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Direct TV Drops Versus Network
posted by Jesse Denis
Unfortunately for MMA fans with a subscription to Direct TV, the largest satellite provider in the US, the Versus network which carries the WEC promotion is no longer a part of their programming.
Last night at midnight the agreement deadline between Versus owners, Comcast, and Direct TV came and brought with it a blackout. Direct TV has since posted this statement on their website saying:
"They (Comcast) regularly try to charge us amounts well in excess of what is fair and reasonable to carry the programming they own," the message stated. "Their reason is obvious: They want to stifle competition from DirecTV. Comcast's unfair terms undermines DirecTV's ability to offer our customers the best possible value. If we simply accept these terms, we would have to absorb the unreasonable costs Comcast wants to charge us, and in turn we will be forced to increase the rates our customers pay. We do not want this to happen. In fact, Comcast has forced us to remove Versus because we would not accept the terms they demanded."
The potential drop from the provider was reported early last week, and eventually, coupled with an injury to Ben Henderson, forced the company to re-schedule it’s Sept. 3 event to Oct. 10.
While Versus carries several types of programming, the WEC (sister promotion to the UFC) has consistently been its number-one draw since it was picked up in June 2007. The inability to come to an agreement with Direct TV serves to fuel rumors of WEC/UFC merger, which have run rampant of late.
Posted at 09-01-2009
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