Swanni's Take:
DIRECTV had wanted to include Versus in a more exclusive sports package that would have meant fewer viewers -- and possibly less money -- for the sports channel.

But DIRECTV's announcement that Versus will stay in the same programming package suggests that the satcaster gave up on its demand. The satcaster was under tremendous pressure to return Versus to the air, particularly now with the NHL playoffs starting next month.

Versus has the rights to broadcast both NHL regular season and playoff games.

While it's possible that DIRECTV gave Versus less money per viewer in this new deal, it's more likely that the satcaster blinked, fearful that more subscribers would switch to a TV provider that carried Versus and the NHL playoffs.

Also see:
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Phillip Swann is president and publisher of TVPredictions.com. He has been quoted in dozens of publications and broadcast outlets, including CNN, Fox News, Inside Edition, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The Financial Times, The Associated Press and The Hollywood Reporter. He can be reached at swann@tvpredictions.com or at 703-505-3064.

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