04/05 CUBS (Zambrano) @ Atlanta (Lowe) 3:05 CDT, WCIU & ESPN

[CubbieBum]

The NFL makes its money via national broadcast deals.

 

MLB's money comes from regional cable stations, which need leverage over local cable providers to convince them to pick up the channel. Blackouts are a key part of that.

 

 

I understand the logic, but are they really? I mean there are still far more games that aren't broadcast nationally that should be more than enough to make the providers feel inclined to pick up the regional stations.

 

I suppose there's a small amount of people that would be satisfied with just seeing the national games if they could, but would complain if they got neither (the ones the national networks show and all of the ones the regional station shows)... but I can't imagine that group of people to be very large....

 

I don't know why they couldn't just blackout people who are in the area that get the local channel on basic cable. If you are outside the area that gets the local channel you should be able to watch the national broadcast because otherwise there is no way to watch it.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I don't know why they couldn't just blackout people who are in the area that get the local channel on basic cable. If you are outside the area that gets the local channel you should be able to watch the national broadcast because otherwise there is no way to watch it.

 

Because they want you to call your cable company and say "Get me that local channel!"

[Keener98]

So I have DirectTV and the Cards/Reds game is blacked out on ESPN but Im getting it on MLB free preview. Am I right in assuming the Cubs game will be blacked out on ESPN, but Ill be able to get the Braves broadcast on the free preview?

[erik316wttn]

When does the radio pregame start?

[Andy]

When does the radio pregame start?

2:35 CT.

[Cubswin11]

When does the radio pregame start?

2:35 CT.

Is the radio pregame available on WGN's website? Or does MLB black it out?

[Andy]

When does the radio pregame start?

2:35 CT.

Is the radio pregame available on WGN's website? Or does MLB black it out?

No idea, but I'd hope it would be.

[Soul]

It's Opening Day on the Game Thread forum!!!!

 

 

And you know what that means!

[CubbieBum]

It's Opening Day on the Game Thread forum!!!!

 

 

And you know what that means!

 

A game will be played today?

[Soul]

It's Opening Day on the Game Thread forum!!!!

 

 

And you know what that means!

 

A game will be played today?

 

Freakout Fest '10 is about to begin!

[Hawk4Hall]

Picked up some Old Style and sunflower seeds. I'm ready for the season.

[Soul]

Picked up some Old Style and sunflower seeds. I'm ready for the season.

 

Ahh, the old timer / chipmunk hybrid approach. Nice.

[treebird]

espn and espn2 are both showing espnews for me right now. does this mean i'm going to be blacked out of the cub game?

[CubbieBum]

espn and espn2 are both showing espnews for me right now. does this mean i'm going to be blacked out of the cub game?

 

means you are blacked out of the Reds/Cards and Sox/Indians. Mostly yes. I;m not sure where you are but if you are blacked out of the other Chicago team then you are likely to be blacked out of the Cubs.

[rynefan]

Can't wait!! Let's play ball!

[Roast]

SON OF A...

 

So apparently my dorm gets WCIU on channel 26.1 and my TV is incapable of getting to that channel. So even the few pitches I WOULD have been able to see I can't see. I'm going to break something.

[Roast]

anybody have an online link of questionable legality?

[Cubswin11]

SON OF A...

 

So apparently my dorm gets WCIU on channel 26.1 and my TV is incapable of getting to that channel. So even the few pitches I WOULD have been able to see I can't see. I'm going to break something.

How exactly does one get to .1 of a channel? I have never heard of that.

[erik316wttn]

SON OF A...

 

So apparently my dorm gets WCIU on channel 26.1 and my TV is incapable of getting to that channel. So even the few pitches I WOULD have been able to see I can't see. I'm going to break something.

 

I know your pain.

 

When I was in the dorms, WGN was on channel 19 on the local cable company. Well, the campus information channel just happened to be Channel 19. i was pissed.

[Roast]

SON OF A...

 

So apparently my dorm gets WCIU on channel 26.1 and my TV is incapable of getting to that channel. So even the few pitches I WOULD have been able to see I can't see. I'm going to break something.

How exactly does one get to .1 of a channel? I have never heard of that.

 

It's that new digital TV crap but my dorm runs off of Dish Network, technically, so I don't even know why they show us that we can get the .1 channels.

[treebird]

i'm pretty sure i've never not been able to watch a cubs game on espn before. what the hell is going on?

[Cubswin11]

SON OF A...

 

So apparently my dorm gets WCIU on channel 26.1 and my TV is incapable of getting to that channel. So even the few pitches I WOULD have been able to see I can't see. I'm going to break something.

How exactly does one get to .1 of a channel? I have never heard of that.

 

It's that new digital TV crap but my dorm runs off of Dish Network, technically, so I don't even know why they show us that we can get the .1 channels.

Got it, in regards to your previous question about a link. Justin.tv looks like they might have two links to the game, IDK if it's something we are allowed to post here (a full link) so I won't, but you could check it out.

[Hawk4Hall]

I have Direct TV and ESPN Alternative has the game listed. Currently it's just the blue screen with the Direct TV logo and music playing but I'm praying they show it there. No HD but I can live with that as long as I can see it.

[erik316wttn]

SON OF A...

 

So apparently my dorm gets WCIU on channel 26.1 and my TV is incapable of getting to that channel. So even the few pitches I WOULD have been able to see I can't see. I'm going to break something.

How exactly does one get to .1 of a channel? I have never heard of that.

 

It's that new digital TV crap but my dorm runs off of Dish Network, technically, so I don't even know why they show us that we can get the .1 channels.

 

Any local bars or friend's apartments you could hang at?

[Roast]

i'm pretty sure i've never not been able to watch a cubs game on espn before. what the hell is going on?

Cubbie Bum was having a lot of problems with the cards/reds game which he should have been able to see with no problem earlier. There must be something odd going on today.