Sports Blackout Craziness

[ttomni6]

Here on Maui, it's weird how the Fox Sports Package determines our "home teams". In the NHL, we get L.A. Kings on DISH - Anaheim and San Jose are blacked out. Cable TV here gets Anaheim. I don't really care much about the baseball or basketball teams.

Anyway, the other night I'm watching the L.A./San Jose NHL game on FSW. We get to the shootout and all of a sudden the message comes on saying that I'm not authorized to receive this program. Checked the guide and it turns out that the NHL game ran long and crossed into what would have been some baseball game.

It would have been nice to have the NHL game time extended a bit so we didn't miss the finale. This reminded me of the Heidi / Jets debacle back when I was a kid living in NY

In an unrelated note, has anyone seen if DISH will EVER get MSG network back? A few years ago I got my parents in NY set up with DISH service and specifically ordered packages so my father could get the NY Ranger games. Shortly thereafter, MSG was dropped.

So now, there are games on NBC Sports Network and NHL Network that get blacked out because MSG Network is televising them. Problem is, we ordered packages that included MSG but it's not available!

 

[garys]

The blackout from the baseball game probably kicked in on you. This would be solved if Dish had more bandwidth on their sports and didn't cut them a different game on the same channel.

 

[SanseiBear]

I sent you a PM.

 

[Greenwood Luke]

The final day of regular season games in the NHL inspired me to put in yet another call to DISH Customer Service, to complain about the fact that while we in the NY-NJ area pay for a Regional Sports Network, much like every other customer, we haven't been receiving any for over two years now. I'm a long time NY Ranger fan, and they're having one of the best seasons in decades, and it really steamed me that I could only watch occasionally if the games were carried on another channel. Now, with baseball season starting up as well, I thought it would be worth mentioning as well that I'd really like to watch the NY Mets, who seem to be off to a decent start. After giving chapter and verse to customer service, at length, and being passed over to an "Account Specialist" who was quite argumentative, pointing out the service agreement contained no specific guarantee of certain programming, and then said she would look into "promotions" that might satisfy my concern about not getting what I'm paying for. She was quite adamant, over and over, that they could not offer a discount, or rebate, but a promotion might be possible. I told her, whatever it is you call it, call it "Ralph" for all I care, I'd appreciate it DISH could do something. Then I was hung up on. No call back, no nothing. I called back, got another "Account Specialist", who finally gave me $10 off my monthly bill for the next year. She said that the actual cost of the RSN Programming was in the area of $3 per month, but they were giving me the discount to apologize, blah, blah, blah. I told her I'd pay twice that, just to get my RSNs back. I asked her to pass it along - we'll see.

Luke in Greenwood Lake, NY

 

[DodgerKing]

What I find more interesting is a Hockey fan in Hawaii.

 

[Mr Tony]

well he does mention when he lived in NY so maybe thats why?

 

[ttomni6]

The final day of regular season games in the NHL inspired me to put in yet another call to DISH Customer Service, to complain about the fact that while we in the NY-NJ area pay for a Regional Sports Network, much like every other customer, we haven't been receiving any for over two years now. I'm a long time NY Ranger fan, and they're having one of the best seasons in decades, and it really steamed me that I could only watch occasionally if the games were carried on another channel. Now, with baseball season starting up as well, I thought it would be worth mentioning as well that I'd really like to watch the NY Mets, who seem to be off to a decent start. After giving chapter and verse to customer service, at length, and being passed over to an "Account Specialist" who was quite argumentative, pointing out the service agreement contained no specific guarantee of certain programming, and then said she would look into "promotions" that might satisfy my concern about not getting what I'm paying for. She was quite adamant, over and over, that they could not offer a discount, or rebate, but a promotion might be possible. I told her, whatever it is you call it, call it "Ralph" for all I care, I'd appreciate it DISH could do something. Then I was hung up on. No call back, no nothing. I called back, got another "Account Specialist", who finally gave me $10 off my monthly bill for the next year. She said that the actual cost of the RSN Programming was in the area of $3 per month, but they were giving me the discount to apologize, blah, blah, blah. I told her I'd pay twice that, just to get my RSNs back. I asked her to pass it along - we'll see.

Luke in Greenwood Lake, NY

===============
I really feel sorry for you. You're in the same boat as my father back in NY. MSG televises the home games so any other coverage gets blacked out (NHL Network, many NBC Sports Network broadcasts).

It's my understanding that the cable network back in your area also had a pricing dispute with MSG Network but "Linsanity" lit a fire under their butts and they got it back. I was hoping the same would happen with DISH.

I just read yesterday that the quarterfinal round of the NHL playoffs WILL BE SUBJECT to blackout except for the NBC national games. This seems to mean you won't get to see most of the Ranger/Ottawa series. However, the article I saw said that from the semi-finals on - it's all exclusive NBC Universal broadcasts.

As for your experience with DISH customer support on this issue, I had the same experience several months ago. Rangers were playing Anaheim on both FSWP and NHL Network. The Anaheim Ducks games are blacked out here on FSWP (even though Time Warner Cable shows them). When I tried to watch the game on NHL Network, that TOO was blacked out. I called DISH and was told that I had to subscribe to the NHL Center Ice package to get the game. When I tried to explain that this didn't make sense, I ran into the same argumentative environment and they hung up on me.

I've had DISH ever since I switched over from Echostar C-Band back in Oregon in the early/mid-90's. I moved to Maui in 2000 and have had DISH here since that time as well. I miss the customer concern that we used to have with DISH. I always thought that Charlie Ergen was a real advocate for us.

Anyway, times change. Maybe DISH is too concerned about starting their wireless network or selling off their wireless spectrum.

 

[Greenwood Luke]

Ttomni6 wrote: "It's my understanding that the cable network back in your area also had a pricing dispute with MSG Network but "Linsanity" lit a fire under their butts and they got it back. I was hoping the same would happen with DISH."

Yep, the hysteria over the Knicks player Linn was such that even Andrew Cuomo, the Governor of NY State, got involved, and said that if he had to lock both sides in a room he would. It also helped that it was cable systems at issue, who here in NY get franchises to provide service for specific geographic areas, mostly towns and cities. Annoying the Governor, who won by a margin of 61% to 34%, is not a good idea for cable networks, regardless of whether they are under State Regulation or not. Unfortunately, Prince Andrew is not a big Hockey fan, and DISH is not under the same franchising and licensing restrictions, so Charlie can continue to ignore the sports fans in NY who are unlucky enough to be DISH subscribers. If I could find a way to transfer over the saved programs I have on two EHDs to Direct TV, I would leave DISH and never look back. Unfortunately, I have too much invested, which is probably what drives their Corporate decision making on this issue. Needless to say, it does not lead to happy customers. Oh, and Linn is now on the Disabled List for the rest of the season. The Knicks, of course, didn't announce that until after tickets for the play offs sold out. Between Sports Teams and Cable Systems, it's hard to figure out which one is most despicable.

Luke in Greenwood Lake, NY

 

[Mr Tony]

As for the OP's question one thing I noticed is when I plug in a Maui zip on the Directv RSN guide it says the Ducks are on FS San Diego. I know Directv carries it but does Dish?
But what makes it weirder is it shows 4 RSN's for that market
FS West
FS San Diego
The 2 Northern Cali RSN's

Prime Ticket isnt listed as a RSN in that area...

even weirder is a RSN spreadsheet says yes it is covered (stations they get and teams covered)
FS West 692, Prime Ticket 694, CSN Bay Area 696, CSN California 698
MLB
Angels
Athletics
Dodgers
Giants
NBA
Clippers
Kings
Lakers
Warriors
NHL
Ducks
Kings

 

[HanoverPretzel]

The final day of regular season games in the NHL inspired me to put in yet another call to DISH Customer Service, to complain about the fact that while we in the NY-NJ area pay for a Regional Sports Network, much like every other customer, we haven't been receiving any for over two years now. I'm a long time NY Ranger fan, and they're having one of the best seasons in decades, and it really steamed me that I could only watch occasionally if the games were carried on another channel. Now, with baseball season starting up as well, I thought it would be worth mentioning as well that I'd really like to watch the NY Mets, who seem to be off to a decent start. After giving chapter and verse to customer service, at length, and being passed over to an "Account Specialist" who was quite argumentative, pointing out the service agreement contained no specific guarantee of certain programming, and then said she would look into "promotions" that might satisfy my concern about not getting what I'm paying for. She was quite adamant, over and over, that they could not offer a discount, or rebate, but a promotion might be possible. I told her, whatever it is you call it, call it "Ralph" for all I care, I'd appreciate it DISH could do something. Then I was hung up on. No call back, no nothing. I called back, got another "Account Specialist", who finally gave me $10 off my monthly bill for the next year. She said that the actual cost of the RSN Programming was in the area of $3 per month, but they were giving me the discount to apologize, blah, blah, blah. I told her I'd pay twice that, just to get my RSNs back. I asked her to pass it along - we'll see.

Luke in Greenwood Lake, NY

Out of curiosity, what is keeping you with Dish at this point? Obviously, you're a sports fan, and enjoy watching your home teams in baseball and hockey, and Dish refuses to carry the network(s) that have most of the games. You mentioned having been a customer for over two years, so you're probably out of contract and could cancel tomorrow with no penalty. Is it that cable and fios aren't available in your area, and you don't have the correct line of site to switch to Directv? In your situation, if I had any other option, I'd be gone.

 

[Dr.Pepper]

As for the OP's question one thing I noticed is when I plug in a Maui zip on the Directv RSN guide it says the Ducks are on FS San Diego. I know Directv carries it but does Dish?
But what makes it weirder is it shows 4 RSN's for that market
FS West
FS San Diego
The 2 Northern Cali RSN's

Prime Ticket isnt listed as a RSN in that area...

even weirder is a RSN spreadsheet says yes it is covered (stations they get and teams covered)
FS West 692, Prime Ticket 694, CSN Bay Area 696, CSN California 698
MLB
Angels
Athletics
Dodgers
Giants
NBA
Clippers
Kings
Lakers
Warriors
NHL
Ducks
Kings

We'll figure out women before we ever figure out the blackout rules.

 

[dan188]

At least we have a new broadcast deal for cup playoffs in nhl

 

[eriksat1]

At least we have a new broadcast deal for cup playoffs in nhl

And it is Bull $hit.
I bought NHL Center Ice this season, and now that playoffs are here I am afraid I will miss some of the games because NBC Sports net is only allowing 2-1/2 hours for the first game, so any long game or OT game will cut into the 2nd game which is the one I want to watch. This really sucks. The same thing happened to me a couple of years ago with Versus, the early game goes into OT and you are screwed out of 1/2 the 2nd game. I paid for Center Ice now that playoffs are here I can't watch my full game.
Btw I don't live in the area of the team I WANT to watch, so I am sol

 

[ttomni6]

I wonder if there's an alternate feed somewhere for the second game.

I ran into this same situation (first game runs long and cuts into second game) during college football season on at least one occasion and was able to find the "second" game on one of the other sports alternate channels. The guide didn't show the name of the event - merely sports alt ## or something like that.

Does anyone know if there's a set location for NBC Sports to have their alternate feed?

 

[cosmo_kramer]

I think the blackouts were messed up last night. NESN is my RSN and of course the Bruins game was on. The same game on NBC SportsNet was not blacked out. The Rangers game on NHLN was blacked out....

 

[DustoMan]

Not really a sports fan, but I have to say that the concept of blackouts really has been surpassed by technology. At the very least, the rules for blackouts need to be reevaluated and if they can't be eliminated entirely, they should be amended to only apply to terestrial broadcast. The wider reach of satellite and internet services make the blackout rules incredibly anti-consumer.

 

[NotMe546]

Not really a sports fan, but I have to say that the concept of blackouts really has been surpassed by technology. At the very least, the rules for blackouts need to be reevaluated and if they can't be eliminated entirely, they should be amended to only apply to terestrial broadcast. The wider reach of satellite and internet services make the blackout rules incredibly anti-consumer.

I agree but if the dolans have any say in it it will never happen.

 

[Mr Tony]

I wonder if there's an alternate feed somewhere for the second game.

there should be. I know on Directv there is. But its up to DIsh's discretion if they want to carry it

 

[loubon]

CNBC is also carrying some of the games. But the blackout rules still apply.

 

[eriksat1]

I had to watch the whole Bruins-Caps game including OT then also watch the Bruins-Caps post game wrap up while missing over 15 mins of the 1st period before they switched over to the Blackhawks game. NBC sports can kiss my @ss.​