Versus

The LA Times is reporting today that DirecTV has removed sports network Versus from its lineup after a rate dispute with parent company Comcast became deadlocked at the end of its current contract.

Late last night, the channel went dark, replaced by an on-screen message saying, "Versus is no longer available on this channel. Comcast, which owns Versus, has forced us to take down the channel because we will not submit to their unfair and outrageous demands."  On their website, DirecTV said Comcast's demands "for what is basically a paid programming and infomercial channel with occasional sporting events of interest is simply piggish."  The satcaster claims Versus charges more than any other independent distributor, and wanted a 20 percent hike in fees.

Versus responded: "We are disappointed that DirecTV has chosen to remove Versus from its service and deny its subscribers access to our all-encompassing coverage of the sports they love."

DISH Network reportedly responded to the carriage spat on their Twitter feed, announcing that all DISH customers would get Versus and Versus HD for free for the next three months, according to Multichannel News.

No word on when, or if, a new deal can be expected or the channel restored.

As we previously reported, Time Warner Cable will be dramatically reordering their digital cable lineup in Northeast Wisconsin on October 6th.  At that time, there will also be some changes coming to basic/standard customers' lineups as well.

This comes in Time Warner Cable's monthly legal programming notice, published in local newspapers and on their website.

Highlights of other announced programming changes include the following:

CHANNEL NUMBER CHANGES

• WPT WI moves to 975, WPT Create to 977, Retro TV to 991 and WBAY Weather to 992.
• WBAY HD moves to 1003, WFRV HD to 1006, WGBA HD to 1007, WPNE HD to 1008, WIWB HD to 1010, and WLUK HD to 1012.
• Big Ten Network moves down to channel 39
• Cartoon Network moves down to channel 62
• Oxygen moves up to channel 68
• Versus moves down to channel 38
• HGTV moves down to channel 26
• VH1 moves down to channel 20
• CSPAN moves to Basic channel 99 in Oshkosh, Neenah/Menasha and De Pere lineups
• WGN moves to channel 9
• Info channel moves to 66 in Appleton, Green Bay, Reedsville, De Pere, and Neenah/Menasha
• EWTN moves to Basic channel 11 in Oshkosh and 12 in Marinette
• TLC moves to Standard channel 42 in Marinette

CHANNEL PACKAGE CHANGES / CHANNEL ADDITIONS

• Shop NBC moves to Basic lineup on channel 96
• Jewelry TV moves to Digital Access
• Nick2 moves to the Digital Choice package
• IFC moves to the Movie Package
• Fit TV, Investigation Discovery, Planet Green, Speed, CSPAN 3, GSN, BET J, SOAPnet, Sprout, Outdoor and NBA TV move to the Digital Variety package
• RFD TV, Military History, C&I Network, and CNN International join the Digital Choice package
• Sundance, The Word, TBN, MTV Hits, TV One, and BTN Alternates join the Digital Variety package
• Hallmark will no longer be in the Family Choice package, but will remain in the standard lineup
• Marinette will have several additional changes to the standard lineup. For a listing of Marinette area changes, please see today’s issue of the Eagle Herald or complete local lineup, which will be mailed to all Time Warner Cable customers.

CHANNEL DELETIONS

• West coast feeds of Showtime, Sho2, Showcase and Sho Extreme will no longer be on the lineup