Versus Channel to be Rebranded

[waggy]

..with NBC moniker per NBC Sports Group chairman Dick Ebersol.

For those who've been in a drunken stupor, Comcast, owner of Versus, recently completed the purchase NBC Universal.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/467033-Versus_To_Be_Rebranded_With_NBC_Moniker_Ebersol.ph p

[waggy]

Comcast Eyes Sports Deals to Build Up Cable TV.


Less than three months after Comcast Corp. took control of NBC Universal, NBCU's new CEO, Steve Burke, is angling for sports deals and pushing a big shift in how the entertainment company would use them.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704547604576263033267695112.html?K EYWORDS=nbc+sports

[waggy]

Sorry for 3rd post in a row, but read that WSJ article... Seriously, everyone and their brother is looking for sports properties.... Turner, Fox, ESPN, and now Comcast/NBC... and though not mentioned, you can throw CBS in their too. But the big problem for the A10?... Only two or three marketable teams.

X should start trying to at least get some of their OOC games on these alternate outlets. Don't have to go all-in, but one or two games wouldn't hurt build some relationships, and maybe make a couple xtra bucks.

[PMI]

The NHL just renewed their contract with Versus and NBC, much to my dismay. NBC has absolutely pathetic coverage of hockey as far as I'm concerned. Versus is alright, but the league should be able to do so much better. Anyone who watched the Winter Classic and can say they enjoyed NBC's coverage of the game clearly was watching for something other than the hockey game, and the on-air "talent" they have is embarrassing. Hopefully the new Versus brand succeeds at least.

[X-band '01]

I wonder if they just call Versus the NBC Sports network now; I too was disappointed to not see ABC/ESPN get at least a share of the coverage, although that tells me right there that CBS is still committed to college hoops during the wintertime and golf during the spring. If CBS ever decides to make another run at an NBA TV contract, that would have freed up ESPN/ABC to make another run at the NHL.

From what I've seen, the NBC/Versus deal goes until past 2020. I'd be more disappointed on that fact alone.

[GuyFawkes38]

Sorry for 3rd post in a row, but read that WSJ article... Seriously, everyone and their brother is looking for sports properties.... Turner, Fox, ESPN, and now Comcast/NBC... and though not mentioned, you can throw CBS in their too. But the big problem for the A10?... Only two or three marketable teams.

No doubt about it. The only reason to keep cable these days is sports (and I guess a smaller group of people love reality TV on E, MTV, Bravo, etc...).

It's odd how hesitant NBC and CBS have been with challenging ABC/ESPN.


The NHL just renewed their contract with Versus and NBC, much to my dismay. NBC has absolutely pathetic coverage of hockey as far as I'm concerned. Versus is alright, but the league should be able to do so much better. Anyone who watched the Winter Classic and can say they enjoyed NBC's coverage of the game clearly was watching for something other than the hockey game, and the on-air "talent" they have is embarrassing. Hopefully the new Versus brand succeeds at least.

I don't watch much hockey. But IMHO, NBC has awesome coverage in other sports (Olympics, Sunday Night Football, ND football). So that's a little odd.

Just from a promotion perspective, ABC/ESPN would be a much better option for the NHL.

[MD Muskie]

The NHL just renewed their contract with Versus and NBC, much to my dismay. NBC has absolutely pathetic coverage of hockey as far as I'm concerned. Versus is alright, but the league should be able to do so much better. Anyone who watched the Winter Classic and can say they enjoyed NBC's coverage of the game clearly was watching for something other than the hockey game, and the on-air "talent" they have is embarrassing. Hopefully the new Versus brand succeeds at least.

See I had this conversation earlier. I am okay with the NHL staying on NBC and the soon to be rebranded Versus. Had the NHL gone back to ESPN it would have been seen as the ugly step child there. All they really want it for is to pad their portfolio. They have had ample opportunities to grow the coverage of the sport both on tv and on espn.com and pretty much failed there. NBA 2 tonight and NFL Live were on those channels long before they had the rights so they could have at least had a nhl recap show a couple nights a week but failed to do so.

Its like the conversations that have happened here, should Xavier go Big 6 or stay in the A10 and be the BMOC. I think the NHL made the right call here because NBC is making them a priority right now. ESPN has so many hands in so many different pies that the NHL would be screwed over.

Now with that said, if NBC gets rid of Pierre McGuire then it really is a huge WIN for the NHL.

[GuyFawkes38]

Mdmuskie, is Versus on basic cable anywhere? Most people have to search hard for it, while they instinctively know what channel ESPN is on.

In Cincinnati, we get Columbus games on Fox Sports. I have no interest in watching them play. But if ESPN carried high profile match ups with high profile stars, I would be interested.

I don't think it's right, but the entire ESPN apparatus (Sportscenter, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN the magazine) seems to promote the sports leagues ESPN has an invested interest in.

[MD Muskie]

Mdmuskie, is Versus on basic cable anywhere? Most people have to search hard for it, while they instinctively know what channel ESPN is on.

In Cincinnati, we get Columbus games on Fox Sports. I have no interest in watching them play. But if ESPN carried high profile match ups with high profile stars, I would be interested.

I don't think it's right, but the entire ESPN apparatus (Sportscenter, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN the magazine) seems to promote the sports leagues ESPN has an invested interest in.

with NBC owning Versus now and ultimately rebranding, I would be shocked if its not moved to basic cable like the NFL channel is.

[GuyFawkes38]

with NBC owning Versus now and ultimately rebranding, I would be shocked if its not moved to basic cable like the NFL channel is.

Yeah, who knows. If NBC fully commits to Versus (or whatever it will be called), you might be right.

[waggy]

I know NBC has more name recognition... but Comcast bought NBC... ie, the cable company was the big dog here. Wouldn't be too surprised to see Ebersol "retire" soon.

[X-band '01]

I don't think it's right, but the entire ESPN apparatus (Sportscenter, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN the magazine) seems to promote the sports leagues ESPN has an invested interest in.

Having coverage is only part of the equation. ESPN had exclusive rights in the US to the 2010 World Cup, yet they have spotty MLS soccer coverage in the country. They do air English Premier League and other Euro league soccer matches during the afternoon hours, though. We can have several hours of useless NFL Draft/OTA discussions yet sports talk shows bemoan the summer because all they have is baseball. Soccer barely gets a mention, although you do have events like Wimbledon, Tour De France and the PGA majors to pass time.


with NBC owning Versus now and ultimately rebranding, I would be shocked if its not moved to basic cable like the NFL channel is.

The NFL Network still isn't part of the Time Warner package - I hope TWC keeps playing hardball with them, although I have to think they'll eventually relent.

[xu95]

As long as they don't get rid of my IndyCar coverage, I don't give a crap what they call it.

xu95

[Muskie]

As long as they don't get rid of my IndyCar coverage, I don't give a crap what they call it.

xu95

:logo:

[Tardy Turtle]

The problem w/ NHL on NBC/Versus is no Gary Thorne.

[X-band '01]

Thorne is good, but I've always liked Mike Emrick - he goes back to Fox and even CBS when they had the Winter Olympics in the 90s.

[QueensbridgeMF]

Thorne is good, but I've always liked Mike Emrick - he goes back to Fox and even CBS when they had the Winter Olympics in the 90s.

Emrick is THE voice of hockey announcing and has been for many many years

[MD Muskie]

I am fine with Emrick, though I do wish they would use Gary Thorne more. I just wish they would get rid of McGuire, he just annoys the hell out of me and says some of the most asinine things sometimes.

[PMI]

I wonder if they just call Versus the NBC Sports network now; I too was disappointed to not see ABC/ESPN get at least a share of the coverage, although that tells me right there that CBS is still committed to college hoops during the wintertime and golf during the spring. If CBS ever decides to make another run at an NBA TV contract, that would have freed up ESPN/ABC to make another run at the NHL.

From what I've seen, the NBC/Versus deal goes until past 2020. I'd be more disappointed on that fact alone.

From what I understood, ESPN did make a serious run at it and lost. Who knows how it would change the way ESPN promotes hockey, but it would definitely help in some way, big or small. But whatever, it's not like I'm going to miss any games because of it.


Mdmuskie, is Versus on basic cable anywhere? Most people have to search hard for it, while they instinctively know what channel ESPN is on.

In Cincinnati, we get Columbus games on Fox Sports. I have no interest in watching them play. But if ESPN carried high profile match ups with high profile stars, I would be interested.

I don't think it's right, but the entire ESPN apparatus (Sportscenter, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN the magazine) seems to promote the sports leagues ESPN has an invested interest in.

Yea, ESPN definitely has agendas like everyone else, which is why I thought it would have helped the popularity of the game if they had gotten the contract. But I think there is some truth to what MD says too. I'm glad the NHL has a contract with a station that actually cares about covering it. I certainly hope Versus becomes a part of every mainstream cable package though.

Also, Guy, I like the Olympic coverage on NBC too, but what makes hockey coverage so frustrating is the "talent" like McGuire and that total hack Millbury (just a failure of a GM who gets to run his mouth now.) They need new, fresh, knowledgeable hockey people there. Also, during the Winter Classic (and to a lesser extent in other games I've watched this year) the camera angles they cut to are just obnoxious. They were more concerned in showcasing the scene of the Winter Classic and the Pittsburgh skyline than they were the game. I understand that you do that any time the puck isn't moving, but literally, during a POWER PLAY, they cut out to an aerial view of the stadium (so high you couldn't see anything) and slowly (I mean very slowly) panned back onto the ice. Not the action but the ice. Hell, Eric Fehr scored a goal that game that wasn't shown! The shot was way too far away for the viewer to realize they scored, so the only way you knew was by the celebrating. They did it more than once during the game and also went extended periods showing bizarre angles that made it impossible to focus on the puck.

The ONLY downside to the Caps making the Finals, in my opinion, is that all their games are on NBC and our local Comcast won't have their coverage anymore. I love Joe Beninati (my personal favorite play-by-play guy in sports) and Craigh Laughlin. No matter what sport or team, usually nothing beats the local guys.

[X-band '01]

If the NCAA Tournament taught us anything, people will go wherever they need to in order to get their fix. TruTV - need I say more?

PMI brings up a good point when a network like Versus makes the NHL the cornerstone of their TV package, although I have to believe rebranding themselves under the NBC umbrella will be a big step forward.

Still, I'd be curious to see what the CBS Sports Network wants to air during the summer months when college sports are on hiatus.

[MD Muskie]

From what I understood, ESPN did make a serious run at it and lost. Who knows how it would change the way ESPN promotes hockey, but it would definitely help in some way, big or small. But whatever, it's not like I'm going to miss any games because of it.



Yea, ESPN definitely has agendas like everyone else, which is why I thought it would have helped the popularity of the game if they had gotten the contract. But I think there is some truth to what MD says too. I'm glad the NHL has a contract with a station that actually cares about covering it. I certainly hope Versus becomes a part of every mainstream cable package though.

Also, Guy, I like the Olympic coverage on NBC too, but what makes hockey coverage so frustrating is the "talent" like McGuire and that total hack Millbury (just a failure of a GM who gets to run his mouth now.) They need new, fresh, knowledgeable hockey people there. Also, during the Winter Classic (and to a lesser extent in other games I've watched this year) the camera angles they cut to are just obnoxious. They were more concerned in showcasing the scene of the Winter Classic and the Pittsburgh skyline than they were the game. I understand that you do that any time the puck isn't moving, but literally, during a POWER PLAY, they cut out to an aerial view of the stadium (so high you couldn't see anything) and slowly (I mean very slowly) panned back onto the ice. Not the action but the ice. Hell, Eric Fehr scored a goal that game that wasn't shown! The shot was way too far away for the viewer to realize they scored, so the only way you knew was by the celebrating. They did it more than once during the game and also went extended periods showing bizarre angles that made it impossible to focus on the puck.

The ONLY downside to the Caps making the Finals, in my opinion, is that all their games are on NBC and our local Comcast won't have their coverage anymore. I love Joe Beninati (my personal favorite play-by-play guy in sports) and Craigh Laughlin. No matter what sport or team, usually nothing beats the local guys.

So true about them. Beninati is the Gus Johnson of Hockey. He makes every goal sound meaningful and important to the game, even if its a 4-0 whitewashing.

[MD Muskie]

If the NCAA Tournament taught us anything, people will go wherever they need to in order to get their fix. TruTV - need I say more?

PMI brings up a good point when a network like Versus makes the NHL the cornerstone of their TV package, although I have to believe rebranding themselves under the NBC umbrella will be a big step forward.

Still, I'd be curious to see what the CBS Sports Network wants to air during the summer months when college sports are on hiatus.

The whole NCAA tournament again. They have done that the past few summers.

[Backyard Champ]

Count me in as someone who is glad Vs/NBC kept the NHL. I would not be pleased with the NHL on ESPN. From what I have read, ESPN tried to screw them over right after the lockout, and VS picked them up. Since then, VS has been committed to the NHL, and for a while, and probably still today, it is their biggest concern. I think they have done a good job covering hockey.

I wish, and I know it won't happen, that the NHL would be able to find away to speed the game up like Olympic Hockey. I loved the very limited commercials, it just made the game even more watchable. I think that helped draw more fans to watch Olympic hockey. I know all the stars helped improve the game and make it more watchable for the casual/non hockey fan, but I do think that the limited commercials also played a part in that. I loved the way NBC did the Olympic hockey.

I will say I'm with some of you, I don't like the commentators all that much. It almost seems as if they are trying to be too "hockey slangy," if you know what I mean. Calling a stick a wand and all that jazz. That makes it sound really lame in my opinion.

I don't think ESPN would do hockey justice. I could see a lot of games being thrown on espn3, which would really suck. I kind of think they would do NHL like they do the College playoffs, and I really don't like how they present it. The only thing I really can't argue with though, is how awesome the NHL theme was on ESPN. Can't be touched.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KaVBUlBEvc

[waggy]

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/43095136/ns/sports-other_sports/

[wkrq59]

Thorne is good, but I've always liked Mike Emrick - he goes back to Fox and even CBS when they had the Winter Olympics in the 90s.

XBand, thank you. , too, wish ESPN would release Thorne. I have heard him do baseball, basketball, college hockey and Lacrosse. I really enjoyed him when he had Barry Melrose in the booth with him. Melrose is a nut, but he does know hockey both from the ex-coaching side and from his WHA and briefly NHL days. Right now, Versus is using Mike Keenan, and he is just not fun to listen to. Neither is the ex hockey player with him and Patrick.
One thing I hope they never do is bring Al Michaels back in the booth for the Stanley Cup finals the way ESPN did. BTW, anybody remember Andy Mac's hockey work with both the Stingers and the Cyclones. Damn he was fun to hear. Too bad it ruined his voice for XU games.
With the Dish I get Versus, the NHL, NBA, Big Ten, NFL, all the ESPN, Ohio and Cinti Fox, and the Golf channel as well as the TRA tracks and whatever offerings 5, 9 and 12 have.

:logo::shield::sword:

[Fred Garvin 2.0]

I know NBC has more name recognition... but Comcast bought NBC... ie, the cable company was the big dog here. Wouldn't be too surprised to see Ebersol "retire" soon.

Well that was prescient. Mr.Overrated as far as I'm concerned. His overspending on the Olympics got him.

[powerofX]

Well that was prescient. Mr.Overrated as far as I'm concerned. His overspending on the Olympics got him.

Overrrated is right. I have some great stories of bad Ebersol decisions from back when NBC partnered with the WWE for the XFL.

[Masterofreality]

So true about them. Beninati is the Gus Johnson of Hockey. He makes every goal sound meaningful and important to the game, even if its a 4-0 whitewashing.

Doc Emerick on Versus and NBC hockey is nails. He never misses a play or player.

[MD Muskie]

XBand, thank you. , too, wish ESPN would release Thorne. I have heard him do baseball, basketball, college hockey and Lacrosse. I really enjoyed him when he had Barry Melrose in the booth with him. Melrose is a nut, but he does know hockey both from the ex-coaching side and from his WHA and briefly NHL days. Right now, Versus is using Mike Keenan, and he is just not fun to listen to. Neither is the ex hockey player with him and Patrick.
One thing I hope they never do is bring Al Michaels back in the booth for the Stanley Cup finals the way ESPN did. BTW, anybody remember Andy Mac's hockey work with both the Stingers and the Cyclones. Damn he was fun to hear. Too bad it ruined his voice for XU games.
With the Dish I get Versus, the NHL, NBA, Big Ten, NFL, all the ESPN, Ohio and Cinti Fox, and the Golf channel as well as the TRA tracks and whatever offerings 5, 9 and 12 have.

:logo::shield::sword:

I have always been a fan of Thorne. His goal calls are always exciting and meaningful. He is one of the main reasons I watch the Frozen Four praying for overtime so I can hear that game-winning goal call.

As an Orioles fan I am very fortunate that he works for MASN and calls their games so I get to listen to him a lot. Though I do wish he would call more games for NBC now.

[waggy]

NBC Sports leaving NY for CT


NBC Sports Group says its moving its headquarters to Stamford, Connecticut after more than 60-plus years in New York City.

The sports network will retain some office space in its longtime home of Rockefeller Center for sales executives to make their rounds along Madison Avenue. And its top-rated NFL pregame show, "Football Night in America," will still be shot at 30 Rock, says spokesman Chris McCloskey.

But most of the sports division, including leadership such as chairman Mark Lazarus, will relocate to Stamford starting in 2013. All other NBC Sports studio shows, with the exception of "Football Night," are expected to be shot at new high-tech studios built from scratch in Stamford.

About 300 employees are expected to relocate from New York and Philadelphia to a new 32-acre campus built beginning in 2012 on the site of a former Clairol factory. NBC Sports hasn't decided yet how many employees will remain in the Big Apple, McCloskey says.

What became NBC's sports division started in the mid to late 1940's with the New York-based network broadcasting college football and World Series games.

The Peacock Network's planned campus will house office space for a variety of units, including: NBC Sports; NBC Olympics; NBC Sports Digital, VERSUS (to be renamed the NBC Sports Network on January 2); and the Comcast Sports Management Group, which oversees the NBC Sports Group's 14 regional networks.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2011/10/nbc-sports-leaving-new-york-for-connecticut-in-2012-versus-goiv/1

[GoMuskies]

I believe the plan is for this to be the Big East's flagship network. The conspiracy theorists believe that was the motivation for ESPN leading the charge on breaking up the Big East (recall BC's president stating that ESPN suggested to the ACC that they offer membership to Pitt and Syracuse).

[waggy]

I believe the plan is for this to be the Big East's flagship network. The conspiracy theorists believe that was the motivation for ESPN leading the charge on breaking up the Big East (recall BC's president stating that ESPN suggested to the ACC that they offer membership to Pitt and Syracuse).

Yup.

[Masterofreality]

I believe the plan is for this to be the Big East's flagship network. The conspiracy theorists believe that was the motivation for ESPN leading the charge on breaking up the Big East (recall BC's president stating that ESPN suggested to the ACC that they offer membership to Pitt and Syracuse).

It won't be the Little East's "flagship network" now.

[GoMuskies]

I think it still will be. It will just be a lot less valuable to them.