New NBC sports network for 2012?

[Carols]

I understand and share your angst!!!

Today versus became NBC Sorts Network and the content is very like versus, and I still have it.

But Universal Sports is gone, gone, gone

 

[avanti]

.......................
But Universal Sports is gone, gone, gone

I just ordered the Tennis Channel from Comcast (for my wife). I took the opportunity to complain ablout losing Universal Sports. The person the talked to told me Comcast received lots of complaints (I live in a bike and ski area) but Comcast is currently negotiating with US.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

BTW, ADMINISTRATORS What is this commercial thing that is appearing in this thread????

Being discussed here in the about forum. I think it even took the staff (as in paid staff, not lackeys like me) by surprise.

Today versus became NBC Sorts Network and the content is very like versus, and I still have it. But Universal Sports is gone, gone, gone

About a year ago I wrote about the original Universal Sports, before NBC bought them, and how they were originally called WCSN. It was an awesome concept, as they covered sports you wouldn't see on ESPN, or Versus, and often streamed sports to their site. Not super high bandwidth, but it was stuff you couldn't see anywhere else. Often the stream, or broadcast, was just taken from the live feed, with no announcer. Sports like nordic biathlon, Lacrosse, or Australian football. I saw Cobo win the 2006 País Vasco that way.

When NBC bought them up, it gave them capital to grow, and with that we got announcers, more events, on air in more markets. We got the Giro and Vuelta, instead of the Lancaster Classic (though that's cool too). Things were still good.

Now, I don't know what they're going to do, to be honest. But I would like to think there's a potential void to be filled where WCSN once was. Streaming in HD happens on the web for anyone with a fast connection. So it stands to reason that someone could step in and pick up where Universal once was, especially if NBC/Versus isn't going to cover some of the events, period. But if NBC owns these rights, it makes sense for them to find an audience, even if we have to watch the Giro on the web, lest they're paying for nothing.

 

[mewmewmew13]

First Comcast takes away Universal which is one of mainly two channels I cared about.
Now I find out that my TCM classic movie channel is gone tonight.

Does anyone in the U.S have Universal S anymore??

 

[**Uru**]

As I understand it, Comcast owned Versus then bought a controlling stake in NBC. They wanted to convert Versus into an ESPN style sports channel and gain the cache of NBC by rebranding. What I do not understand is why Comcast would stop making Universal Sports available. I was one of those people who figured the US warnings of being dropped did not apply to me because I subscribe through Comcast. When I turned Universal Sports on January 1 only to see I Love Lucy, I became very worried about how I would see races like MSR, TA, Giro, Vuelta, and Worlds.

Sadly, I doubt Comcast gives a yank. Their goal is most likely to create a network where they can gain as much ad revenue from Bud Light commercials as is possible.

 

[AntonioRossi]

Time to buy universal sports packages online for like $35...

 

[Tyre Byter]

Time to buy universal sports packages online for like $35...

Just bought the alpine ski pkg and it was $60. Last year I think it was $30.
I'm wondering if they'll try charging $60 per grand tour and another fee
for TA, PV, MSR, Worlds, GL? Seems like it's all about the big bucks now.

 

[rzombie1988]

I have Comcast and therefore now have NBCsports. Should I expect to see the Giro/Vuelta now and the other extra races along with the Tour and the usual Versus cycling shows?

 

[lagartija]

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/42453562/ns/sports-cycling/

apparently this is the nbc sport schedule, well this was on there other sport link.
found it interesting that the opening page was all related to the nfl and baseball not a single mention of bullriding , fishing etc.

 

[AntonioRossi]

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/42453562/ns/sports-cycling/

apparently this is the nbc sport schedule, well this was on there other sport link.
found it interesting that the opening page was all related to the nfl and baseball not a single mention of bullriding , fishing etc.

That's their 2011 schedule, but I really hope more races will be shown in 2012

 

[Carols]

Well it is now official Comcast will NOT be carrying Universal Sports Guess I either have to switch to DirectTV or download cycling races. I cannot watch streaming video while they are live; I used to record to dvd and watch when I got home.

At least now I can investigate my options...

 

[pig pen]

I am weeping!!! No US anymore via the antenna. We are bereft.

Virtually the only channel we watch, ripped out from under us.

I never thought I'd get so upset about a tv channel, but here I am.

The US networks see cycling as a fringe sport. When LeMond and Armstrong were winning the Tour, and when LeMond was compitetive in Paris Roubaix there was some TV coverage, but nothing compared to European standards.
Unless the US finds a charismatic winner like Horner or Hincapie, Hamilton, or Landis, expect the networks to pull the plug on cycling. (Even though Hamilton and Landis were banned they were quite popular in the states.)
If Schleck, Busche, Horner, Leipheimer, Voight, or Hincapie are able to do something big, the networks might(?) cover cycling again.You need American, or German riders who preform and are somewhat charming to win big to generate interest in the USA. Armstrong mentioned Talansky, Crawford, and he picked up King and Busche. USA is about a marketed sporting package.

 

[Granville57]

Unless the US finds a charismatic winner like...Hincapie...

[10 char...]

 

[Swede1]

The 2012 schedule is up. It appears to be about the same as last year.

 

[shadowblue]

Adblock is your friend. Try it.

adblock doesn't really work on this new type of inbed ads. sometimes it hides it, most the time it doesn't.

 

[Granville57]

NBC 2012 schedule pretty much the same as last year with, of course, the same brain trust at the helm. No Giro.
I still don't get the interplay between NBC/Universal and Comcast. But I'm not all that smart. I also just tried the Universal website to see what was available for paid subscription but that is the one site online that routinely gives my computer fits—so I guess I'll have to wait to figure it out.

Trying to sort this mess. Here are some relevant tweets from Todd Gogulski:

Todd Gogulski Dec 13
looks like 'cross World's will be first show for me on Universal Sports in 2012. Race is Jan 28 & 29, show airs later in wk
https://twitter.com/#!/BiciGoGo/status/146557684706062337

joel felicio
New front desk here at the office. twitpic.com/82r81e (That would be the NBC Sports desk, btw)
https://twitter.com/#!/joelfelicio/status/154290026182750208

Todd Gogulski Jan 3
@joelfelicio guess that makes it official! Looking forward to working with you later this year.
https://twitter.com/#!/BiciGoGo/status/154291333782179840

Todd Gogulski Jan 3
I look forward to covering Pais Vasco y la Vuelta. Just home from Barcelona-amazing
https://twitter.com/#!/BiciGoGo/status/154293243813691392

Todd Gogulski Jan 4
as far as I know, you have to have DirecTV, there is no more simulcast. Bug your provider!!
https://twitter.com/#!/BiciGoGo/status/154774934420328448

Todd Gogulski Jan 5
Can't wait to cover @girodiitalia - it will be on us in no time!
https://twitter.com/#!/BiciGoGo/status/155008309747908608

 

[avanti]

Well it is now official Comcast will NOT be carrying Universal Sports Guess I either have to switch to DirectTV or download cycling races. I cannot watch streaming video while they are live; I used to record to dvd and watch when I got home.

At least now I can investigate my options...

Could you please privide a link or source for your info.
Apparently Comcast in my area is still negotiating (lots of winter sports and cycling enthusiasts in my area).

I try to follow this in the business and entertainment news but keep coming up blank.

 

[Granville57]

Could you please privide a link or source for your info.

I just checked on http://www.universalsports.com/
A search for providers comes up with this message.

Sorry, Universal Sports is unavailable through Comcast.

Your voice counts. Call 1-800-55-GET-US and tell Comcast you want Universal Sports and access to year-round coverage of your favorite Olympic & adventure sports and athletes.

 

[Carols]

Could you please privide a link or source for your info.
Apparently Comcast in my area is still negotiating (lots of winter sports and cycling enthusiasts in my area).

I try to follow this in the business and entertainment news but keep coming up blank.

My source was a phone call with Comcast...I've been calling them once a week for the last month. Previously it was always 'in negotiations'. This time it was 'negotiations have fallen through and we will not be carrying US.'

 

[Shooter]

Is it just me, or does it seem that the NBC schedule will have less live events and a lot more tape delayed events this year?

 

[Granville57]

Is it just me, or does it seem that the NBC schedule will have less live events and a lot more tape delayed events this year?

Nah, looks about the same to me. Typically they only cover the TdF live. Admittedly though, the difference in times zones for Euro races makes it difficult to capitalize much on primetime viewers unless they delay the broadcast. Not to mention, they need time to organize the usual 4:1 ratio of ads to race coverage.

But it does beg the question as to why Sherwen retweeted this a couple of weeks ago. I took it to imply that they actually were going to cover P-R live.

kyleschneider
@PaulSherwen No better way to watch @ghincapie win Paris-Roubaix then to have @NBCSNCycling broadcast it live. Can't wait for the classics !
https://twitter.com/#!/kyleschneider/status/155092445107978240

 

[mewmewmew13]

We dropped Comcast two days ago.
They asked 'why' and we told them they canned our two fave channels...Universal and TCM...then the customer service agent cheerfully said 'Oh, if you pay us an additional $20 you can have them back!"

no thanks...

we're assessing the options via internet etc...
may look at DirecTv or whatever.. it's still cheaper than the ripoff Comcast.

 

[Old School]

get satellite

You guys need to switch to DirecTV. The sports packages are unparalleled.

We DID suffer with losing Versus last year...they got that contract fixed...they brought in Universal...SWEET! First time i had ever been lucky enough to see the Vuelta and the Giro, and the World Championships.

 

[mewmewmew13]

An example of what to expect from NBC....regarding delayed broadcasts.
Today the Olympic Trials Marathon from Houston....they refused to show live internet or tv coverage... the races were in the morning in Houston and did not show until 3pm EDT when they were broadcast for the two hour coverage window.

Since when is it so difficult to show live sports when it is something of this importance!??

 

[AntonioRossi]

nbc sports/ versus already showing half hour recap of the TDU stage.
Seems like they will repeat it tomorrow afternoon as well.