Universal Sports To Transition To Cable Only Channel [ Edited ]

[texasguy37 ACE - Champion]

By the end of the year, Universal Sports will transition from a broadcast subchannel to a cable only channel.  Here is an excerpt from the article found in the link below:

Looking to upgrade from multicast positioning to fee-based carriage by year's end, Universal Sports is launching an ad campaign aimed at raising awareness and getting consumers to call their TV providers.

The "I Want Universal Sports" consumer and trade campaign will begin this week, with promo spots featuring on-air talent on the network's air and website, as well as ads in local print and digital outlets in priority markets. Messaging will feature the above tagline and a toll-free number, 1-800-55-GET-US, aimed at connecting them to TV providers.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/473629-Universal_Sports_Launches_Ad_Campaign_To_Support_Move_To_...

You can request carriage of the channel using the folowing link:  http://uversechannels.att.com/

[CostaMesaCAGuy]

That sucks, there's no guarantee that U-verse will carry it.

[dwinth]

Should we "just say NO" to the Universal Sports Channel in case it would raise our subscription fees if U-Verse plans on adding it? Should we say "NOT ONE PENNY MORE"!!!! Otherwise we will threaten to go to other providers who have it for free or not at all.

Should we "just say YES" to the Universal Sports Channel, but threaten to go to other providers who will carry it for free or a small increase in our subscription fees if U-Verse does not plan on carrying it?

I am confused. Which way should I go on this matter? Will the Universal Sports Channel have local sports on the 8's. If not, why not?

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Owning a computer and not having the internet is like buying a refrigerator and not stocking it with food.

[TexasEd]

local sports on the 8's

I think we should take both approaches, thereby adding to the confusion and vitriol we should see shortly.

[That Don Guy]

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texasguy37 wrote:

By the end of the year, Universal Sports will transition from a broadcast subchannel to a cable only channel.

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Why do I have a feeling this translates to:

"NBC wants to use Universal Sports as one of its 'overflow' channels for its 2012 Olympics coverage, and we realize that certain cable (and satellite?) companies do not carry subcarrier channels that currently carry the station"

[gregzoll_1]

Blame that one on Comcast. The wife told me, that when they brought their corporate jet into her shop, the Crew chief told her that they were in the process of changing their name, due to too many people are upset with them. Did not elaborate if for the flight division, or the company as a whole. Of course, it does not surprise me if CC is going to pull a name change on all divisions.

[CTEL08]

IF THIS ENDS UP MAKING UNIVERSAL SPORTS AVAILABLE IN HD, THEN ID SAY ITS A TIE FROM THE VIEWING PUBLICS POV

ON THE HAND, IT ALWAYS STINKS LOOSING AN OTA OPTION

BUT ON THE OTHER, US WAS ONLY BROADCAST IN 480i WHERE I LIVE, B/C NBC STATIONS ARE 1080I, AND THERES NEVER ENOUGH REMAINING BANDWITH FOR USHD. TO MAKE THINGS WORSE, THE SOURCE WAS HD, AND THEY THEN DOWNCONVERTED IT TO 480i, LEAVING US WITH THE DREADED BLACK PIC FRAME. AND THATS JUST NOT UP TO DATE WITH ITS WHAT THE PQ THAT WE'RE USE TO TODAY

[texasguy37 ACE - Champion]

Here is a link to another article on the change. 

http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/2011/09/12/53898/universal-sports-dropping-multicast-outlets

[siouxmoux]

Since Most every US TV Provider Carries Universal HD. NBC Should Convert that channel space to Universal Sports HD.

[texasguy37 ACE - Champion]

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siouxmoux wrote:

Since Most every US TV Provider Carries Universal HD. NBC Should Convert that channel space to Universal Sports HD.

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What happens to Universal HD?

[dhascall ACE - Professor]

I think that NBC (first and then Comcast) has been planning this move for a while.  In fact, two years ago, Universal Sports was part of a question on a U-Verse survey about which channels we would like to see on the service.

[jbdet313]

Probably doing this to coincide with changing Versus branding to NBC SportsChannel in 2012. This was mentioned when NBC made a bid for MLS carriage contract.

Was wondering why Detroit independent WADL-38 was advertising change to their 38.2 Universal Sports subchannel, and going with Antenna TV as of October 1.

Comcast will probably use this as a negotiating ploy when it comes to paying for Versus distribution. They're trying to become another ESPN, and looking for the same huge chunk-o-change per subscriber revenue.