Universal Sports going off free tv..

**LEO59** · 09-12-2011, 10:57 PM

As of January 2012 Universal Sports will be ending their over the air broadcasting on local tv stations in favor of cable and Direct TV taking Figure Skating with them!!

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/art..._Air_Model.php

http://www.mediapost.com/publication...art_aid=158377

This is sad for me because I do not have cable no more...

**ChelleC** · 09-13-2011, 01:17 AM

Maybe more people will have a chance to actually get Universal Sports now.

I'm sorry you won't be able to watch it, LEO59.

**Wyliefan** · 09-13-2011, 01:41 AM

I didn't even know they did broadcast on local stations! Sorry you're losing them.

**caseyedwards** · 09-13-2011, 01:51 AM

Over the air is how i got to see so many of the grand prix events live in 2009- if not for over tha air I would have basically seen only the edited nbc weekend broadcasts.

**love skating** · 09-13-2011, 04:26 AM

Noooo! I get it over the air and love it. And I have DISH not Direct. So sad.

**AxelAnnie** · 09-13-2011, 05:34 AM

I am very confused. I thought they broadcast only on ComCast before. Did they just trade one cable co for another? will they still broadcast on the internet?

**LEO59** · 09-13-2011, 06:56 AM

Originally Posted by AxelAnnie

I am very confused. I thought they broadcast only on ComCast before. Did they just trade one cable co for another? will they still broadcast on the internet?

YES!!!

Universal Sports started out as a over the air sub-channel broadcast service for NBC and non-NBC tv stations..FCC must carry rules forced cable to add Universal Sports from local tv station to their line up..

Comcast Now owns NBC and Universal Studios and feels that it belongs only on cable and the internet where it can collect a fee ($$$)..

**AxelAnnie** · 09-13-2011, 08:12 AM

Originally Posted by LEO59

YES!

Universal Sports started out as a over the air sub-channel broadcast service for NBC and non-NBC tv stations..FCC must carry rules forced cable to add Universal Sports from local tv station to their line up..

Comcast Now owns NBC and Universal Studios and feels that it belongs only on cable and the internet where it can collect a fee ($$$)..

But i read that it was going to Direct TV. His that different than having it on ComCast?

**genevieve** · 09-13-2011, 08:20 AM

This SUCKS. I watch Universal Sports all the time - not just for skating

**Jarrett** · 09-13-2011, 05:11 PM

I hope it is included in my DirecTv package!

**rfisher** · 09-13-2011, 05:39 PM

Originally Posted by Jarrett

I hope it is included in my DirecTv package!

You have to pay extra. You'll need to go the DirecTv site and add it. It's about $12/month, but the package isn't just US. There are several other channels included.

**HisWeirness** · 09-13-2011, 05:41 PM

Originally Posted by genevieve

This SUCKS. I watch Universal Sports all the time - not just for skating

Me too. I have always watched it over the air.

**genevieve** · 09-13-2011, 05:42 PM

%$#@& that Comcast/NBC merger

**A.H.Black** · 09-13-2011, 08:28 PM

Originally Posted by AxelAnnie

But i read that it was going to Direct TV. His that different than having it on ComCast?

Many people who do not have cable or satellite services have been able to watch Universal on their over-the-air digital TV's for the last several years. If NBC was on 5.0, for example, Universal was often on 5.3. It sounds like that over-the-air option will no longer be available and you will need to have Comcast or DirectTV in order to watch Universal. I still haven't seen anything about DISH carrying Universal Sports at all.

Hope that helps.

I don't think I was aware that VS was also owned by NBC and will become NBC Sports in January. I think this change will affect figure skating and gymnastics viewers more than Olympics viewers. Universal Olympics coverage has mostly been high-light shows and commentary and I haven't seen any programming notes that will change that for London.

**AxelAnnie** · 09-13-2011, 08:43 PM

^^ Oh, thanks.

**MacMadame** · 09-14-2011, 04:39 AM

Originally Posted by ChelleC

Maybe more people will have a chance to actually get Universal Sports now.

Actually less people will be able to get it. Right now, if your NBC affiliate broadcasts it, you can get it no matter what your cable company does. My cable company doesn't offer it but I can get it over the air anyway. Now I won't be able to.

I assume they did this so they could make more money. They can charge the cable companies for carrying them. They couldn't charge anyone who was getting it over the air.

**Capella** · 09-24-2011, 04:47 PM

I get Universal Sports via FiOS. I hope this won't change.

**my little pony** · 09-25-2011, 09:22 PM

I'm dimwitted and do not understand. I only have US because I have cable, it isnt part of a free package.

**skatesindreams** · 09-25-2011, 10:53 PM

Some viewers have been able to receive Universal Sports via over-the-air antennae.
That will end shortly and the channel will only be available through cable/satellite providers.

As for me, I've haven't been able to persuade Bright House Networks to carry the channel; so, I've never had access to it.

**Carmen Ovsiannikov** · 09-26-2011, 05:21 AM

Oh, well. I guess I'd better make sure I catch some of the GP events cause after Jan no more Universal. I guess if you can't help fill some already wealthy execs wallet you don't get many of the channels. Some folks don't have the $$$ to keep having to pay every time someone wants extra cash.

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