MLB Extra Innings for Saturday 4-5-08

[psunate77]

There are 6 early games today going on right now and none of these are on Extra Innings, does this happen alot?

[gpg]

It happens every Saturday because Fox has an exclusive tv contract. No MLBEI games may be seen before 7:00pm ET on Saturdays. We all hate it, but that's how it works.

[psunate77]

It happens every Saturday because Fox has an exclusive tv contract. No MLBEI games may be seen before 7:00pm ET on Saturdays. We all hate it, but that's how it works.

These aren't Fox games tho? Seems like a waste for just weekday games.

[Msguy]

You can send your letter of appreciation (Sarcasm) to Fox for having Exclusive rights to be the only channel to air games nationally on Saturday Afternoons. Thanks to Fox we can't see any Baseball unless they are broadcasting it or your local team is playing and you can receive them through sportspack.

[schlar01]

You know, maybe its my own fault, but I didn't know this before I bought the package AND SuperFan. Pisses me off. Will D* give me a refund?

I'd rather spend $99 on MLB.TV than deal with this bogus garabge for $250.

To state how stupid this policy is, this type of policy would force the NFL ticket in to non-existence.

[phatmatt1215]

You know, maybe its my own fault, but I didn't know this before I bought the package AND SuperFan. Pisses me off. Will D* give me a refund?

I'd rather spend $99 on MLB.TV than deal with this bogus garabge for $250.

Doubtful if you will get your money back.

[pdxsam]

MLB.TV does the same blackouts as D. It's because of the Fox contract.

I had MLB.TV last season so I know this to be the case.

[n3ntj]

These aren't Fox games tho? Seems like a waste for just weekday games.

It doesn't matter if the games are ones Fox is actually broadcasting or not. FOX has the rights to pick which game(s) on Saturday afternoon they want to broadcast. Many RSNs will pick up the non-Fox games, but these can only be viewed in the RSN's home market (not via MLB EI).

Alot of us hate this Fox exclusive thing, but there is nothing we can do. We want to see out of market Fox Saturday games, but no-go for now.

[Redlinetire]

You know, maybe its my own fault, but I didn't know this before I bought the package AND SuperFan. Pisses me off. Will D* give me a refund?

I'd rather spend $99 on MLB.TV than deal with this bogus garabge for $250.

To state how stupid this policy is, this type of policy would force the NFL ticket in to non-existence.

BTW, besides not fixing the Saturday FOX issue, MLB.TV also blocks out your local team(s) from viewage.

[schlar01]

This garbage just makes no sense. So most people cannot watch their team's game on Sat afternoon just because Fox wants to screw people? Ugh, I'm so disappointed and angry. I'm not buying this crap again.

[scott72]

This garbage just makes no sense. So most people cannot watch their team's game on Sat afternoon just because Fox wants to screw people? Ugh, I'm so disappointed and angry. I'm not buying this crap again.

Lucklily most Sat games will be in the evening I believe after the first couple weeks. You'll be able to see Sat night games when they're on.

[Eksynyt]

Yeah, this seems like a ridiculous amount of early games, especially ones that FOX didn't pick up.

[DBSNewbie]

If MLB and D* ever implement a new package (on top of EI and on top of SF) which allows us to view all Saturday Fox Baseball Games, along with lifting the blackouts on the other networks, would any of you guys be willing to pay for it?

[Shield]

If MLB and D* ever implement a new package (on top of EI and on top of SF) which allows us to view all Saturday Fox Baseball Games, along with lifting the blackouts on the other networks, would any of you guys be willing to pay for it?

Scholar01, I'm like you, and was po'd that I couldn't watch a few games that were on at 1:00 today.

I called Directv and complained, and while I was on hold I went to mlb.com and took a look at my team's schedule. I think I'm only going to miss 2 games in August that:
1. Are before 7:00 on Saturday, and / or

2. Aren't being broadcast on FOX.

So I kept mine. I was pissed though this afternoon...

[vansmack]

Today was an anomoly. While we only get one Saturday baseball game before 7 ET, that usually means we miss 3-4 games, on the rare occasion 5.

For some reason there was extraordnary number of games scheduled today that were not on Fox, which if you look through Saturdays on the schedule, won't happen again.

Not very smart of MLB to do that on a Free Preview weekend though, I might add. Talk about unnecessarily exposing (and overblowing) a downside...

[jeffwltrs]

I am broke now! Not really! But, I almost pay a car payment a month for D*! Can't we put our money together and just buy a team or league?

[schlar01]

If MLB and D* ever implement a new package (on top of EI and on top of SF) which allows us to view all Saturday Fox Baseball Games, along with lifting the blackouts on the other networks, would any of you guys be willing to pay for it?

Why should I have to? I already spend 220+ on it. Jesus, do I have to spend $500 just to get my team's games, that aren't even on national TV to begin with? "on top of" is absurd.

I understand that this may not happen every week but it still sucks and flies in the face of the rationale that most fans have for buying the package in the first place.

[DCSholtis]

If MLB and D* ever implement a new package (on top of EI and on top of SF) which allows us to view all Saturday Fox Baseball Games, along with lifting the blackouts on the other networks, would any of you guys be willing to pay for it?

Quite honestly yes I would.

[vollmey]

Why should I have to? I already spend 220+ on it. Jesus, do I have to spend $500 just to get my team's games, that aren't even on national TV to begin with? "on top of" is absurd.

I understand that this may not happen every week but it still sucks and flies in the face of the rationale that most fans have for buying the package in the first place.

Thinking back, I have had MLBEI with Cable and Sat since 2000 or so. This is something that is not new. What is new is Fox starting so early, usually it's after Memorial if I remember right.

Would I pay for a package that has no blackout, yes I would.

[Raven2490]

Only place that doesnt block saturday games is in canada bell express. they show the fox feeds in the EI package .. y cant they do the same in the USA ?

[cariera]

You know, maybe its my own fault, but I didn't know this before I bought the package AND SuperFan.


If you are looking to lay blame, you are correct, it is your fault:

"For every Saturday of the regular season, the FOX Television Network has the exclusive national rights to broadcast games up until 7:00pm ET (4:00pm PT). So, while you will not receive Major League Baseball games on your MLB EXTRA INNINGS® channels any of those Saturday mornings or afternoons, you will receive the available Saturday night games that begin after 7:00pm ET (4:00pm PT). For Saturday morning and afternoon games, check out the FOX Network local schedule."

and as a bonus:

"ESPN maintains their exclusive national broadcast window for all Major League Baseball games on Sunday nights, therefore, no telecast can be made available for out–of–market distribution. As their rights are for night games only, any games which start after 5:00pm ET (2:00pm PT) cannot be distributed out–of–market. However, on the first Sunday after the All–Star Game (7/15/08), no game with a start time after 3:00pm ET (12:00pm PT) can be distributed out–of–market."



http://directv.com/DTVAPP/customer/faqPage.jsp?assetId=1300026#category8

Now please stop whining and enjoy the 60+ hd games on this week.:)

[tonyd79]

And that concludes our lastest class in Over-Reaction 101.

This just amazes me. To assume that you get every game of every team every day just amazes me. And tells me how spoiled we are.

Yes, the entire package is completely worthless because a few games are missing.

With that attitude, someone is going to go through life very disappointed over and over again.

[schlar01]

How is it "spoiled" to actually want to get what you paid for? You basically have to be a lawyer to figure out all 27,000 conditions of the MLB blackout rules. It isn't "spoiled" to ask that you get games you paid over $200 for.

[Chuck W]

This just amazes me. To assume that you get every game of every team every day just amazes me. And tells me how spoiled we are.


I was actually looking for the /sarcasm tag on this part. Since it's not, I'm assuming you are actually serious with this part. THAT just amazes me.

These packages were design to give people access to out of market games and to their teams, if they are not in their local viewing area. To withhold games from the package, even tho they are NOT being broadcast nationally is just flat out ridiculous. If MLB wants to give someone an exclusive window, then simply DON'T schedule other games, at that time.

MLB keep talking about how it wants to get fans back into the game, yet they pull stunts like this. If you want fans back in the game, then let them SEE the games, ESPECIALLY if they paid for it. People pay a LOT of money for this package and every year it's gets more expensive. Fans SHOULD ABSOLUTELY expect to be able to get ALL games that aren't being covered by national channels.

[mauijiminar]

This garbage just makes no sense. So most people cannot watch their team's game on Sat afternoon just because Fox wants to screw people? Ugh, I'm so disappointed and angry. I'm not buying this crap again.

Dude did u not read the blackout rules on the Directv website. It is clearly on there and been discussed many MANY times on here.

[mauijiminar]

I was actually looking for the /sarcasm tag on this part. Since it's not, I'm assuming you are actually serious with this part. THAT just amazes me.

These packages were design to give people access to out of market games and to their teams, if they are not in their local viewing area. To withhold games from the package, even tho they are NOT being broadcast nationally is just flat out ridiculous. If MLB wants to give someone an exclusive window, then simply DON'T schedule other games, at that time.

MLB keep talking about how it wants to get fans back into the game, yet they pull stunts like this. If you want fans back in the game, then let them SEE the games, ESPECIALLY if they paid for it. People pay a LOT of money for this package and every year it's gets more expensive. Fans SHOULD ABSOLUTELY expect to be able to get ALL games that aren't being covered by national channels.

WELL it has been that way for a while, so I doubt if you think MLB will change their minds.

[rkunces]

For those of you who said the games were unavailable last year on MLB.TV, well they were not for the first couple of weeks, and then the blackout was put in place. However, today's games were clear and without blackouts (except for your local coverage) on MLB.TV.

For what it's worth.

[scott72]

I was actually looking for the /sarcasm tag on this part. Since it's not, I'm assuming you are actually serious with this part. THAT just amazes me.

These packages were design to give people access to out of market games and to their teams, if they are not in their local viewing area. To withhold games from the package, even tho they are NOT being broadcast nationally is just flat out ridiculous. If MLB wants to give someone an exclusive window, then simply DON'T schedule other games, at that time.

MLB keep talking about how it wants to get fans back into the game, yet they pull stunts like this. If you want fans back in the game, then let them SEE the games, ESPECIALLY if they paid for it. People pay a LOT of money for this package and every year it's gets more expensive. Fans SHOULD ABSOLUTELY expect to be able to get ALL games that aren't being covered by national channels.

I agree. Man when is enough enough? Major League salaries are at an all time high and you can barely afford to attend a game with your family. Then they go ahead and black you out of your teams games even though it's not being shown nationally. Why? Because they think you're going to turn on Fox and watch a couple teams you could care less about? It's really obvious that MLB could care less about the fans as the all mighty dollar is all that matters.

[tonyd79]

I was actually looking for the /sarcasm tag on this part. Since it's not, I'm assuming you are actually serious with this part. THAT just amazes me.

These packages were design to give people access to out of market games and to their teams, if they are not in their local viewing area. To withhold games from the package, even tho they are NOT being broadcast nationally is just flat out ridiculous. If MLB wants to give someone an exclusive window, then simply DON'T schedule other games, at that time.

MLB keep talking about how it wants to get fans back into the game, yet they pull stunts like this. If you want fans back in the game, then let them SEE the games, ESPECIALLY if they paid for it. People pay a LOT of money for this package and every year it's gets more expensive. Fans SHOULD ABSOLUTELY expect to be able to get ALL games that aren't being covered by national channels.

There is no sarcasm at all. Other than the NFL (which has a limited number of games), there is NO sport that you can get all the games on your TV. To assume that you would be able to is unrealistic.

So much money? What? You expect 2400 games at pennies per game? Expect? Demand? What? It is flat out ridiculous that you can't get every single game? Under what set of expectations?

[jhstn58]

The regional blackout rules bother me more than the national exclusives. I cannot watch the Braves or the Reds on EI EVER since Nashville is in both of their "local" markets (yeah, I'm gonna drive four hours after work some night to catch a game). It isn't so bad when their games are broadcast on the RSN, but I hate it when they are not on the RSN and still blacked out on EI.

[tonyd79]

The regional blackout rules bother me more than the national exclusives. I cannot watch the Braves or the Reds on EI EVER since Nashville is in both of their "local" markets (yeah, I'm gonna drive four hours after work some night to catch a game). It isn't so bad when their games are broadcast on the RSN, but I hate it when they are not on the RSN and still blacked out on EI.

The regional blackouts are far more annoying. Because the territories make no sense. MLB has carved up every inch of the United States. Tell me, how does someone in Eastern Montana get claimed by the Seattle Mariners? Or a person who lives about an hour from New York City gets claimed by the Pittsburgh Pirates?

Truly local markets make sense to a degree but the farflung ones make no sense.

[schlar01]

There is no sarcasm at all. Other than the NFL (which has a limited number of games), there is NO sport that you can get all the games on your TV. To assume that you would be able to is unrealistic.

So much money? What? You expect 2400 games at pennies per game? Expect? Demand? What? It is flat out ridiculous that you can't get every single game? Under what set of expectations?

How about, for my $220+, I get every Twins game? Its not that tough. I don't need 2400 games. I don't care about 2400 games. I do want to watch the Twins on a Saturday afternoon, which I don't think is unreasonable for $200+.

"Pennies" per game could be 99 cents. Who the hell is going to pay $2400 for MLB games? Your post makes no sense. OF COURSE its going to be pennies per game.

It just makes zero sense to black people out of games that aren't even being broadcast nationally. Shame on both MLB and DirecTV for allowing it to happen. D* could have pushed back hard on it with the exclusive contract crap but its clear they didn't. MLB obviously doesn't care or they wouldn't have written it in the Fox contract.

The only people who lose in these deals are the fans and all these companies are to blame, including DirecTV.

[garn9173]

How about, for my $220+, I get every Twins game? Its not that tough. I don't need 2400 games. I don't care about 2400 games. I do want to watch the Twins on a Saturday afternoon, which I don't think is unreasonable for $200+.

"Pennies" per game could be 99 cents. Who the hell is going to pay $2400 for MLB games? Your post makes no sense. OF COURSE its going to be pennies per game.

It just makes zero sense to black people out of games that aren't even being broadcast nationally. Shame on both MLB and DirecTV for allowing it to happen. D* could have pushed back hard on it with the exclusive contract crap but its clear they didn't. MLB obviously doesn't care or they wouldn't have written it in the Fox contract.

The only people who lose in these deals are the fans and all these companies are to blame, including DirecTV.

Kinda hard for the game to be available on EI when neither FSN North or FSN KC was televising it.

[garn9173]

The regional blackouts are far more annoying. Because the territories make no sense. MLB has carved up every inch of the United States. Tell me, how does someone in Eastern Montana get claimed by the Seattle Mariners? Or a person who lives about an hour from New York City gets claimed by the Pittsburgh Pirates?

Truly local markets make sense to a degree but the farflung ones make no sense.

or Royals game blacked out less than 3 hours from KC and Brewers games are "in the clear" in the Des Metro and Milwaukee is 6 or 7 hours from Des Moines.

[scott72]

or Royals game blacked out less than 3 hours from KC and Brewers games are "in the clear" in the Des Metro and Milwaukee is 6 or 7 hours from Des Moines.

Or Brewer's games in the clear for Des Moines residents, but blacked out for NE Iowa residents 3 hours from Milwaukee when MLB says both locations are in the Brewer's market..:rolleyes:

[jeffwltrs]

+1

[n3ntj]

MLB blackout rules need to be scratched and start over again with fair, fan-friendly rules. It is the MLB fans, in the end, that pay the players salaries.

[Dan Burgess]

Fox paid a bundle for the television contract, and demanded exclusive rights on Saturday afternoons. It is a reasonable request. And it only affects a few games per week -- on Saturdays later in the season, there are only a handful (and sometimes just two or three) games before 7pm ET. Yesterday, with 11 Saturday afternoon games, was a complete anomaly.

I'm just glad the Wednesday night ESPN blackouts are a thing of the past. That was a real pain.

[pigskins]

How is it "spoiled" to actually want to get what you paid for? You basically have to be a lawyer to figure out all 27,000 conditions of the MLB blackout rules. It isn't "spoiled" to ask that you get games you paid over $200 for.

You *ARE* getting what you paid for!!!

Sheesh!

We have already established, as you admitted, that this was your fault. There are "blackout rules apply" disclaimers everywhere. This thread should be closed.