SD4 Possible this year???

[sunfire9us]

Hey guys Im not going to get my hopes up yet but just noticed while looking at the MLBEI schedule on dtv site they not only have the SD/HD Dodger telecast listed but a third one (not listed) when they play the PADRES. Could there be hope thats the SD4 telecast???

[beachmonkey]

where are you getting the schedule? I only see the 2009 schedule listed.

[dirtyblueshirt]

... we can only hope!

There are some SD4 games telecast on MLBEI, but they're blacked out in San Diego. Being in Illinois, you should get them.

[Skyboss]

Hey guys Im not going to get my hopes up yet but just noticed while looking at the MLBEI schedule on dtv site they not only have the SD/HD Dodger telecast listed but a third one (not listed) when they play the PADRES. Could there be hope thats the SD4 telecast???

I asked D this question. Got a rather cryptic response about being handed off to another department for a response. Haven't heard back.... Its been three weeks....

[DCSholtis]

Seeing we had SD4 telecasts last year on EI I would expect the same this year.

[dirtyblueshirt]

Seeing we had SD4 telecasts last year on EI I would expect the same this year.

Just not in San Diego :crying_sa

[kenkraly2004]

I hope channel 4 san diego is on Directv soon.

[colebert]

In 2007/2008 we got SD4 almost every night. In 2009 we saw almost no SD4 the first 2/3s of the season. After that, we saw a bit more SD4 but no where near as regularly as 2007/2008.

I think only a handful of people at D* know what is going on with this and we're probably just going to have to sit tight and see how it plays out.

[drinkjack]

Doesn't look like we get any the first week or two. Only one feed listed for the
Padres games. Very disappointing. As long as the games are HD, the opposing teams feed really doesn't bother me.

As colebert stated a couple of years ago we received almost all the SD4 HD feeds. Last year was awful, several of the Padres games in standard def when SD4 broadcasts 150+ games in HD.

[paco1986]

Last year was awful, several of the Padres games in standard def when SD4 broadcasts 150+ games in HD.

It sure was frustrating last year. And it happened because on some days DirecTV WRONGLY assumed that the opposing team's broadcast would in HD. Therefore on some nights we only got a standard def feed of Padres games and no SD4 broadcast.:mad: Hopefully DirecTV gets their act together this year.

[Skyboss]

I hope channel 4 san diego is on Directv soon.

Sounds like Cox is still bent on this. Apparently they still don't understand the difference between owning the product and the transmission system for it and simply owning the product. My brother is in San Diego on U-Verse and is chomping at the bit for this channel:



http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/mar/12/affront-to-consumers/

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/mar/06/att-asks-feds-to-force-cox-to-play-ball/

[drinkjack]

Very nice to see the SD4 feed. Enberg is very pleasant on the ears.

[cariera]

On the D-backs broadcast tonight, they were previewing tomorrow's game vs the Pads and they said it would be on radio only.

The guide has the game listed in both sd and hd on channels 725 and 725-1. Perhaps the SD4 feed?

[dirtyblueshirt]

On the D-backs broadcast tonight, they were previewing tomorrow's game vs the Pads and they said it would be on radio only.

The guide has the game listed in both sd and hd on channels 725 and 725-1. Perhaps the SD4 feed?

I can't see the channel, except in the mix channel, but I believe it was FS Arizona.

[cariera]

The game tonight was on FSN Arizona, but they said and noted that the game on Wed would be a radio only game - meaning FSN Az would not be carrying it.

So because it's listed on 725 for tomorrow, I am assuming (hoping) its the SD4 broadcast.

However since you're in IB, that channel will be blacked out for you.:)

[dirtyblueshirt]

The game tonight was on FSN Arizona, but they said and noted that the game on Wed would be a radio only game - meaning FSN Az would not be carrying it.

So because it's listed on 725 for tomorrow, I am assuming (hoping) its the SD4 broadcast.

However since you're in IB, that channel will be blacked out for you.:)

No matter the channel, No Padres for me :(

[DCSholtis]

The game tonight was on FSN Arizona, but they said and noted that the game on Wed would be a radio only game - meaning FSN Az would not be carrying it.

So because it's listed on 725 for tomorrow, I am assuming (hoping) its the SD4 broadcast.

However since you're in IB, that channel will be blacked out for you.:)


Yep it will be the SD4 feed only in this case. Tonight we had both feeds and I stayed on the SD4.

[paco1986]

Yep it will be the SD4 feed only in this case. Tonight we had both feeds and I stayed on the SD4.

You're right, only the SD4 feed for tonight's game. Hopefully having both feeds last night means more SD4 broadcasts this year.:)

[BudShark]

You're right, only the SD4 feed for tonight's game. Hopefully having both feeds last night means more SD4 broadcasts this year.:)

Lack of SD4 in the past was what pushed me to MLB.TV - and now with the iPhone, MLB.TV HD, and other services, I don't see going back to the hodge podge that was MLBEI.

It is good to see at least the coverage is there, which begs the question - IF DirecTV can get the feed to show for MLB EI - why can't they get the feed to carry as an RSN?

[DCSholtis]

Lack of SD4 in the past was what pushed me to MLB.TV - and now with the iPhone, MLB.TV HD, and other services, I don't see going back to the hodge podge that was MLBEI.

It is good to see at least the coverage is there, which begs the question - IF DirecTV can get the feed to show for MLB EI - why can't they get the feed to carry as an RSN?

The rest of the feed is cable exclusive to Cox Cable. D* is only able to get the feed for MLBEI due to the part ownership of the package along with MLB and Indemand, which Cox is a part of.

[tonyd79]

The rest of the feed is cable exclusive to Cox Cable. D* is only able to get the feed for MLBEI due to the part ownership of the package along with MLB and Indemand, which Cox is a part of.

Plus, SD4 is not viewable even with EI in the hometown area. As an RSN, it would be viewable in the hometown area and, therefore, not exclusive to Cox.

As for MLB.tv and satellite radio, MLB got the jump on the local guys by making all internet and national radio rights centrally owned. They were not able to do so in time for satellite TV (which they learned from). That is why the newer technologies have full coverage.

[sunfire9us]

I already knew FS Rockie MTN was going to show the Padres/Rockies game both SD and HDTV today so I wouldnt expect DTV to have SD4 today. As I was watching the game on FS Rockie MTN, and talking to my best friend on phone, my best friend was looking thru the channels and a HUGE suprise came up!!!!!! DTV had made the SD4 channel avail also today!!! I was so mad at first since it was already the 8th inning when this was discovered. Makes you wonder if they might be able to get MORE of the SD4 games after all this year (:

[JoeTheDragon]

Plus, SD4 is not viewable even with EI in the hometown area. As an RSN, it would be viewable in the hometown area and, therefore, not exclusive to Cox.

As for MLB.tv and satellite radio, MLB got the jump on the local guys by making all internet and national radio rights centrally owned. They were not able to do so in time for satellite TV (which they learned from). That is why the newer technologies have full coverage.

why can MLB just force them to open the feed to people in market for free with not needing to buy MLB EI?

[Skyboss]

why can MLB just force them to open the feed to people in market for free with not needing to buy MLB EI?

Because COX not only owns the channel, they own the distribution rights for now which is what all the hubbub is about. Cox insists their control of the channel is akin to DirecTV and Sunday Ticket, but they ignore the fact that the NFL owns the NFL broadcast and CBS/FOX own the channels.

[MikeW]

Looks like two broadcasts for Pads/Braves in the guide today. It'll be nice to hear Dick Enberg calling the game.

[paco1986]

Looks like two broadcasts for Pads/Braves in the guide today. It'll be nice to hear Dick Enberg calling the game.

Yes! I just hope the PQ for the 4SD feed is better than yesterday. The feed yesterday was definitely not in HD, it looked horrible!:mad:

[sunfire9us]

Looks like two broadcasts for Pads/Braves in the guide today. It'll be nice to hear Dick Enberg calling the game.

Yeah I found this out ahead of time. makes you wonder if something has happened.Maybe Cox might stop playing the games now the loophole is closed?

[sunfire9us]

Yes! I just hope the PQ for the 4SD feed is better than yesterday. The feed yesterday was definitely not in HD, it looked horrible!:mad:
So I wasn't the only one to notice that? Yes it was awful Sunday! Tonights telecast was a GOOD one in hdtv

[sunfire9us]

HEY GUYS!!!! I just looked at the DTV schedule concerning the next two Padres/Braves games and there WILL BE SD4 TELECASTS coming!!!!!

[MikeW]

The baseball Gods are shining brightly! The guide is now in chronological order, we have CSN Philly, Cox 4, are break in the Saturday blackouts...wow! All that's left is more OTA games, but I'm not complaining.

[paco1986]

So I wasn't the only one to notice that? Yes it was awful Sunday! Tonights telecast was a GOOD one in hdtv

Must have been a technical problem at the source. But as you say, yesterday's telecast was back to the usual great PQ.

[paco1986]

HEY GUYS!!!! I just looked at the DTV schedule concerning the next two Padres/Braves games and there WILL BE SD4 TELECASTS coming!!!!!

Hopefully it is like 2008 when MLB EI had the 4SD feed for every game of the season.

[sunfire9us]

Hopefully it is like 2008 when MLB EI had the 4SD feed for every game of the season.

Im seriously starting to wonder if we have gotten SD4 back. This was two days in a row where going by what they were doing before ( either no telecast from the other team or hdtv feed) they have carried both of the feeds. Makes you wonder now the loophole is closed if Cox just quit playing games and let their telecast become avail again.

[alevine1986]

I'm glad they are putting the games back in order of start time, but why is the online guide not listing all the feeds. I assume the following feeds are not listed for today...

725 DBacks
734 Rockies
735 A's
738 Giants

I can't check these, since I'm not at home.

[sunfire9us]

I'm glad they are putting the games back in order of start time, but why is the online guide not listing all the feeds. I assume the following feeds are not listed for today...

725 DBacks
734 Rockies
735 A's
738 Giants

I can't check these, since I'm not at home.

Might want to go to the appropriate thread to find this answer out. This thread is about SD4 telecasts

[paco1986]

Im seriously starting to wonder if we have gotten SD4 back.

Still too early to tell. The 4SD feed was missing on opening day and on Saturday. What will happen for the weekend series against Arizona? Will we have the 4SD feed for that series?

[sunfire9us]

Still too early to tell. The 4SD feed was missing on opening day and on Saturday. What will happen for the weekend series against Arizona? Will we have the 4SD feed for that series?

One thing I recall is back when we were getting the SD4 telecasts regularly, usually the first several telecasts were not avail??? Not sure if the same thing happened here this time???

[cariera]

One thing I recall is back when we were getting the SD4 telecasts regularly, usually the first several telecasts were not avail??? Not sure if the same thing happened here this time???

The one thing I recall back when we were getting the SD4 broadcasts regularly is that the game would start with the Spanish audio being broadcasted.:)

[paco1986]

The one thing I recall back when we were getting the SD4 broadcasts regularly is that the game would start with the Spanish audio being broadcasted.:)

Yep, I remember that. Back then the Padres Spanish TV broadcast used the 4SD feed as well. So the audio probably got mixed up!:lol:

[sunfire9us]

I always presumed they had a double audio signal English and Spanish to this day dont they?

[paco1986]

I always presumed they had a double audio signal English and Spanish to this day dont they?

I am looking at the Padres website and there are no Spanish TV broadcasts this year (only Spanish radio). So we shouldn't have audio mix ups!

[evilquik]

Can anyone explain why all Padres feeds are blacked out to me? I have had MLB EI for many years now and have never been able to view the Padres games. Home Feed or Away Feed.

I live in the 92225 zip code which is over 240 miles from San Diego. I called DirecTV tonight and they weren't of much help other then they are gonna forward it on to the technicians.

I'd appreciate any feedback, Thanks fellas.

[tonyd79]

Can anyone explain why all Padres feeds are blacked out to me? I have had MLB EI for many years now and have never been able to view the Padres games. Home Feed or Away Feed.

I live in the 92225 zip code which is over 240 miles from San Diego. I called DirecTV tonight and they weren't of much help other then they are gonna forward it on to the technicians.

I'd appreciate any feedback, Thanks fellas.

If I am reading it right, you are in Padres territory.

Check out this map.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wvoLtwni0kc/RhUvZd19-xI/AAAAAAAAHg4/nE8fsbE7hmg/s1600-h/MLBBLACKOUT.jpg

[MikeW]

Can anyone explain why all Padres feeds are blacked out to me? I have had MLB EI for many years now and have never been able to view the Padres games. Home Feed or Away Feed.

I live in the 92225 zip code which is over 240 miles from San Diego. I called DirecTV tonight and they weren't of much help other then they are gonna forward it on to the technicians.

I'd appreciate any feedback, Thanks fellas.

Distance really isn't a factor when it comes to blackouts. For the Pads, the blackouts go out to Las Vegas. They were blacked out in Tucson, up until two years ago. The attached map is incorrect because MLB actually did something about it and lifted the Tucson area from the Pads "Home Territory". Since the Pads are the only "local" team in your zip code, I wouldn't expect much to change.

[sunfire9us]

I think we may already have the answer now on the SD4 telecasts!!!! After seeing the Padres/Az games are going to be avail this time on SD4 I think it does look like we've gotten the SD4 telecasts back!!!!

[paco1986]

I think we may already have the answer now on the SD4 telecasts!!!! After seeing the Padres/Az games are going to be avail this time on SD4 I think it does look like we've gotten the SD4 telecasts back!!!!

As of this morning, the guide was showing two standard def feeds and only one HD feed for tonight's game. Are you seeing a second HD feed?

[sunfire9us]

As of this morning, the guide was showing two standard def feeds and only one HD feed for tonight's game. Are you seeing a second HD feed?

YES!!!! Channel 739 & 739-1 are the AZ feeds AND 740 & 740-1 are the SD4 telecasts for tonight. My guide had this listed from last night till this min :)

[paco1986]

YES!!!! Channel 739 & 739-1 are the AZ feeds AND 740 & 740-1 are the SD4 telecasts for tonight. My guide had this listed from last night till this min :)

I also have both feeds in HD! So you may indeed be correct, SD4 is back!!:D

[Skyboss]

More news on this from today (April 20, 2010):

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/apr/20/padres-staying-put-on-cable-tv/

Padres staying put on cable TV
FCC closed loophole, but procedures not set
By Mike Freeman, UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at 12:02 a.m.

Padres fans hoping to watch their games on TV services other than cable are finding that Cox Communications and Time Warner Cable are still the only show in town.

And it will probably stay that way all summer.

Despite a Federal Communications Commission decision in January that forbids cable companies from keeping local sports programming all to themselves, the Padres games are not appearing yet on DirecTV or AT&T U-verse in the San Diego market.

That’s because complicated federal procedures for fully implementing the commission’s January decision have yet to be completed.

Part of the rules went into effect April 2, before the Padres opened the regular season. But an important piece, which detailed steps for competing companies to file complaints if cable operators refuse to negotiate licenses for local sports programming, haven’t become official.

The Office of Management and Budget must examine these proposed procedures to ensure compliance with the federal Paperwork Reduction Act. There is a public comment period, and a notice must be posted in the Federal Register.

And it isn’t clear how long all this might take.

Moreover, New York-based Cablevision filed a notice with a federal court in Washington, D.C., of its intent to challenge the FCC’s January decision, which ends the so-called terrestrial loophole in the federal Cable Act of 1992.

The Cable Act requires cable companies to provide access to local programming they own to rivals at reasonable licensing rates. But the terrestrial loophole created an exemption for local channels that don’t rely on satellite feeds.

The loophole has been most contentious with sports programming in Philadelphia, New York and San Diego. Cablevision’s notice of appeal, filed March 15, contends the commission exceeded its authority and jurisdiction when it decided to close the loophole.

“Instead of appealing to the FCC, Cablevision went over their heads and decided to take it to the circuit court that oversees FCC rulings,” said Mark Kersey, a cable industry analyst based in Solana Beach. “That’s only going to delay the process, obviously.”

So when might Padres games find their way onto Cox rivals DirecTV or U-verse?

“When it comes to regulatory policy and legal action, it’s really difficult to say for sure,” Kersey said.

Cox has exclusive rights to show the Padres games through the 2011 season. It licenses its broadcasts to Time Warner Cable, which isn’t a direct competitor.

But it refuses to license the games to rivals AT&T or satellite television providers.

Last year, AT&T filed a complaint with the FCC, claiming the lack of access to the Padres has hamstrung its efforts grow its U-verse TV service in San Diego, which it launched in 2007.

Cox and Time Warner have 87 percent of the San Diego subscription TV market. In other cities without local sports exclusives, satellite and telephone companies have a combined market share on average of 33 percent, according to AT&T.

AT&T and DirecTV declined to comment. A Cox spokeswoman said the company was still trying to determine how to proceed, given the complexity of the federal rule-making procedures.

In the past, Cox has said it has spent $100 million developing Channel 4 San Diego, which shows a variety of programs in addition to the Padres. It contends that AT&T, which has an exclusive deal to provide service for the iPhone, and DirecTV, which is the sole carrier for the NFL Sunday Ticket package, are unfairly attempting to benefit from Cox’s investment in Channel 4.

When the commission closed the loophole, it said it would not apply the decision to pending complaints, such as AT&T’s action against Cox.

AT&T has asked the commission to rule on its complaint anyway. The company is hoping that because the FCC decided to close the loophole in January, it would have no reason not to uphold the complaint.

An FCC spokeswoman declined to comment because the complaint is pending.

Reps. Bob Filner, D-San Diego, and Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, sent a joint letter to the commission on March 31 asking it to take action.

The letter stated “all signs point to an exciting summer” for the Padres. “Yet many fans in our districts will be unable to watch the games on television. … Therefore, we urge you to resolve this complaint in a timely manner.”

[sunfire9us]

More news on this from today (April 20, 2010):

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/apr/20/padres-staying-put-on-cable-tv/

Padres staying put on cable TV
FCC closed loophole, but procedures not set
By Mike Freeman, UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at 12:02 a.m.

Padres fans hoping to watch their games on TV services other than cable are finding that Cox Communications and Time Warner Cable are still the only show in town.

And it will probably stay that way all summer.

Despite a Federal Communications Commission decision in January that forbids cable companies from keeping local sports programming all to themselves, the Padres games are not appearing yet on DirecTV or AT&T U-verse in the San Diego market.

That’s because complicated federal procedures for fully implementing the commission’s January decision have yet to be completed.

Part of the rules went into effect April 2, before the Padres opened the regular season. But an important piece, which detailed steps for competing companies to file complaints if cable operators refuse to negotiate licenses for local sports programming, haven’t become official.

The Office of Management and Budget must examine these proposed procedures to ensure compliance with the federal Paperwork Reduction Act. There is a public comment period, and a notice must be posted in the Federal Register.

And it isn’t clear how long all this might take.

Moreover, New York-based Cablevision filed a notice with a federal court in Washington, D.C., of its intent to challenge the FCC’s January decision, which ends the so-called terrestrial loophole in the federal Cable Act of 1992.

The Cable Act requires cable companies to provide access to local programming they own to rivals at reasonable licensing rates. But the terrestrial loophole created an exemption for local channels that don’t rely on satellite feeds.

The loophole has been most contentious with sports programming in Philadelphia, New York and San Diego. Cablevision’s notice of appeal, filed March 15, contends the commission exceeded its authority and jurisdiction when it decided to close the loophole.

“Instead of appealing to the FCC, Cablevision went over their heads and decided to take it to the circuit court that oversees FCC rulings,” said Mark Kersey, a cable industry analyst based in Solana Beach. “That’s only going to delay the process, obviously.”

So when might Padres games find their way onto Cox rivals DirecTV or U-verse?

“When it comes to regulatory policy and legal action, it’s really difficult to say for sure,” Kersey said.

Cox has exclusive rights to show the Padres games through the 2011 season. It licenses its broadcasts to Time Warner Cable, which isn’t a direct competitor.

But it refuses to license the games to rivals AT&T or satellite television providers.

Last year, AT&T filed a complaint with the FCC, claiming the lack of access to the Padres has hamstrung its efforts grow its U-verse TV service in San Diego, which it launched in 2007.

Cox and Time Warner have 87 percent of the San Diego subscription TV market. In other cities without local sports exclusives, satellite and telephone companies have a combined market share on average of 33 percent, according to AT&T.

AT&T and DirecTV declined to comment. A Cox spokeswoman said the company was still trying to determine how to proceed, given the complexity of the federal rule-making procedures.

In the past, Cox has said it has spent $100 million developing Channel 4 San Diego, which shows a variety of programs in addition to the Padres. It contends that AT&T, which has an exclusive deal to provide service for the iPhone, and DirecTV, which is the sole carrier for the NFL Sunday Ticket package, are unfairly attempting to benefit from Cox’s investment in Channel 4.

When the commission closed the loophole, it said it would not apply the decision to pending complaints, such as AT&T’s action against Cox.

AT&T has asked the commission to rule on its complaint anyway. The company is hoping that because the FCC decided to close the loophole in January, it would have no reason not to uphold the complaint.

An FCC spokeswoman declined to comment because the complaint is pending.

Reps. Bob Filner, D-San Diego, and Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, sent a joint letter to the commission on March 31 asking it to take action.

The letter stated “all signs point to an exciting summer” for the Padres. “Yet many fans in our districts will be unable to watch the games on television. … Therefore, we urge you to resolve this complaint in a timely manner.”

Well don't know all the technicalities at this time BUT unlike last year, we have for the last straight week been FINALLY ABLE to watch the SD4 telecasts (atleast outside of the SD market) UNLIKE last year. Thats all that matters now! (:

[Skyboss]

Well don't know all the technicalities at this time BUT unlike last year, we have for the last straight week been FINALLY ABLE to watch the SD4 telecasts (atleast outside of the SD market) UNLIKE last year. Thats all that matters now! (:

Unless you're within the market or well north of it and out of it not only for D* but also Cable but considered in the market so you can't see it on Direct. :nono2:

Sorry, it's just that my area of North County is F'd up with this. We happen to be physically "out of the market" and can't get it on Time Warner cable even though other North County subs can, yet we are considered within the market for blackout purposes so can't get any SD4 programming on Satellite. Most F'd up thing ever.

In a nut shell, it is impossible for me to see any SD4 programing of any kind or Padre games of any kind unless on ESPN or Fox Broadcast Network, with or without a package.

Cox has to go. :soapbox: