's about the only channel that shows a few games each week.

btw, I am in southern California if it matters.

Thanks!

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Re: Is the Versus Channel Still on FiOS
CharlesH
Specialist - Level 1

YES.

Versus is available Nationally on channel 90 in standard definition and 590 in high definition.

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Re: Is the Versus Channel Still on FiOS
profbobo
Newbie

I'm currently a DirecTV subscriber and a big NHL fan. I know losing Vs. is only one channel, but it's an important channel to me. DirecTV also just moved ESPN Classic to their sports pack.

I know the NHL playoffs are a longs ways off, but I don't see this getting resolved soon, if at all. DirecTV and Vs. are in a public spitting contest.

I already have FiOS for Internet and am thinking about switching to FiOS TV. I have a few questions.

1. Since Vs. is owned by Comcast, I can foresee Comcast being jerks with every provider during contract talks. Anyone know when the Vs. contract with FiOS ends?

2. Anyone switch to FiOS from DirecTV want to share their experience with the DVR? This is one area that concerns me. 160GB (18 HD Hours) is pretty sad. Only 2 tuners for Home Media DVR? I'm thinking I'll skip the Home Media DVR and just get two DVRs instead. The DirecTV DVRs are pretty good and they are getting TiVO back in 2010. I know going with TiVO HD is an option too. I'll just miss out on VOD.

3. I have NHL Center Ice with DirecTV and see the price for FiOS is $79 per season. That can't be right. Gotta be the price for a partial season last year and they haven't updated the website yet. Anyone know the full price? Also, In the channel lineup, NHL CI is listed on one channel. How does this work compared to DirecTV, which shows the games on multiple channels? Also, what about HD. DirecTV does a good job showing the SD and HD home and away feeds for several games.

Thanks,

Joe

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Re: Is the Versus Channel Still on FiOS
MDSTDEN
Newbie

Joe,

Great questions.  I have the same questions and have been given the run around so far by sales.  Want to switch but will not until I'm confident that NHL Center Ice is available as it is with DTV.

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Re: Is the Versus Channel Still on FiOS
Carl
Specialist - Level 1

profbobo wrote:.

3. I have NHL Center Ice with DirecTV and see the price for FiOS is $79 per season. That can't be right. Gotta be the price for a partial season last year and they haven't updated the website yet. Anyone know the full price? Also, In the channel lineup, NHL CI is listed on one channel. How does this work compared to DirecTV, which shows the games on multiple channels? Also, what about HD. DirecTV does a good job showing the SD and HD home and away feeds for several games.

Thanks,

Joe


Joe,

You may have an issue with how FiOS offers Center Ice. They get CI from inDemand. Currently, inDemand only has ONE HD channel for Center Ice/Extra Innings. Therefore, you are only going to see at most 2 HD games in any given night on Center Ice. Also, you are not going to get every Home and Away from FiOS's Center Ice. This again is a limitation of inDemand.

IIRC, the full season was either $169 or $149. I don't recall.

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Re: Is the Versus Channel Still on FiOS
spacedebris
Master - Level 2

DTV dropped VS because VS (owned by comcast) decided that they wanted more money for the channel. The price they are demanding from DTV is more than the market value of the channel. In other words, Comcast wants more money to provide the channel than the channel is worth. DTV is just the unlucky carrier that had its contract come up first. The other carriers like Verizon still have contracts at the lower rate so they are unaffected, so far. But when the other companies have their contracts come up for renegotiation, comcast is already saying that they are going to ask for the same price they asked of DTV. So we will have to wait and see if the other carries are going to pay the price or not. DTV's public statement said they were unwilling to raise the price to their customers to pay for the channel, or to move the channel to a premium package (again would cost the customer more money). So they decided, rather than increase their customers cost, they would just drop the channel.

This is the two edge sword. Those of us who like the channel would have happily had our bill go up by 25 -50 cents(if the cost was spread to every customer) to keep the channel. But then DTV would be blasted by the customers that dont want the channel and get upset that they have to pay an increase for a channel they do not want. So the other option would be to move it to a premium package so that only the people that want the channel can buy a package to get it. Then we would be upset at having to pay $20 (I know exaggerated but you get the point) to get a package to get back a channel we used to get at no extra cost.

So they are damned if they do or damned if they dont. I think DTV took the correct posture (even though I'm upset at loosing the channel) in saying that they refuse to pass the cost to the consumer for a greedy company that is trying to get more for a channel than the market will bear.

Now we have to wait and see what the other carriers are going to do when their contracts come up for negotiation.

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Re: Is the Versus Channel Still on FiOS
Caps09
Specialist - Level 2

Versus is saying that DirecTV wants to move it to a higher (less penetrated) package that not as many people subscribe to, so that's their big issue. On the other hand, Dish Network has Vs in a specialty package, so DTV says that they should be able to treat the channel the same. I don't forsee any issues coming with Verizon though since they seem to cater to people who usually want more content. That's the reason I got FiOS anyway, so I could have more HD channels instead of a cable company fighting with programmers on my behalf.

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Re: Is the Versus Channel Still on FiOS
spacedebris
Master - Level 2

Yeah, I just read the VS's public announcement and it says exactly the opposite of what DTV is saying. 

DTV is saying that they dont want to move it to a higher package and wants to keep the cost down to the customer and that VS is wanting too much money for it.

VS says that DTV is wanting to put it on a premium package with less exposure.

Now who do we believe? LOL  We will have to wait and see if when the other carries contracts end if they have the same issue or not.  Either way, at least its not affecting Verizon right now.

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Re: Is the Versus Channel Still on FiOS
Caps09
Specialist - Level 2

I don't see a big fight coming with cable distributors since the channel is mostly carried on basic cable. I think that the big issue for Versus is that they want the channel on the same level of service as ESPN. The Dish Network deal is probably an old one, so there will most likely be another dispute when that deal is up.

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