For those with DirecTV

[FirkinBucky]

As you know, DirecTV only lights up FSN Wisconsin when the Brewers or Bucks play instead of broadcasting the station full time. In the past this has meant that we have missed Badger coaches' shows, prep sports, state college sports, classic Brewer games, and other Wisconsin-centered programming. This is also part of the reason why we have not received any Brewer games in HD this year as other RSNs have their games spotbeamed to them on other channels (usually in the 90's).

 

Now that DirecTV is launching a new satellite, their HD capacity will increase and they are going to launch HD versions of their full-time RSNs that will broadcast 24/7. Currently FSN Wisconsin is not a full-time RSN, so it is not on that list, which means no Brewer games in HD.

 

I called FSN Wisconsin and was told this is all on DirecTV and that I should call to encourage them to pick up the feed full time. I did, but felt that the call accomplished little. I asked the CSR what was the best route to get my voice heard, and he suggested logging into my account and emailing my concerns (through the Customer Service option) as that is what has led to changes in the past. In fact, he said there is a general plan to separate FSN North and FSN Wisconsin but there is no date set.

 

Anyways, I did as instructed and would encourage anyone else out there with DirecTV to do the same. (Link) For anyone interested, here is what I wrote:

 

Quote:

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I live in Wisconsin and am wondering why you do not offer Fox Sports Net Wisconsin 24/7 instead of only lighting it up during Brewer/Bucks games. By doing this, I have been missing prep sports, college sports, classic Brewer games and additional Brewers programming.

 

Also, why aren't you broadcasting Brewer games in HD when they are available to you? There aren't a ton of games broadcast in HD, but you spotbeam these games for other teams, but not the Brewers.

 

Which brings me to my last question, when your HD capacity increases with the launch of your new satellites, will FSN Wisconsin be one of the RSNs that will have a 24/7 HD version of their channel?

 

I love DirecTV and am extremely excited about the HD programming that is on the immediate horizon, but would be forced to consider switching to cable if I cannot receive the Brewers in HD and the additional programming that I am missing on FSN Wisconsin.

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[MJLiverock]

A friend in Madison said that he watched ast night's game (Gallardo's first start) on channel 94 in HD on DirecTV. I FSN WI occasionaly has an HD game but I hadn't seen one yet on DirecTV.

[FirkinBucky]

Someone mentioned that to me today, as well. I checked 95 last night, but didn't check 94. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/embarassed.gif

 

To my knowledge, that is the first Brewer game DirecTV broadcast in HD. I noticed tonight's game is not being carried.

[MJLiverock]

I was at last night's game so I didn't get to see it on HD, but I wouldn't have even known to check either. I haven't seen any sort of schedule for which games will be in HD and which will be carried on DirecTV or the channel number. A CSR told me channel 96 sometimes carries local HD games as well so we may have to check 94, 95, and 96 in the future.

 

My hope is that next year there will be a dedicated FSN WI channel and the new satellites will allow for the HD feed to be spot beamed into WI. I suppose we also have to hope FSN WI broadcasts in HD everynight like NESN and YES and some other RSNs.

 

 

 

Edited to add additional channel.

[FirkinBucky]

I don't know if anyone cares about this, but here is the response I received about getting a dedicated FSN Wisconsin channel on DirecTV. Again, I encourage anyone with DirecTV to email as that is the only way they will light it up full time.

Quote:

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Thank you for writing to inquire about receiving a full-time feed of Fox Sports Wisconsin. I'm sorry that we were unable to address your concerns in our previous e-mail, and I'm happy to respond to your concerns.

 

As you know, we are currently only offering FSN Wisconsin as an overflow channel for select games. At this time, we have not released any plans to offer the channel full-time, though it is possible that it will be offered in the future.

 

I apologize for any frustration this causes you.

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[jhart05]

I doubt they will ever to anything about it.

 

I've been asking them for over a year now, why they don't offer all the HBO channels. And how they can justify charging the same as cable for HBO when they don't offer all the channels like cable does, nor do they have the HBO on demand that cable does. So they are offering less than half what cable does, but charging the same.

[joepepsi]

What bothers me most, is why is the picture quality so inferior on Brewers games compared to games available on ExtraInnings. The colors are duller, the overall sharpness, fuzzy. Does FSNWisconsin just have crappy equipment or is it a problem with DirecTV and their RSN channels?

[MJLiverock]

Since I haven't really seen it mentioned elsewhere the game tonight vs. Astros (Monday) and tomorrow (Tuesday the 26th) will both be on DirecTV in HD on channel 94.

 

Tonight was only the second time I have been able to watch the Brewers in HD on the big screen and it sure looks a lot better than the old 4x3 image on channel 642.

[FirkinBucky]

Watching the game last night in HD was amazing. After seeing so many in crappy SD, I had gotten used to it.

 

Keep calling an emailing DirecTV to make sure they make FSN Wisconsin full time and add it to their list of full-time HD RSNs that will be added in the fall. If it doesn't make it in the initial launch, I fear it won't be included for quite awhile--if ever.

[TooLiveBrew]

yeah, we have to speak up on this or get stepped on.

[jhart05]

I am on the phone with them right now.

 

If we don't get the Game Short tonight, everyone pick up the phone and let them know about it.

[jhart05]

Quote:

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Thank you for writing to inquire about receiving a full-time feed of Fox Sports Wisconsin. I'm sorry that we were unable to address your concerns in our previous e-mail, and I'm happy to respond to your concerns.

 

As you know, we are currently only offering FSN Wisconsin as an overflow channel for select games. At this time, we have not released any plans to offer the channel full-time, though it is possible that it will be offered in the future.

 

I apologize for any frustration this causes you.

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That is such a bullsh!t response.

 

We live in Wisconsin!!

 

Give us our Fox Sports Wisconsin!! Not Fox Sports North, which you might as well call Fox Sports Minnesota.

[Dragonbait]

I would ask.... why not just make 642 the full time feed.... it cant be that hard.

[jhart05]

Exactly.

 

We live in Wisconsin. Give us our channel.

[Invader3K]

You DirecTV subscribers aren't the only ones getting screwed when it comes to the HD games. Charter does not carry any of the Brewers HD games from FSN at all. From what I understand, they will not be any time soon, either, because their channel carriage (sp?) is basically at capacity.

[FirkinBucky]

It appears that they have no current plans to add it full time, but that they would do so if they get enough emails about the matter. Apparently, it is the volume of emails they concern themselves with--not where they are coming from. So, email often: directvcustomercare@directv.com.

 

If anyone is interested, here is a thread about FSN on DBS Talk:

 

www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=90086

[jhart05]

I've decided I am going to email them this same message every day 'till they get it done.

 

 

Quote:

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I live in Wisconsin and am wondering why you do not offer Fox Sports Net Wisconsin 24/7 instead of only lighting it up during Brewer/Bucks games. By doing this, I have been missing prep sports, college sports, classic Brewer games and additional Brewers programming.

 

Instead you give us Fox Sports North, which might as well be called Fox Sports Net - Minnesota, because at this time of year it's all Twins programming. During the winter it?s all T-Wolves and Minnesota college programming. I live in Milwaukee, I want to see my Brewers programming. Get it done before the baseball season is over. It can't be that hard.

 

Also, why aren't you broadcasting Brewer games in HD when they are available to you? There aren't a ton of games broadcast in HD, but you spotbeam these games for other teams, but not the Brewers.

 

Which brings me to my last question, when your HD capacity increases with the launch of your new satellites, will FSN Wisconsin be one of the RSNs that will have a 24/7 HD version of their channel?

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[sgtcluels]

I don't think I'd watch FSN all that much beyond crew baseball, I am a little sad that we don't get the recap / condensed game though.

[Paul77]

Quote:

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I've decided I am going to email them this same message every day 'till they get it done.

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I'm doing the same thing. Here's hoping.

[FirkinBucky]

To their credit, they did air the last three Brewer games that were produced in HD on 94.

[jhart05]

I already received a response from my email this morning.

 

Quote:

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Thanks for writing us about your programming. I understand how you must be feeling so frustrated with the matter. I'd be glad to assist you on this matter.

 

We offer Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) from across the nation, which show professional, college, and both domestic and international amateur sports (such as soccer, tennis, boxing, golf, rugby, winter sports, etc.), as well as coaches shows and other specialized programming.

 

Based on your zip code, you have been assigned FSN North to see games of BREWERS as your local RSN. You are authorized to view the pro and college games shown on that channel. Due to contractual broadcast rights between the networks and the leagues, those who live outside of your area are not authorized to view the same games.

 

For example, when a network such as MSG purchases the rights from the NBA to broadcast a Knicks game, they pay a fee and broadcast it to the New York City market only. Therefore, we can only allow customers within that market to view the pro games on that channel. When a national network such as TNT broadcasts an NBA game, they have paid a significantly higher fee because they are broadcasting to the entire nation. The fee is much higher due to the advertisement potential.

 

Because of fans like you who have interest in viewing teams from outside of your home market, the leagues have created professional sports subscriptions such as the NBA LEAGUE PASS and NFL SUNDAY TICKET.

 

Please understand that these restrictions are placed upon us. Please visit our web site at directv.com/blackouts if you have additional questions about sports blackouts.

 

While we do carry FSN North in HD in certain parts of their coverage area, we cannot provide FSN North in HD to you because our HD satellite ?spot beam? doesn?t quite reach your area.

 

Some background:

We deliver FSN North?s HD feed to the coverage area using the same technology we use to deliver local channels to the Milwaukee WI area. This technology is known as a satellite spot beam and it covers the areas immediately around the city like a spotlight. In zip codes near the outer edges of a "spot beam," we aren't able to offer local channels or FSN North in HD because there is a possibility that another satellite spot beam will overlap and cause interference. As a result, even though you do live within the FSN North local coverage area, you live in a zip code where we are not able to deliver it to you. I?m sorry for any inconvenience.

 

We?re in the process of expanding our HD offerings and, as we gain more capability to broaden the coverage of the territory, we will do so and expect to continue expansion of these HD offerings throughout 2007.

 

Thanks again for writing and stay tuned to directv.com for the latest news and information about our services.

 

Sincerely,

 

Swain C

Employee ID: 100136475

DIRECTV Customer Service

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[FirkinBucky]

It looks like they focused on the HD broadcast of the game. But since you live in Milwaukee, you are in the heart of the spotbeam and do receive the HD broadcast. I received a response similar to this early on as it sometimes takes awhile for them to understand exactly what you are asking (that FSN-Wisconsin become full time).

[jhart05]

After struggling with them today I've realized my mistake in the original email.

 

So yeah, I'm going to revise my email that I send tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day...

[jhart05]

I've decided to go with this email now.

 

Fell free to use it or parts of it, and give me an suggestions of what to add or change, if you like.

 

 

Quote:

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The two channels in question are:

 

FSN North ? MINNESOTA, is Channel 641 on DirecTV. (Ch.641)

FSN North ? WISCONSIN, is Channel 642 on DirecTV. (Ch.642)

 

msn.foxsports.com/regional/north

 

Note the difference. One is for Minnesota, one is for Wisconsin. Your company does not seem to realize these are two different channels now. In the past they were not, so giving us only FSN North and having the Wisconsin sports games on the other channel was fine. But that is no longer the case and it is not fine anymore.

 

Please give the people of Wisconsin some respect by giving us our FSN North ? Wisconsin, Channel 642 on DirecTV, ALL THE TIME, and remove FSN North ? Minnesota, Channel 641 on DirecTV.

 

I have emailed previously about this. You have responded with blackout rules, and zip code zones, and other unrelated items. You keep missing the point. This has nothing to do with any of those things.

 

By forcing Ch.641 on us, we have been missing local prep sports, local college sports, classic Brewer games and additional Brewers programming. All programs that are geared towards Wisconsin, and therefore only on Ch.642, which my neighbor who has regular cable was able to get. We got to see the same types of programs on Ch.641, but they were about Minnesota teams, as Ch.641, is FSN North ? MINNESOTA.

 

You need to review your policy, note that these are two separate channels now, and give the DirecTV subscribers who live in Wisconsin, their appropriate channel.

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[FirkinBucky]

Looks good--except FSN hasn't updated their webpage. FSN North--Minnesota is just FSN North now and FSN North--Wisconsin is just FSN Wisconsin. It would really help if they updated their web page as part of the reason that FSN Wisconsin is not carried full time is that they are not promoting it as a separate entity.