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Don't Drop UniversalSports

UniversalSports indicates that Verizon FIOS may soon drop their programming from its standard line-up. I hope this does not happen since UniversalSports provides unique programming, like World Cup Skiing, that is simply not available through any other outlet.

Comments

ne1ny

agreed ... it would be a shame to lose Universal Sports.

tns

Look around its a change by Universal Sports

"Universal Sports is transitioning from an over-the-air multicast channel to what it calls a "multi-platform, high definition service" on pay television, starting in Jan. 2012"

As such its not clear who will be carrying them. So far they only list "DirecTv".

steven113

universal sports network please in NYC!!!!

tns

It was carried as a OTA subchannel of NBC.

They, the owners of Universal Sports, have decided not to offer that way so it is soon be gone OTA, and for those cable/satellite providers who provided it as a local channel.

Universal Sports is now being offered only as a premium Cable channel. For now only Directv has picked it up.

ronnie423

hi like know is the nbc sports univeral channel be take off on january 1 got notices

charliewatts

VS becomes NBC Sports Channel 1-1-12

matcarl

Charlie, that's another story, not what the OP meant.

ronnie423

plz dont drop the universal sports channel for the olympics

RIGuy29

Programming for the 2012 London Olympics will be available on a myriad of channels broadcast 24/7 including NBC, USA, CNBC, MSNBC, Mun2, SyFy and the newly renamed NBC Sports (formerly VERSUS) as well as online at NBC.com and other live streaming portals.

JBud

-Poor inet performace

-e-mail is confusing and frequently locks up

-Paid for premiuim tech suipport and got little helpCalled support they didn't ene no where to send me with m,y issues -no escalation process

-Universal Sports is one of the most watched channels.

Bottom line - want a refund

Please have a real mananger call me or I will call comcast in 3 days.

Jared

{edited for privacy}

cayriawill

This is a forum for questions and help. This is might not be seen by any Verizon Employees in a timely maner that can actually help with what you need. I would suggest calling 1-888-553-1555 and asking for a manager/supervisor in the Technical Support Department if your issue is FiOS related or use live chat by going to https://collaborateext.verizon.com/aims/encore/VZCTC.serv.

If it is computer related then you will need to call the Premium Tech Support number 1-877-718-6716

PS: Most of the issues you described could be a pc issue and will need Premium Tech Support

RLL2

Verizon is dropping Universal Sports January 1st. Email Verizon to keep it. Tks.

tns

Verizon never carried Universal Sports nationally.

In some area it was carried as a OTA local sub-channel of NBC, and also carried by Verizon.

The renamed NBC Sports channel, has decided it wants to be a premium HD Channel. It is no longer going to be offered OTA, and so wants to be offered as a national. Last time I checked the only one that has picked it up so far is DirecTv.

Stevef3NJ

I checked, and it seems that Versus is changing their name to NBC Sports, and Verizon carries that channel, both in SD and HD.

Kasandbrr

Please do not drop Universal Sports in the NYC metro area!!! It looks like you are. 😞 In fact, I'd really like US in HD!!!!

tns

Perhaps I am mistaken about the channel rename. Universal Sports and NBC SPORTS seem to be seperate websites although Universal Sports still shows the NBC Peacock symbol. I hadn't realized that it was Versus that was being renamed NBC Sports. Universal Sports site is listing only DirecTv as carrying them and a pitch for you to send to Verizon.

From the Universal Sports website about OTA

"Universal Sports is available in your area on WNBC channel 4.4, but only until 12/31/11!

In 2012, Universal Sports will no longer be available over the air, but you don’t have to risk losing Universal Sports. Switch to DIRECTV NOW by calling 1-800-DIRECTV"

tns

Remember its not so much they are dropping Universal Sports, but that Universal is dropping OTA access. The channel up until now was carried OTA as a subchannel for local NBC stations, and carried as such in some area. As of the beginning of 2012 is a Premium Cable/Satellite channel. So far only DirecTv has announced that it will carry it. Perhaps Verizon will decide to carry it and perhaps not. But almost certainly will not be carried immediately by them.

jjlees

Please bring back Universal Sports! I don't want to have to change to DirecTV ...

thinnmann1

Totally disappointed in Verizon that Universal Sports is gone today. Between my wireless and Fios bill, I pay over $300 to this company per month. I can not belive that a company that practically owns media and communication in this country is letting a little marginal satellite company, DirecTV, do better at providing the best spors channel available to their customers. I am glad I did not remove that satellite dish from when I had DirecTV some years ago. Looks like I will be switching back.

ekelks1

For the last 3 months Universal Sports has bombarded me with e-mails & adverts begging viewers to ask Verizon FIOS to keep it on the air.

So I did call and was told no knew anything about it.

Now my Verizon FIOS message center TV screen says, in a perversion of someone’s idea of truth, “Universal Sports will no longer carry content through your local broadcaster on Channel WNBC — 464. // This change was not initiated by Verizon. Instead, Universal Sports has decided not to renew their agreements with local providers to carry this content….”

Is there an entertainment lawyer in the house?

MiMeQu21

You are correct. The channels are two separate ones.

Versus has been rebranded as NBC Sports. Universal Sports is also owned by NBC/Comcast. However, it was an over the air channel. It is now being moved to a cable channel. Right now, only Directv carries it as a cable channel. At this time, Verizon has not opted to carry it as a cable channel. It would be a nice channel leading up to the Olympics.

MiMeQu21

Universal Sports was an over the air channel from NBC. On Fios, only certain areas of the country received it, I believe on channel 464 or something like that. With the Comcast/NBC merger, Versus was rebranded as NBS Sports. Also, Universal Sports is being made into a cable channel. So it is correct that Verizon did not remove it on its own. It was removed as an over the air channel because it was turning into a cable channel. As of now, only Directv is carrying it as a cable channel. Unless and until Verizon decides to carry it, it won't be available to anyone with Fios.

MiMeQu21

As some of the previous posters stated, it was not Verizon's decision to drop Universal Sports. It was an OTA channel. Comcast/NBC decided to remove it as an OTA channel and make it a cable channel. So far, only Directv is carrying it as a cable channel.

Now, you may be upset if Verizon decides not to pick it up as a cable channel. There will be people that want it, and others that don't. People will complain if Verizon doesn't pick it up. If they do, others will complain that they don't want their cable bills going up to pay for a channel they don't watch. While I would like to see Verizon carry it, with out luck, they will put it on the Ultimate Tier.

ekelks1

It was always a cable channel. It was always on 464. It is where people who care watch gymnastics & figure skating. It can now be seen bits & pieces of it, on you tube for the desperate,

bobbo527

@ekelks wrote:
It was always a cable channel. It was always on 464. It is where people who care watch gymnastics & figure skating. It can now be seen bits & pieces of it, on you tube for the desperate,

Sorry but NO IT WASN'T a cable channel, if you re-read MiMeQu response, it was a digital channel carried by NBC 10 and since they have started up their own Sports channel they (NBC 10) decided to DROP the channel.

mikejoy

BRING BACK UNIVERSAL!

wendywoo

The price keeps going up and the service keeps going down. There's no reason why FIOS couldn't still offer Universal Sports even if it is no longer OTA. Shame on you, Verizon. And I used to recommend you to friends and neighbors.

@gewagner wrote:
UniversalSports indicates that Verizon FIOS may soon drop their programming from its standard line-up. I hope this does not happen since UniversalSports provides unique programming, like World Cup Skiing, that is simply not available through any other outlet.

wendywoo

Wish I had Direct TV now! There was no reason for FIOS to drop Universal Sports if they really want to offer unique programming to customers. I guess they don't care about us.

Keyboards

@wendywoo wrote:
Wish I had Direct TV now! There was no reason for FIOS to drop Universal Sports if they really want to offer unique programming to customers. I guess they don't care about us.

When will people understand that Verizon is NOT dropping anything. This was a broadcast sub-channel that NBC decided to take from broadcast and make a cable channel. The original configuration (as a sub-channel) costs nothing to carry (other than some QAM space and a VHO encoder) as opposed to a per subscriber fee to be paid by Verizon (really you and me) for everyone that has the cable channel on their tier. Then there is the issue of where does one find the frequency space which (according to most accounts) is almost used up and how do you deterimine which of the zillion requests for channel "X" gets that precious space.

Perhaps what is needed is to create an IP only sports tier to solve this issue. I like my sports as much as the next person but I really can name several other channels I'd like to see (and that have been asked for for years) rather than support Comca$t / NBC in their grab to create more revenue. If it really is that important to you then the real solution is to vote with your feet (or dollars).

XcM

@MiMeQu wrote:
As some of the previous posters stated, it was not Verizon's decision to drop Universal Sports. It was an OTA channel. Comcast/NBC decided to remove it as an OTA channel and make it a cable channel. So far, only Directv is carrying it as a cable channel.
Now, you may be upset if Verizon decides not to pick it up as a cable channel. There will be people that want it, and others that don't. People will complain if Verizon doesn't pick it up. If they do, others will complain that they don't want their cable bills going up to pay for a channel they don't watch. While I would like to see Verizon carry it, with out luck, they will put it on the Ultimate Tier.

Sure... there are channels people don't want... The lineup is ALREADY front-loaded with channels with limited appeal that I don't want but am paying for. Yes it's utter garbage to me, but not to somebody. So what makes them get their way? This was the one "off brand" channel that I felt was targeted for someone like me... now NOBODY in my area except DirectTV carries it!!! They've kept plenty of the real stinkers... and the absolute pile of refuse they replaced Universal Sports with (Live Well Network!!!!) is a dizzying pile of "advice" from Doctor Phil and Suze Orman wannabes... and both of them make me want to expel my lunch as it is...

ganleybob

I have to agree that I'd like to see Universal Sports on FIOS.

It was one of the only channels that I watch on a regular basis. No other place to get that type of great sports programming.

freerider

Sure... there are channels people don't want... The lineup is ALREADY front-loaded with channels with limited appeal that I don't want but am paying for.

I can't echo this sentiment any better and am truly saddened by this change, regardless of the reason. I for one would pay for a channel like Universal Sports, especially in HD. I'd trade a handfull of channels for this one.

astromickey

I just switched over from DirecTV, so don't think that they're giving away Universal Sports for free. They started it out as a two month or so promo, then moved it up to a sports package tier so you didn't get it in the main packages.

wkmont

There is a previous message regarding Universal Sports that says resolved, but the issue is NOT resolved. Verizon FIOS no longer carries Universal Sports. Please return Universal Sports to the line up. Regardless of the fact that is was over the air, now a cable channel - the fact is that is was the only real provider of certain sporting events, i.e. Olympic type events such as downhill skiing, snowboarding, swimming, ice skating, etc. Negotiate and get the channel back on the air instead of ignoring your customers. - Thank you!

charliewatts

WHO NEEDS IT? USELESS CHANNEL.

Launched in 2005 as World Championship Sports Network and then rebranded Universal Sports in 2008, the channel has not gone under but rather has changed its distribution strategy and is basically starting from scratch.

Prior to Jan. 1, Universal Sports, which is majority owned by InterMedia Partners — with Comcast's NBCUniversal holding a small stake — was offered to distributors such as Time Warner Cable for free. The channel was not technically a cable channel but instead was a digital broadcast channel. Locally, KNBC-TV provides some of its channel capacity to Universal Sports for distribution purposes.

Now, Universal Sports wants to be paid by distributors for carriage and is being offered as a stand-alone cable network. So far, satellite broadcaster DirecTV is the only multichannel video program distributor to have cut a deal with the channel, but its officers say they are confident that they'll be in 15 million to 20 million homes by the end of 2012. Previously, the channel was available in about 40 million homes.

Unlike many sports channels, Universal Sports is not asking distributors to carry the network on their most popular programming package, typically known as expanded basic or digital. Instead, it is seeking to be part of specialty packages that consumers pay extra to receive if they want the channel.

karch3

Lauberhorn Ski race, set for next weekend, was carried last year by Universal Sports. We need that back on air on FIOS immediately. We also miss the figure skating, and excellent coverage of cycling. What can be done to get this back on VZ FIOS?

tns

Note that not even Comcast, one of the owners, has bothered to pick up the channel yet. You want Verizon to be first?

steven113

please add Universal sports network back fios tv in NYC please ty for listening!!!!

sapinva

Bring back universal; cycling, skiing, various Olympic sports are not available anywhere else.

lyghim

honestly, i'm not sure why anyone cares about the drop. i have watched a few things on the channel, and love pretty much 90% of what they carry. the problem is that all their broadcasts are crap SD which (especially) for a sports network makes it mostly unwatchable. so now they are going to offer HD, but they (universal, not verizon) want you to pay for it. how does this translate into "drop verizon" for any rational human being. comcast's HD looks like SD anyway. go ahead and cut off your nose to spite your face.

dmw010

I'd like to add my vote to bring the Universal Sports channel back, and in HD! My wife and I watch it all the time, especially cycling and winter sports. Work it out Verizon!

RCSDICK

That's fine, I spose', as long as my rate is lowered reflecting it, because I know! you want to provide us with the "best experience". But, informing us, by itself, doesn't quite cut it. I want my "car payment sized Fios bill" to reflect it (fair, no?) Also, why is it, Fios is promoting all these new perks that aren't being offered to it's 'tried and true', long time subscribers? What rewards are com'n our ways, ie; the 'disappearing deductibles' via some car insurance companies? That "best experience" is akin to "this'll hurt me, more that it'll hurt you, son" crap. We want the SAME things offered to all the 'newbies'. You know, an an 'act of appreciation' ie; a rate reduction, and experiencing that 'best experience' voodoo, that you do, sooooo well. Cool huh? So, how's 'bout it? Give it a shot, (being fair that is) Now, YOU'RE informed 'Dear Provider' Thank you, We'll be over here 'holding our collective breaths', Thank you, a 'Dear Customer' aka. the Sulfrians , {edited for privacy}, NJ

UnnDunn

Universal Sports was a free channel, both to you and to Verizon. If you were able to receive Universal Sports on FiOS, you were also able to receive it using a standard antenna connected to a standard television or digital converter box. Verizon was forced to carry the channel due to federal regulations that force cable providers to carry all over-the-air channels unless the channel declines or requires payment.

Verizon did not remove Universal Sports. Universal Sports stopped broadcasting. It literally no longer exists as an over-the-air channel for Verizon to carry. Instead, Universal Sports is now a cable channel, and as such Verizon must negotiate a carriage agreement with it, just like it does for any other cable channel. Such negotiations take time, especially since now Verizon must pay for the channel where it did not have to pay before.

Just be patient. Chances are Universal Sports will be back, if only because it will be carrying some of the Olympics coverage later this year. But Verizon will not rush negotiations, nor should they.

jkn1

My decision to stay with Verizon or move to Comcast would depend on whichever (if either) decides to carry Universal Sports because of its cycling coverage.

cycleskifan

Verizon: Please bring back Universal Sports! I'LL PAY EXTRA. It's one of about 5 channels that I regularly watch. I really like FIOS internet but will definitely go with DirectTV for television/DVR and drop my landline if this isn't resolved very soon.

Koons1

Why then, does their website urge us to call Verizon and other cable carriers?

Koons1

Right. All those 15 outlets will show 100 tape-delayed clips of our athletes winning, and absolutely nothing else. Might as well just play "Born in the USA" for 15 hours and save the money

tns

@Koons wrote:
Why then, does their website urge us to call Verizon and other cable carriers?

Because, at last check, only DirecTv has picked it up. Not even Comcast, a part owner of the channel, has picked it up.

m02478

I agree. I am really disappointed. Does anybody know if Comcast is offering it? Maybe time to change to Comcast to get this? I have been very frustrated by Verizon's lack of an answer on this topic. They just dropped a channel that was part of a premium package without any notice? Are you kidding?

CRobGauth

Read the previous post.

Only DirecTv has it.
Comcast (who is part owner of Universal) doesn't carry it.

tns2

Actually no one has it anymore. They have closed operations as of 11/16/15.

ekelks1

I used to watch Universal Sports avidly for figure skating and gymnastics -- it was the reason I signed up for the super pricey package I have. But over the years, the endless commercials, the poor sound quality -- i.e., announcers speaking so loudly they drowned out the music -- something that has nothing to do with the announcers but with basic audio track control -- I stopped watching, and for about 45 dollars bought a year's subscription to icenetwork.com, which has its faults (cannot be viewed on an iPad, e.g.), but is worth every penny if you're a figure skating fan, and don't want to wait until NBC decides to edit down the real shows to the programs that air weeks later, sometimes, on NBC. Not sure what other sports they show other than gymnastics, which NBC and NBC Sports Network will also show, and you can probably find much of what you want on You Tube...from other countries' perspectives, maybe, but sport is sport. I'm not going to waste any more time bemoaning the loss of this channel again.

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