So That's What Versus Was Working On
by Mike Chen on Jan 26, 2010 10:31 AM CST
24 comments
Are you a DirecTV subscriber? Me too, which means I feel your pain. All of the free goodies we got are great, but I think I'm not the only one who figured the whole Versus/DirecTV thing would be settled by now. This morning, I got a press release in my inbox, but it's, um, not exactly what we've been looking for:
NEW YORK, N.Y. (January 26, 2010)-VERSUS, the fastest growing sports cable network in the country, announces the re-launch of its website, VERSUS.com. The completely revamped site, designed by Code And Theory, comes on the heels of the monumental online growth seen in 2009 over 2008 with unique visits increasing 74 percent, page views growing 68 percent and video usage increasing 69 percent. The highlights of the new website include an enhanced social media platform, high-definition video and new user engagement and upload tools.
...The new VERSUS.com is centered around community; instead of telling fans what to read and what to think, VERSUS created an online destination that includes the user in the conversation. At every turn site visitors are asked to pick, play, vote and vent; and users will be able to join or create a group, add photos, upload videos or create a blog. Additionally there are more interactive games and a "Smack Talk" section for visitors to talk for and/or against their favorite team or player.
Oh, Smack Talk! That'll get things on DirecTV, right? Hey, you know, there's thing called the Trade Deadline in a little bit, and shortly after are these Stanley Cup Playoffs, and you know, you'd think you guys would put distribution up on the priority list.
I know, I know different departments work on these things, and the new Flash-heavy site is better than the old one -- and hey, it's so fancy-schmancy that you need a TUTORIAL for it. Still, it'd be nice if we'd get a word or two on the whole DirecTV thing.
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When the Bolts played the Rags on Versus
….I was looking for what certainly be easy to find on other news sources: The full schedule of Versus broadcasts and direct coverage of the game that night. It was a complete waste of time on Versus new site design. Their NHL broadcast schedule was a broken link, and while I could find their preview — the “Smack Talk!” BS figured in predominantly when I got to the bottom of the page.
Here’s the smack talk for you, Versus: Raise your friggin’ game. You’ll piggyback on TSN’s broadcasts when league events happen… It feels like your network is a proxy vote for not-the-other-network.
And yet, your programming and site is less effective than regional sports networks, let alone different national competitors. You want to be a sports network? Cover sports.
The Direct TV thing is just another sign of the station being a not-ready-for-prime-time player.
9:12. Lights out. Raw Charge.
It's killing me right now to not have Versus
but if they don’t resolve this thing come playoff time, I’m going to pay whatever I need to to get out of Directv. I need my NHL playoffs. I suggest just spamming their email versus@directv.com and complain, complain, complain. The only way they’re going to realize that a lot of people care about this is if we make our voice heard.
by Tyler Bleszinski on Jan 26, 2010 11:13 AM CST reply actions
I’d make that threat . . . but it wouldn’t be truthful. Yeah, I want my NHL playoffs. However, I’m getting far too much enjoyment out of my CricketTicket package to be able to make credible threats to leave, since I can’t get that through the cable providers. Dish Network seems to only have series that involve India.
by J. Michael Neal on Jan 26, 2010 4:25 PM CST up reply actions
They’d get a lot more positive response if “Smack Talk” meant that viewers got to slap Brian Engblom.
Glen Sather is a Hockey Genius.
http://glensathersucks.com/
http://twitter.com/ThGeneralissimo
by poploser on Jan 26, 2010 11:26 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
So are you guys going to even try to keep any continuity with Mirtle’s old blog, or are you just going to hijack his platform and do your own thing?
Mirtle’s blog had a certain style and content ,which is presumably the reason why he had such a large following. So I’m having a lot of trouble understanding why you have an interest in retaining any of his following.
/advice
Hijack?
Wouldn’t that sort of imply a lack of consent? I think Mirtle is well aware of how Chen does his thing and is perfectly alright with it. If you’d prefer to follow him, you know where Globe on Sports is.
SNN Sports - A theoretical Oilers blog (i.e. theoretically, I write stuff there). Link now 100% less broken.
by Doogie2K on Jan 26, 2010 12:35 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
or follow both and enjoy the ride … :)
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" -- Benjamin Franklin
by ang6666 on Jan 26, 2010 12:40 PM CST up reply actions
The short version is that we’re trying to emulate certain things James did – he mixed commentary, breaking news, and stats stuff. At the same time, SBN wants us to take what he established and grow (we’ve got a few things in the coming weeks and you’ll understand when you see them).
I can give you a bunch of analogies (my personal favorite is Star Trek: The Next Generation vs. the original series), but the basic thing is we honor and respect what James has done, and he’ll pop in with a post from time to time but he’s handed the keys off to us and he’s off at the Globe. I know he plans to carry over many of his features at the Globe’s blog, and if that’s what you prefer, then more power to you.
But I don’t think what we’ve done is necessarily hijacking what James did, and he’s been involved during the early stages as I’ve tried to get my arms around it. Stick with us for a while, and if you like it, then fantastic. If not, stick with the Globe blog and come by here from time to time when James returns for a post or two. Ideally, you’ll like what we do as well as what James continues to do on the Globe blog, but you can’t please everyone.
by Mike Chen on Jan 26, 2010 12:45 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I’m just thankful there’s a wealth of fresh daily content here again and it’s been great so far.
I realize Mirtle’s new gig resulted in a drop in posts here (congrats again James!), and it kind of sucked because this is among my few must-read hockey stops on a several-times-a-day basis. I’m glad it’s gotten back to that point, Mirtle or not. And like you say – if you’re really jonesing for James, he’s over at the Globe blog (which I visit as well).
To the OP – just give it a chance, will ya?
"Grind now, shine later." - Wesley Johnson
STTNG vs STTOS is one analogy
Another that I think is more fitting is “The Tonight Show” (more timely too). When Johnny Carson stepped down and Jay Leno took over, Jay did his own show. It was not Johnny’s show. And when Jay moved on, Conan O’Brien did the same thing — it was HIS show that he had to perform, not Jay’s show.
Mike’s the new host with the old host still checking in from time to time. But for what Mirtle has as distinctly his own, you (Mike) have as distinctly your own.
9:12. Lights out. Raw Charge.
by John Fontana on Jan 26, 2010 5:15 PM CST up reply actions
So, wait – who’s Leno in all this?
Supporter of the Sergei Berezin "Give and Go" - You give me puck, then you go to hell
Mike
He gets to screw over the NEXT blogger who takes over the From the Rink brand :)
9:12. Lights out. Raw Charge.
by John Fontana on Jan 27, 2010 4:11 PM CST up reply actions
Shouldn’t have used hijacked. Poor choice of words.
But I still feel that From The Rink is a brand, so if you’re going to do something different with the blog, then it really isn’t From The Rink anymore. It’s something else.
I came to this blog for primarily for Mirtle, but I also came because him and I shared similar interests, so he blogged about stuff I enjoyed. I also came because I was familiar with most of the shit head commentors. In a sense, I came her and knew exactly what to expect.
So if you’re going to change the approach of the blog, I don’t understand why you don’t just start a new blog. Obviously there’s a market for whatever it was that Mirtle created, so it doesn’t make a ton of sense to keep the same blog, but change the content.
Anyway, just my two sense. I feel like I’ve been listening to a good radio station for a three years, then I wake up one morning to find they changed the format from classic rock to soft rock.
I’ll get over it by tomorrow.
So if you’re going to change the approach of the blog, I don’t understand why you don’t just start a new blog.
Well, I had a blog over at Kukla’s and SBN asked me to come here and act as an editor over a team of bloggers. Mirtle was leaving for the Globe (minus a regular guest appearance) because that’s his job. SBN just wanted to keep the platform moving forward. It’s as simple as that.
Anyway, just my two sense. I feel like I’ve been listening to a good radio station for a three years, then I wake up one morning to find they changed the format from classic rock to soft rock.
Soft rock? Jeez, are we Lionel Richie bad? ;) I much prefer my Star Trek analogy.
Our intro post should’ve feature lyrics from “Hello.”
by Cory Lavalette on Jan 26, 2010 1:40 PM CST up reply actions
I came to this blog for primarily for Mirtle, but I also came because him and I shared similar interests, so he blogged about stuff I enjoyed. I also came because I was familiar with most of the shit head commentors. In a sense, I came her and knew exactly what to expect.
Good to see the humour quotient on the blog is still being upheld.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
So if you’re going to change the approach of the blog, I don’t understand why you don’t just start a new blog. Obviously there’s a market for whatever it was that Mirtle created, so it doesn’t make a ton of sense to keep the same blog, but change the content.
If it doesn’t bother Mirtle then why sweat it? Give it a chance and then either stick around or don’t.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Anyone know
If Versus will have exclusive rights to some playoff games, such that they won’t be able to be televised by the local markets? If I’m not going to be able to watch some Av playoff games in the comfort of my own family room due to this bs, it may be time for me to drop DirecTV.
And with the 32nd pick in the 2009 NHL draft, the Red Wings select: Someone other than Ryan O'Reilly. LOL@Detoilet.
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