ISU Grand Prix Coverage

[Isk8NYC]

Looks like NBC and Universal Sports will be covering the ISU Grand Prix on delay and/or only the final events live.

IceNetwork.com will carry the Skate America events. 

Is Skate Canada going to be on skatebug?

[Isk8NYC]

Universal Sports schedule as of 9/12/2010:
LINK: http://www.universalsports.com/figure-skating/schedule/index,page=1.htmx

Oct 22 2010 Grand Prix of Japan
Oct 23 2010 Grand Prix of Japan
Oct 24 2010 Grand Prix of Japan

Oct 29 2010 Skate Canada
Oct 30 2010 Skate Canada

Nov 5  Cup of China  Beijing, China   
Nov 6  Cup of China  Beijing, China   
Nov 7  Cup of China  Beijing, China   

Nov 12  Skate America  Portland, Oregon   
Nov 13  Skate America  Portland, Oregon   
Nov 14  Skate America  Portland, Oregon   

Nov 19  Cup of Russia  Moscow, Russia   
Nov 20  Cup of Russia  Moscow, Russia   
Nov 21  Cup of Russia  Moscow, Russia   

Nov 26  Grand Prix of France  Paris, France   
Nov 27  Grand Prix of France  Paris, France   
Nov 28  Grand Prix of France  Paris, France 

Dec 9  Grand Prix Final  Beijing, China   
Dec 10  Grand Prix Final  Beijing, China   
Dec 11  Grand Prix Final  Beijing, China   
Dec 12  Grand Prix Final  Beijing, China 

[Isk8NYC]

From the back cover of the US Figure Skating Directory:

NBC TV Schedule:

10/31 , 4-6pm  NHK Trophy
11/6, 4-6pm  Skate Canada
11/14 4-6pm Skate America (LIVE)
11/21 2-4pm Cup of Russia
11/28 2-4pm 12-2pm Trophe'e Eric Bompard *
12/19 12-2pm 2-4pm Grand Prix Final *

* Revised per icenetwork news item: http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100921&content_id=14911548&vkey=ice_pressrelease

[Debbie S]

IceNetwork.com will carry the Skate America events. 

Did you read that somewhere? IN won't be webcasting the other GP events? That would be a change from past years. Maybe that's why IN hasn't published their fall lineup and subscription info yet.

I thought IN had a contract for webcasts with the ISU?

[Isk8NYC]

The Skate America statement was in an article I read, so I knew that was a sure thing.  I didn't want to mislead people into assuming the other GP events will be/will not be carried since I really don't know that for sure.  That's why I asked about Skate Canada.

I haven't read anything about the other GP events being shown on IN, so I didn't mention them at all.  

I remember watching Skate America events live last year on IN, but I don't remember any other events' live coverage.   I watched the Cup of Russia ladies/mens on a european internet site that was streaming live.  That was interesting to listen to since I didn't understand a word of the commentary, lol.  

I never heard that the ISU granted IceNetwork any contract like that; I thought each country's access was negotiated separately.  I'm not a very good skating fanatic, lol.


You're more than welcome to add on details like that since you have more knowledge.

[Isk8NYC]

Here's the 2009-2010 release: http://figureskating.teamusa.org/news/2009/10/09/icenetwork-com-launches-2009-10-season-pass/28191

There's a footnote at the bottom about geoblocking.  *shrugs*

Debbie's right: icenetwork had internet rights to the entire grand prix.  Hopefully, they'll have it again this year.

[Debbie S]

You're more than welcome to add on details like that since you have more knowledge.

Actually, my knowledge is pretty limited, lol. I haven't heard much definite about this year's GP series - except that Universal Sports will broadcast the GPs and Worlds, and since I don't get Universal, I'm  . It's good to see that NBC will also broadcast the GPs, even if it's a week late, in some cases.

I assumed IN would broadcast each GP again live like they have for the past 2 years - I believe what they use for non-U.S. events is the host country's feed, and there is usually no commentary, which can be nice. I can't remember what time last year IN announced the new season schedule. I hope they'll do the same coverage as in the past.

[Isk8NYC]

Even if you don't get UniSports, don't despair.  (DirecTV still doesn't carry them on my package.)  UniSports did a TON of streaming last year with little/no promotion or notice.  I remember them showing practices and early-flight warmups/skaters. 

Since I'm biased again commentators, I loved it when their mikes cut out, lol.   >

[Isk8NYC]

Saw this update on icenetwork.com:

http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100921&content_id=14911548&vkey=ice_pressrelease

UniversalSports.com will offer live and on-demand coverage of six Grand Prix events (including the Cup of China and excluding Skate America) for a one-time subscription fee of $14.95; icenetwork.com will provide live coverage and on-demand replays from all seven stops on the Grand Prix circuit as part of the annual icenetwork.com subscription package. Both sites will also deliver news, blogs, photos, standings and more.

NBC Sports will broadcast 12 hours of live and taped coverage of five Grand Prix events, including Skate America, and the Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final on Dec. 12, in Beijing, China.

Universal Sports will show more than 34 hours of original programming from five events, as well as re-broadcasts of the featured programming that appears on NBC Sports

2010 ISU Grand Prix Series Schedule on NBC Sports (all times ET, check your local listings for times in your area)
Sunday, Oct. 31: NHK Trophy (Japan) 4-6 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 6: Skate Canada International 4-6 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 14: Skate America 4-6 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 21: Rostelecom Cup (Russia) 2-4 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 28: Trophée Eric Bompard (France) 2-4 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 12: ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final (China) 12-2 p.m.

A detailed broadcast schedule for Universal Sports will be released at a later date. NBC Sports and Universal Sports will both televise the 2011 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, and Universal Sports will have coverage of the 2011 ISU World Figure Skating Championships, which take place March 21-27 in Tokyo, Japan.

[Isk8NYC]

I don't know that I would pay the UniversalSports.com subscription fee as well as the icenetwork.com season pass.  Then again, I might not do either and put the $45 towards my synchro bill, lol.

[Debbie S]

Just got an e-mail about Ice Network renewal. The price has gone up!  It is now $39.95, or "only" $39.95, as the e-mail says, at the bottom. Same events as last year - Nats, GP series, JN, AN, and Synchro Nats. Also Regionals and Sectionals, and it sounds like they'll also be showing those backstage bits from Disson show tapings again.

They say video quality will be "improved" - I'll believe that when I see it. Supposedly, they will offer streaming rates "up to" 1 Mbps.

[Isk8NYC]

WOW - their fee should include the Universal Sports fee as well.

We should start a pool for how long they wait before discounting the price.  
Last year was the latest, but they did offer a small discount part-way into the season.  
One. Week. After. I. Renewed.  (I asked for the discount but was told 'no.")

I didn't get that email and the info isn't on their website.  I'd better make sure they don't auto-renew my policy.  
I'm going to be a holdout this year - I don't have time to watch that much skating anyway.