Blackouts Be Gone! Lawsuit Names Selig, MLB TV Networks

[Andy]

TT, I have DirecTV and looked into that, but all pro sports games on those RSNs on that package are indeed blacked out. Those packages seem to be for people who really, really want to catch college softball or something on a local RSN. So far as I know, there is no way to get a DirecTV package that includes pro sports beyond your local RSN.

 

I know Comcast cable in South Bend had the highest possible tier that enabled you to get the Reds and Tigers games, which was the excuse given, I suppose for blacking them out. I don't know if other cable companies have similar structure.

[Guest]

TT, I have DirecTV and looked into that, but all pro sports games on those RSNs on that package are indeed blacked out. Those packages seem to be for people who really, really want to catch college softball or something on a local RSN. So far as I know, there is no way to get a DirecTV package that includes pro sports beyond your local RSN.

 

I know Comcast cable in South Bend had the highest possible tier that enabled you to get the Reds and Tigers games, which was the excuse given, I suppose for blacking them out. I don't know if other cable companies have similar structure.

 

Well the only team in your territory is Detroit, and I assume you get FSN Detroit, so that still follows. What I'm saying is not that people with that DirecTV package can see all games, it's that I think that they can see games from teams in their territory(given they don't already have it at a lower tier like you and FSN Detroit). That's my memory when watching Cardinals/Royals games on that tier when I was at Mizzou.

[Derwood]

Yep. If I upgraded to get CSN on my directv package, i'd get all the news and talk shows but not the baseball games. They black those out so you can't do a work around the EI package.

 

And DirecTV feels in no way beholden to MLB's rules, meaning that just because MLB considers Columbus, OH to be in Pittsburgh's blackout area doesn't compel them to make FSN Pittsburgh available in Columbus

[Andy]

TT, I have DirecTV and looked into that, but all pro sports games on those RSNs on that package are indeed blacked out. Those packages seem to be for people who really, really want to catch college softball or something on a local RSN. So far as I know, there is no way to get a DirecTV package that includes pro sports beyond your local RSN.

 

I know Comcast cable in South Bend had the highest possible tier that enabled you to get the Reds and Tigers games, which was the excuse given, I suppose for blacking them out. I don't know if other cable companies have similar structure.

 

Well the only team in your territory is Detroit, and I assume you get FSN Detroit, so that still follows. What I'm saying is not that people with that DirecTV package can see all games, it's that I think that they can see games from teams in their territory(given they don't already have it at a lower tier like you and FSN Detroit). That's my memory when watching Cardinals/Royals games on that tier when I was at Mizzou.

Ah, ok. You may be right. I'm a lucky one, though, as you mentioned. I got EI when I moved here in large part because I can watch every game (save FOX/ESPN blackouts) since the Tigers are the only blackout.

[otis89]

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that the vast majority of people blacked out of MLB.tv and Extra Innings are capable of getting that team's channel from their cable provider. It might cost an arm and a leg, but it's available.

 

My completely worthless cable company carries FSN Midwest, and that's it. There is no way for me to get CSN Chicago from my cable company.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Again, I'm not sure, and Bob or another Iowa poster could probably clarify, but I think that statement is referring to being blacked out from MLB.tv and EI. Not all cable providers may offer those RSNs, but for example, I know you can have a DirecTV package that contains all the regional RSNs. My understanding(or maybe assumption) is that if you're in the blackout area, that those RSNs would have those games available and not be blacked out.

That is correct. I can't see any of those teams on EI or MLB.tv, but I can watch any of them on their RSN.

[ManCrushOnNomar]

Yep. If I upgraded to get CSN on my directv package, i'd get all the news and talk shows but not the baseball games. They black those out so you can't do a work around the EI package.

 

And DirecTV feels in no way beholden to MLB's rules, meaning that just because MLB considers Columbus, OH to be in Pittsburgh's blackout area doesn't compel them to make FSN Pittsburgh available in Columbus

This is exactly the kind of stuff I'm talking about. They're losing money from an entire market because of ancient rules that aren't so black and white anymore.

[bhogg]

the advertising bit is [expletive].

 

I live in Arkansas. I'm blacked out of Cardinals, Royals, Astros, and Rangers.

 

I want to watch the Cubs. I want to pay someone lots of money to watch the Cubs. . . those people can advertise their crap to me at that time.

 

As it is, they want me to watch the above mentioned craptacular teams. I won't watch. I won't see their ads. I won't buy their crap.

 

Why is this so hard? Give each fan the ability to watch the team package they want. . . .charge a crap load for it. . . .PROFIT.

 

 

My only option here is to switch satellite companies to direcTV, buy the EI, not get to watch all the games I want, etc etc etc.

 

The direcTV exclusive is crap. The Fox rules are total crap as well.

[Guest]

I'm confused. Doesn't buying EI fall under the whole "take my money and give me Cubs" part? Or alternatively, MLB.tv?

[Derwood]

I'm confused. Doesn't buying EI fall under the whole "take my money and give me Cubs" part? Or alternatively, MLB.tv?

 

it should, but then they still won't show you the games you're blacked out from. It makes zero sense.

[El Duderino]

The only games that are blacked out on EI for me are Giants/A's, but I can watch them on the regional networks. Are you saying you can get blacked out of a certain team and still have no way to access them on a regional network like a CSN/FSN/Root Sports?

[Derwood]

The only games that are blacked out on EI for me are Giants/A's, but I can watch them on the regional networks. Are you saying you can get blacked out of a certain team and still have no way to access them on a regional network like a CSN/FSN/Root Sports?

 

yep. I can't watch any Cubs vs. Pirates game unless it's on WGN. I called DirecTV about it and asked if I could get FSN Pittsburgh and they said no

[El Duderino]

wow.

[CubInOK]

Yea, there's pretty much no way to watch the Royals under the current rules unless you live in KC. That ownership group should send an extra set of lawyers to strike this down.

[Cubswin11]

Yea, there's pretty much no way to watch the Royals under the current rules unless you live in KC. That ownership group should send an extra set of lawyers to strike this down.

There's a joke in there somewhere

[Andy]

It's true though, KC somehow has basically five entire states (the immediate St. Louis metro area excepted) as a blackout territory. It's insane.

[Cubswin11]

It's true though, KC somehow has basically five entire states (the immediate St. Louis metro area excepted) as a blackout territory. It's insane.

Agreed. The states with no teams get screwed the most by the current rules. Iowa, Indy, Oklahoma, Southern Nevada (IDK if it has to do with Vegas/gambling??) all have 4-6 teams they are blackedout from.

 

http://www.desipio.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/mlb-broadcast-map.jpg

[Ding Dong Johnson]

It's true though, KC somehow has basically five entire states (the immediate St. Louis metro area excepted) as a blackout territory. It's insane.

Agreed. The states with no teams get screwed the most by the current rules. Iowa, Indy, Oklahoma, Southern Nevada (IDK if it has to do with Vegas/gambling??) all have 4-6 teams they are blackedout from.

 

http://www.desipio.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/mlb-broadcast-map.jpg

I don't see it as getting screwed. I have all the RSNs that DirecTV has to offer, and I can watch 6 teams (Royals included). I miss the WCIU games, but I'd hate being in an MLB city and be limited to just the local team.

[jersey cubs fan]

It's true though, KC somehow has basically five entire states (the immediate St. Louis metro area excepted) as a blackout territory. It's insane.

Agreed. The states with no teams get screwed the most by the current rules. Iowa, Indy, Oklahoma, Southern Nevada (IDK if it has to do with Vegas/gambling??) all have 4-6 teams they are blackedout from.

 

http://www.desipio.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/mlb-broadcast-map.jpg

I don't see it as getting screwed. I have all the RSNs that DirecTV has to offer, and I can watch 6 teams (Royals included). I miss the WCIU games, but I'd hate being in an MLB city and be limited to just the local team.

 

Not everybody gets, or can get, directv.

[SouthSideRyan]

It's true though, KC somehow has basically five entire states (the immediate St. Louis metro area excepted) as a blackout territory. It's insane.

Agreed. The states with no teams get screwed the most by the current rules. Iowa, Indy, Oklahoma, Southern Nevada (IDK if it has to do with Vegas/gambling??) all have 4-6 teams they are blackedout from.

 

http://www.desipio.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/mlb-broadcast-map.jpg

I don't see it as getting screwed. I have all the RSNs that DirecTV has to offer, and I can watch 6 teams (Royals included). I miss the WCIU games, but I'd hate being in an MLB city and be limited to just the local team.

 

Not everybody gets, or can get, directv.

 

Maybe those people should move to real cities.

[Derwood]

so what is the price of getting all the RSN's, and why would DirecTV allow you to do that and circumvent the EI package?

[Guest]

so what is the price of getting all the RSN's, and why would DirecTV allow you to do that and circumvent the EI package?

 

Again, you aren't circumventing EI. Bob doesn't get Dodger and Yankee games on their RSNs, he gets the 6 teams that have territorial rights in his area.

[Derwood]

so what is the price of getting all the RSN's, and why would DirecTV allow you to do that and circumvent the EI package?

 

Again, you aren't circumventing EI. Bob doesn't get Dodger and Yankee games on their RSNs, he gets the 6 teams that have territorial rights in his area.

 

Does you pay for that a la carte, or is it part of the "sports package"? I ask because, as I said earlier, DirecTV told me that I couldn't get FSN Pittsburgh here in Columbus.

[Guest]

so what is the price of getting all the RSN's, and why would DirecTV allow you to do that and circumvent the EI package?

 

Again, you aren't circumventing EI. Bob doesn't get Dodger and Yankee games on their RSNs, he gets the 6 teams that have territorial rights in his area.

 

Does you pay for that a la carte, or is it part of the "sports package"? I ask because, as I said earlier, DirecTV told me that I couldn't get FSN Pittsburgh here in Columbus.

 

Bob would know, but I'm pretty sure it's a package thing, you can't pick the networks you want. I don't think it's cheap either.

 

And to make sure I'm not misconstrued, I'm not saying that any of this is good. MLB is being shortsighted by being more beholden to RSNs than to its fans. However, it's a misnomer to say that there's legions of people who are incapable of watching territorial teams. I'm sure there are some, but most of the people who think they are out of luck are just unwilling to change cable companies or pay a big price to get the games(which illustrates the absurdity of it all).

[Derwood]

so what is the price of getting all the RSN's, and why would DirecTV allow you to do that and circumvent the EI package?

 

Again, you aren't circumventing EI. Bob doesn't get Dodger and Yankee games on their RSNs, he gets the 6 teams that have territorial rights in his area.

 

Does you pay for that a la carte, or is it part of the "sports package"? I ask because, as I said earlier, DirecTV told me that I couldn't get FSN Pittsburgh here in Columbus.

 

Bob would know, but I'm pretty sure it's a package thing, you can't pick the networks you want. I don't think it's cheap either.

 

And to make sure I'm not misconstrued, I'm not saying that any of this is good. MLB is being shortsighted by being more beholden to RSNs than to its fans. However, it's a misnomer to say that there's legions of people who are incapable of watching territorial teams. I'm sure there are some, but most of the people who think they are out of luck are just unwilling to change cable companies or pay a big price to get the games(which illustrates the absurdity of it all).

 

I just checked the DirecTV site, and I COULD get the Pittsburgh station, but only with the top tier channel package.

 

In other words, Bob is loaded and spending mad money on his TV