NBC and its takeover of VERSUS

[I.R.I.S.H. GL]

How many people here believe that we could be seeing some ND home games make their way to VERSUS or as it looks like the new NBC Sports Net? Does this become the breakng point for the NBC deal and we go elsewhere in 2016? We have had it so good for so long being that an antenna would get you a home game on every Saturday.

 

[k1ssme1m1r1sh]

I didn't know NBC was taking over Versus. I wonder if this means I can't watch TCU anymore? Strange. I don't care if ND breaks with NBC as long as the games get shown on a network I can actually get!

 

[johnnykillz]

Versus has potential to become elite. It will need to be elite for "us" fans to buy into it.

I'm hoping for a Fighting Irish Network, to compete with the Bevo Dead Cow network our mentally challenged burnt orange brethren have going on down there in Tejas...

 

[k1ssme1m1r1sh]

Fighting Irish network would be AWESOME! All Irish all. the. time. YES!

 

[I.R.I.S.H. GL]

The potential to be elite is great, but you still would not get this new and improved channel on either of the dish networks.

 

[k1ssme1m1r1sh]

You do, however, get it with the middle package (silver I think) on Directv.

 

[Rocket89]

All indications are that Comcast/NBC want to continue the relationship with Notre Dame.

So no, I do not see Notre Dame going to another network once the current contract is up.

As to whether home games will be shown on Versus soon-to-be NBC Sports? I still don't think it's going to happen, at least not for a very long time.

NBC Sports just re-signed a 10-year deal with the NHL and are looking to add a big Pac-12 package to their network. It seems they are pretty serious about rivaling ESPN, but I think we also need to take a step back and realize that the WWL has downed bigger competition in the past.

It's sort of a Catch-22 for Comcast executives: If ND football is back on top as a legit premier program, they are probably going to want them to stay on NBC where they can get the highest ratings and most advertising dollars.

If ND doesn't "return to glory" then maybe they will move the homes games to NBC Sports, but will a Notre Dame that doesn't get ratings like it used to be a major selling point for a "new" ESPN that they are trying to create?

They could probably go either route, and even move ND to NBC sports if they are getting good ratings specifically to build up NBC Sports.

I feel like we'll be on regular NBC for the foreseeable future and that we'll see some increased programming on NBC Sports. I think by the time our current contract is up with NBC the Comcast attempt to rival ESPN might be proven to be a failure anyway. It's something to keep an eye on though.

 

[I.R.I.S.H. GL]

Great insight Rocket. We all hope that we can brag to the other conference dwellers that we will have all our home games on free national tv.

 

[delt1147]

If there is going to be a next big.sports network it will be versus (Or whatever they change their name to). NBC/Comcast is committed to becoming a power in sports. They will still have the TCU games btw. Also they have done an amazing job with the NHL. Their broadcasts are top notch and they just invested $200,000,000 over the next ten years along with building a new studio. This could be where Irish sports end up that are not football but I think football will stay on NBC.

 

[irishtrain]

How many people here believe that we could be seeing some ND home games make their way to VERSUS or as it looks like the new NBC Sports Net? Does this become the breakng point for the NBC deal and we go elsewhere in 2016? We have had it so good for so long being that an antenna would get you a home game on every Saturday.

I wouldnt be surprised to see NBC try something like this. I have always felt that CBS was the likely choice for Notre Dame Football. Jim Nance is a huge respector of Irish Football and as Notre Dame is a school of national scale I doubt if we ever have to pay more to see it on another network. Notre Dame Football will always be public. I am hoping its thru CBS as I like the guys who present their games. Here's hoping that the Irish stay public and when NBC runs its course CBS is there to step in. By that time Kelly will have this training rolling and Notre Dame Football will be a valued prize again.

 

[calvegas04]

Not everyone gets VS's yet I don't think... and CBS is all about the sec

 

[IrishSteelhead]

NBC has recently suffered through one of the worst stretches in ND Football history, and they'd be stupid to shift it to VS at this point, especially with the sexier matchups (Miami, Oklahoma, etc.) coming up.

 

[#1irishfan]

I regularly watch my beloved Penguins Hockey on Versus, Good commentating and fair commercialization of our Irish when our St. Patty had her day! But NO HD is a deal breaker for me!

 

[kmoose]

Does this become the breakng point for the NBC deal and we go elsewhere in 2016?

Where would that be? CBS is pretty well married to the SEC, ABC is married to the Big Ten and PAC-10, and ESPN has shown a commitment to showing a wide variety of games.

 

[phork]

They would be stupid do that seeing as how it appears this program is rising finally.

 

[shovel_dr]

Versus would be a good venue for the games that don't get on NBC although they are few but would still be good if they would do that. As for CBS yes they are and in My area we have to suffer through run overs of the UT game if it happens to come near the slot ND is playing even on NBC. Sucks living closer to Sucksville than South Bend in the fall.

 

[Senoj13]

I don't see NBC moving the games. They don't have a better alternative for programming on Saturday afternoons. People are accustomed to finding ND on NBC, fan or not.

 

[delt1147]

I regularly watch my beloved Penguins Hockey on Versus, Good commentating and fair commercialization of our Irish when our St. Patty had her day! But NO HD is a deal breaker for me!

Versus had been in HD since day one. Who is your provider? Their HD is top notch.

 

[#1irishfan]

Suddenlink in WV, and I'll have to check into that!

 

[Dale]

(kinda crazy we don’t have a NBC thread)

Resurrected NBCSN to launch November 17

The new and improved NBCSN with a stacked lineup of live sports comes to YouTube TV first on November 17 with other distributors to follow.

awfulannouncing.com

NBC has also listed the sports and shows that will be showcased on the new NBCSN with a stacked lineup that includes NBA, WNBA and MLB playoff games, the return of the EPL, the acclaimed Gold Zone Olympic whiparound coverage, golf majors, college football and basketball, and shows including The Dan Patrick Show and The Dan Le Batard Show.

…

• Big Ten and Notre Dame Football

 

[GowerND11]

(kinda crazy we don’t have a NBC thread)

Resurrected NBCSN to launch November 17

The new and improved NBCSN with a stacked lineup of live sports comes to YouTube TV first on November 17 with other distributors to follow.

awfulannouncing.com

NBC has also listed the sports and shows that will be showcased on the new NBCSN with a stacked lineup that includes NBA, WNBA and MLB playoff games, the return of the EPL, the acclaimed Gold Zone Olympic whiparound coverage, golf majors, college football and basketball, and shows including The Dan Patrick Show and The Dan Le Batard Show.

…

• Big Ten and Notre Dame Football

Why they got rid of NBCSN is crazy IMO

 

[RudyVerse]

I'm surprised NBC/Peacock hasn't found a way to offer ND games during this YouttubeTV black out. I understand it's ESPN/ABC but seems like an opportunity for Peacock to overpay to get ND fans truly on board with Peacock long term.

 

[Dale]

Why they got rid of NBCSN is crazy IMO

I think Olympic coverage has a lot to do with it. They thought a lot of folks would convert over to Peacock and then just enjoy (keep) it. Probably didn’t get the impact expected and now want to resell NBCSN to cable, other streaming packages ahead of the Winter Olympics. I know a lot of CBB/NBA is currently scheduled for Peacock only as well but I imagine some of that will be Peacock + NBCSN

 

[JD Irish]

I expect NBCSN will ultimately become an add-on to Peacock for an extra charge.

 

[Dale]

I expect NBCSN will ultimately become an add-on to Peacock for an extra charge.

No chance.

 

[KMac151993]

Please let them bring back NHL coverage.