Getting a deal done between Versus and DirecTV needs to be brokered by NHL commissioner Garry Bettman. Just like when NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reached out to Comcast president Brian Roberts to get the NFL Network on the cable giant it is time for the NHL boss to bring both parties together and get a resolution.
Meanwhile talking to both sides there are two very different stories being told and last night I spoke to both sides.
Let’s start with a very highly placed source at Versus who spoke to me on the condition of anonymity but who is very close to the dealings with DirecTV.
“We have put forth a zero total dollar increase deal on the table to DirecTV. That means if subscriptions continue to grow, the amount of money DirecTV will pay Versus will not. There has been no attempt by us to “jack up our rates.” Our goal is to get a deal done with DirecTV in the best interest of all parties. Thus far we have not heard back from them on this proposed offer. I would also like to make it clear that we have never told them [DirecTV] to take Versus off their service. That was DirecTV’s choice not ours and they have not reached out to ask us to air any of our broadcasts while we continue to work on a deal. We are committed to making this deal happen.”
I then at about 6:30pm spoke to Robert Mercer, Director, Public Relations, DIRECTV, Inc. and he was consistent with what he had told earlier in the day.
“I am not familiar with any deal under the zero increase plan, we are still in active discussions with Versus but have not yet come to a deal. When this all started at the end of August, DIRECTV did offer to keep Versus up under the old deal while we continued to negotiate, but they declined. In fact, Versus sent us a letter stating that if we didn’t agree to the terms they had on the table at the time, that we had no choice but to take it down. Our hands were tied. Regardless, we’d like to get this settled for the sake of the fans.”
I have dealt with both Versus and DirecTV over the years and both have been honest and straightforward with me and most of the press.
DirecTV has had a history to in some cases overpaying for sports. They have done it with the NFL to get the Sunday Ticket, plus large investments in NASCAR, PGA and tennis.
Versus has been very aggressive in upgrading the three year old network. There telecasts of the NHL have been first class, they have made cycling and the Tour de France a yearly sports TV destination.
They have worked hard to upgrade their college sports and there is no doubt that Versus needs to have DirecTV as an outlet.
Does this have a DirecTV vs. Comcast element to it?
Perhaps… but right now let’s see NHL commissioner Bettman get the two sides together and make all hockey fans happy.
