N&O savings guru Sue Stock passed along this tidbit of interest to hockey fans with DirecTV, as long as Versus remains off the air:
If you call DirecTV and ask for "customer retention," and complain about the Versus dispute, you can get the NHL Center Ice package free. Let us know if that works.
Of course, with the Hurricanes blacked out by Versus anyway, it's not as big an issue in this market.
In other news, Phil Janack, who used to cover the River Rats, is now blogging about the team on his own at pjanack.blogspot.com. And the Rats are rolling, now 2-1-0.
Luke has worked for The N&O since 2000. He covered the Carolina Hurricanes and the NHL before becoming a sports columnist in August 2008. A native of Evanston, Ill., he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. He can be reached at (919) 829-8947, @LukeDeCock on Twitter or 
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I'm the one that tipped off Sue..
Wed, 10/14/2009 - 10:17 — nancydI had already signed up for Center Ice and been billed for my 1st installment on DirectTV.... after I complained I received $163 credit on my account. Thats the cost of the full season ...giving out all these credits should help pressure Direct to settle the matter with Versus/Comcast.
Got it for free
Wed, 10/14/2009 - 09:19 — JgennaThis absolutely works. I called last week and just spoke with a customer representative. Tried being as polite as possible, but let them know I was very disappointed in Directv and was considering going back to TW. Didn't take much effort after that. They credited my account $160 and added Center Ice.
Ummmm...... I think Center
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 17:54 — SaintMateoUmmmm...... I think Center Ice is free for EVERYONE throughout the month of October.....
Directv
Wed, 10/14/2009 - 09:45 — abramsdougI called a few minutes ago. I already had Center Ice and the customer service representative was not inclined to do more than say it was all Versus's fault for charging too much. In the end, she gave me a $50.00 credit toward Center Ice. I do think it is important that people register their displeasure with Directv and ask for some form of credit in order to make the point that Directv and Versus really need to solve their disagreements.
You're missing the point
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 22:21 — Socalgirl828You're missing the point; a CI subscription is from Oct thru April. People don't pay $120 for 3 weeks.
People subscribe for a full NHL season which isn't just a few weeks long. The freeview is from 10/1- 10/24. It's normally only a couple days they've drawn it out longer this year. I'll give the people who want to try it out their freebie it's up to them to decide if they want to subscribe. For those who have actually paid for a subscription and they're a DirecTV customer, this is attempt to appease those who are lacking Versus so they don't jump ship.
Luke- You're right on the whole Versus/No Canes thing, I am floored that we have zero games on Versus, but like the NBC deal, I've become accustomed to us being ignored by the national media. I pretty much hate the FSN deal the Canes have as well, but I'm not running the show. I personally believe the contract with Versus blows chunks. I didn't hear the inflection in your post on the "poking" at Versus. So we can call that part even.
So... you're saying that
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 23:34 — SaintMateoSo... you're saying that if someone calls and complains that they don't get Versus then DirecTV will give them Center Ice (the entire season) for free?
Your assumption that D-TV's Versus blackout.......
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 17:29 — Socalgirl828Luke, I think it's a little flippant for you to presume, just because the 'Canes are 'blacked out' on Versus (you do mean Versus isn't showing any Canes games right?) that it "isn't a big issue in this market" Really?
You're presuming (again) that people who have DirecTV and their highly touted "sports package" are watching just for the Canes and aren't fans of watching NHL hockey???? Really? That's a bit much, given the large transplant population. Plus, as a Center Ice subscriber, my expectation is that I will see ALL the games available for my $120 bucks plus the premium we pay for the sports pack. Of course there are others who are of the same belief and shock and surprise, They live here in the Triangle and it is "a big issue" for them. As much as I spend money on the Canes, and have season tickets, I'm a hockey fan, as are many others around here, and the whole Versus issue is infuriating at best. To dismiss this situation as something that doesn't affect anyone around here is VERY short sided. They didn't lower my rate when they took Versus off the Sports package, but continue to blather on about how they're the "leader" in sports programming. If it were "easy" to jump off DirecTV (switch carriers after 13 years as a customer) It would be done already.
Thanks to Sue Stock for the tip. I'll be calling DirectTV.
Poking fun at Versus'
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 19:55 — ldecock (author)Poking fun at Versus' habitual and chronic failure to acknowledge the existence of the Carolina franchise (outside of the playoffs) is as much a part of this blog's history as just about anything.
Sure, there are people in this market who would like to see the Avalanche on Versus every Tuesday. (Nothing's stopping them from calling DirecTV, either.) But there are way more of them who would like to see (or not see, if they're DirecTV customers) the Canes on Versus once in a while. Just for kicks.
As for the Center Ice free preview (next comment), we're talking about the entire season. Significant.
I am not a "transplant" and
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 23:38 — SaintMateoI am not a "transplant" and I love to watch hockey from all markets....
With that being said... I do not think that I ever care to watch hockey on Versus.... because the Versus coverage of hockey (in general) is horrible.... it is absolutely horrible!!!
That is why I make sure to get the NHL Network and Center Ice... who cares about Versus?
for those of you
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 13:44 — esteban1949who are or do have that ...God Luck, and i hope it works out for everyone !! After all, it is about time huh ? Thanks Luke...and No i have not gotten an email from Phil, but did leave him one via a post there to his opening blog message...after i heard from you sir...again my humble thanks...
Go Canes !!
Yep...almost got it for free this season!
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 13:03 — NtheIbut, I also made sure to call ComCast also. DirecTV will credit my account $20.00 per month for 6 months, which will almost cover all of the cost for NHL Center Ice package...