Universal Sports will be first sub-channel fatality if Comacst deal goes through

NYCLA* · 10-12-2009, 09:57 AM

"Comcast's Versus and Golf Channel already receive about $400 million in yearly subscription fees, according to industry estimates. In addition, Comcast could try to push paid distribution for NBC's fledgling Universal Sports channel."

WSJ - Comcast Seeks NBC Sports Muscle

So in other words, no more Universal Sports as a free OTA sub-channel. It would become a cable only channel requiring (obviously) a paid subscription to cable television to receive.

Yet another reason why Comcast and the cable TV industry is a piece of garbage in general, and why a Comcast/NBC deal will be very bad news for consumers.

EscapeVelocity · 10-12-2009, 10:33 AM

Comcast/NBC deal will be very bad news for consumers. -- NYCLA

I can see the problem. Thanks for illuminating it.

Don_M · 10-12-2009, 10:49 AM

That would be no great loss in this market: The NBC affiliate here crams a 1080i main broadcast plus two 480i broadcasts -- NBCUS and Weather Plus -- onto its DTV carrier. They have succeeded only in making the video on all three channels look like cr@p.

But then, that doesn't take anything away from your point, does it?

NYCLA* · 10-12-2009, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don_M

But then, that doesn't take anything away from your point, does it?

Indeed, it has nothing to do with my point at all.

BCF68 · 10-12-2009, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don_M

That would be no great loss in this market: The NBC affiliate here crams a 1080i main broadcast plus two 480i broadcasts -- NBCUS and Weather Plus -- onto its DTV carrier. They have succeeded only in making the video on all three channels look like cr@p.

But then, that doesn't take anything away from your point, does it?

Well if this deal goes through within 5 years NBC will become a cable network which means no more OTA for people that want to watch NBC. That is a good thing? Once that happens don't be surprised to see ABC follow close behind. So in 6-8 years we'll have what just CBS, FOX, CW in OTA if that?

bicker · 10-12-2009, 02:02 PM

Nah, CW will be gone... and Fox perhaps will have no more dramas on OTA than NBC or ABC. It'll basically be Moonves Network doing dramas OTA, and the rest making their money mostly via reality shows, sports, news programming, and a few weak dramas mixed in for good measure to justify their place on the dial for the rest of what they'll really make their money on.

And then all the good stuff will be secured behind for-cash distribution channels.

And we can thank commercial avoidance and the explosion of new leisure distractions for all this. And if I never have to watch a commercial again, it'll be worth the extra money I have to spend on cable.

NYCLA* · 10-12-2009, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bicker

Nah, CW will be gone... and Fox perhaps will have no more dramas on OTA than NBC or ABC. It'll basically be Moonves Network doing dramas OTA, and the rest making their money mostly via reality shows, sports, news programming, and a few weak dramas mixed in for good measure to justify their place on the dial for the rest of what they'll really make their money on.

And then all the good stuff will be secured behind for-cash distribution channels.

And we can thank commercial avoidance and the explosion of new leisure distractions for all this. And if I never have to watch a commercial again, it'll be worth the extra money I have to spend on cable.

You pay for cable and still get commercials. Cable company sucker.

TardisCaptain · 10-12-2009, 04:20 PM

I hope this deal dies because I refuse to pay for satellite or cable. I found that I was only watching 3-5 cable channels (and even then only a show or two on those channels). The cost was never worth it.

Orrymain · 10-13-2009, 12:31 AM

Like all things, doom is often predicted when it's far from the truth. I really don't know what will happen. I'm not sure I even get universal sports. I recall a channel playing old Olympics. Hmm -- let me see if I can find it. Be right back.

Well, nothing comes in for me anyway so it's hard to tell. I saw one thing labeled 'US' so maybe that was it. I have one new channel but like 2/3 of mine, they just don't come in.