jjudson 6 Report post Posted October 3, 2009 I live in Philly, but am a former Red Wings season ticket holder. I have Directv and purchase Center Ice package every year to see the Red Wings. This year, I've been hit hard - as all Directv subscribers have - by the battle between Directv and Comcast over Versus. I missed game one yesterday, and it appears that throughout the regular season, I will miss a total of nine games - and most importantly - ABOUT HALF OF THE PLAYOFFS. This is really unacceptable. There are many folks out there who do not have access to Comcast. There are many others who do have access to but will not give their money to them. I'm in the latter catagory. It seems that the NHL should step in here to basically demand of Comcast that, either they allow Directv access to Versus (or allow the broadcast to be available via a Center Ice feed) or they will cancel the contract with Versus and discuss it with Comcast in court. It seems to me that the NHL had a presumption that by contracting with Versus, they would have access to a wide audience through the two largest broadcast providers. One of the biggest hurdles to acceptance of hockey - and bringing it back to the major networks - is common viewership. Without fans, the NHL cannot survive. Without broadcast access, the league doesn't have the pool of potential new fans that they need to keep the sport alive. Has anyone heard of any moves by the NHL to intervene in this dispute? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
auxlepli 17 Report post Posted October 3, 2009 The most the NHL could do is something like the IRL did - issue a press release. http://www.indycar.com/news/?story_id=15139 http://www.indycar.com/news/?story_id=15064 As far as I know, sadly, the NHL didn't even do that. The NHL doesn't have enough clout to step in. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thedisappearer 291 Report post Posted October 3, 2009 Call DirecTV to complain (politely) and you'll get Center Ice for free this year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CenterIce 83 Report post Posted October 3, 2009 Call DirecTV to complain (politely) and you'll get Center Ice for free this year. Not much the NHL can do in a contract negotiation, besides putting a little pressure on both sides, which according to NHL.com, they have. It is just like the NFL Network/Comcast thing, but that was resolved at the 11th hour. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,794 Report post Posted October 3, 2009 The league definitely has a stake in this, so I don't see why not. The problem is that the NHL hasn't been very good at successful negotiations, as we found out during the lockout. Also, I don't think the league really cares that much, at least they don't act like they do. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aeothe Kaear 0 Report post Posted October 4, 2009 The NHL is in bed with Comcast, so they've effectively taken sides. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheUkrainian 49 Report post Posted October 4, 2009 So if I call DirecTv and say I WANT TO WATCH THE WINGS, they will give me center ice fo' free? Hm... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HadThomasVokounOnFortSt 878 Report post Posted October 4, 2009 Why not post this in the whole Comcast thread that has already been made? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vangvace 12 Report post Posted October 4, 2009 So if I call DirecTv and say I WANT TO WATCH THE WINGS, they will give me center ice fo' free? Hm... More along the lines of that you are disappointed that DirectTV dropped Versus from what I understand. I wonder how cheap it is for DirectTV to be giving away CI like it's candy btw... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
