INDemand reaches deal for MLB Extra Innings Package!

[Soul]

It's driving me nuts having to watch MLB.tv on my laptop. I'd much rather be able to watch these games on MLB EI. I hope something gets done soon.

 

The season has already started. Are they going to offer a discount if they get a deal done? Seems like it's too late now, if they haven't done anything -- games are bleeding away every day that goes by.

 

In short, I wouldn't be holding my breath for cable to come around. They rarely do.

[papabear58]

I really don't think we'll see any movement at all this season. I think it will be next season at best.

[Abe Frohman]

I'm really liking this whole DirecTV thingy too. The MIX is awesome, as you all said. I wonder if you can purchase the Fox Sports channels seperately? Do you have to get the whole deal? I'd LOVE to have CSNC and watch all the Chicago goodies before and after games.

 

You have to get them all. It's $12 more a month. I haven't yet gotten them, but I think about it all the time.

 

I think I may do that, at least for the baseball season - then drop it. Isn't it freaking refreshing to be back in the season again?

[CheeseHead Cubs Fan]

I really don't think we'll see any movement at all this season. I think it will be next season at best.

 

I don't see this at all. The purpose of the extended meetings is to get Cable the right to broadcast games immediately. In fact, a rep from InDemand claims they will be up and running within an hour of a signed deal.

[papabear58]

I really don't think we'll see any movement at all this season. I think it will be next season at best.

 

I don't see this at all. The purpose of the extended meetings is to get Cable the right to broadcast games immediately. In fact, a rep from InDemand claims they will be up and running within an hour of a signed deal.

 

The question is will they sign the deal? I'm not convinced that MLB is negotiating in good faith rather then offering a take it or leave it deal. It's just an opion, no fact.

[moorecg]

The guys on Cards talk down here are saying that DirecTV is blacking out the local fox stations that carry the games in an effort to push people over to ExtraInnings Any truth to this or is anyone seeing the same thing in Chicago...if so, that's pretty shady.

[CheeseHead Cubs Fan]

I really don't think we'll see any movement at all this season. I think it will be next season at best.

 

I don't see this at all. The purpose of the extended meetings is to get Cable the right to broadcast games immediately. In fact, a rep from InDemand claims they will be up and running within an hour of a signed deal.

 

The question is will they sign the deal? I'm not convinced that MLB is negotiating in good faith rather then offering a take it or leave it deal. It's just an opion, no fact.

 

You may be right, as a cable customer I am just holding out hope that a deal will be met.

[BigbadB]

The guys on Cards talk down here are saying that DirecTV is blacking out the local fox stations that carry the games in an effort to push people over to ExtraInnings Any truth to this or is anyone seeing the same thing in Chicago...if so, that's pretty shady.

 

Wow.

[J.R.]

The Cardinals rearranged their viewing territory, taking counties away from DirecTV and giving them to Mediacom in exchange for a sweeter deal. In this case, it's cable that's "evil."

[moorecg]

The Cardinals rearranged their viewing territory, taking counties away from DirecTV and giving them to Mediacom in exchange for a sweeter deal. In this case, it's cable that's "evil."

 

I'll be the first to admit I don't know the specifics of this and am getting my info from a cards forum...but seriously...you must work for DirecTV...you've been their #1 spokesperson on this board for every issue since day one.

 

As I said...I don't know the specifics...but if DirecTV is making them pay for MLB EI to get something that would otherwise be free on the local Fox station...I think that is crap.

[BigbadB]

The Cardinals rearranged their viewing territory, taking counties away from DirecTV and giving them to Mediacom in exchange for a sweeter deal. In this case, it's cable that's "evil."

 

I'll be the first to admit I don't know the specifics of this and am getting my info from a cards forum...but seriously...you must work for DirecTV...you've been their #1 spokesperson on this board for every issue since day one.

 

As I said...I don't know the specifics...but if DirecTV is making them pay for MLB EI to get something that would otherwise be free on the local Fox station...I think that is crap.

 

He convinced me. I don't even have DirecTV, but I'm sending them monthly payments simply because of their greatness.

[rocket]

mlb.tv has now decided i can't watch indians games, even though they were never in my blackout area.

 

f this noise

[Vinestal]

The Cardinals rearranged their viewing territory, taking counties away from DirecTV and giving them to Mediacom in exchange for a sweeter deal. In this case, it's cable that's "evil."

 

Anyone that takes anything away from DirecTV is "good" by me.

[moorecg]

The Cardinals rearranged their viewing territory, taking counties away from DirecTV and giving them to Mediacom in exchange for a sweeter deal. In this case, it's cable that's "evil."

 

Anyone that takes anything away from DirecTV is "good" by me.

 

And to follow this up...I just talked to a good friend who just had DirecTV installed...he's a big RedSox fan and told me that they cut NESN (North Eastern Sports Network) from their basic tier...so all those who were previously able to watch all RedSox games on DirecTV basic are now forced to buy MLB EI....hmm...I'm sure that had NOTHING to do with them being granted this monoploy.

[J.R.]

Anyone that takes anything away from DirecTV is "good" by me.

 

And that's just crazy.

 

Anyhow, for everyone's entertainment, I'll post the MLB territories here as well.

 

http://www.maurybrown.com/images/MLBTerritories.jpg

[Chris]

It's not like MLBEI is grossly overpriced. It's more than a fair price considering all of the games you get to watch during the season.

[papabear58]

It's not like MLBEI is grossly overpriced. It's more than a fair price considering all of the games you get to watch during the season.

 

Sure, but I want to keep my cable company as they also have my phone and internet as well. I'm not interested in Satellite as here in upstate NY we get crapy reception when the weather gets really bad. If it had never been available I wouldn't be so mad, but it's the taking it away that has me upset!

[Abe Frohman]

Last night there were only 2 games on late, Rangers/Angels and A's/Mariners - both on the West Coast. I turned on my TV and ........ nothing. Black screen.

 

The MLB MIX channel showed the A's playing, and the Rangers game had a note saying it may be on a local channel (FSSW). Both were black screens.

 

So naturally, I call DirecTV (since I am paying for ALL the games with the MLB EI package). The lady first told me that the games were "Blacked Out" - now I have come to understand that games are blacked out when the ballpark is within a certain vicinity of your home. California is not really jogging distance from NW Louisiana. Or I am just not in Terry Fox shape.

 

I then was instructed to push the reset button, and everything was hunky-dory. Whatever that means.

[Bergy92]

not sure where else to post this, since it is similar to the "black out" conversation going on here. This has never happened to me, but whatever.

 

On Monday, ESPN was blacked out for me in watching the Royals game vs. the Red Sox. I have had Royals games blacked out before, but never when it was on the parent chanel of ESPN. What's up with that? Anyone know?

[Derwood]

not sure where else to post this, since it is similar to the "black out" conversation going on here. This has never happened to me, but whatever.

 

On Monday, ESPN was blacked out for me in watching the Royals game vs. the Red Sox. I have had Royals games blacked out before, but never when it was on the parent chanel of ESPN. What's up with that? Anyone know?

 

it must have been on a local channel

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Abe,

 

You won't get Rangers or Astros based on black-out rules. The others you should get. I've had to reset my receiver before as well. Not sure why.

[Soul]

Abe,

 

You won't get Rangers or Astros based on black-out rules. The others you should get. I've had to reset my receiver before as well. Not sure why.

 

I've never had to reset, but I did get a "subscription expired" message on my basic tier channels once. This made no sense, obviously. I called and through using the phone menu, the computer was able to send a signal and reset.

 

Now -- I'd rather talk to a human voice. But I did find it interesting that they were able to fix a real problem without needing an operator.

 

I have no idea if DirecTV is blacking out local channels, but if they are then that's crap. Actually, I thought that was in violation of league-wide broadcasting rules. Local people are supposed to be able to get their local team, period. I'd be shocked if they are really doing this, but if they are then somebody should step in and stop it.

 

For the record, I'm still getting Comcast Chicago -- no blackouts are in place, and I have yet to subscribe to MLB EI.

[CubinNY]

Can someone please explain the blackout restrictions to me? I tried to watch the Cubs/Reds game on MLB.TV and they said I couldn't because of blackout restrictions. What does that mean? They aren't on any TV chanels in my area????

 

I am pissed. I've paid $100 for the Cubs on mlb.tv and I cannot watch them?

[KyHen]

Major League Baseball announced today that iN DEMAND has entered into a seven-year agreement in principle to carry the MLB EXTRA INNINGS subscription package of out-of-market games and will distribute the MLB Channel, which is scheduled to launch in January 2009.

 

The MLB EXTRA INNINGS subscription package of out-of-market games is currently available to DIRECTV subscribers. iN DEMAND owners Comcast, Cox Communications and Time Warner Cable have agreed to carry the package, effective immediately. iN DEMAND also will offer to make the MLB Extra Innings subscription package available to other cable companies across the U.S. Like all distributors of MLB Extra Innings, these cable operators would also be required to carry the MLB Channel once it is launched.

 

The MLB Channel will be the first and only network dedicated to providing baseball programming to MLB fans 24 hours a day, seven days a week on a year-round basis. Major League Baseball's partnerships with DIRECTV and iN DEMAND mean the MLB Channel is expected to launch in 40 million homes.

 

"Our chief goal throughout the process was to ensure that fans would have access to as many baseball games and as much baseball coverage as possible," said MLB President and Chief Operating Officer Bob DuPuy. "With this agreement, the MLB Channel will launch with an unprecedented platform. We are pleased with the launch of the MLB Channel to so many homes coupled with our agreement to extend the distribution of MLB Extra Innings with iN DEMAND."

 

 

DONE DEAL, FOLKS!

[Laura]

nice!