Doug Jenkins


Whoo Hooo!!!!!!!! The end of the DIRECTV-Versus battle may be in sight. DIRECTV pulled the Comcast-owned sports channel off the air on August 31, 2009 when the two sides could not reach a new carriage agreement. (The satcaster had carried the high-def and SD feeds for Versus.) However, Sports Illustrated writer Josh Gross tweeted on his Twitter page that he’s been told that a resolution will occur in March.

“For DirecTV subscribers concerned they’ll miss UFC on Versus (Jones-Vera, Gonzaga-dos Santos) I’m told a resolution is expected by March,” Gross said. If true, that would come before the IndyCar season opener in Sao Paulo, Brazil March 14. Versus has broadcast rights for IndyCar, as well as the Dakar Rally, and several other regional motorsports events. The SI writer did not elaborate on why he believes the resolution will be in March.

DIRECTV has accused Versus of requesting an “outrageous” increase in fees while the sports channel has denied that, saying its request is within normal industry standards.