Directv Screwed me (General Blackout Issues)

[rluzinski]

The most straight forward solution would be for the MLB to take over exclusive control of all baseball broadcasts. I won't hold my breath.

[moofnelson]

In Superior, on Dish Network, the Twins are blacked out, and I only get the Brewers. Yet, the Bucks are blacked out and I only get the Twolves. I guess the Twolves have claimed NW Wisconsin as their own.

[pitchleague]

I just want to throw a conclusion (I hope) to my opening day story. I received a phone call out of the blue last night from Directv saying how sorry they were for the problem and they gave me an additional credit of $39.95 (the first payment of the Extra Innings package essentially) off my next bill. I said thank you and that I appreciate the effort. And then hung up (after some pleasantries, of course).

 

I found out later after explaining it to my wife, that she had also emailed them about the situation (I was unaware of this) and that is what the phone call tonight was in reference to.

 

I'm hoping they screw up with their computer and from now on only charge me 3 payments of $39.95 instead of four.

[pitchleague]

Okay, I know the last post said it was a conclusion, but as I looked for the game last night, I turned to 642 and the Bucks pregame show was on! I never, ever, ever-to-the-millionth-power got any other broadcasting on that channel except Brewers pregame, actual game, and postgame (with the extra innings and sports pack activated, that is). I wonder if DTV finally got things right and have fully activated the channel on their satellite. I'll have to check at some random time to see if I get programming or not (even if it's poker at 2 am, I don't care).

[1992casey]

I just checked 642; it's still part-time.

 

Here's a map showing team home territories. I only have the link to the picture. I don't know if there's an article that goes with it or not.

[bobskube]

I'm getting screwed in Chicago tonight and it says I am getting a bad signal and message 771. got off the phone with DTV and they said it is a one time glitch.

 

Is anyone else have this problem. And yes, I have the two packages.

[pitchleague]

Quote:

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Whatever it took to keep MLB's Extra Innings package on cable, we're grateful. But we're starting to hear those annual complaints from customers who can't watch what they thought they had signed up for, even after shelling out their $179, thanks to MLB's often-puzzling blackout regulations. Well, for the first time, there's hope.

 

We're hearing that a discussion of those blackout rules is on the agenda for next month's owners meeting. And indications are that it's Bud Selig's intention to fix this mess ASAP. We've also heard that teams have been asked to submit info to MLB specifically outlining all the distant locations in their "territory" where they're actually on some form of local TV. MLB then intends to crack down on clubs that are claiming certain areas as their turf if, in reality, those claims actually are preventing fans of that team from seeing games even if they're willing to pay for Extra Innings.

 

It's one thing for clubs to protect their right to cut local TV deals. But it's a big problem for the industry if the effect is, essentially, to tell fans: "You can't be a fan of this team anymore." Nevertheless, it isn't as simple as it sounds. So stay tuned.

---

 

This from Jayson Stark's new "Rumblings & Grumblings" article.

 

All I can say is, "Thank Goodness! It's about darn time!" I hope they get this figured out fast. If Bud's behind it, he must be ticked that he couldn't watch a game some night this season already.

[1992casey]

Here are some articles about the blackout issues:

• A black(out) eye for baseball, Jeff Passan, 2006-05-26
  
• Left in the dark, Jeff Passan, 2006-06-19
  
• Selig's promise, Jeff Passan, 2006-06-19
  
• Major League Baseball Blackout Map, The Dilettante's Dilemma Blog, 2007-04-12

The blackout map comes from Baseball Think Factory's Dan Werr. I don't believe he has an article currently accompanying it right now.

 

By the way, the map shows I was incorrect when assessing Bruce Ciskie's situation. Superior is exclusive Brewer territory. Duluth is shared by the Brewers and Twins.

[1992casey]

Jeff Passan seems to be the point man when it comes to writing articles about blackouts. Here's a new one that came out today:

 

Possible progress on blackout issue, Jeff Passan, 2007-05-02

[davego]

I have DTV in Eau Claire and I get Twins and the 'Crew. However, on the NBA side only T-Wolves unless I throw down for the NBA season pass.