INDemand reaches deal for MLB Extra Innings Package!

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Pricing was put up online today

 

Get MLB EXTRA INNINGS now for just 4 payments of $39.99 — a savings of $40 off the regular season price!

(Must order DIRECTV service by 4/7/07 and activate by 4/15/07)

 

 

Over the last two seasons, I have paid $120 and $150 for the MLB EI package. It's nice to see it getting jacked up to $200. I can't wait to see the immense improvements to the program that warrant that incredible raise in price.

 

I'll still pay.

 

It looks like the early bird price is what the regular price was last season, but the savings from the regular price to the early bird is a little greater this time around. I'm paying.

[BigbadB]

I had been hearing $179.00 for the regular season price prior to that announcement. But, that was through cable, NOT DirecTV. I was getting discounts for repeat customer and early bird, which I believe knocked it down to $139.00. But, I would pay double that for the package, personally and possibly more.

 

I wonder if the price will go down for DirecTV customers if Dish and Cable pony up the cash.

[J.R.]

iN Demand's Robert Jacobson[/url]"]disenfranchise baseball fans in the 75 million multichannel households who do not subscribe to DirecTV

 

That's code for

 

iN Demand's Robert Jacobson[/url]"]I'm a douchebag

 

I thought this needed revisiting. Jacobson's whole quote was:

 

Jacobson said the deal contained "conditions for carriage that MLB and DirecTV designed to be impossible for cable and DISH to meet." He said the agreement will "disenfranchise baseball fans in the 75 million multichannel households who do not subscribe to DirecTV" and "represents the height of disrespect and disregard for their loyal baseball fans."

I see no reason to call him a douchebag, unless you're just too narrow minded to see why this isn't' a good thing for everybody. Either that, or you somehow feel that being in the directtv circle somehow makes you more 'elite' than non-directtv subscribers, and you just don't care about them. Anyways, as far as Jacobsen goes, I'm sure he has other motives, but he's looking out more for the general fan base in this case than either DirecTV or MLB. This is anti-competitive. Competition is always good in any market. There won't be any competition for directtv for EI, which is incredibly bad for consumers. You may not notice it too much for the first year or two, but I guarantee everyone will by the end of the deal.

 

It's all part of J.R.'s Macho Man shtick. It doesn't have to make sense.

 

1. He refused to give MLB what they wanted.

 

2. Now he's crying because he lost.

 

3. He's a douchebag.

[NCCubFan]

1. He refused to give MLB what they wanted. Because what MLB is asking for is ridiculous.

 

2. Now he's crying because he lost. And rightfully so, because MLB isn't playing fair.

 

3. He's a douchebag. Get off it. Just because someone complains about an unfair situation doesn't make him a douchebag.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I can understand the angst of those who have gotten this package in the past through cable and yet won't get it now.

 

On the other hand, I'm not sure MLB's demands are unreasonable. Sure, cable wants us to believe they are.

 

But MLB wants a channel on regular tier. While cable may not want to do that, is that really too much to ask.

 

If DirectTV is willing to pony up the cash, in essence that sets the market for such a package.

 

So, while the demands may be hard for cable to meet, one party has met them. In MLB's eyes, they are only asking from the other parties what one has already agreed to do.

[J.R.]

Get off it. Just because someone complains about an unfair situation doesn't make him a douchebag.

 

You're clearly wrong. Cable got its ass kicked because of outmoded infrastructure, unimaginative execs and a culture of laziness bred by decades of government protection. It's no surprise that Uncle Sam is the first person they're crying to now.

 

It's true that there's no way cable could provide the kind of EI experience MLB wanted. I think it's insane to argue that EI should stick with a 1990s model just so cable could air it.

 

MLB wanted a better product on par with Sunday Ticket. DirecTV agreed to provide it, with the assurance of exclusivity. MLB demanded to be paid for the exclusive arrangement. MLBEI is awesome now.

[3Dog]

Can I just say that I want to take J.R.'s avatar to bed?

[macuser2]

I switched to Direct TV because the local cable system has deteriorated seriously. First it was local, then part of Time Warner, and now part of Comcast. There have been numerous television and newspaper articles about how bad the service has become.

 

Last season, EI would go out on me during games, thanks to Time Warner. I wasn't willing to chance it this year. I picked Direct TV over Dish simply because this deal was brewing.

 

I feel for those of you who may have to do without EI. It isn't just because of the Cubs; that package makes baseball more enjoyable, period.

 

I also think Selig's comments about this are out of place.

 

If I couldn't get EI, I might get the MLB.TV thing, since I have good internet access (from the phone company by the way).

 

Or, I could do without somehow like I did until three years ago. Somehow I managed.

 

Some have commented about how short sighted MLB has become. I agree. There's lots of competition for sports viewing and dollars, especially among younger people. Last weekend I watched a pay per view thing from the UFC. One of the comments made was that "this (MMA) was a lot more exciting than baseball". I think baseball had better be very careful.

[BigbadB]

Eventually, playoffs and World Series will be PPV events.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Eventually, playoffs and World Series will be PPV events.

 

I disagree. I think the major sports realize the value and necessity of making the championships and playoffs readily available.

[CubinNY]

Eventually, playoffs and World Series will be PPV events.

 

I disagree. I think the major sports realize the value and necessity of making the championships and playoffs readily available.

I don't, espeially the superbowl.

[BigbadB]

The Super Bowl will get there first, followed closely by all other major sporting events playoffs and such. NASCAR also.

 

It's the direction they've been pushing. The premium movie channels used to get the new releases from the movie theaters. Now, they have to wait until In Demand is done with getting their PPV money with those movies. The premium channels have spent more time focusing on other things to keep their customers. Showtime and HBO have increased their boxing and weekly programming. It's becoming difficult to find a movie on HBO, and I have all of the HBO's that are available. Every time I turn it on, it's Rome, Entourage, Deadwood, Sopranos, Extras, Carnival, Real Time, Boxing, etc....

 

It may not be this year and it may not be next year, but sooner or later, all major sporting events will be on PPV.

[Garwilly]

The Super Bowl will get there first, followed closely by all other major sporting events playoffs and such. NASCAR also.

 

It's the direction they've been pushing. The premium movie channels used to get the new releases from the movie theaters. Now, they have to wait until In Demand is done with getting their PPV money with those movies. The premium channels have spent more time focusing on other things to keep their customers. Showtime and HBO have increased their boxing and weekly programming. It's becoming difficult to find a movie on HBO, and I have all of the HBO's that are available. Every time I turn it on, it's Rome, Entourage, Deadwood, Sopranos, Extras, Carnival, Real Time, Boxing, etc....

 

It may not be this year and it may not be next year, but sooner or later, all major sporting events will be on PPV.

 

 

I wouldn't pay for the superbowl unless my team was in it.

 

edit: I gladly pay for Sunday Ticket.

[Derwood]

The Super Bowl will get there first, followed closely by all other major sporting events playoffs and such. NASCAR also.

 

It's the direction they've been pushing. The premium movie channels used to get the new releases from the movie theaters. Now, they have to wait until In Demand is done with getting their PPV money with those movies. The premium channels have spent more time focusing on other things to keep their customers. Showtime and HBO have increased their boxing and weekly programming. It's becoming difficult to find a movie on HBO, and I have all of the HBO's that are available. Every time I turn it on, it's Rome, Entourage, Deadwood, Sopranos, Extras, Carnival, Real Time, Boxing, etc....

 

It may not be this year and it may not be next year, but sooner or later, all major sporting events will be on PPV.

 

 

I wouldn't pay for the superbowl

 

fixed

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

The Super Bowl will get there first, followed closely by all other major sporting events playoffs and such. NASCAR also.

 

It's the direction they've been pushing. The premium movie channels used to get the new releases from the movie theaters. Now, they have to wait until In Demand is done with getting their PPV money with those movies. The premium channels have spent more time focusing on other things to keep their customers. Showtime and HBO have increased their boxing and weekly programming. It's becoming difficult to find a movie on HBO, and I have all of the HBO's that are available. Every time I turn it on, it's Rome, Entourage, Deadwood, Sopranos, Extras, Carnival, Real Time, Boxing, etc....

 

It may not be this year and it may not be next year, but sooner or later, all major sporting events will be on PPV.

 

 

I wouldn't pay for the superbowl unless my team was in it.

 

edit: I gladly pay for Sunday Ticket.

 

I think the NFL makes more on the SuperBowl by selling ads and not charging viewers than they would if it were pay per view, because fewer viewers would greatly decrease the amount they can charge for advertisements.

[BigbadB]

Sports bars will pay a big price to have the games at their place, especially if it's not available for home viewers unless they pay for it. The revenue stream from sports bars and "home parties" could keep advertisers attention, especially if advertising prices were lowered.

 

How many sports bars are there in the US?

[Abe Frohman]

They're installing my DirecTV on Wednesday. I'm loyal like Cal Ripken, folks.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

They're installing my DirecTV on Wednesday. I'm loyal like Cal Ripken, folks.

 

Good choice. You won't be dissapointed.

[Abe Frohman]

They're installing my DirecTV on Wednesday. I'm loyal like Cal Ripken, folks.

 

Good choice. You won't be dissapointed.

 

Well, I'm getting a free DVR, free HBO/Skinemax for 3 months, and $10 off a month for 10 months. The switch is just going to be weird because I am so used to the channels on Dish Network. Oh well.

[Soul]

They're installing my DirecTV on Wednesday. I'm loyal like Cal Ripken, folks.

 

Good choice. You won't be dissapointed.

 

Well, I'm getting a free DVR, free HBO/Skinemax for 3 months, and $10 off a month for 10 months. The switch is just going to be weird because I am so used to the channels on Dish Network. Oh well.

 

Wow, they're giving away free DVRs now? I feel left out :cry:

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

They're installing my DirecTV on Wednesday. I'm loyal like Cal Ripken, folks.

 

Good choice. You won't be dissapointed.

 

Well, I'm getting a free DVR, free HBO/Skinemax for 3 months, and $10 off a month for 10 months. The switch is just going to be weird because I am so used to the channels on Dish Network. Oh well.

 

Wow, they're giving away free DVRs now? I feel left out :cry:

 

Yeah. I sure as hell didn't get that much when I first signed up. : :scratch:

[crazycooter]

They're installing my DirecTV on Wednesday. I'm loyal like Cal Ripken, folks.

 

Good choice. You won't be dissapointed.

 

Well, I'm getting a free DVR, free HBO/Skinemax for 3 months, and $10 off a month for 10 months. The switch is just going to be weird because I am so used to the channels on Dish Network. Oh well.

I like the way similar channels are grouped together with DirecTV. History, Discovery, and similar channels are from 269-289. Kids channels go from around 290-300, and so on. Last time I had any experience with Dish it wasn't like that. Once you get used to it I think you will enjoy it

[MustangMike]

They're installing my DirecTV on Wednesday. I'm loyal like Cal Ripken, folks.

 

Good choice. You won't be dissapointed.

 

Well, I'm getting a free DVR, free HBO/Skinemax for 3 months, and $10 off a month for 10 months. The switch is just going to be weird because I am so used to the channels on Dish Network. Oh well.

I like the way similar channels are grouped together with DirecTV. History, Discovery, and similar channels are from 269-289. Kids channels go from around 290-300, and so on. Last time I had any experience with Dish it wasn't like that. Once you get used to it I think you will enjoy it

 

I couldn't agree more, the groupings, once learned, are easier to remember. The pay-per-view in the 100's bothered me off the bat, it felt like a void in the middle that i had to constantly skip, but everything is basically from 200-300 that's worth watching to me.

[Derwood]

They're installing my DirecTV on Wednesday. I'm loyal like Cal Ripken, folks.

 

Good choice. You won't be dissapointed.

 

Well, I'm getting a free DVR, free HBO/Skinemax for 3 months, and $10 off a month for 10 months. The switch is just going to be weird because I am so used to the channels on Dish Network. Oh well.

I like the way similar channels are grouped together with DirecTV. History, Discovery, and similar channels are from 269-289. Kids channels go from around 290-300, and so on. Last time I had any experience with Dish it wasn't like that. Once you get used to it I think you will enjoy it

 

I couldn't agree more, the groupings, once learned, are easier to remember. The pay-per-view in the 100's bothered me off the bat, it felt like a void in the middle that i had to constantly skip, but everything is basically from 200-300 that's worth watching to me.

 

skip? Just make a "favorites" and program out all that junk

[crazycooter]

They're installing my DirecTV on Wednesday. I'm loyal like Cal Ripken, folks.

 

Good choice. You won't be dissapointed.

 

Well, I'm getting a free DVR, free HBO/Skinemax for 3 months, and $10 off a month for 10 months. The switch is just going to be weird because I am so used to the channels on Dish Network. Oh well.

I like the way similar channels are grouped together with DirecTV. History, Discovery, and similar channels are from 269-289. Kids channels go from around 290-300, and so on. Last time I had any experience with Dish it wasn't like that. Once you get used to it I think you will enjoy it

 

I couldn't agree more, the groupings, once learned, are easier to remember. The pay-per-view in the 100's bothered me off the bat, it felt like a void in the middle that i had to constantly skip, but everything is basically from 200-300 that's worth watching to me.

 

skip? Just make a "favorites" and program out all that junk

I need to take advantage of the favorites thing, but I have just learned the 6 or 7 channel number that start each group. I just punch them into the guide and page up/down from there. It would be hard for me to narrow my field of favorites to any number that would actually make it an advantage. My viewing tastes are pretty broad.

 

That said, I have been very pleased with DirecTV and the service I have received. If they make EI anything like Sunday Ticket, then I am all for it. I know it will cut some people out, but that's the free market at work.