One storyline for tonight’s Caps-Flyers’ tilt is the matchup between two unbeaten and powerful looking East heavies, in what could be a preview of a deep-in-the-postseason matchup next spring. Another, though, is that no small number of the region’s puckheads again won’t be able to see the television broadcast, as for the second time in three games this young season, Versus is carrying a Capitals’ TV feed. Versus is presently embroiled in a dispute with DirecTV, the upshot of which is that the channel isn’t included in the satellite provider’s catalogue of outlets.
Among the blacked-out by the dispute: our Gary Œöriebel. His is a dilemma not unlike many about the region: a longtime DirecTV subscriber (10 years), otherwise happy with the service, and a parent of two young ones who require, even on game nights, evening feeding, bathing, and bedtime coercion. He’s long made a habit of DVR-ing Caps’ games and catching up with the action just as soon as the little ones are put down. I knew he was in a pickle for the season opening broadcast in Boston (also on Versus) last week, and again this week he’s left out in the broadcast cold.
“I’m screwed,” he emailed me earlier today. “I cannot easily go to a friend’s house or bar to watch the game because of family commitments.
“Tonight I’ll be following along with Steve Kolbe online, since 1500 am is not so strong west of the Beltway.”
Gary, like a lot of other hockey fans, has made a lot of furious phone calls to DirecTV about the situation, but the impasse remains. It’s a brutal one, from my vantage, because of DirecTV’s seemingly incongruous negotiating position. On the one hand, the provider has quite publicly alleged that Versus is little more than an elaborate infomercial outlet, the provider of esoteric outdoor broadcast coverage like game hunting and such. Simultaneously, however, DirecTV is attempting to bundle Versus in a costlier sports package for all of its subscribers.
No doubt DirecTV this offseason acknowledged the NHL’s increased television popularity — fueled to no small degree by the wide array of the league’s likable young guns — and is seeking to profit from the enthusiasm surge. From its vantage Versus understandably doesn’t want a dramatic alteration in the way it is offered by providers, as specialty bundling packages as opposed to basic plan inclusion necessarily decrease overall viewership numbers. Until the impasse is resolved, millions of hockey fans across the country are denied access to the league’s national network provider.
Gary noted that changing providers, in addition to being a general nuissance, seems impractical for a service he’s otherwise pleased with, and particularly when only about a half dozen Caps’ regular season games are broadcast on Versus. Potentially more, however, could run there in the postseason.
We know that some in our readership are in a similar predicament – and the sizzle of this Caps’ club is such that missing even a single game is painful. So what are you doing about the matter? Anything clever or creative? And how do you imagine this prolonged impasse being resolved?
30 Comments
i would never do this, of course, but some are resulting to internet streams. i’m not entirely sure what they are, but i hear the kids these days find them useful.
one of them will cave eventually, but we have to remember it’s a battle over a tiny little piece of real estate. look at versus’ ratings for hockey before and after the dispute, and you’ll see how many people it gets. they were only getting about 250K per game before the fight ensued, so it can’t be that bad.
Luckily, I have Verizon FiOS so I don’t have the problem that so many DirecTV users are addled with, but I believe there are several online streaming options. In fact, it looks like there is one offered directly from the NHL. The cost is a bit steep at $159, but it’s an option.
https://gamecenter.nhl.com/nhlgc/secure/registerform?free=true&intcmpid=nhl.com:gcl:fpnsnstrp
Why don’t I switch providers? I may in the future, but here are some points of consideration for a minimum of 2 games and maximum of 7.
- I have had DirecTV for 10 years and have had next to no problems with service or billing. The very occasional storm outage of 5 – 10 minutes not withstanding. During Hurricane Isabel in 2003? I lost power and cable internet before DirecTV even flinched.
- DirecTV has always been an early adopter of new stations/networks. They had the NHL Network as soon as it was available in the States. They had Versus/OLN from the beginning. Remember how long it took other cable providers to carry MASN and the Nationals/Orioles? DirecTV had it right away. Whether you want to watch the twin 100 loss teams is another issue (I know the O’s don’t have 100 losses, but they’re mighty close).
- In my constant calls to DirecTV, I have had the Starz package added to my account for 3 months (not that I’ll watch it), twice been told they’ll take $10 off my bill per month for the next 6 months (we’ll see if it ends up being $20, $10, or $0 off each bill), and received a full credit for NHL Center Ice ( a $165 value).
- FiOS TV only recently made NHL Center Ice available, by recently I mean mid season last year. I may switch to them in the future, but I would have to pay for NHL Center Ice which I am now getting for free from DirecTV, plus I don’t have the time to sit at home waiting for a Verizon tech to add the TV portion of FiOS during some portion of a window from 8am – 7pm. There is also the issue of replacing the equipment already used in the house, e.g. expanded capacity on the TiVos.
However, if this drags on all the way to the playoffs, all bets are off.
End result, all media companies will end up screwing you one way or another.
I blame the league. Neither party has as large an interest in getting the product (games) to as many people as possible as the NHL. The league has entered into contractual relationships with both parties to ensure their product is delivered to as many eyeballs as possible. The league should bring suit against them both to get a court to force them into binding arbitration. The league has standing to do this because their product is being damaged by this dispute – fewer eyeballs equals damage. The arbitration would have to be neutral and fair, of course, but binding.
This enrages me. The NHL should step up and get into the mix because this is THEIR party. The league complains vociferously about the lack of interest and support regarding “out of market area” viewership as well as smaller market teams (ie. Phoenix Coyotes)lack of interest. They, once again, set this up by aligning themselves with a channel that almost NO ONE can get. How do they expect to grow their fan base? That fact that Directv and Comcast/Versus are in a brawl over showing this channel, hurts the fans, the teams and the League. I was furious about last week’s Caps opening night and am now even more livid about the Caps/Flyers game. No sports bars in the Phoenix metroplex have Versus because they all subscribe to NHL Center Ice package (which the game won’t be on). If this rolls into playoff time I will lose my grip. I will be seeing Red, rather than Rocking it.
I have Directv and will miss the game also because of family commitments at home too. I do love watching the Caps, but I can live with missing a handful of games per season. I’d rather not have to pay more for Directv. They already nickle and dime you to death for each extra receiver, DVR service, HD service, etc…
The legal streaming option (gamecenter at nhl.com mentioned by Justin above) states that national telecasts (such as Versus’) are blacked out in areas in which TV coverage is available even if your service provider (such as DirecTV) doesn’t make it available. Was hopeful, but no go.
As a DirecTV subscriber in Raleigh, NC, I love getting that stupid VERSUS channel. However, I do not want to pay more for it, and frankly, I believe what DirecTV says in their spin on it more then I believe VERSUS. What also irks me is when I am able to get VERSUS, but (also subscribing to Center Ice) I am unable to watch a game I want to because of the dumb exclusivity clause in the NHL contract with VERSUS. Unfortunately, I am left streaming the audio off the Internet, but it isn’t the same thing. My wife can’t even catch the Canes game off Center Ice because of the clause for the Versus game prevents that being shown.
As stated in number 3, Direct TV has always been quick to add new stations and networks. Now suddenly, they want to play hardball with Versus?
I tend to believe them when they say that Versus is trying to charge them outrageous fees to remain in the fold.
Stick to your guns Direct TV. Versus is not worth the extra money.
I called to confirm about the balckouts for gamecenter hoping I would be able to see a Caps game, but no luck. I’ve watched both games on the internet and will continue to do so. After a few phone calls and numerous e-mail traffic I have decided to cancel DirecTV at the earliest opportunity. They did offer me Center Ice w/ a $50 discount though. Still, come April I’ll be w/ Dish Network again. Can’t stand the thought of being with a company that won’t even negotiate a temporary settlement and yet advertises they have the best NHL coverage.
I don’t have Versus at my house either, but that is because Cox already has it on a higher tier and I don’t want to spend more every month just for a few games. However, that does confuse me since I thought one of the big issues in this fight was that DirecTV wanted to move it to a higher priced tier and Versus has said no way. Very odd all around. Good luck to everyone who has DirecTV.
PGREENE mentioned internet streams in his earlier post. I have no idea about the legality of these streams but I do know of two that have worked well in the past for…uh…friends. Since I don’t know if these piss off any powers that be, I’m not going to post them unless the OFB folks say it’s ok.
They’re all full of a load of rich creamery butter. We canceled DirecTV for FIOS a couple of weeks ago (our contract was up next month anyway) and have never looked back. When I called to cancel, they offered free Center Ice and $20 off our bill for 12 months. So it’s interesting to hear the various reactions that people are getting from DirecTV when they call.
As soon as Verizon FIOS came to our neighborhood, we signed up. We were tired of losing DirectTV signal every time there was a strong breeze. Gary, I don’t know how you get such a strong signal because ours stunk to high heaven. We had problems in the fog and I’m not exaggerating.
All of that to say, I’m very happy we moved to FIOS and have loved it. And I love being able to watch tonight’s game. But I don’t like Versus and really do not care for their sportscasters.
I think it’s high time that these media monopolies be held accountable to the same capitalist standards that the rest of our economy is and let the market decide this contest. If enough people get disgusted with the crappy service, they’ll leave DirectTV and they’ll lose the fight. If not, then I suppose Comcast will lose.
I, too, am a recent FIOs converter, and like for others here, it’s transformed my TV and Internet quality of life. I know differing regions and neighborhood conditions necessarily mean different cable/dish experiences, but if you learn that your neighbors are enjoying FIOS, and you don’t have it, I say pull the trigger.
I’ve had FiOS internet and phone for 5 years and it’s wonderful. Told them I won’t have their TV until they get Center Ice. Offering it mid-season wasn’t helpful.
It makes no financial sense for me to leave DirecTV right now. But like I said, if this is still an issue in April, then changes will be made.
I blame the NHL and Comcast. First the NHL, as mentioned above, they chose an outlet that is not served on all cable companies. Second, Comcast has a two fold interest in the argument. As a cable company any defectors from DTV will increasee profits from new subscribers. As a content provider, from what I understand, Comcast changed it terms of carriage with DTV and raised the rate at which they bill DTV for Versus. I wrote to the NHL and stated that they should offer the Canadian broadcasts to DTV subscribers who can’t get Versus. Once both of them realize how much ad revenue they are losing they may decide to settle this pissing match.
I switched to DirecTV from cable at the beginning of last season mainly because they were offering DVR & a lot more channels (NHL Network, etc) as the (monopoly) cable company that services my apartment complex for the same price. Although I love my DVR because work frequently clashes with the typical 7pm start to games, I haven’t been thrilled with the service and this is adding to the frustration levels. Among the problems I’ve had: I can’t get NBC because they won’t pick up my local station and they won’t release the LA or NYC feed (I watched all the NBC playoff games on rabbit ears with “snow” bad enough I couldn’t see the puck). The dish was bumped by the (very apologetic) crew that came to extract the chunk of tree from my neighbor’s roof and Directv was going to charge me 130 bucks to come readjust it so I could get a signal. (I was without TV for two months until I moved and got a new dish installed).
I’ve been combining the GameCenter on NHL.com (not the live feed, just the main score page version) with online audio. As PGreene said, there are several options for online feeds, a few of which are entirely legal. The rest, eh, not so much, considering the cease-and-desist orders some of them received at the end of last season.
I’d love to call DirecTV and tell them I’m canceling, but I hate making empty threats since doing that now wouldn’t be cheap. FiOS isn’t even an option in my area. I’m hoping this is resolved soon or I’ll probably end up setting up a “Caps Corner” in the dining room at work.
So I’m not a direct tv subscriber, however, I wanted to go to a local Glory Days tonight to watch the Caps game on Versus & redeem my ticket for my free wings with some co-workers from the home opener yay 5 goal games!
I’m glad I called ahead & asked if they had Direct TV (they did) – that would have been a bust tonight.
Sorry Glory Days, but Direct TV cost you my business tonight. Maybe more bar & restaurant owners should be complaining to Direct TV instead of us NHL fanatics.
FREE HOCKEY ON THE INTERNET
this link works. you don’t have to pay $159 for Gamecenter, just watch games here.
http://www.justin.tv/directory/sports/hockey?order=hot&lang=en
@#12…why’s it interesting to hear what reactions people are getting from DirecTV? They’re trying to save your business.
I’m glad DirecTV is holding firm here and I’ll most certainly take a free CenterIce package and say to hell with the few games on VS. I know where to find those few if I need them.
Comcast cable sucks, absolutely sucks. I had it when I moved to school and it’s crap. I love the DirecTV service and all the HD they offer.
Screw Comcast…oh, btw…anyone catch that nice sign directed at DTV that VS just “randomly” decided to get a shot of during the telecast tonight? Wasn’t on for long, but if you were watching the game closely, you saw it. Versus = dbags.
It’s interesting because DirecTV’s reactions are all over the map. Some people are getting offered free Center Ice, some are getting free Starz for three months, some are getting $50 off Center Ice. I’m sure it has to do with where people are in their subscription package, but still.
I agree that Comcast is horrible. We had their service in our last place and it never worked well.
I am also in the same Directv boat! I called and complained and received free Starz (it’s free because it sucks). I also was given free Center Ice $168 value. And after all of this I still could not watch the game last night…until..My son found it on a free web site that was mentioned before. Something like justin.tv. So there are options out there you just have to search for them. Watching on my 20 inch cpu monitor was better then not watching at all!
I have a feeling this is a return on Comcast’s hold out on airing the NFL network the past two seasons. Unfortunately it is we fans that have to have pay the ultimate price.
The other gripe I’ve had with DirecTV is the fact that the NFL, MLB, and NBA network channels are all part of the basic lineup but the NHL network is not? (at least not at my sister’s house anyway).
I know a lot of people gripe about not wanting to have to pay extra for a “sports package” or extra tier for Versus, but in my opinion that is 100x better than having zero option at all.
Gary, I just moved and at that time switched from Cox to V-FIOS, and have never been happier. I was able to get the expanded HD channels along with Center Ice-HD, NHL-HD, and VS-HD.
The tech that did the install a week before Center Ice went live this year had their service dept contact me over the phone and set up the Center Ice subscription. Installation took about 2 hours for two cable boxes and internet. He arrived at 8:45 in a 8-12 window.
I did help the tech out by running new coax cable prior to his arrival, so he just had to hook up the terminals and then I was in business.
I took my daughters to Glory Days last night for the free wings that came as a result of the Opening Night win. More importantly, we looked forward to watching the Caps-Flyers. Instead, nothing, because Glory Days uses DirecTV.
How sad is it that one of the Caps’ primary sponsors can’t even show their games on the “Vs.” nights because of this nonsense?
We left DirectTv for Verizon FIOS, it’s far more reliable for us and we got a great package deal for phone, internet and tv!
You also bring up a good point for those of us who are either on the road or, like Gary can’t watch the game, and are required to listen to Kolbe’s excellent broadcast via internet.
Why can’t the Caps strike a deal with a radio broadcaster that can reach beyond the Beltway, in either direction.
A couple of times last year we wanted to hear the game because we were on travelling home late and wanted to stay on top of the action until we were home and could watch it. And it would be nice when we have lame play-by-play talent (I’m looking at you Doc Emrick and Eddie Olczec), to kill the sound and tune in the radio broadcast.
Nat, I don’t know what area you live in, but no local channels is rare these days on DTV. As a former employee her are some tips. Sign up for paperless billing, then use an address in a big city near you and tell DTV you “moved” based on the zip you give them you will get the local channels of that area.
In regards to Starz, they most likely buy it in bulk so regardless if they have 1 customer with Starz or 100,000 they pay the same price. So they make you feel better because you are getting movie channels for free, but it cost them nothing.
Oh one other thing, is you have to look at who, Viacom, Comcast, or independant, is providing the channel to Cable/Sat provider.
Take for instance the NHL channel. It is part of TSN Group which is owned in part by ESPN which is ABC so when they sell it to Cable/Sat they may include it as part of the ESPN package. Where the NBA channel used to be available if you bought the sports package on DTV or the NBA season package. So when Comcast made customers buy a sports package for the NHL channel it could be due to how they buy channels from content providers.
I don’t have cable or sat TV at home and I stream every NHL game – no blackouts, ever – at hockeystreams.com. They don’t have long contracts and you can do one day, one week, one month, etc. I have the three-month at $39 right now and will re-up in January to finish the season. I run it on my newish MacBook, via my wireless router, and from Verizon FiOS internet. They have three different streams (HQ, HD and HD+) and it works perfectly for me. NHL.com online is god-awful and you can’t watch any Caps games if you are in the D.C. area.