UniSports announces GP Series Coverage

[HisWeirness]

I would almost "bet the farm" that 2011 Euros and 4Cs will be aired on UniSports.

On February 5-7, 2010, Universal Sports TV aired 4 hours of coverage from Euros and 3.5 hours from 4CCs. Euros took place Jan. 19-24 and 4CCs took place Jan 27-30. So, there was a 2 week delay for Euros and 1 week delay before 4CCs was shown on TV.

I think universalsports.com posted some archived footage of these comps as well, but well after they were completed.

There was no live or same-day/same weekend coverage of these events on either Universal Sports TV or online.

I hope that Universal Sports decides again to have TV coverage of these events and also arranges for some live online streaming as well.

[Frau Muller]

On February 5-7, 2010, Universal Sports TV aired 4 hours of coverage from Euros and 3.5 hours from 4CCs. Euros took place Jan. 19-24 and 4CCs took place Jan 27-30. So, there was a 2 week delay for Euros and 1 week delay before 4CCs was shown on TV.

I think universalsports.com posted some archived footage of these comps as well, but well after they were completed.

There was no live or same-day/same weekend coverage of these events on either Universal Sports TV or online.

I hope that Universal Sports decides again to have TV coverage of these events and also arranges for some live online streaming as well.

Right and thanks for the details. Honestly, I don't mind that UnivSports airs Euros and 4Cs a week or two later. The important thing is that it airs it and we in the US can get the main performances into our DVD collections without having to pay someone in Europe or Japan to make us copies, then wait for the overseas mail.

[Reuven]

Well, I’ve paid the $14.95 to Uni, so we’ll see what happens. I will say that Unisports.com had muucchh better picture quality than IN last year. I have a 24 inch monitor, so it looked like broadcast TV. Which is good since my cable doesn’t have Universal Sports TV, nor does my local NBC affiliate.

[inthemiddle]

I just paid my US subscription for GP. I had IN for past few years and had some issues with quality and sound. I'll hope it's going to be better with US.

[HisWeirness]

Since we've been discussing both IceNetwork.com and Universal Sports.com 2010 GP streaming in this thread, I thought I'd post that icenetwork has now posted their subscription information on their website for the 2010-11 Season.

http://web.icenetwork.com/subscribe/ Cost $39.95. "Improved video quality with streaming rates up to 1Mbps." The email I got from them also said "enhanced video player and improved functionality."

Blackout restrictions are posted here: http://web.icenetwork.com/help/blackout.jsp The ISU events are blacked out.

I don't know if they had it last season, but now they have a long list of terms of service.

ETA: My viewing experience

I just tried watching some icenetwork Regionals footage (on demand) and the image quality looks good. It's playing a bit choppy on my computer (G4 Mac), but my computer is old and I have lots of other programs running right now. In Safari the right sidebar features (now playing, feature content, etc.) did not show up as the video was playing.

I then tried viewing with a newer computer (Intel Mac) and Firefox. The video had no jumps (nice and smooth) and Firefox displayed the right sidebar correctly. So, I'd suggest watching using Firefox instead of Safari, if that is your choice.

It's filmed in HD format (widescreen, 16:9), not 4:3.
Looks like they are using a Flash-based player instead of Windows Media.

[TanithandBenFan]

ETA: My viewing experience

I just tried watching some icenetwork Regionals footage (on demand) and the image quality looks good. It's playing a bit choppy on my computer (G4 Mac), but my computer is old and I have lots of other programs running right now. In Safari the right sidebar features (now playing, feature content, etc.) did not show up as the video was playing.

I then tried viewing with a newer computer (Intel Mac) and Firefox. The video had no jumps (nice and smooth) and Firefox displayed the right sidebar correctly. So, I'd suggest watching using Firefox instead of Safari, if that is your choice.

It's filmed in HD format (widescreen, 16:9), not 4:3.
Looks like they are using a Flash-based player instead of Windows Media.

I have Internet Explorer (it's a work computer so I can't install Firefox), and I see all the sidebar features and have great video quality, but how do I make the video full screen? I don't see a "full screen" button and double-clicking on the vid doesn't do anything. Don't see anything in the Flash Player settings either. Help!

[Jenna]

The video quality is excellent! I just wish I could figure out how to make it full screen.

[Visaliakid]

I sent a message to one of the senior IN producers earlier today about the apparent lack of functionality with the new player... i.e. no full screen capability, or a pop-out viewer that can be sized (smaller or larger). I got a reply that the people who were involved with the new player, are on the road this week and that they would get back to me as soon as they could be contacted to provide an answer.

[AJ Skatefan]

Yes, I wish I could watch it full screen. The video quality is much improved though. I hope you get an answer soon, Visaliakid.

[RD]

Yes, no kidding- just checked it out and FINALLY they went 16:9. It would be nice to blow it up but the quality wasn't really that great before anyway.

[skatesindreams]

When I went to the page to sign up, I got this:
http://www.universalsports.com/premi...d-83bb8223cbd1

Refreshing my browser, as suggested, does no good,
Help, please!

[HisWeirness]

If you just see a large black rectangle it is because you do not have the latest version of Microsoft Silverlight installed on your computer.

http://www.silverlight.net/

[skatesindreams]

Thanks, I'm installing it now.
Why they couldn't make that clear, I don't know.

[inthemiddle]

Thank you HisWeirness. Your online Schedule is awesome . I just need to change the time to Pacific and I am ready for the competition to start.

[Octoberopals]

Comcast [in Houston, TX] DOES NOT LIST Universal Sports anywhere in writing--their magazine of 'all' channel servicies. I "accidently" found it last year...Channel 319. It appears to be the same this year. We have the Full Package [all the football in the world for hubby] & maybe that's why we get it; I don't know. Last year the ice skating coverage was wonderful. For me it's a lot better watching on TV than on the computer.

If you have Comcast, just start scrolling through the grid until Universal Sports pops up; it may be on a different channel in your area, though.

[RD]

Yes, Universal is on Comcast in Houston; however in the Baltimore area they still don't offer it. Unless things have changed in the past month or so.

[HisWeirness]

Universal Sports TV has updated their schedule for NHK Trophy.

All season long, the following link should work to show the figure skating events that will be broadcast on Universal Sports TV (usually for a one to two week timeframe). First broadcasts as well as repeats (re-broadcasts) are included.

Universal Sports TV Figure Skating Schedule

The schedule also has the functionality to be able to change the time zone shown (i.e. Central, Mountain, Pacific).

[Polymer Bob]

Universal Sports TV has updated their schedule for NHK Trophy.

Universal Sports TV Figure Skating Schedule

No ladies' freeskate?

[HisWeirness]

No ladies' freeskate?

NBC will probably show it on Oct. 31. More info in the NHK TV thread in K&C:
http://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/show...52&postcount=3

[sap5]

Whoa -- did anyone else get automatically billed a renewal of IN? I just saw it on my bank statement and hadn't made a decision on whether I was keeping them or not!