My advice for Versus

Versus needs to step up if it wants to make a name for itself as a network...and if the NHL wants to have more of a television presence (Versus is on channel 485 on my cable provider...two tiers above the cable package I have). The network hasn't done much the last two years toward becoming mainstream, but hopefully will do so in the future.

My advice for Versus:

1. Secure more sports programming (I'm sorry, but in my opinion, yachting, bull riding, barbecuing, cagefighting, etc. do not qualify as sports). Last week's announcement that Versus will air Big 12 and Pac-10 football games is a step in the right direction, but the network shouldn't stop there. Go after tennis, golf and college basketball. Fans of these sports will add more pressure on cable providers to put Versus on a decent channel. Also, these fans will be more likely to consider watching a hockey game than someone tuning in to watch a rodeo. So Versus will be able to advertise its own programming more effectively to its viewers.

   
   

2. Develop more NHL programming. When Versus grabbed the television rights to the NHL, the network planned to use that as a starting point for reinventing itself. Other than changing its name and airing two or three hockey games a week, I don't see much difference (at least from the point of view of someone who doesn't actually get Versus). The NHL should be its focus, yet Versus only offers 10 hours of hockey a week during the season. Why not offer some shows profiling players or teams? And definitely offer a nightly hockey recap show during the season.

   
   

3. Become a source for sports news. It may take time to secure TV rights to more sports, but that shouldn't stop the network from reporting on it. To start, Versus should air a daily sports show. Also, the network's Web site currently acts first as an advertisement for its own programming and a far second as a news source. The Web sites for both Fox Sports and ESPN serve as places for fans to turn to for the latest sports news, and Versus should follow suit.

Versus just hired a new vice president of programming last week. Let's cross our fingers that he'll make some changes that will benefit both the network and the NHL.