I just finished emailing the following letter to versus@directv.com:

To whom it may concern,

I joined DirecTV last year, just in time for the start of the NHL season. The availability of NHL Center Ice games in HD was the primary reason I made the switch from Comcast. It was great — I thoroughly enjoyed my hockey experience last year.

Naturally, I signed up for the same programming and eagerly awaited tonight—the start of the NHL season. Plus, my team, the superstar Washington Capitals had a premier matchup against the infamous Boston Bruins—how awesome! (I think you know where this is going.) It’s only on Versus, which isn’t a problem since I get 500+ channels thanks to DirecTV, except, it is a problem. Ten minutes before the puck drops I find out that Versus is no longer available on DirecTV. Ummm, what?! Not cool!

You say in your guide that Comcast (owner of the Versus network) is being a dick and making demands you don’t want to comply with. Comcast is acting like a dick? I can believe that—big conglomerates often tend to think they’re too cool for school and, as a result, do stupid things without regard for others.

Sound familiar? You’re a big conglomerate. You think you’re too cool for school. And you’re being a dick to all us NHL fans that already pay way too much money for your product.

Stop being a dick like Comcast and let me watch Versus.

Thanks,
DJ Lein