All DirecTV subscribers, time is running out
by b.orr4 on Sep 28, 2009 5:21 PM EDT
Email
Print
The NHL is mounting a big campaign to bring direct pressure from fans on DirecTV to end this stallmate with Versus. In case you're not aware, the Caps opening game against Boston is exclusively on Versus and that means DirecTV susbcribers like myself won't be able to watch it at home. The league has put out an e-mail address which goes directly to DirecTV so you can let them now how unhappy you are with their decision. If you care about watching the Caps when they're on Versus, write them and let them know how you feel. The address is: versus@directv.com
If this FanPost is written by someone other than one of the blog's editors, the opinions expressed in it do not necessarily reflect those of this blog or SB Nation.
37 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Already sent e-mails to both DirectTV and Versus last week. You can guess which one actually replied to my e-mail.
And I doubt that was anything other than pre-canned crapola, going by my experience.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
Nope. DirectTV responded within 6 hours. Got a customer service rep who credited me for next 6 months. Unlike Comcast they actually understand customer service. While I’m none too pleased about the pissing contest I know which company is better run by a long shot.
by Carl Putnam on Sep 29, 2009 12:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Interestingly enough, I have no problems with Comcast :x
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
Only problem I’ve had the last couple years with Comcast is their prices. The service itself has been pretty solid.
Not sure which e-mail you wanted paraphrased???
Mine was – hockey fan, waited awhile to e-mail because I assumed eventual deal would happen, e-mail now because concern of not being able to watch hockey, especially my favorite team which plays opening night, switched to DTV mainly due to hockey viewing (HD choices vs cable), etc.
Customer service rep e-mailed back. The usual that I’d expect in response – “understand your frustration”, “your comments forwarded to Management”, etc.
They credited my account $10 for the next 6 months.
by Carl Putnam on Sep 29, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Just curious. Also the fact that D* is giving out cash and prizes so easily makes me worry that there will be no Versus for several months. I still agree though, Comcast does blow. Maybe not so much their actual product but definitely their customer service/pricing and the stuff they produce (the CSNs are very second rate in my O-pinion).
Russian Machine Never Breaks
I thought the same thing when they credited my account.
I believe they are concerned that if they cave in to Comcast on VS. issue it opens a big door. Plus, since they compete with Dish who was able to move VS. like DirectTV wants to do I can see their point. However, DirectTV is attractive because of its sports.
People I know who subscribe to DirectTV do so because they have the most sports options. People I know who subscribe to Dish are families who wanted to dump cable and Dish offered fairly cheap family options. Obviously, my sample size it very small but it does seem to show a trend. DirectTV pushes their sports programming and pays a gazillion to NFL because they know this. Maybe they didn’t realize how many of us are actually hockey fans. The more heat they get the more likely this gets resolved quickly.
I’m guessing they are getting some college football fan e-mails as well. Vs. has been playing that angle up here with ads in the paper the last 2 weeks since they. had/have University of Arizona and Arizona State games on in back to back weeks.
I’ve now called and emailed and gotten the canned response twice. They must look at my account and know that I’ve already paid for NFLST and NHLCI and thus figured I’m an easy mark. Bastards.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
Hmm. My e-mail was sent after I bought NFL package but before I bought Center Ice. Maybe they have decided that they were giving away the farm. Or maybe you just got unlucky. Pretty sure if you could find right person they’d compensate you.
I’d be quite happy to give them the $60 as long as I got Versus by 4:00 MST tomorrow.
by Carl Putnam on Sep 30, 2009 11:59 PM EDT up reply actions
for that matter i’d happily pay and extra two dollars a month for the stupid versus channel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUU9UmT134M
Russian Machine Never Breaks
On a related note, I heard that if you call DirectTV and complain about the Versus debacle they’ll give you NHL Center Ice for half price.
Just from message board claims, I’ve seen anywhere from free months of Showtime to free (completely free) Center Ice, to $100 account credits, etc.
Push them as far as possible, I say.
Dear DirecTV:
The kind of shit Comcast is pulling with Versus is exactly the reason I switched to DirecTV in the first place. While I am extremely disappointed that the stalemate will continue, I cannot disagree with your position that Versus has not given any reason to charge a significant price increase.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 29, 2009 12:37 AM EDT reply actions
The NHL should have a part in this as well. They may not be able to just “take back” Versus’ rights, but the VS network has to realize that things like this can be a deal-breaker when the current deal comes up for re-bid.
If you ask me, Versus’ inability to work out an an agreement with one of the largest national television service providers (the biggest?) significantly reduces the amount of homes (and public establishments) that are able to view their product. It would also seem to me that this, depending on the agreement, could be against the terms of the league’s contract with Vs, and that the league, in the spirit of self-preservation, should be able to seek alternative means of distributing their product if the network is not able to provide the services previously agreed upon.
by PaintDrinkingPete on Sep 29, 2009 11:19 AM EDT reply actions
If you believe Superagent Allan Walsh, there may be a resolution on the way:
DirecTV now says that it may carry Versus w/out new agreement in place. I hear DirecTV has incurred wrath of hockey fans and losing subs.
DirecTV won’t say how many subs have cancelled service, word is they are bleeding and desperate to get Versus back by start of NHL season.
"Hey friend, an avatar makes you more personable, friendly. Have I mentioned we serve cigars and flavored vodka?"
I am not going to try to say whether this is a good or bad thing…but assuming that is true, here is what has happened:
-Versus raises it price to what it considers fair market value.
-DirecTV disagrees, says that this price is too high for VS to remain on the current tier of service.
-Both sides stick to their guns, no resolution is reached, VS is pulled from DirecTV
(basically, DirecTV doesn’t think that NHL hockey, VS’s premier offering, is powerful enough to enriot the masses, and wants to call VS’s bluff and force them to back down).
-NHL fans call and email and threaten to cancel subscription, or for DirecTV to offer some other restitution. This happens enough the DirecTV realizes is was they who underestimated how important national NHL games are its subscribers.
Frankly, I could give a rat’s ass who wins this battle, but I hate it when it’s the customer that gets screwed in these situations. What I do like though, is the fact that NHL fans were able to voice their opinions loudly enough to influence DirecTV to take action. You know this would never be an issue with DirecTV’s baby, NFL football.
Of course, that’s only assuming that this is actually true.
Also, I know that “enriot” is not a real word, and for the record, I am not a DirecTV subscriber.
by PaintDrinkingPete on Sep 29, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Are there any online viewing options of the game anywhere? Though it’s nice to get free stuff for temporarily not having Versus, but I’d like to watch the opener against Boston.
I can live with just having CSN to watch Caps games if this drags out forever, but I’d really want to watch the first Caps game of the season. Most sports bars around my neck of the woods carry DirecTV, so I’m screwed there. Love to have a resource of sports bars and restaurants that have VS via cable or Dish Network.
comcast peeps, we’re apparently getting a one-month free preview of CenterIce. Whooooo! (totally skipping work to watch the Wings play in Sweden)
Directv Peeps
You also are getting the one month free preview of Center Ice . Whooooo! Don’t let redbirdie make it sound like it is only comcast here….
by williamhudsonlink on Oct 1, 2009 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Well this from Kevin Allen would seem to give more ammo to Versus/Comcast:
#Versus opening night was the most watched NHL opening night in its five-year history.
"Good crowd out there tonight, boys, let's really try to win this one."
So I just called DirecTV and complained. They gave me NHL Center Ice for free and Starz movie channel free for 3 months. The trick is to say that you want to cancel your service and have your call transferred to the customer retention department. The customer retention people will start throwing free stuff at you to get you to stay with DirecTV.
if you get Center Ice, and since Direct TV doesn’t have Vs., does that mean you get the Cap on Vs. games? or are you still without the greatest show on ice (unless its a CSN broadcast)?
no, sorry. What I mean is, I have comcast right now, which means Cap games are blacked-out on Center Ice for me because I can already get them. But since you have Direct TV, and you can’t get Caps games that are on Vs. because Direct TV won’t carry the channel, does that mean you get to watch the Caps games that are carried on Vs. through the Center Ice package?
Or are you still completed screwed out of Caps on national TV, despite the free Center Ice?
Bottom line is DirecTV people cannot watch Versus, whether they have C.I. or not. You might say, we’re Cled.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 3, 2009 12:01 AM EDT up reply actions
(and the games aren’t on any other channel for us. We just don’t get the games)
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 3, 2009 12:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recent FanShots
Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida
|
53 | 25 | 17 | 11 | 61 |
|
Washington
|
54 | 28 | 21 | 5 | 61 |
|
Winnipeg
|
56 | 26 | 24 | 6 | 58 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
53 | 23 | 24 | 6 | 52 |
|
Carolina
|
55 | 20 | 25 | 10 | 50 |
(updated 2.10.2012 at 3:26 AM EST)
The Vault
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Thursday’s Three Stars: Max Pac hat trick; Chris Phillips’ memorable 1,000th game
- It’s over: Montreal’s Scott Gomez finally ends goalless streak (Video)
- Scott Hartnell’s goal celebration now includes fighting Dion Phaneuf (Video)
- Puck Previews: Leafs meet Flyers; Steve Yzerman not playing in Winter Classic Alumni Game?
- Three theories on why Hurricanes might pull Tuomo Ruutu off trading block
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
