Rest In Peace, Versus Network

When Comcast first approached me to advertise for them about the new channel Versus and talk about the new forms of programming, I was elated that soon I was showing just how viable I was as a blog source and respected among the mainstream media. I was glad to help them out hopefully during that time. It was a cleverly named channel, I'd thought.
Versus, the name, was the epitome of what sports was about. It was the antagonistic competition that drove the compelling narrative story - something that the audience can follow.

In the time that Versus was a sports network that dared take a chance on a lot of new programming, it grew itself into a familiar brand of sports broadcasting that featured my favorite sport of hockey. Versus was going to position itself as an alternative channel to the established networks of familiar names. They were banking on a proportional backlash that fans thought that the snobbish "Entertainment and Sports Promotion Network" looked down on. But it wasn't the only people who looked down upon the channel. Soon, some fans would turn negatively towards versus and suggest that it really wasn't legitimate because of the difficulty finding it on the channel locater or have it on at all.

It was the re-defined OLN network that Comcast used to air the outdoor sports like hunting, fishing, cycling, and motor sports. Sure, other channels did that, but not with the Comcast budget.

But as the popularity of hockey returned after the lockout, Versus grew an audience of hardcore hockey fans. They got familiarized with Keith Jones, Brian Engblom, and of course the ever-present Bill Clement. It was slowly but surely delivering the kind of content that the fans expected. When the Comcast company finally moved it to a respectable slot on the cable dial, the "stain" of a second-rate sports network was already upon it.

And don't forget the short lived gimmick PR campaign that had some unintended backfire. "Show us your V" campaign was laughed at all over the internet.

So, it had to go. Once the NBC-Universal merger came through, it was only natural to rename the Versus channel to the more familiar multi-spectral peacock of NBC Sports branding and compete with CBS, ABC/ESPN, and FOX. Today, marks the first day of that new format, so..

RIP

VERSUS

(2006-2012)

Neal's Damatic Goal Becomes Instant Promo

If you're not loving hockey, then you haven't seen this year's playoffs. The stakes are higher and the civic pride is at an all time high. I was woried about my hometown team going into these playoffs missing both elite players while mixing and matching lines while others are targeted for suspension.

Enter: James Neal.Yea, it's his first goal as a Pittsburgh Penguin since the trade deadline that brought him over.

It's moments like this that make the writers and bloggers glad that the drama is ramped up for this time of year. It's what sells. It's what gets people watching and it gets us all talking about it.

This video content was courtesy of my friends and contacts over at NBC/Versus.

You can read more local coverage at the Pittsburgh Tribune Review

Versus and DirecTV Work Out Their Differences

Just in time for some critical hockey games, the NHL is wiping their collective brow as it was announced that Versus (Comcast's all-sports network) and satellite provider DirecTV have mended their fences. I don't know why all of the cable and satellite providers insist on coupling and packaging their services and make their customers pay extra.

And it is not like DirecTV had any sympathetic leverage with the hockey fans. The NHL has only one National television network that they put all of their eggs into. Sure, NBC shows games, but not to the extent that Vs. did. So, the hockey fans who have DirecTV couldn't go anywhere else to see nationally televised games.

It wasn't just NHL hockey that was getting most of the suffering, but other niche sports like professional bull riding (PBR) and cycling. Now, fans can get the important spring events - like the playoffs!

[Via: USA Today]

Tavares and No Man is an Island-er

When it became apparent that the consensus number 1 overall pick, John Tavares was going to be a New York Islander, the overall mood of the fans this day were lowered. There was no last minute trade offer from the Maple Leafs to move up. I was disappointed for my Leaf Nation fans and friends.

The coverage of Versus was almost nothing because they just decided to simulcast the TSN broadcast. I thought the coverage was very good and I think they just may be avant garde for the rest of the professional leagues to take notice. I really liked the spot segments where Brian Burke was wearing a microphone and picked up conversations with other GMs. Fans watching at home got to see what a bad ass personality he projects while he is working. Will the 4-letter network follow up with this idea and put microphones on coaches in the NFL and NBA next year?

The NHL draft stage was nice set. They had lots of room for each NHL team Entourage that walk up along together. Compared to the other league's entry drafts, the NHL does it right with nothing too extravagant or minimalist. Since the draft was in Montreal

My Penguins picked last, being the Stanley Cup champs, and that got more tense than watching some of the other familiar junior hockey names getting drafted. "Just what does Ray Shero do here?", I thought. He didn't make my dreams come true by drafting me, but chose a kid defenseman from St. Johns Sea Dogs, Simon Després. He's not a goal scorer, but he can work on it one more year in the Q.

Hockey Fanatic Podcast No. 5 - Live Edition

I decided as a new addition to the All-Star festivities should include a little live audio blogging stunt as I watch the NHL Skills competition live from the Confessions of a Hockey Fanatic Studios.

I tried to save a few soundbytes from the audio, but it didn't quite work out the way I planned it to. I watched the shootout competition and commented as it was happening. So, if you taped the Versus Network version, then go ahead and play this overtop for a second alternative audio. Tomorrow I will be watching the All-Star game from my "Cheers" in Rivertowne Pub & Grille. Stay tuned as I will be talking about that sometime soon.


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Penguins Vs Capitals Rivalry Faces Revamped Hype

It's going to have a different take this time around as Versus initially hoped they would have a classic match-up of two of the best young NHL superstars in the game. With Crosby hurt, the fledgling new Versus should be scrambling to give viewers a new reason to watch tonight's game.

Leave that job up to one of the best blogs about the D.C. area in Japer's Rink. Last time the Penguins and Capitals met, writers from that blog searched out bloggers' opinions on who they thought would win. This new edition (the link found at bottom) is a sure-fire winner for it's entertainment value. I was contacted and subsequently gave a reply in hopes that the battle blog-esque post grows into a new blogger phenomenon.

Ovechkin is carrying the Capitals, and this match-up will be the first time Pittsburgh has seen him since he signed that ridiculously long contract It would be silly to watch if the Penguins faithful waved fake money at him from their seats in Mellon Arena. Malkin will likely continue his path to breaking out of the Crosby shadow and give the fans something else to ponder about his young team. Is this Malkin's coming out party on national TV? Stay tuned.

Check out what NHL.com has to say about the preview to the game story at their official website.

[Via: Japer's Rink]

Breaking News: Crosby Interview Preview

The Versus network has been working hard on making their partnership with the NHL a success. So far, they have been able to bring a lot of the personalities to the forefront. I believe this game needs the players to be household names. They deserve to be known like other sports heroes have.

Tomorrow, Versus will be airing a sit down conversation with Sidney Crosby then show the Penguins and Rangers live immediately following the game. Because I am an influential member of the new media, I have been given the charge to present a minute preview of the Versus interview with Sidney Crosby. Please click on the screen and enjoy!I am looking forward to seeing the rest of the interview. I hope that this generates some more interest into the human side to Crosby. I know in certain segments he gets a bad wrap, but let Crosby get a chance to have his say and prove worthy. I plan on watching and learning from the comfort of my favorite local Pub.

If you still do not have the Versus network on your cable or satellite provider, please continue to contact them and demand this great channel. If you can't get it by tomorrow, then get out to a bar or restaurant that may have it. They cover a lot of other rugged action sports as well as hockey so, Versus is quickly becoming a great alternative to the megalomaniac four letter network. Click here to find Versus in your area.

As always, leave your comments at the bottom. I am sure the Vs. network would love to hear from you.