Universal Sports vs. Ice Network?

**Fridge_Break** · 09-28-2011, 03:30 PM

It's about time to figure out how I am going to watch skating online this season, and I was just wondering if anyone has any insight regarding Ice Network or Universal Sports. Mods, please move the thread if I'm posting in the wrong forum (wasn't sure where to go with this..)

I've had IN ($30, I believe) for the past 3 or 4 seasons, but notice that Universal showed the GP last year for around $15, and then Worlds for $10. But I don't think Universal covers SA or US Nationals, and IN doesn't cover Europeans and Worlds.

It's kind of a toss up. Just was wanting some opinions as to what people have done in the past/which is the better deal. Thanks!

**Garden Kitty** · 09-28-2011, 06:25 PM

I've actually had both in the past, and I tended to watch IN. I like their set up, and they have had qualifying events that aren't on US.

**Jenna** · 09-29-2011, 02:10 AM

I usually go with IN because I enjoy watching the US Regional and Sectional competitions, as well as US Nationals obviously!

**TanithandBenFan** · 09-29-2011, 02:49 AM

I got both last year because IN wasn't always timely in loading the GP events each day. UniSports is good, but the one thing I don't like about it are the ads that sometimes make the screen smaller, and there's no way to get rid of them.

**Fridge_Break** · 09-30-2011, 03:20 PM

Sounds like continuing with IN is the way to go... thanks for the input!

**Jammers** · 09-30-2011, 03:32 PM

If you can afford it stick with the Icenetwork if only because they show the US Nationals. I wish they would include the 4CC though because it doesn't seem like any north american TV or website shows it live. I had to stream it from a Chinese site last season. You would think with the 4CC being in Colorado Springs that maybe IN or Universal would show it live but it doesn't look like they will.

**kittyjake5** · 10-01-2011, 12:43 AM

I have had IN since its inception and was satisfied with the set up and quality of the videos but last season for some reason I had a lot of problems with the video streaming, freezing, jerking and blackouts, the same problems happened on my work computer as well as my home computer. I troubleshot till I was blue in the face and could not get it to work. I won't be renewing my subscription with IN. I ended up subscribing to US last season and I had no problems at all. I will be staying with US this season.

**Sassafras** · 10-01-2011, 04:24 AM

Originally Posted by kittyjake5

I have had IN since its inception and was satisfied with the set up and quality of the videos but last season for some reason I had a lot of problems with the video streaming, freezing, jerking and blackouts, the same problems happened on my work computer as well as my home computer. I troubleshot till I was blue in the face and could not get it to work. I won't be renewing my subscription with IN. I ended up subscribing to US last season and I had no problems at all. I will be staying with US this season.

I had major problems with IN last year because they dropped the slower speed transmission (after assuring me that it would be available) and at the time I could not get anything faster. It took me two months to get my $$ back from them. Long boring story. I had no problem with US. And as I attend Nationals in person, coverage for that is not an issue.

**Vash01** · 10-01-2011, 06:34 PM

It's an easy question for me because I don't get Universal. So I watch icenetwork.

**AJ Skatefan** · 10-01-2011, 07:30 PM

Originally Posted by Vash01

It's an easy question for me because I don't get Universal. So I watch icenetwork.

I think they're talking about the online service that Universal offers for a subscription. Not the tv broadcasts.

**dewey** · 10-03-2011, 05:25 PM

I had the same issue as Kitty and Sass with IN. The videos were unwatchable on my regular speed DSL.

**Jarrett** · 10-06-2011, 11:16 PM

For me it will probably be universal sports. I will just go to SA and Nationals.

**Jarrett** · 10-06-2011, 11:20 PM

Oh I just checked UniversalSports website and it looks like SA will be covered.

Watch onlineDate Time Event Watch Online
Oct. 21 10 p.m. ET
Men's Short, Short Dance
Oct. 22
2:45 p.m. ET
Men's Free, Free Dance

10 p.m. ET
Pairs Short, Ladies Short

Oct. 23
4 p.m. ET
Pairs Free, Ladies Free

10 p.m. ET
Exhibition Gala

**HisWeirness** · 10-06-2011, 11:34 PM

^ Here is a link to the information Jarrett posted:
http://www.universalsports.com/figur...ide/index.html

Price for Grand Prix of Figure Skating package: $14.95

From their description, it sounds like the UniversalSports.com online GP package covers Skate America this season.

2011 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series Package
UniversalSports.com offers LIVE and on-demand coverage of all seven stops in the 2011 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating. The 2011 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series Package includes LIVE and on-demand access to every men's, women's, pairs and ice dance short and free skate from the following competitions: Skate America, Skate Canada International, Cup of China, Trophee Eric Bompard, Cup of Russia, NHK Trophy and Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. Price: $14.95

The Universal Sports TV listings are still TBA (Oct. 21-23) for Skate America.

IceNetwork's subscription page:
http://web.icenetwork.com/subscribe/

Price is $39.95 for the 2011-12 season.

**Jarrett** · 10-07-2011, 12:21 AM

Thanks, your post is much more useful. lol

I can't wait for the GP!

**Carolla5501** · 10-08-2011, 01:26 AM

Originally Posted by Jarrett

Oh I just checked UniversalSports website and it looks like SA will be covered.

Watch onlineDate Time Event Watch Online
Oct. 21 10 p.m. ET
Men's Short, Short Dance
Oct. 22
2:45 p.m. ET
Men's Free, Free Dance

10 p.m. ET
Pairs Short, Ladies Short

Oct. 23
4 p.m. ET
Pairs Free, Ladies Free

10 p.m. ET
Exhibition Gala

So does that mean there is no "on demand"

I am generally in hotels and thier idea of "high speed"

You aren't watching figure skating live there....

So if Universal doesn't give me an on demand option then it's not really useful.

**maatTheViking** · 10-10-2011, 08:45 PM

I woudl really like to know if Universal does 'on demand'. I find their streaming technology a lot better than icenetwoks (unless they have moved away form flash)

**AJ Skatefan** · 10-10-2011, 10:05 PM

I'm pretty sure they did "on demand" before.

**AJ Skatefan** · 10-10-2011, 11:51 PM

If you look on the Universal Sports website you see this: (directly copied)

2011 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series Package

UniversalSports.com offers LIVE and on-demand coverage of all seven stops in the 2011 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating. The 2011 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series Package includes LIVE and on-demand access to every men's, women's, pairs and ice dance short and free skate from the following competitions: Skate America, Skate Canada International, Cup of China, Trophee Eric Bompard, Cup of Russia, NHK Trophy and Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. Price: $14.95

That should answer the questions about "On Demand" It's easy to go look....

**Theatregirl1122** · 10-11-2011, 03:04 AM

one of my biggest gripes about Universal sports is that it is VERY easy to get spoiled. On ice network, I just go directly to the event page and then I will not see the results. On universal sports they put "suggested videos" next to the video you are watching which often contain the results of the event you are currently watching. This makes me incredibly irritated.

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