MLB Extra Innings

[Derwood]

Perhaps since HD is not yet "standard" for American TV broadcasts then it isn't a monopoly, as it's still considered a premium service.

 

As for monopoly's, it happens in the entertainment industry. Take EA and John Madden Football. How were they allowed an exclusive partnership with the NFL and NFLPA?

[Guest]

I had a very interesting conversation with my DirecTV installer last week (as he was installing my new DVR).

 

Some of the things that you might like to know:

 

- DirecTV is negotiating exclusive rights to just about every sports season package (NFL, MLB, NBA, NCAA, etc.)

 

- They are also negotiating exclusive rights to most HD channels on "cable" TV (TBS, USA, TNT, MTV, ESPN, etc.)

 

- DirecTV is way ahead of the game on the technology front. They currently have 2 "empty" satellites in orbit that are capable of broadcasting up to 500 HD channels each as soon as networks start switching over.

 

- He claims Dish Network is a subsidiary of DirecTV and is purposely run poorly to incrase DirecTV's sales (and to skirt the "lack of competition" factor in most markets). He says Dish Network sublets satellite space from DirecTV and owns no satellites of their own.

 

Dish Network is not a subsidiary of DirecTV. It's a subsidiary of EchoStar Communications, ticker symbol DISH. DirecTV is a Rupert Murdoch/NewsCorp affiliated company.

 

not anymore. murdoch sold out.

 

hail caused me problems in Colorado - so maybe some types of storms do interfere.

[goonys evil twin]

- He claims Dish Network is a subsidiary of DirecTV and is purposely run poorly to incrase DirecTV's sales (and to skirt the "lack of competition" factor in most markets). He says Dish Network sublets satellite space from DirecTV and owns no satellites of their own.

 

Dish Network is not a subsidiary of DirecTV. It's a subsidiary of EchoStar Communications, ticker symbol DISH. DirecTV is a Rupert Murdoch/NewsCorp affiliated company.

 

not anymore. murdoch sold out.

 

hail caused me problems in Colorado - so maybe some types of storms do interfere.

 

I said affiliated, not owned by. He agreed to swap out his stake in the company with John Malone, although that deal will take a while to be approved, and has thus far not been completed. I still believe that in the end, there will remain some sort of affiliation with Murdoch and DirecTV.

[J.R.]

Whatever man, its been checked and rechecked its pretty much a known fact that you are going to lose signal during a storm in FL. It happens to almost everyone I know that has a dish down here. Dishnetwork or DirectTv will tell you the same thing if you complain about it. Its just part of having satelite tv. maybe the cloud cover is not as thick where you live, or you dont have as many trees around you or something. Satelite is finiky.

 

If you're in a compromised setting, you need a bigger dish. Check out the gainmasters.

[Section538]

Does anybody know if the blackout restrictions have been relaxed this year. I'm in one of those areas (Arkansas) where it seems like half the league is blacked out. We can't get Astros, Rangers, Cardinals or Royals games here -- and we're at least 300 miles away from all of these places. Ridiculous.

 

So...whenever the Cubs played the 'stros or Cards, we were usually out of luck.

 

I know Selig came out and said they were going to try and do something about it, but I never heard if anything happened.

[bhogg]

Does anybody know if the blackout restrictions have been relaxed this year. I'm in one of those areas (Arkansas) where it seems like half the league is blacked out. We can't get Astros, Rangers, Cardinals or Royals games here -- and we're at least 300 miles away from all of these places. Ridiculous.

 

So...whenever the Cubs played the 'stros or Cards, we were usually out of luck.

 

I know Selig came out and said they were going to try and do something about it, but I never heard if anything happened.

 

Man, don't you know. You and I are supposed to go to all the Cardinal, Royals, Astro, and Ranger games. We can't take money out of the poor teams' pockets by watching on TV from lil' ol' Arkansas.

[Bull]

.

 

Is your avatar a pic of Ryno trying to look like Palmeiro?

The moustache was in 87.

hmm...

[bhogg]

The pic is from 87. . ..his "RBI" year.

 

That and I've always thought the ryno-stache was funny and / or cool.

[Bull]

The pic is from 87. . ..his "RBI" year.

 

That and I've always thought the ryno-stache was funny and / or cool.

I know it was 87, but isn't that the same year Cindy had a thing for guys with moustaches?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

The pic is from 87. . ..his "RBI" year.

 

That and I've always thought the ryno-stache was funny and / or cool.

I know it was 87, but isn't that the same year Cindy had a thing for guys with moustaches?

 

I think Cindy had a thing for guys...the moustache was irrelevant.

[bhogg]

The pic is from 87. . ..his "RBI" year.

 

That and I've always thought the ryno-stache was funny and / or cool.

I know it was 87, but isn't that the same year Cindy had a thing for guys with moustaches?

 

 

 

Ha! I never thought of it that way. . . . I wouldn't be surprised. Ryno is a stand up guy. He'd do anything to save his marriage.

 

I wonder if he spoke with a hispanic accent that season?

[Bull]

The pic is from 87. . ..his "RBI" year.

 

That and I've always thought the ryno-stache was funny and / or cool.

I know it was 87, but isn't that the same year Cindy had a thing for guys with moustaches?

 

 

 

Ha! I never thought of it that way. . . . I wouldn't be surprised. Ryno is a stand up guy. He'd do anything to save his marriage.

 

I wonder if he spoke with a hispanic accent that season?

 

I was thinking cause rather than effect, but that's a good theory too. There has to be a connection. Sorry, saw conspiracy theory last night.

[bhogg]

Raffy played in 86 as well. . .. .I'm just sayin ;)

[moorecg]

Below is an e-mail I sent MLB and their response...If others are intersted in keeping this on cable I suggest sending someting similar.

 

Dear Customer,

 

Thank you for sending your email. We really appreciate your feedback and comments and have forwarded your email to the appropriate person.

 

Thank you again for taking the time to write!

 

Regards,

 

DY, MLB.com Support

 

 

Sent: Friday, January 12, 2007 2:01 PM

To: MLBAMCS - FanFeedback

Subject: MLB- Extra Innings (Craig Moore)

 

I have heard through various sources that MLB is considering allowing DirectTV to have the sole and exclusive ability to provide the MLB-- ExtraInnings package that has previously been available.

If true, this is a horrible decision.

 

This package should be made available to as many fans as possible and granting a satelite company exclusive rights to the package would deny access to millions upon millions of fans.

You have a great thing going with Extra Innings, don't ruin it, you'll deny fans all across the country the ability to watch their favorite team.

[J.R.]

you'll deny whipped fans all across the country whose wives won't let them install dishes

 

FIXED!

[CuseCubFan69]

Maybe I'm not that big of a baseball fan because I refuse to pay to watch or listen to baseball other than going to a game. That goes for any sport.

[BigbadB]

Maybe I'm not that big of a baseball fan because I refuse to pay to watch or listen to baseball other than going to a game. That goes for any sport.

 

And I'm just the opposite. I refuse to pay for tickets to a baseball game when the organization has made it very clear they don't want me there.

 

(ie. smoking not allowed ANYWHERE on the stadium grounds at Petco)

 

And when I am successful at quitting, I still won't go. I will still be bitter that they didn't want my money then, therefore they can't have it now.

[CuseCubFan69]

Maybe I'm not that big of a baseball fan because I refuse to pay to watch or listen to baseball other than going to a game. That goes for any sport.

 

And I'm just the opposite. I refuse to pay for tickets to a baseball game when the organization has made it very clear they don't want me there.

 

(ie. smoking not allowed ANYWHERE on the stadium grounds at Petco)

 

And when I am successful at quitting, I still won't go. I will still be bitter that they didn't want my money then, therefore they can't have it now.

 

Well I hope you are successful in quitting smoking.

 

As a non smoker I hated it when someone would light up in front of us and the smell would be there the whole game. I understand what you're saying about being targeted and that is frustrating I'm sure. Is there a law in California about smoking in public places like in NY?

[BigbadB]

Is there a law in California about smoking in public places like in NY?

 

Are you kidding me? California invented it. There are whole towns you can't smoke in. Del Mar and Solana Beach, you are not allowed to smoke in your car as you pass through.

 

It's banned at beaches, stadiums, pretty much everywhere.

 

A smoking area well away from the non-smokers would have been a much more effective plan. To make me leave the stadium and then cross the street before I light up, thanks, but no thanks. I can see the game perfectly fine from my tv. I'll buy my consessions at the local grocery store, and they'll be much cheaper, thanks!

 

Meanwhile, corporate America, who voted out smoking pull into their parking spot in their 10 MPG smog emitting SUV's.

[Garwilly]

Is there a law in California about smoking in public places like in NY?

 

Are you kidding me? California invented it. There are whole towns you can't smoke in. Del Mar and Solana Beach, you are not allowed to smoke in your car as you pass through.

 

It's banned at beaches, stadiums, pretty much everywhere.

 

A smoking area well away from the non-smokers would have been a much more effective plan. To make me leave the stadium and then cross the street before I light up, thanks, but no thanks. I can see the game perfectly fine from my tv. I'll buy my consessions at the local grocery store, and they'll be much cheaper, thanks!

 

Meanwhile, corporate America, who voted out smoking pull into their parking spot in their 10 MPG smog emitting SUV's.

 

 

You won't smoke while doing it though. :lol:

[BigbadB]

Is there a law in California about smoking in public places like in NY?

 

Are you kidding me? California invented it. There are whole towns you can't smoke in. Del Mar and Solana Beach, you are not allowed to smoke in your car as you pass through.

 

It's banned at beaches, stadiums, pretty much everywhere.

 

A smoking area well away from the non-smokers would have been a much more effective plan. To make me leave the stadium and then cross the street before I light up, thanks, but no thanks. I can see the game perfectly fine from my tv. I'll buy my consessions at the local grocery store, and they'll be much cheaper, thanks!

 

Meanwhile, corporate America, who voted out smoking pull into their parking spot in their 10 MPG smog emitting SUV's.

 

 

You won't smoke while doing it though. :lol:

 

True, but I'll smoke on the way there and on the way back.

[moorecg]

Is there a law in California about smoking in public places like in NY?

 

Are you kidding me? California invented it. There are whole towns you can't smoke in. Del Mar and Solana Beach, you are not allowed to smoke in your car as you pass through.

 

It's banned at beaches, stadiums, pretty much everywhere.

 

A smoking area well away from the non-smokers would have been a much more effective plan. To make me leave the stadium and then cross the street before I light up, thanks, but no thanks. I can see the game perfectly fine from my tv. I'll buy my consessions at the local grocery store, and they'll be much cheaper, thanks!

 

Meanwhile, corporate America, who voted out smoking pull into their parking spot in their 10 MPG smog emitting SUV's.

 

 

You won't smoke while doing it though. :lol:

 

True, but I'll smoke on the way there and on the way back.

 

not trying too hard to quit then are you...

[BigbadB]

not trying too hard to quit then are you...

 

LOL, no. I have cut back to half a pack a day. Now that Vegas is pretty much smoke free (excluding hotel rooms and the casino gaming floor), it will be easier for me to attempt. But, a little bit at a time is a step in the right direction.

 

Shockingly enough, the law they attempted to pass in California would have made it easier for me to quit, but it was shot down. It was an increased tax that would have made smokes about $4.00 more a pack. I guess even the non-smokers thought that was a bit too much.

 

That's good, because cold turkey makes me a very, very wound up individual, and nearly impossible to tolerate for more than a few minutes at a time.

[moorecg]

Now that Vegas is pretty much smoke free (excluding hotel rooms and the casino gaming floor)

 

Vegas...now you're talking my language. My firm opened an office out ther 2 years ago...I took the Bar just t get a few more free trips a year out there...I love that place.

[karenmac]

Yep, it's my XM (got a timex unit for my bedside table at xmas) + the audio/video package from mlb.com. mlb.com blacks out a few games, but most are available to me in Central IL. I've got XM in my car as well, so I'm good to go. My cable provider, Insight, doesn't carry either EI or Center Ice - pretty silly, as it would be nothing but extra revenue for them.

 

I dunno what you guys are talking about.

 

Last year was the first year in about half a decade I didn't have MLB extra innings. Saved $160 and didn't feel obligated to watch the Cubs more then the once or twice a week they were on WGN. If DirecTV is making that decision easier, you should be thanking them.

 

Fair enough. But, I get EI for all MLB games, not just the Cubs. With Fantasy baseball as popular as ever, MLB should be capitalizing on the opportunity for EI to be seen regardless of what cable provider subscribers have.

 

If they are stupid enough to sign an exclusivity contract with one provider, then I might have to agree with you and not feel sorry for them or myself.

 

I think I'd probably wind up listening to more games on my XM radio. I wonder if they get rid of blackouts if I could watch the games on comcast sportsnet chicago, I pay extra for that channel but they blackout all the Cubs games so its usually only good for watching the pre and post game shows and Tribune live is occasionaly entertaining. Dan Plesac is a tool though. *sigh* If I could watch all the games on WGN and the games carried on comcast sportsnet I think Id be pretty happy and not be worried about losing the EI package.