Universal Sports changes (again)

Scott Alexander

Got this email from Universal Sports yesterday about their coverage and how it's changing AGAIN!

Dear Fans of Universal Sports,

With more than 30 different sports and 25 world championships, Universal Sports Network is your destination to watch your favorite Olympic sports and athletes year-round including exclusive and live event coverage of the Vuelta a España, Giro d’Italia, Diamond League track and field, Kona Ironman, Alpine Skiing World Cup and world marathon majors each year.

This Friday, July 27th, our website will become fully authenticated which is a necessary measure in our efforts to continue to provide, and expand upon, the world-class sports content you have come to expect from Universal Sports.  Authentication, or verification, is the ability to login to our website using your current satellite or cable provider account to access live streaming content and online video on demand.

Effective Friday, all online live events and replays on demand will be available exclusively to DIRECTV, DISH and cable customers who have Universal Sports as part of their television package. Individual long-form events and sport packages will no longer be offered for sale online, but will be free to users who verify their subscriptions on our website.  There is no additional charge for this service and a customer’s subscription will not be affected. As always, anyone who visits our website can enjoy video highlights, photos and breaking news for free without authentication.

HOW TO WATCH EVENTS ONLINE

If you have Universal Sports as part of your television package and would like to watch an event online, all you need is to obtain a user name and password from your TV provider, and then follow a few simple steps to verify your account. The process is very similar to accessing live online coverage of the London Games through NBC’s Olympics Live Extra feature.

Go to UniversalSports.com

Click the tab “Sign-In With Cable/Satellite Provider” at the top of the homepage

Select your provider

Enter the username and password that corresponds with your account

Click “Log In”

 

If you are unable to receive our network, contact your TV provider (via 1-800-55-GET-US or www.IWantUniversalSports.com) and tell them you want Universal Sports in your channel lineup.  We operate independently and are separate from NBC Sports and its parent Comcast, and therefore television distributors negotiate with Universal Sports as they would any other network. Your continued support helps the process and I can assure you that your voices are being heard.

Our team is fully committed to delivering world-class and compelling sports content to our viewers through multiple platforms, and we are working hard to sign up additional providers to ensure distribution of our exclusive Olympic, endurance and adventure sports coverage.

Thank you for your loyalty.

Sincerely,

David Sternberg

CEO, Universal Sports Network

 

So it turns out now you won't even be able to see the Vuelta or anything else even online! SUCKS!

 

Al Truscott

 Yeah, I was planning on downgradng to basic cable after the Olympics, but then I saw this. I have Dish, but Universal Sports is only available (with a special surchage) at the higher end of their packages. Guess I'll have to give up on re-roofing my house. I wasted 30 minutes last night watching the a replay of the women's Kitzbuhl ITU race. Why don't they ever put hills on those run courses?

novaavant

I just don't understand their business model. It seems like they are doing everything in their power to try and make it fail. I used to get this channel on Comcast in Philly area and now I can't get the channel even if I would pay extra for it which I wouldn't. Greed is a hell of a drug.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2012/01/universal-sports-didnt-disappear-it-just-seems-that-way.html

[Deleted User]

Maybe NBC just pretend to keep this channel alive to satisfy the IOC by showing Olympic Sports that they otherwse would not cover? I used to really enjoy the channel because of their cycling coverage. Now I have to watch not very good video on the web but the Sean Kelly commentary on Eurosport is entertaining at least.

Anyone heard any news about this channel becoming more widely available again?

Scott Alexander

@Ian, AT&T's U-verse service doesn't even offer it in their upper level Sports package, so I doubt it'll happen any time soon.

GMAN 19030

Works great on DirecTV. ;-)

Dave Tallo

The former US is now home to "Retro TV" on my over the air channel. So instead of the Vuelta and beach volleyball, I watch The Jeffersons and Good Times.