KK Members' Blog
Next entry: Kansas City Didn’t Fail The Islanders
Previous entry: Rock Solid Renegades Win Youth World Championships (Under 12 Division)
Drawing a Line in the Sand
by Hippy Dave on 09/04/09 at 04:12 PM ET | View all posts by Hippy Dave
Comments (14)
Hello fellow readers,
Like many of you, I am a DirecTV customer. I have been for years. Most of you are probably aware of DirecTV’s recent removal of Versus from their programming lineup due to a contract dispute.
While I hate to do so, it has become apparent to me that I now have to hold off on my auto-renewal of NHL Center Ice and plan on changing services to another provider such as Comcast (which owns Versus, btw). I’m not happy about it and I’d rather not do it. So, what I propose here is a good old-fasioned letter-writing campaign.
You can contact DirecTV through their email form here.
After navigating to the page, enter your account information and select Programming/Sports as your topic and Customer Service/Complaints as your category.
I have provided a form letter below that you can use to encourage DirecTV to have a change of heart. Hopefully if enough of us write, we won’t have to take any further action.
Dear Sir or Madam:
I have been a loyal DirecTV customer for years, and had been planning on being one for many years to come. However your recent decision to remove the sports network Versus from your service will soon force me to switch to another provider so I may continue to receive their NHL programming. I strongly encourage you to reconsider your position regarding renewing Versus’ contract and hope that you begin to understand just how many customers you are about to lose by not doing so. I hope to remain a customer going forward but will cancel my service at the beginning of the NHL season if this situation is not rectified.
Sincerely,
-
Filed in: | KK Members Blog | Permalink
Tags: versus+directv+contract+dispute+letter+writing+campaign,
Comments
Great work Dave. It is a shame that you may be forced to the gray/grey or black markets to get your fix. Bootleg satellite and bootleg websites will thrive.
Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 09/05/09 at 07:03 PM ET
Go underground my man. Center Ice is overpriced.
Posted by monkey from here to Timbuktu on 09/06/09 at 05:36 AM ET
monkey,
Underground is a great backup, but its not as good as it could be, simply because my computer monitor is 14’’ while my TV is 47’‘.
Posted by moore00 from Columbus, OH/Grand Rapids, MI on 09/07/09 at 07:26 PM ET
Hippy Dave:
I’m in the same boat as you except I have no choice except to stick with Directv becasue I’ve only had them for one year (I fought with Comcast over the NHL Network which they didn’t carry and switched and now they carry it…). If I switch now, Directv will charge me $499 and I can’t afford that. This whole thing makes me ill.
I will send off an email.
Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 09/08/09 at 11:53 AM ET
Keep up the good work, folks.
I did get a response from DirecTV:
Response (Ivan C. - 100284328) - 09/04/2009 03:36 PM
Dear Mr. Cole,Thanks for writing. I see that you have been a loyal DIRECTV customer for many years. I just like to let you know that we appreciate your business.
I completely understand you concern with regard to your programming.
We will communicate with you and do what we can to ensure your continued satisfaction and loyalty until the matter is resolved.
We will continue to negotiate with Comcast to resolve this matter. In the meantime, you’ll still be able to watch plenty of similar sports programming on other channels we carry. •College football - available on Big Ten Network, CBS College Sports, ESPN, ESPNU, ESPN GamePlan, The Mtn., local channels and your RSN. •NHL - available on NHL Network, NHL Center Ice, and your RSN. •Mixed Martial Arts - available on HDNet, Spike TV, and UFC on DIRECTV Pay-Per-View. •Auto Racing - IRL on ABC, Formula 1 on Fox and Speed •Bull riding - available on ESPN2 and the Houston Rodeo on DIRECTV Pay-Per-View. •Hunting and fishing - available on ESPN2, The Sportsman Channel, The Outdoor Channel, and Pursuit TV
For more information, please visit directv.com/versus.
Thanks again for writing us and letting us respond to your concern.
Sincerely,
Ivan C.. - 100284328
DIRECTV Customer ServiceP. S. Football season is almost here! Catch up to 14 games every week this fall with NFL SUNDAY TICKET, now available at directv.com/nfl.
Posted by Hippy Dave from Portland by way of Detroit on 09/08/09 at 03:35 PM ET
Dont go anywhere yet. From what I have read its more Comcast’s fault for the dispute and they need the Direct TV audience more than Direct TV needs them. In addition I dont think the NHL will let such a huge portion of thier viewers go without coverage during the playoffs. The playoffs is what we are really talking about here and they are a long ways away.. Im staying positive and believing it will be resolved before then. Worst case the NHL will step in and do something, I hope. Then again it is Gary Ass we are relying on at that point.
Posted by Surfer Ken from San Clemente on 09/08/09 at 06:27 PM ET
In a slightly tangental yet related event today, Comcast won an appeal in court that allows a cable company to control more than 30% of the cable market today, paving the way for what some think will be a merger with Time Warner Cable:
http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/10/imagining-a-big-cable-hook-up/
Time Warner is mum on the potential deal, which means talks must be going on. This would significantly change the bargaining position for Comcast with DirecTV, as Time Warner cable has a managing interest in or direct ownership of several other networks such as HBO, Cinemax, TBS, TNT, Cartoon Network, Comedy Central, and CNN.
With that extra leverage, DirecTV may not be able to stonewall the adoption of Versus, or, conversely, Versus could theoretically be bundled into some sort of subscription package that is sold to DirecTV. While this is all conjecture, it does point to a potential light at the end of the tunnel.
Posted by Hippy Dave from Portland by way of Detroit on 09/10/09 at 12:49 PM ET
... Just dropped the automatic renewal of Center Ice.
I’ll enjoy my few preseason games and the free week of Center Ice and then hello Comcast!
Posted by Hippy Dave from Portland by way of Detroit on 09/13/09 at 02:09 PM ET
Yar. I’ve been doing my homework. Comcast’s HD signal sucks.
Screwed is me.
Can actual Comcast users attest to their quality?
Posted by Hippy Dave from Portland by way of Detroit on 09/16/09 at 12:35 AM ET
Posted by Hippy Dave from Portland by way of Detroit on 09/18/09 at 12:52 AM ET
Well I managed to get free NHL Center ice from DirecTV’s customer retention department. Based on my experience calling in now vs. when I first called in, the customer reps seem much more briefed on the situation and have been receiving a lot of calls regarding the situation. It’s good to know at least they’re trying.
Now I’m really in a pickle; keep DirecTV and free center ice or go with a lesser-quality product to catch a few games?
I suppose that decision will get easier when the playoffs come.
Argh.
Posted by Hippy Dave from Portland by way of Detroit on 10/07/09 at 04:48 PM ET
Dave,
I also got Center Ice for free from DTV. I was happy with that too. Lets see how the whole thing plays out. Just so you know I am on DTV’s side on this one.
Posted by Surfer Ken from San Clemente on 10/07/09 at 04:56 PM ET
Add a Comment
Please limit embedded image or media size to 575 pixels wide.
Add your own avatar by joining Kukla's Korner, or logging in and uploading one in your member control panel.
Captchas bug you? Join KK or log in and you won't have to bother.
Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.
Most Recent Blog Posts
Can we please have a moratorium on any Tim Thomas posts?
Roloson for Khabibulin—Thoughts?
Dustin Penner: He’s Not THAT Good
Parched? The Watered-Down NHL Will Quench Almost Any Thirst
Having “A Hockey Discussion” with The Puck Stops Here
James Neal: The New Brian Savage?
About The KK Member Blog
If you want to be a hockey writer, be our special guest!
We’re giving the KK community a chance to add their two-bits. Sign up to be a KK member, write your piece, and be heard right here on one of the Internet’s most visited hockey news websites.
How to Post
More details here. But basically, just use the posting page to write anything you like on what’s going on in the hockey news or your analysis of the NHL and your favorite team.
We only ask that you avoid profanity, and that you’re careful to credit your sources—news media or other bloggers—and provide links to those other sites when appropriate.
Need help? Check out our help page.
When learning from experts it’s best to learn personally from them, or from their blog. We can provide that with poker lessons blog, your home to learn poker personally.
Do you get shocked from the luck in the game of poker? Stop getting shocked and start being a Poker Shoker
You never think it will happen to you. Im all over it Dave.
Posted by Surfer Ken from San Clemente on 09/05/09 at 12:48 PM ET