View Full Version : MLB Schedule Saturday July 4th Must Read
Hello Folks. I just thought that I would post up this message for everyone who cares and gives a flip about Major League Baseball. July the 4th our nations birthday falls on a Saturday this year in 2009. Have any of you looked at the Schedule for that day? Well I already have and there are "11" MLB Day Baseball games that are scheduled for that day that will start *Before* the FOX Exclusive Window closes at 7 p.m. Eastern Time. That is potentially 10 Games we ALL will miss if MLB Doesn't do something about this Crazy and Absolutely Absurd Blackout Rule FOX currently imposes on us all. I say "10" games because we all will receive the "1" Fox game on our local affilliate. But there will be 10 other contests going on during that holiday we all will miss out on us MLB Extra Innings subscribers if Bud Selig and MLB don't change this silly blackout rule. Here's to hoping maybe they will FINALLY WAKE UP and Change This GOSH DARNED SILLY @$$ Rule!!!!
VegasDen
06-08-09, 11:42 PM
They might wake up...after the est. $400 million a year contract ends in 2013.
I agree that its not right but its just one game. Im sure you will survive.
Yes I'm almost positive I'll survive. But Come On. It's a holiday. Many people will want to watch baseball in the afternoon before they go watch there fireworks that night. It's time to ring the alarm on this issue and for baseball to end this silly rule set by FOX.
Yes I'm almost positive I'll survive. But Come On. It's a holiday. Many people will want to watch baseball in the afternoon before they go watch there fireworks that night. It's time to ring the alarm on this issue and for baseball to end this silly rule set by FOX.
I completely agree. I was mad at the NBA this season when it got to the playoffs. They had some of the games on NBATV. I was ticked that I had to sub to the sports pack to see some playoff games. As far as I can remember that has never happened before with a playoff game anyways.
It sure dont help much that MLB is having this issue come up on a holiday weekend. Hope they get it sorted out in the future. I sent the NBA an email. Not that it did much good but I let them know I was not happy.
We're stuck with the MLB/Fox deal until 2013.. not much we can do but complain. Call MLB and Fox and tell them that you subscribe to EI and tell them what you think.
nitty316
06-09-09, 08:34 AM
Yeah this sucks.
ddockery
06-09-09, 08:53 AM
OK, I don't like it any more than you, but MLB is a busniess. FOX offered a lot of money for the window. It won't be going away any time soon. If anything, the holiday will make FOX want the window that much more.
schlar01
06-09-09, 08:59 AM
I'm think its obvious that both of them care more about their exclusive dealings than the what the country wants.
It seems pretty reasonable to make an exception for one day.
I also highly doubt that happens.
Stuart Sweet
06-09-09, 09:01 AM
Folks, MLB is a business, so is Fox Broadcasting. If you can prove to them that there is a business interest to you being able to see the blacked-out games, then they might listen to you.
Sory to rant a little here but I am continually amazed by those who think that national sports leagues belong to the people, that the games are somehow part of your birthright. They are the products of companies seeking to provide entertainment for a profit. They are nothing more.
I wouldn't worry about it, 99.9% of their audience is only going to care about their home team, and RSNs are allowed to carry the game in the blackout window so you're talking about quite a minority that is affected by this (and yet it comes up EVERY WEEK... holiday or not...)
It's one day a week, go outside, BBQ, and grab the XM Radio :) That's what I do.
Pete K.
06-09-09, 09:11 AM
Most of the games that begin shortly after 1 p.m. will still be on TV in their respective local markets. For example, the Braves are televising on Sports South. MLB TV also makes games starting prior to 1:10 p.m. available to subscribers. The games will be available on radio, via XM and Game Day Audio. If you know where to look, you can listen over the internet without a subscription. Yeah it sucks that MLB can't get its act together and let MLB EI subscribers enjoy those games but it is not as though there are no alternatives.
UTVLamented
06-09-09, 09:20 AM
The only real power we have is to not watch the FOX games and affect the ratings and advertisers. MLB and FOX don't give a rat's behind what the fan wants. It's strictly business.
billsharpe
06-09-09, 12:03 PM
Yes, DirecTV, MLB and Fox are all businesses.
It's ironic, though, that a DirecTV commercial on Fox broadcasting the game of the day two weeks ago included "See every game in HD!"
I don't have the MLB package but the three outfits should get their stories straight.
bwaldron
06-09-09, 01:28 PM
Most of the games that begin shortly after 1 p.m. will still be on TV in their respective local markets. For example, the Braves are televising on Sports South. MLB TV also makes games starting prior to 1:10 p.m. available to subscribers. The games will be available on radio, via XM and Game Day Audio. If you know where to look, you can listen over the internet without a subscription. Yeah it sucks that MLB can't get its act together and let MLB EI subscribers enjoy those games but it is not as though there are no alternatives.
I'm not a fan of Fox baseball coverage, but I understand them contracting for an exclusive Saturday window. However, I do have a problem with the size of that window -- i.e., covering the early afternoon games that overlap with their televised games minimally if at all. The fact that these early games are made available via their online package but not via Extra Innings really bothers me.
But life goes on...and I have my XM subscription for the Saturday early games.
For the Life of me I don't understand why Major League Baseball would allow such an exclusive window for FOX. MLB is a Business FOX is a business but come on The Fans who subscribe to MLB Extra Innings especially for those who subscribe for out of market game WANT to be able to still watch there favorite teams. It's just nuts to think we are subject to watch a game that FOX chooses for us or to watch the team in our home market when there is a package that allows us to "Choose" the game we want to view. Isn't this what this whole country is founded on that we are free to have a "Choice" of what we want to watch. I Choose to subscribe to DirecTv I choose to subscribe to MLB Extra Innings so I can see the maximum number of games that I can. But then FOX takes that away from us who are paying the money for the package but yet we can't see the game we want to all because FOX Chooses to have exclusive rights to broadcast for the entire afternoon. I think it is wrong and baseball should force FOX to change their deal and not allow them there exclusive broadcasts of games on Saturdays. ESPN Lost their Exclusive Right to air only 1 game a few years ago on Wednesday Nights. FOX should lose theirs.
davidatl14
06-09-09, 02:48 PM
:beatdeadhorse::beatdeadhorse::beatdeadhorse:For the Life of me I don't understand why Major League Baseball would allow such an exclusive window for FOX. MLB is a Business FOX is a business but come on The Fans who subscribe to MLB Extra Innings especially for those who subscribe for out of market game WANT to be able to still watch there favorite teams. It's just nuts to think we are subject to watch a game that FOX chooses for us or to watch the team in our home market when there is a package that allows us to "Choose" the game we want to view. Isn't this what this whole country is founded on that we are free to have a "Choice" of what we want to watch. I Choose to subscribe to DirecTv I choose to subscribe to MLB Extra Innings so I can see the maximum number of games that I can. But then FOX takes that away from us who are paying the money for the package but yet we can't see the game we want to all because FOX Chooses to have exclusive rights to broadcast for the entire afternoon. I think it is wrong and baseball should force FOX to change their deal and not allow them there exclusive broadcasts of games on Saturdays. ESPN Lost their Exclusive Right to air only 1 game a few years ago on Wednesday Nights. FOX should lose theirs.
Like Stuart said above MLB is a Business.
Fox Network is a business.
You and I are customers of MLB EI.
MLB rightly so, places more emphasis on making Fox happy than you and I.
To do any other thing is madness.
I wish we could see them all too.
I just understand that it's not an entitlement.
I would say there would be a better chance of MLB regulating Saturday Start times(ie: no afternoon starts on the East coast for non Fox games) than giving Fox a huge refund.
The Fox blackout is here through 2013.
LATE EDIT:(msguy), didn't want my post to seem like it's critical of you personally. I just don't see anything changing before the Fox Contract runs out.
Only thing to hope for (IMO) is the Saturday start times being addressed by MLB.
Any of the games that start early enough should still be available through MLB.TV.
Last weekend I was still able to watch a Redsox game starting at 1:07 PM over MLB.TV even though it was not available the MLB Extra Innings.
Since I can connect my computer to my HDTV using DVI, the picture was almost as good as other games received from MLB Extra Innings.
It would never happen but I'd love to see a revolt by MLB next year where all but 2 teams per Saturday choose to play outside the black out window and leave FOX stuck with matchups like PIT/COL and KC/SEA since they would be the only game in thier 'window'.
davidatl14
06-11-09, 04:40 AM
You're right it will never happen but even if it did, Fox is still entitled to pick whatever game they desire.
For example: Yanks/Red Sox schedule a 7:05PM start along with every other team sceduled with the exception of scintilating Dbacks/Padres scheduled for a 1:05P(local)4:05 EST.
Fox still has the right to force the Yanks/Sox or any other matchup they desire to move into their(FOX) start time.
I still say a decent compromise, would be for MLB to schedule all Saturday baseball for a 7:05PM start EST and try to convince Fox to limit their weekly selections to only two matchups.
to recap:
Saturday's
1:00-4:00P- No games permitted
4:00-7:00P- Fox selects two games for their weekly telecasts. One a marquee matchup that would interest most of the country. The secondary game of lesser interest in case of weather delays.
7:05P-later all other games are played. All games then are available for MLBEI patrons, no questions asked. Only exceptions being weather related makeup doubleheaders.
Under this scenario you might be able to entice Fox to allow the backup game so to speak to air for MLB EI customers only.
Fox's primary Game goes to all the country except the two local markets selected for the secondary game. Secondary game then can be used in case of any weather delays/postponements.
Under that specific targeted scenario Fox might consent to the secondary game of lesser interest being shown via the MLBEI package.
Pete K.
06-11-09, 06:39 AM
It was bad enough when the defunct "Baseball Network" scheduled every game for an
8:05 p.m. start on Friday evenings. Every game! Let's not suggest "banning" games from 1 to 4 p on Saturdays.
davidatl14
06-11-09, 09:28 AM
It was bad enough when the defunct "Baseball Network" scheduled every game for an
8:05 p.m. start on Friday evenings. Every game! Let's not suggest "banning" games from 1 to 4 p on Saturdays.
Let's do.
It's not that big a deal.
Only effects a few games. Patrons will be there when game is played.
Could make the argument that this would be a minimal disruption of schedule.
Could still have Saturday day baseball on the West coast if desired.
The only teams that consistently schedule day baseball on Saturday's are the Mets,Yankees and Blue Jays when playing at home.
vikingrob
06-11-09, 05:51 PM
Let's do.
It's not that big a deal.
Only effects a few games. Patrons will be there when game is played.
Could make the argument that this would be a minimal disruption of schedule.
Could still have Saturday day baseball on the West coast if desired.
The only teams that consistently schedule day baseball on Saturday's are the Mets,Yankees and Blue Jays when playing at home.
Also the Cubs.
rkunces
06-11-09, 05:55 PM
As well as the A's.
Got up this morning thinking, OK time to plan my day. The first thing I usually plan for a Saturday is when are the Twins playing, will I watch live or record. Checked out the Star Tribune and see that they are playing at 12:05 at Wrigley Field. My first thought was grrrr, xxxpdfqqjer;olsaJFA;. Then I checked the weather report, and wow, this is truly the first Saturday of summer like weather we are going to have this year. I don't need my Twins fix today, I am going to enjoy the outside, maybe coming in occasionally to check the progress of the game on Sportsline. And tonight, well, I guess I can watch some of my other favorite teams, the Phillies and the Dodgers.
Conclusion: The Fox Saturday thing really isn't that bad, in fact, sometimes it could be a blessing. :lol:
homebase
06-13-09, 11:51 AM
Surprise! NYM vs NYY here. I'm really tired of checking the schedule only to see NY teams on the Fox schedule here.
The exclusive rights to the time slot should be given to the networks(s) for those who don't pay the $$ for the game. If you don't pay, you're shovel-fed whatever they give you.
For those that do pay the extra $$ we should be watching the games we want as we are paying for the service.
This doesn't seem too difficult to figure out but those who make such decisions in for the MLB must not have much common sense.
schlar01
06-13-09, 05:35 PM
It was awesome that I couldn't watch the Twins-Cubs game today. I mean, its quite obvious that a noon game could never be allowed to be televised when a 3PM exclusive game is coming up...............seriously, what would people do when the noon game ends at 3PM? Its a serious threat to Fox and MLB.......... :nono2:
MLB and Fox can eat it. I guess i paid $200 for the right to watch all non non-exclusive games that don't reside within a blackout window. Err, what? Who the hell knows what is going on anymore. Clearly these turds need an exclusive on noon games that don't even conflict.............GFY Selig.
Just wait till July 4th. It'll hit the fan. Like I posted earlier. Unless MLB does something about this Saturday FOX exclusive blackout window (Which MLB probably won't do anything about) There will be around 10 Saturday 4th of July Baseball games that entire afternoon MLB Extra Innings Subscribers WILL NOT be able to view. You will only receive the game that is broadcast to your home market on your local FOX station or the game that is broadcast to your region via your own Regional Sports Network (RSN). Anyone who is subscribing to the out of market package MLB Extra Innings won't be able to see other teams play if they are a fan of another team living in another city.
dubber deux
06-14-09, 02:44 PM
All MLB EI subscribers should call their providers and demand a prorated refund for the unavailable games...
cariera
06-14-09, 04:36 PM
All MLB EI subscribers should call their providers and demand a prorated refund for the unavailable games...
Brilliant! Except for the fact that full disclosure of situations like this are outlined by the provider:
http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPage.jsp?assetId=1100045
dubber deux
06-14-09, 05:38 PM
Brilliant! Except for the fact that full disclosure of situations like this are outlined by the provider:
http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPage.jsp?assetId=1100045
Except that if you have seen the D* tv commercial it claims that you can see ALL the games from MLB EI. There is NO disclosure about not receiving games due to blackouts. I find that just a bit misleading. Don't you?
DCSholtis
06-14-09, 06:02 PM
Except that if you have seen the D* tv commercial it claims that you can see ALL the games from MLB EI. There is NO disclosure about not receiving games due to blackouts. I find that just a bit misleading. Don't you?
Not in the least. There IS a section regarding blackouts in the FAQ so there is nothing misleading about it. It is what it is.
dubber deux
06-14-09, 06:35 PM
. It is what it is.
It is less than it appears to be, until you go through the trouble to read this FAQ page. Does the tv ad tell you to refer to the FAQs for more details? I think not.
There should be a "disclaimer" statement that is visable or heard during at some point in the ad spot.
billsharpe
06-15-09, 12:06 PM
Except that if you have seen the D* tv commercial it claims that you can see ALL the games from MLB EI. There is NO disclosure about not receiving games due to blackouts. I find that just a bit misleading. Don't you?
Not just misleading. The TV ad itself is an outright lie. DirecTV and MLB ought to be ashamed of themselves.
Pete K.
06-15-09, 12:45 PM
I did some research to see just where/how games are available prior to 7:05 p.m. EDT on July 4:
Braves/Nationals 1:05 p.m: SPSO/MASN/MLB.TV/XM/Braves & Nats radio
Brewers/Cubs 1:05 p.m: WGN/WGN America/FSN/MLB.TV/Cubs & Brewers radio
Mariners/Red Sox 1:05 p.m: NESN/FSN/MLB.TV/XM/Sox & Mariners radio
B. Jays/Yankees 1:05 p.m: YES/SNET/MLB.TV/XM/B.Jays & Yankees radio
White Sox/Royals 1:10 p.m: CSN/FSKC/MLB.TV/XM/Sox & Royals radio
Cardinals/Reds 1:10 p.m: FSN/FSN/MLB.TV/XM/ Cards & Reds radio
Astros/Giants 4:05 p.m: XM/Astros & Giants radio
Mets/Phillies 4:05 p.m: Fox (regional) XM/Mets & Phils radio
Tigers/Twins 4:10 p.m: Fox (regional) XM/Tigers & Twins radio
Dodgers/Padres 4:10 p.m: Fox (regional) XM/Dodgers & Pads radio
Pirates/Marlins 6:10 p.m: FSN/MLB.TV/XM/Pirates & Marlins radio
Of the above, 6 games starting no later than 1:10 p.m., are available on TV either regionally, or nationally via MLB.TV. The Cubs game is available to anyone who receives WGN. Three games starting after 4 p.m. EDT are available regionally via Fox Network. The Pirates & Marlins early evening start will be available regionally and nationally via MLB.TV.
Only one game, the Astros & Giants is exclusive to radio that afternoon. Most of the fans who want to see these games, will have no trouble seeing them. Sorry, Astros and Giants fans! I just can't imagine MLB.EI subscribers getting upset over something of which they are certainly aware. Are the ads misleading? Yes. Does this suck for MLB.EI subscribers? Yes. Is this going to mean MLB.EI subscribers will cancel en masse? Nope.
GlennDio
06-15-09, 04:35 PM
I did some research to see just where/how games are available prior to 7:05 p.m. EDT on July 4:
Braves/Nationals 1:05 p.m: SPSO/MASN/MLB.TV/XM/Braves & Nats radio
Brewers/Cubs 1:05 p.m: WGN/WGN America/FSN/MLB.TV/Cubs & Brewers radio
Mariners/Red Sox 1:05 p.m: NESN/FSN/MLB.TV/XM/Sox & Mariners radio
B. Jays/Yankees 1:05 p.m: YES/SNET/MLB.TV/XM/B.Jays & Yankees radio
White Sox/Royals 1:10 p.m: CSN/FSKC/MLB.TV/XM/Sox & Royals radio
Cardinals/Reds 1:10 p.m: FSN/FSN/MLB.TV/XM/ Cards & Reds radio
Astros/Giants 4:05 p.m: XM/Astros & Giants radio
Mets/Phillies 4:05 p.m: Fox (regional) XM/Mets & Phils radio
Tigers/Twins 4:10 p.m: Fox (regional) XM/Tigers & Twins radio
Dodgers/Padres 4:10 p.m: Fox (regional) XM/Dodgers & Pads radio
Pirates/Marlins 6:10 p.m: FSN/MLB.TV/XM/Pirates & Marlins radio
Of the above, 6 games starting no later than 1:10 p.m., are available on TV either regionally, or nationally via MLB.TV. The Cubs game is available to anyone who receives WGN. Three games starting after 4 p.m. EDT are available regionally via Fox Network. The Pirates & Marlins early evening start will be available regionally and nationally via MLB.TV.
Only one game, the Astros & Giants is exclusive to radio that afternoon. Most of the fans who want to see these games, will have no trouble seeing them. Sorry, Astros and Giants fans! I just can't imagine MLB.EI subscribers getting upset over something of which they are certainly aware. Are the ads misleading? Yes. Does this suck for MLB.EI subscribers? Yes. Is this going to mean MLB.EI subscribers will cancel en masse? Nope.
the 6pm game will NOT be available on MLB.TV in the USA ...
For the Life of me I don't understand why Major League Baseball would allow such an exclusive window for FOX. MLB is a Business FOX is a business but come on The Fans who subscribe to MLB Extra Innings especially for those who subscribe for out of market game WANT to be able to still watch there favorite teams. It's just nuts to think we are subject to watch a game that FOX chooses for us or to watch the team in our home market when there is a package that allows us to "Choose" the game we want to view. Isn't this what this whole country is founded on that we are free to have a "Choice" of what we want to watch. I Choose to subscribe to DirecTv I choose to subscribe to MLB Extra Innings so I can see the maximum number of games that I can. But then FOX takes that away from us who are paying the money for the package but yet we can't see the game we want to all because FOX Chooses to have exclusive rights to broadcast for the entire afternoon. I think it is wrong and baseball should force FOX to change their deal and not allow them there exclusive broadcasts of games on Saturdays. ESPN Lost their Exclusive Right to air only 1 game a few years ago on Wednesday Nights. FOX should lose theirs.
Why should MLB force Fox to change when MLB agreed to the provision because of the money Fox is paying MLB? If MLB wants to change the provision, they would have to accept less money from Fox. And even if that happened, guess what, they would want that money from some other source, like EI subscribers.
It would never happen but I'd love to see a revolt by MLB next year where all but 2 teams per Saturday choose to play outside the black out window and leave FOX stuck with matchups like PIT/COL and KC/SEA since they would be the only game in thier 'window'.
Huh? Why would MLB do that? Fox is, for all intents and purposes, MLB's partner.
Besides, Fox picks the matchups anyway.
schlar01
06-16-09, 08:53 AM
Luckily, I think Detroit-Minn will be the game of the week in my area given those 3pm matchups. Otherwise I'll be screwed yet again, same as this past Saturday.
Astros/Giants 4:05 p.m: XM/Astros & Giants radio
Mets/Phillies 4:05 p.m: Fox (regional) XM/Mets & Phils radio
Tigers/Twins 4:10 p.m: Fox (regional) XM/Tigers & Twins radio
Dodgers/Padres 4:10 p.m: Fox (regional) XM/Dodgers & Pads radio
Pete K.
06-16-09, 08:59 AM
I understand the frustration of MLB EI subscribers. If I was paying that kind of money I would be upset. That said, I think the vast, vast majority of fans won't even notice. The game they want to see, they'll be able to see.
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