NBC Sports and Vuelta coverage...

[The Gnome]

So it looks like there is no longer any pay per view packages to be offered by NBC...you can watch online but only if you already have a cable/sat subscription ..so they are showing it online, but only to those who already have a cable package with universal sports...they say they will no longer be offering ANY PPV cycling packages...including the tour de france I guess...

In my area, there is NOONE offering cable or satelite service with universal sports as an option...so obviously there is noway to get NBC's coverage now...could NBC/Universal get any more ridiculous?

Thank god for torrents and if NBC doesn't want my money I guess they can go stuff it...no wonder so many of these companies are in such bad shape given such decisions...

 

[rickshaw]

Vuelta coverage. A different story

Here's the deal. I have Direct TV and NBC Sports, but Universal is NOT part of the package,

Before the giro "the wife" called Direct, wanting to subscribe to Universal for a month, to get Giro coverage. We were told they had a special introductory deal, $7.95 a month for 3 months. So we got the Giro (and other stuff). Happy customers

Fast forward to the Vuelta. Wife calls Direct and asks to get Universal for one month. Direct says, "Sure, one month for $7.95, but we'd like you to have it for FREE, so how about this, you can have Universal for THREE months and we'll credit you $5 per month." Sorry bout the math but it works out to be free. We agreed to take it for free.

What is there not to love? Satellite coverage, on line if I want. Did I say FREE?

Best part for last. After the deal was done the nice Direct woman asked the wife why do you want Universal, baseball, football... what? When spouse said, "Bicycling." Direct lady basically said, "What's that!?"

So if you have direct, but NOT Universal give 'em a call. They're cycling stupid, but really nice...

 

[rickshaw]

In my area, there is NOONE offering cable or satelite service with universal sports as an option...so obviously there is noway to get NBC's coverage now...could NBC/Universal get any more ridiculous?

sorry to double up but..

Did you go to the Universal web site? There is a way to find out if anybody provides Universal

 

[richwagmn]

So it looks like there is no longer any pay per view packages to be offered by NBC...you can watch online but only if you already have a cable/sat subscription ..so they are showing it online, but only to those who already have a cable package with universal sports...they say they will no longer be offering ANY PPV cycling packages...including the tour de france I guess...

In my area, there is NOONE offering cable or satelite service with universal sports as an option...so obviously there is noway to get NBC's coverage now...could NBC/Universal get any more ridiculous?

Thank god for torrents and if NBC doesn't want my money I guess they can go stuff it...no wonder so many of these companies are in such bad shape given such decisions...

Just go to steephill.tv. I'm sure the race will be streamed there from Eurosport.

Oh yea, f*ck comcast for not including Universal Sports.

 

[The Gnome]

sorry to double up but..

Did you go to the Universal web site? There is a way to find out if anybody provides Universal

Rickshaw...sure I checked, no way in my area...to be honest, I don't even want a cable package so wouldn't sign up anyhow...but to buy the rights and then do it this way by NBC seems off to me...obviously, the idea is to get everyone who wants to see races MUST have some sorta cable package...all I know is I used to be able to pay NBC to watch online, now they won't take my money...can't watch live as I work so I guess it will have to be done thru cyclingtorrents.nl...

 

[rickshaw]

Rickshaw...sure I checked, no way in my area...to be honest, I don't even want a cable package so wouldn't sign up anyhow...but to buy the rights and then do it this way by NBC seems off to me...obviously, the idea is to get everyone who wants to see races MUST have some sorta cable package...all I know is I used to be able to pay NBC to watch online, now they won't take my money...can't watch live as I work so I guess it will have to be done thru cyclingtorrents.nl...

bad luck. I have to have cable or satellite for the guest rooms at my Inn, where I also live. The add on is a no brainer. I record everything on the DVR and then watch it after I'm done working in the restaurant at night. Not possible to watch real time.

best of luck

 

[nowhereman]

NBC/Universal Sports are the villains here. Nice if you want to subscribe to Direct TV. But the reason Universal is not being carried by other providers is because they got incredibly greedy, and their numbers didn't warrant them getting what they wanted. Do you think so many providers would tell them to take a hike if viewers were clamoring at the gates demanding their Universal? This latest decision to turn off the online event subscribing is the way NBC thinks they can turn up the heat on the providers even more. I'm a Verizon subscriber, I don't want Direct TV, and Universal is not going to force me to make that change so I can see Cycling. In fact, I'm waiting to see what they do with their World Cup ski racing online broadcasts. Somehow, I think they're going to screw us on those broadcasts too. As was mentioned by Richwagmn, just go to Steephill.tv or cyclingfans.com. It's how I've watched a lot of the years other cycling events. The only inconvenience is that you have to watch it real time. But if you want to be felt about this subject, know who the REAL villains are, and then make yourself be heard by them ("them" being Universal/NBC sports)

 

[rickshaw]

Knowing the corporate world, if the $$ was there for viewing on line, I think they would do it. Let's face it, cycling is a very minor sport (which we all love) with a small audience. Viewing on-line has to be a small subset of that. On line subscriptions may not cover the cost, or the margins may be so low they can't justify allocating the resources. The only villain I see is the capitalist system and everything being decided by quarterly profit margins. If you have an ice cream flavor few people buy, and it doesn't justify the shelf space, you pull it. I don't claim to understand the robber baron media giants (no offense to SKY or the Murdock gang)

 

[richwagmn]

Well then, f*ck you Universal sports. ;-)

I would have happily paid to watch the Vuelta. I guess they don't care if they make money on it because the average Dish subscriber hasn't heard of the Vuelta much less have any interest in watching it.

NBC/Universal Sports are the villains here. Nice if you want to subscribe to Direct TV. But the reason Universal is not being carried by other providers is because they got incredibly greedy, and their numbers didn't warrant them getting what they wanted. Do you think so many providers would tell them to take a hike if viewers were clamoring at the gates demanding their Universal? This latest decision to turn off the online event subscribing is the way NBC thinks they can turn up the heat on the providers even more. I'm a Verizon subscriber, I don't want Direct TV, and Universal is not going to force me to make that change so I can see Cycling. In fact, I'm waiting to see what they do with their World Cup ski racing online broadcasts. Somehow, I think they're going to screw us on those broadcasts too. As was mentioned by Richwagmn, just go to Steephill.tv or cyclingfans.com. It's how I've watched a lot of the years other cycling events. The only inconvenience is that you have to watch it real time. But if you want to be felt about this subject, know who the REAL villains are, and then make yourself be heard by them ("them" being Universal/NBC sports)

 

[DirtyWorks]

Most of the entertainment industry is still trying to hang onto the old model where they have total control over distribution. (note well, the money and power is in entertainment distribution, not production)

It's a mixed bag. Many including myself want to respect and reward a media distributor for their good decision to show cycling. However, their business model is mostly dead and they act like it isn't. They don't get my money and I wait for the recording to come online. They lose.

http://all-streaming-media.com/record-video-stream/all-streaming-video-recording-software.htm

 

[The Gnome]

Dirty...thanks for the link as I didn't know these recorders existed...might help...do you use one and can you recommend any as there seem to be so many? I just have a basic windows vista setup....Thanks...

 

[krebs303]

Dish is offering a free trail of Universal Sports from Wednesday, Aug 15th -
Tuesday, Aug 28th.
It seems to be bundled in their multi-sports package for $9usd along with access to NFL RedZone plus NFL Network, NBA TV, NHL Network, MLB Network, Big Ten Network, FOX Soccer, FUEL TV, Universal Sports Network and over 20 Regional Sports Networks. No penalty for cancelling after 30 days
I cant't find how to order the free preview online. It's my roomates account. I'll have him call later

 

[nowhereman]

Pardon my bitterness, but PUCK NBC/Universal! They teased viewers for a year or two now they are pulling all this BS. And by the look of it, they've got a lot of people who love cycling, running around like mice in a maze. Frantically trying to find their cheese. I won't take part in that nonsense. I'd rather ride my bike and catch the stages of the Vuelta on cyclingfans.com, or Steephill.tv, than worry about those skumbhags at NBC trying to play their deluded game with the providers and screwing viewers. I'm a fan of cycle racing. But I'm not about to start hop scotching around to get the broadcasts on the only televised show in town. Eurosport2 will do nicely, Thank You. My apologies

 

[The Gnome]

I agree that it is BS...I vowed never to pay these wolves at the satelite, cable companies about 7 years ago...I signed up for Direct to watch the tour...they were the only in our area who carried versus...so sign up, get hooked into a two year contract and then they dropped versus...dish took up versus...calling them I explained the sole reason why I had signed up with them ect...they told me to shove it pretty much and I had to pay out the contract...never again...great, so I can sign up for a two year contract to see a race universal used to show as ppv...I don't care what sorta "deals" they offer...either way, figure 50 bucks a month when they are done with all their fees and taxes over two years isn't something I am going to do...it's just tv and I refuse to get into their blood contracts...I would happily pay them to watch a race, just that...and to pressure folks into signing up for cable packages is just so much BS...

 

[nowhereman]

Dish is offering a free trail of Universal Sports from Wednesday, Aug 15th -
Tuesday, Aug 28th.
It seems to be bundled in their multi-sports package for $9usd along with access to NFL RedZone plus NFL Network, NBA TV, NHL Network, MLB Network, Big Ten Network, FOX Soccer, FUEL TV, Universal Sports Network and over 20 Regional Sports Networks. No penalty for cancelling after 30 days
I cant't find how to order the free preview online. It's my roomates account. I'll have him call later

BTW, Tennis Channel offered a free sampler earlier this year. They gave viewers the entire French Open for free. Start To Finish. This sampler you talk of is garbage it gets you part way through the Vuelta then ****! it's gone. It costs them nothing to open it up to everyone, they simply unblock the station, but Dish won't even do that. As long as people play part of the game with them, they will play the whole game, on the people. My advice- don't give them anything. Find it elsewhere, or read about it, or go for a ride yourself, or.... (Or in your case: help us out with some more BoB's pics)

 

[nowhereman]

Wow! didn't realize "****" was a bad word!!! What language is it a bad word in?? The word is: puff, with two oo's?????!!! Wassup wid Dat!!

 

[rickshaw]

Sorry I can't stay long

But its Saturday so I can catch the TTT, or some of it before work.... watch the rest tonight. No muss, no fuss, no extra cost.. I do wish it was in HD like the TdF, that was truly beautiful.

I sympathize with not getting what you want to watch, the way you want to watch it, at the price you want to pay. Like the man said,its only TV fergodsake. Everyone will survive, even if they don't watch a bunch of dopers killing themselves in Spain for a few weeks.

 

[DBM Endurance]

Here's the deal. I have Direct TV and NBC Sports, but Universal is NOT part of the package,

Before the giro "the wife" called Direct, wanting to subscribe to Universal for a month, to get Giro coverage. We were told they had a special introductory deal, $7.95 a month for 3 months. So we got the Giro (and other stuff). Happy customers

Fast forward to the Vuelta. Wife calls Direct and asks to get Universal for one month. Direct says, "Sure, one month for $7.95, but we'd like you to have it for FREE, so how about this, you can have Universal for THREE months and we'll credit you $5 per month." Sorry bout the math but it works out to be free. We agreed to take it for free.

What is there not to love? Satellite coverage, on line if I want. Did I say FREE?

Best part for last. After the deal was done the nice Direct woman asked the wife why do you want Universal, baseball, football... what? When spouse said, "Bicycling." Direct lady basically said, "What's that!?"

So if you have direct, but NOT Universal give 'em a call. They're cycling stupid, but really nice...

"whats that"...thats funny and frustrating

 

[DirtyWorks]

Dirty...thanks for the link as I didn't know these recorders existed...might help...do you use one and can you recommend any as there seem to be so many? I just have a basic windows vista setup....Thanks...

I got the family off Microsoft 10 years ago so I don't know what's what on Microsoft desktops. I realize most people just don't have the time/patience to relearn their desktop computer but I recommend switching to Linux for everyone. Personal media freedom is just one benefit. The rest of the family is on Apple's stuff which at this point is a far worse jail than my memories of Microsoft product.

As for the ire pointed at NBC/Universal and the cable outfits, I wish it were different because I want to spend money on it. I don't want it to be that way, but they insist.

 

[The Gnome]

Hey, it turned out fine...out of adversity comes ect...spent money destined for universal nbc for on online streaming service which breaks into three dozen sports channels and feeds it to me over the net and then onto the flatscreen...watched both the vuelta and vattenvalls this morning...works like a charm and now I even get all the rugby I want via included setanta break in channel as well... a whole year of this good stuff just from the money I wanted to give to Universal..Thanks for nudging me NBC!

 

[rickshaw]

That's Great!

Hey, it turned out fine...out of adversity comes ect...spent money destined for universal nbc for on online streaming service which breaks into three dozen sports channels and feeds it to me over the net and then onto the flatscreen...watched both the vuelta and vattenvalls this morning...works like a charm and now I even get all the rugby I want via included setanta break in channel as well... a whole year of this good stuff just from the money I wanted to give to Universal..Thanks for nudging me NBC!

See? You can get if you keep working at it.... Is that one of those things like "Jadu"?

I'd pay extra to not have Steve S and GoGo commentating on Universal. They know nothing, can't actually contribute to the race. Don't they have "race radio" at the Vuelta? Or maybe the SS GoGo doesn't know any Spanish, which would explain why one of them is always saying "The Vuelta Ah Ah-spania". Half a loaf is better than none...

 

[The Gnome]

Yeah, I guess it is similar to the thing you are talking about...via slanger and gogo...I guess I don't mind gogo too much, but Slanger...Slanger seems like the sorta guy some exec at universal thought they needed to be your average american dummy...the viewer who doesn't know much at all about cycling...universal, and actually all american market cycling commentary, low pitches constantly as if the viewer knows hardly anything about this "new" sport...I guess they imagine it's all Tri guys who watch ...I have been listening to them explain how cycling is a team sport and what drafting is since they were showing Lemond on abc's wide world of sports from 25 years ago...But Slanger is a new sorta low ball pitcher...the guy who plays the total dummy foil to the "expert"...except Steve isn't playing...

 

[Tom T.]

Does anyone have on-demand viewing online? I can't really watch it live so I need to find an on-demand replay at night after work.

 

[The Gnome]

Tom...join cyclingtorrents.nl...it's free...just a community of folks putting races up...takes a little while to download the torrent but someone always puts one up later in the day after race is over...good group of people there as well...

 

[Tom T.]

Tom...join cyclingtorrents.nl...it's free...just a community of folks putting races up...takes a little while to download the torrent but someone always puts one up later in the day after race is over...good group of people there as well...

Thanks, I'll give that a try.