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Network Name Change...

Versus has always been owned by Comcast, so there's no "new Comcast might"
 
PTBoardOp94 said:
Versus has always been owned by Comcast, so there's no "new Comcast might"
Click to expand...

Had it all backwards and sideways with the drawn out NBCUniversal acquisition, I should've known better. Dummy on me for typing that.

Still, my basic point remains--more basic cable coverage, and they've got to be more of a player in getting mainstream sports rights. I wonder if the money the company will spend on future Olympics rights could be better used to nabbing the next pro league rights set to expire.
 
They are saying, "vs., now part of the NBC Sports Network"

They are probably going to follow the successful transition model used when purchasing FNN and imaging to the CNBC family.

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!
 
Seems more likely to just confuse the viewers..."Which am I watching, Sports on my NBC channel, or the NBC Sports Channel?".
Might be that Comcast is starting a plan to end free sports programming on the NBC affiliates, moving them all to Pay TV.
 
kenglish said:
Seems more likely to just confuse the viewers..."Which am I watching, Sports on my NBC channel, or the NBC Sports Channel?".
Might be that Comcast is starting a plan to end free sports programming on the NBC affiliates, moving them all to Pay TV.
Click to expand...
That is undoubtedly where it is all going.

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!
 
When do all the Comcast SportsNet stations become NBC SportsNet? NBC-SN Philly? NBC-SN NE? etc., all with the peacock logo in the corner.
 
kenglish said:
Seems more likely to just confuse the viewers..."Which am I watching, Sports on my NBC channel, or the NBC Sports Channel?".
Might be that Comcast is starting a plan to end free sports programming on the NBC affiliates, moving them all to Pay TV.
Click to expand...

How about calling them the NBC Red Network and the NBC Blue Network? :D
 
Bill_W said:
When do all the Comcast SportsNet (channels) become NBC SportsNet?
Click to expand...

Not in their plans, though NBC's production values will filter down to them.

kenglish said:
Might be that Comcast is starting a plan to end free sports programming on the NBC affiliates, moving them all to Pay TV.
Click to expand...

Won't happen - at least for its two pro sports properties. NBC can't move to cable/DBS its NFL Sunday Night package or its share of the NHL (nor is there any really good reason to). IN my figuring, a more likely scenario sees some programming from NBC Universal Sports moving to NBCSN, but that's just idle speculation.
 
There's been chatter lately about the UFC moving cage fights off of Viacom's Spike TV to Vs. in 2012. That would be a pretty big deal and should be enough to get Vs. on most "basic cable" packages along side Spike, USA, TBS, ESPN, CNN, etc... If I'm not mistaken the UFC is the biggest PPV moneymaker out there which would give cable companies incentive to make whatever channel is carrying the "free" fights available to as many viewers as possible to help sell monthly $65 PPVs.

On the other hand, there's also been chatter that UFC and Universal/Comcast may team up and flip G4/TechTV to a fight sports channel heavy on UFC programming. This scenario would suddenly give NBC two sports channels in competition with ESPN and Fox Sports Net to program/promote.

Biting off more than they can chew?
 
FYI, this is the press release they made concerning the name change: http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/08/01/versus-to-be-re-branded-as-nbc-sports-network/99377/

In terms of what sports could be aired there, I think we should realize that a lot of rights aren't up for grabs until at least the 4th Qtr of 2012. The Big East is going into an exclusive negotiating period of 60 days with ESPN, starting in Sept. 1 of 2012. Assuming that doesn't lead to them re-signing, they become free agents when that period ends. NBC would have an available slot on Saturday nights, as well as space on their new sports network. Theoretically, Big East basketball could wind up with certain games on Universal Sports if they go with NBC. That would be an interesting development if it ever happens.

The real interesting stuff could become available in 2013. That year a lot of rights will be up, including MLB and NFL. If they can win the weekday baseball package that would be the real game-changer. All of a sudden, a huge hole is blown in ESPN's schedule for the spring and summer months, going into fall. This would increase the leverage of minor leagues such as WNBA and MLS, as they have product that can fill in on certain days.
 
Ken said:
Aren't the Comcast Sports Nets going to be rebranding as NBC Sports Net? When will that take place?
Click to expand...

I have found no information about rebranding the regional programming services, but if it were true, Comcast would be providing a national service and regional services with similar names (NBC Sports Network and NBC Sports Net). The national service could be shorten easily to NBC Sports Net.
 
Ken said:
Aren't the Comcast Sports Nets going to be rebranding as NBC Sports Net? When will that take place?
Click to expand...

I work for Comcast Sports Net New England, and I can assure you there's no plans to rebrand the RSNs at this time.
 
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