Versus Returns to DirecTV in Time for UFC Event
by Brent Brookhouse on Mar 15, 2010 5:38 PM EDT
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As reported on SBNation.com the battle between DirecTV and Versus is over. From the full network press release:
DIRECTV and Comcast have reached an agreement to return VERSUS to the DIRECTV programming lineup today. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
VERSUS will return to the same DIRECTV programming packages it was in at the end of August 2009.
"We are pleased that both sides were able to work out a satisfactory deal to bring this programming back to our customers," said Derek Chang, executive vice president, Content Strategy and Development, DIRECTV.
"We're excited that we were able to come to a fair agreement that puts VERSUS back in millions of homes with DIRECTV in time for our busy spring programming schedule," said Jamie Davis, president of VERSUS. "We look forward to super-serving these fans with NHL regular-season and playoff coverage, our first live UFC event and much more."
Now is a time of much rejoicing for us DirecTV patrons. There is no doubt that getting the first UFC event out and available was a very big part of things. That, in combination with the playoff race in the NHL and the playoffs to follow, are likely to have led to a need to get a deal done more than anything.
And the other big move is the removal of the rumored need to add Versus to a special "sports tier" at an extra cost.
Celebrate, DirecTV owners...celebrate.
Update: Given that I'm watching cycling right now on Versus...the network has already returned to DirecTV. That was very quick. Now, time to turn off cycling.
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YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES!
I'm like PacMan fightin you silly kids... throw ya Hatton the ring, and get knocked outlike Ricky did.
lol.
YES!!!!!!!!!!
Not only was I pissed that I couldn’t watch MMA I was pissed that I couldn’t watch any hockey so now I get to do both.
Man, sometimes Zuffa knows exactly what its doing
Everything is coming up Milhouse for Dana.
The man known simply as "Christmas Cheesesteak"
by Neil Manich on Mar 15, 2010 5:15 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Thank god everyone can quit shitting their pants now.
by ufc4 on Mar 15, 2010 5:17 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Nope, Time Warner, I’ve had Versus the whole time. :p
by ufc4 on Mar 15, 2010 5:24 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
You'd have been shitting your pants too...
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
MMA Editor - SBNation.com
by Brent Brookhouse on Mar 15, 2010 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions
HDNet rules!
K-1
Dream
SRC
Random MMA cards. Hell, it’s probably my most watched channel.
"an excellent example of why most MMA "journalism" is a joke. Pseudonyms like "toxic" and shitty writing like that dopey article"--- Joe Rogan.
This
tabreaz said - "Brock a national champion? Are u actually seriously saying brock is better than rogers due to him being a champion in a completely differant sport?"
Isn't Youtube fun?
My Comcast carries HDNet, but then again, I can’t order PPV’s in HD in my area… and someone else told me they could with Comcast… We just got Spike in HD in our area a few months ago. I hate that company. But I had to switch for my Versus fix when the whole DirecTV thing started…
"Well, yes, but I’m afraid I prematurely shot my wad on what was supposed to be a dry run, if you will, so now I’m afraid I have something of a mess on my hands." - Tobias Fünke
"There are just so many poorly chosen words in that sentence." - Michael Bluth
One of my favorite lines from the best TV show ever.
I enjoy inside MMA. It is flawed, but its something.
Some people think I am a dumb, ugly human being, but really I am a beautiful ape, with exceptional verbal skills.
The James Toney one last Friday was great. It just pisses me off that they can’t show UFC or WEC clips since Dana is hellbent on destroying HDNet because it shows Dream and Sengoku fights.
I think “hellbent on destroying HDNet because it shows Dream and Sengoku fight” is way too strong. I think the larger issue is not wanting anyone to use fight footage.
Some people think I am a dumb, ugly human being, but really I am a beautiful ape, with exceptional verbal skills.
ESPN showed Cain's ko Nog a bunch of times.
by snakecharmer1340 on Mar 15, 2010 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions
I thought they were letting HDNet use UFC fight footage now.
Also isn’t Dana supposed to be the first guest on Mike Straka’s new MMA show on HDNet.
Just BE.
I may be wrong, but I thought they finally showed some highlights...
For either the last UFC or WEC show…I remember being very shocked…It could of course been MMA Live though….
"Well, yes, but I’m afraid I prematurely shot my wad on what was supposed to be a dry run, if you will, so now I’m afraid I have something of a mess on my hands." - Tobias Fünke
"There are just so many poorly chosen words in that sentence." - Michael Bluth
One of my favorite lines from the best TV show ever.
I have been to a PBR event and I learned that there are two types of cowboys. The first type gets on a bull and rides it with the risk of serious injury. The second type wears ironed bluejeans and a pseudo fancy shirt and walks around like a peacock. Bull riding is not a spectator sport, at least not one where I want to be in the group of spectators. I would, however, get on a bull in a heart beat. I certainly have done dumber things.
Some people think I am a dumb, ugly human being, but really I am a beautiful ape, with exceptional verbal skills.
I wonder how many more viewers the UFC will get watching the Versus card now. It has to make a sizeable difference.
Be a man, not a child-Phil Anselmo
by ANance on Mar 15, 2010 5:17 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I don’t remember where the split occured, was VS on Directv for the WEC’s biggest ever show? I think that was Urijah Brown 2.
The man known simply as "Christmas Cheesesteak"
Yes they were, they’ve only been gone for the last, I wanna say four events (5 maybe?).
by ufc4 on Mar 15, 2010 5:26 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
So it would be fair for the Zuffa brass to compare the numbers of these shows to measure the WEC’s brand strength.
The man known simply as "Christmas Cheesesteak"
It's not even close. UFC is a marketing monster.
WEC puts on great fights.
by snakecharmer1340 on Mar 15, 2010 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions
that said... I expect UFC on VS to do 2-3 million range.
It’s a great card but it doesn’t have a huge name on it.
by snakecharmer1340 on Mar 15, 2010 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Fanatstic
It might have been new provider time if I missed the UFC card on versus. I hate getting Versus streamed.
"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy" - Ben Franklin
What Package?
What packages are eligible?
I know it’s not just sports tier but which plan does Versus start being included on? I have the 2nd highest (premium pkg?)…
Appreciate the help/info if anyone knows off the top of their head. : )
I believe you should be fine with that package. I’ll have to check though
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
MMA Editor - SBNation.com
by Brent Brookhouse on Mar 15, 2010 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions
YUS!!!!!
Saturday, Donny, is Shabbos, the Jewish day of rest. That means that I don't work, I don't get in a car, I don't f@#king ride in a car, I don't pick up the phone, I don't turn on the oven, and I sure as s*@it don't f#$kng roll! Shomer shabbos!
by timthemit53 on Mar 15, 2010 5:33 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
guess it's called...
Choice Ultimate Pkg,
only one higher is premium,
only diff is Premium includes all Premium (ie movie) channels…
I hope I get it…
Thanks Brent!
Naw, its detoxing from the JOOCE. VS just shows Barnett pissing seven times a day.
The man known simply as "Christmas Cheesesteak"
You beat me to the joke, but executed it poorly.
Some people think I am a dumb, ugly human being, but really I am a beautiful ape, with exceptional verbal skills.
Were you gonna go with “Barnett’s new talk show” too? That was my idea when I logged in a second ago.
50% more Ultimate than the leading competitor.
If you didn't like this comment, make sure not to read my posts at Sack Mike Goldberg.
I was going the generic Body building route maybe with the Overeem ref. But mostly focused on injecting things into asses. I figured its something that Brookhouse would show an interest in. (joke)
Some people think I am a dumb, ugly human being, but really I am a beautiful ape, with exceptional verbal skills.
Would still be more interesting than bicycling.
by ufc4 on Mar 15, 2010 6:52 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
lol best update ever.
Not that I condone facism or any ism for that matter. Isms are in my opinion, not good. A person shouldn't believe in an ism, he should believe in himself.
I quote John Lennon, "I don't believe in Beatles, I just believe in me". Good point there, after all he was the walrus. I could be the walrus. Wouldn't change the fact I have to bum rides off of people.
On the downside
the card still conflicts with the season 3 premiere of Breaking Bad.
Sorry, Sakara, sorry Irwin. I’m more interested in Walter and Jesse.
by some schmuck in texas on Mar 15, 2010 5:50 PM EDT reply actions
I had Versus the whole time
so i wasnt affected, but this is good news for everyone.
In my head, I heard your bolded line like a dramatic reveal in a mystery novel.
50% more Ultimate than the leading competitor.
If you didn't like this comment, make sure not to read my posts at Sack Mike Goldberg.
I’d just like to point out that cycling is awesome.
Bolts from the Blue // "He looks like a catfish" - Nick Hardwick on Brandon Siler
Bloody Elbow // " looks like your comment violated rule #4. and it’s a heck of a rule, rule #4" - Kid Nate
by Richard Wade on Mar 15, 2010 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions
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