IndyCar fans with DirecTV have been unable to watch the IZOD IndyCar Series since last fall, when IRL cable partner Versus was thrown off the satellite distributor’s airwaves. But that problem is finally going to be solved, as both sides have announced a deal to bring the Comcast-owned sports network back onto DirecTV.
DirecTV said through its official Twitter account that Versus will return to its regular DTV position of Ch. 603 no later than 7 p.m. ET tonight. The company also said that Versus will be in high definition and in the same programming packages that it was found on before the channel was dropped.
Here’s the press release from DirecTV and Comcast:
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., and PHILADELPHIA, March 15, 2010 – DIRECTV and Comcast have reached an agreement to return VERSUS to the DIRECTV programming lineup today. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
VERSUS will return to the same DIRECTV programming packages it was in at the end of August 2009.
“We are pleased that both sides were able to work out a satisfactory deal to bring this programming back to our customers,” said Derek Chang, executive vice president, Content Strategy and Development, DIRECTV.
“We’re excited that we were able to come to a fair agreement that puts VERSUS back in millions of homes with DIRECTV in time for our busy spring programming schedule,” said Jamie Davis, president of VERSUS. “We look forward to super-serving these fans with NHL regular-season and playoff coverage, our first live UFC event and much more.”
The IndyCars’ next event on March 28 at St. Petersburg, Florida will be carried by ABC, then Versus will take back coverage for the Indy Grand Prix of Alabama on April 11.
Versus will re-air yesterday’s dramatic season opener from Sao Paulo, Brazil tonight at 10 p.m. ET.
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UPDATE (8:30 p.m. ET): The Indy Racing League has released a short statement from its chief executive officer Randy Bernard on Versus returning to the DirecTV lineup:
“I would like to thank Derek Chang, along with Jamie Davis, for working diligently to getting this deal done. Everyone wins – DIRECTV, VERSUS, and most importantly, the fans of the Indy Racing League.”
