Comcast Sportsnet Philly

[skohly]

I know Directv does not have Comcast Sports Philly, been discussed numerous times here I'm sure. Yesterday the MLB EI package did in fact have both feeds of the Phillies vs Nats game with the Comcast Philly channel on my tv for the very first time. Is there a chink in the armour? Can Phillies fans outside of the Philly DMA now expect to be able to watch their sacred Harry Kallas call the games? This has never happened before.

[mcaldero]

I know Directv does not have Comcast Sports Philly, been discussed numerous times here I'm sure. Yesterday the MLB EI package did in fact have both feeds of the Phillies vs Nats game with the Comcast Philly channel on my tv for the very first time. Is there a chink in the armour? Can Phillies fans outside of the Philly DMA now expect to be able to watch their sacred Harry Kallas call the games? This has never happened before.

Comcast SportsNet Philly games appeared on MLB EI several times last year for the first time. Since it appears as though in 2008 DIRECTV is offering the home and away team telecasts when available, I would suspect that you'll get a lot more chances to watch Harry Kallas.

[wilbur_the_goose]

Unless, of course, you live in metro Philly (like me)

[n3ntj]

As currently discussed in another forum thread, apparently MLB forced CSN Philly to provide some games (some even in HD) to D* for their MLB EI package.

[dcanesdbs]

As currently discussed in another forum thread, apparently MLB forced CSN Philly to provide some games (some even in HD) to D* for their MLB EI package.

What other thread/forum was that in?

[n3ntj]

I can't find it right now, but check out the posts in:

http://www.dbstalk.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=60&f=125

(there are at least two active threads about CSN Philly and SD4)

[Steady Teddy]

I've yet to see a Phillies game in HD on EI this season. I know there were several games last season on CSN Philly HD on the EI package. What's up with that?

[bonscott87]

Yes, CSN Philly provides games to MLB EI and NHL CI. But CSN Philly doesn't provide those feeds to DirecTV directly, only thru the sports packages that DirecTV buys and then sends to us.

It's not a sign that CSN Philly will actually be carried full time. Thank Comcast for that.

[jerseyreef]

However, the way I understand it. For those of use who live in the Philly Metro area are we're unable to watch any Phillies games on MLB EI (HD or otherwise) on DirectTV.

[n3ntj]

Yes, CSN Philly provides games to MLB EI and NHL CI. But CSN Philly doesn't provide those feeds to DirecTV directly, only thru the sports packages that DirecTV buys and then sends to us.

It's not a sign that CSN Philly will actually be carried full time. Thank Comcast for that.

But I was asking how this signal gets from Philly to D*.

[pharmer]

I live in the south jersey area (AC) and get very frustrated that these games are blacked out. I have always assumed that this was the fault of the "devil" (Comcast) and in reading these forums my conclusions are confirmed.

Is there any way around this?? I am a Met fan and get so angry when the Mets/Phillies series are always blacked out. Today, I watched the whole pregame ceremony from Shea and right in the middle of the national anthem....bam, black screen. I almost had to buy a new remote today. DirecTV blames the networks and MLB and I seem to believe them but there has to be a way around this for me.

Should I petition MLB to expand their definition of the NY market to encompass all of NJ or petition the devil to broadcast games over DirecTV. I have a feeling neither of these efforts will amount to anything but they at least need to hear my voice.

Thoughts?? Ideas??

[TheRatPatrol]

But I was asking how this signal gets from Philly to D*.
I'm guessing via fiber since the channel isn't available via satellite.

[n3ntj]

But if MLB is actually 'supplying' the channel, then CSN Philly has a fiber line to MLB somewhere and then MLB sends the CSN Philly game feed to D*?

[bonscott87]

But if MLB is actually 'supplying' the channel, then CSN Philly has a fiber line to MLB somewhere and then MLB sends the CSN Philly game feed to D*?

I can't remember.

I'm pretty sure when MLB EI was renewed last year that pressure was made on Comcast to make the game feeds available to DirecTV (for out of Philly market only) and they consented, so long as Congress allowed them to keep their loophole that prevents them from making the channel available as a whole.

How it gets to D* really doesn't matter at this point but it's probably not by satellite as that is the loophole Comcast uses in the first place to keep it off DBS.

[TheRatPatrol]

I can't remember.

I'm pretty sure when MLB EI was renewed last year that pressure was made on Comcast to make the game feeds available to DirecTV (for out of Philly market only) and they consented, so long as Congress allowed them to keep their loophole that prevents them from making the channel available as a whole.

How it gets to D* really doesn't matter at this point but it's probably not by satellite as that is the loophole Comcast uses in the first place to keep it off DBS.
Do you know when this loophole expires? I heard that is was either this year or sometime in the next few years, maybe 2010?

Thanks

[bonscott87]

Do you know when this loophole expires? I heard that is was either this year or sometime in the next few years, maybe 2010?

Thanks

It doesn't. It's part of the law. Any channel that is not distributed via a sat link doesn't have to offer it's channel to the satellite companies. Comcast Philly delivers it's signals to cable companies all by fiber on purpose to use this loophole.

[pharmer]

so essentially then, if you are a Phillies fan and you live out of market, there is no incentive for you to get MLB EI?? you will not get the games anyway unless you want to watch the other teams broadcast all the time??

Just another reason why it sucks to be a Phillie fan

[bushead]

It doesn't. It's part of the law. Any channel that is not distributed via a sat link doesn't have to offer it's channel to the satellite companies. Comcast Philly delivers it's signals to cable companies all by fiber on purpose to use this loophole.

The sad part for Philly is that that loophole was closed in every market in the country except for Philadelphia as part of the FCC agreement to allow Comcast and Time Warner to purchase Adelphia Cable.

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6352882.html

[TheRatPatrol]

It doesn't. It's part of the law. Any channel that is not distributed via a sat link doesn't have to offer it's channel to the satellite companies. Comcast Philly delivers it's signals to cable companies all by fiber on purpose to use this loophole.
I could have sworn that I have read on here in the past that the loophole was to expire in the near future. I guess not. :(

But I guess laws can be changed?

[bonscott87]

I could have sworn that I have read on here in the past that the loophole was to expire in the near future. I guess not. :(

But I guess laws can be changed?

Yes they can but the chairman of that committee is Arlen Spector from.....Philadelphia. And guess who makes lots of compaign contributions? You got it. Comcast.

[n3ntj]

You mean Comcrap.

[TheRatPatrol]

Yes they can but the chairman of that committee is Arlen Spector from.....Philadelphia. And guess who makes lots of compaign contributions? You got it. Comcast.
Darn crooked politicians!

[wilbur_the_goose]

True - It's Arlen's fault.

Hopefully he'll retire.

[jerseyreef]

I just hate Comcast, I can't watch any Philly area sports on Direct TV, unless it's carried on the local broadcast.