Cycling on tv in the US: ch ch ch changes

[channlluv]

This might sound nitpicky, but we found it really hard to watch races on Universal because they were not in HD. Yeah, I know, how spoiled are we, right? But the grainy coverage of races in Spain and Italy, for instance, was just hard to watch. You couldn't tell some of the teams apart if their jerseys were at all similar in color or design, and I couldn't tell the riders apart, and you couldn't really make out the expressions on their faces.

I do prefer Fabian and Thor in HD.

Roxy

[radacrider]

We just have basic cable and, yep, we no got Universal anymore. poo

[Crankin]

Ach, we are giving up cable at the end of the month. DH got fed up with the constant increase in fees, and we have no second option, since our town told Verizon that they would have to bury all of their lines if they wanted in.
So, we have a nice HD antenna for over the air HD sitting outside, all tested, ready to go. We're keeping the internet (VOip) phone and internet, though.
I am not happy about how I am going to watch cycling. DH says we'll be able to get it on line and then hook up to the TV, and we don't mind paying for the Tour to do this. But, I like watching the Spring classics, too.
I do agree about watching cycling on Universal. I stopped because the quality of the picture was so bad. Yes, we are spoiled, but what's the point if you can't even tell which team is which. And the announcers weren't that good, either.

[ny biker]

I definitely prefer to see the races in HD, and will always like Phil and Paul the best. But Steve and Todd certainly knew their stuff and they started to grow on me. And low-def if better than no def at all!

Plus sometimes I would watch other sports, like diving competitions, when nothing else was on and I was in a couch potato mood.

[Koronin]

Universal was never on Dish Network so I had no idea it just vanished. On the other hand I did notice Versus was replaced by NBCsports on the same channel number and it looks to be the same programming for the most part. Then again I only really ever watched Versus for cycling and hockey.

[pll]

I am totally bummed the Universal disappeared form Comcast. I do not have HD of any kind, so I would not know the difference, but I loved watching the Giro and the Vuelta. Most days, I like the narration by Paul and Phil, but the do get obsessed with particular riders and become unbearably repetitive, so some variety in comment is refreshing. I really wish more of the Spring classics where shown on TV, as well as some of the shorter stage races.

When I watch some races live, I tend to look for audio feeds from different countries (Eurosport, RTVE from Spain, and a little Italian during the Giro), which can be quite interesting because of the focus on different riders, discussion of strategies, etc.

[Blueberry]

I loved Universal Sports over the air - and I really, really miss it! It was my go-to trainer channel. Loved the skiing, and particularly the occasional ironman coverage

We don't have cable or dish, and haven't for a very long time. There is no way I would pay for TV to get this channel (don't even know if that is an option). So - I'm one of the people who will just fall off of their viewing audience permanently.

PS - We now have a "weather channel" in its place - it shows the radar and 7 day forecast continually. What a waste!

[AppleTree]

This might sound nitpicky, but we found it really hard to watch races on Universal because they were not in HD. Yeah, I know, how spoiled are we, right? But the grainy coverage of races in Spain and Italy, for instance, was just hard to watch. You couldn't tell some of the teams apart if their jerseys were at all similar in color or design, and I couldn't tell the riders apart, and you couldn't really make out the expressions on their faces.

I do prefer Fabian and Thor in HD.

Roxy

+1 on the HD. Not only that, but we miss Paul and Phil when Universal covered the bike races. Although I kinda like Gogo, I was glad they included him in the TdF coverage last summer.

I haven't looked to see if we still have the Universal channel here...just looked, yep we still have it here on Comcast cable. Wonder for how long?