NBC Sports (aka the Old Versus)

The Big Lead noted that NBCS (NBC Sports Channel - the old Versus) is not doing so well in the ratings. Channels like Biography, OWN (the Oprah Winfrey Network) and the Travel Channel are beating it in ratings. I can understand losing to the Travel Channel (they have Anthony Bourdain) but losing to OWN?

This got me wondering about the contract NBC Sports has with the NHL. The 10-year contract was signed last April and was reportedly worth $2 billion. Can a broadcaster losing to OWN in the ratings really afford such a deal? Could the NHL owners lockout give NBC a way out of the deal? Wouldn't that be an interesting turn of events?