What packages must I get for Fox Sports?

[Whipl50]

Newbie here. Been lurking for a while, great site!

I am an 8 year E* customer who has been contemplating moving to D*. Looking at D*'s site, it looks like I need to get the top tier package to get Fox Sports. I live in the Chicago area, and will not be giving up Cubs, Sox, and Bulls coverage (Blackhawks? They play hockey?) :rolleyes:

Can anyone confirm this or steer me in the right direction?

Thanks.

[bills976]

If you only want the Chicago RSNs, then you can get Total Choice or higher. Otherwise, if you want out of market RSNs, you'll need the sports pack or Total Choice Premier. Of course all out-of-market games will be blacked out on those additional Fox stations.

[Whipl50]

If you only want the Chicago RSNs, then you can get Total Choice or higher. Otherwise, if you want out of market RSNs, you'll need the sports pack or Total Choice Premier. Of course all out-of-market games will be blacked out on those additional Fox stations.

Thanks for the quick reply. Ok, now I get it. From their comparison chart of the packages it gets kinda confusing because it shows the Fox Sports channels on the total choice premiere. But that's only if I want all of them then.

Thanks, that clears it up for me.

[mrao]

You don't need to take Total Choice premier. All you might wanna do is just subscribe to a basic package and take up the Sports Pack . Just an extra $12 ...

[mrao]

In any case, if you are residing in the Chicago area Fox Sports Chicago is included in your Total Choice package as its an in-market sports network for you. FS Chicago & WGN should cover the Cubs, Bulls, White Sox & Blackhawks for you, without havig to subscribe to the premier pack or the sports pack

[skaeight]

Is anyone sure about this. I've been trying to find an answer to this for the past week or so.

The thing that makes me unsure is there is no mention of a RSN being included on the Total Choice page. The only mention of RSNs is in the premium package.

I called d* to find for sure, and the CSR told me that if I wanted me RSN, I had to purchase the package. Can someone confirm / deny this? I'm just hoping that the CSR didn't know what they were talking about. I'm just hoping that this wasnt' a recent change, possibly because of Murdoch taking over?

[HeavyC]

Just so you know, most of the Chicago sports are moving to a new channel next year. I read about it over on a Bulls message board. It's kind of going to be like the YES network in New York. I know for sure that the Bulls and Hawks games are going to be on there almost exclusively (will still share some games with WGN). I also believe that a lot of the Sox and Cubs games are going to be on that station as well.

I haven't heard a whole lot about it, but I wonder what E* and D* are going to do as more and more major cities begin consolidating their sports coverage on to channels like this.

[jrbdmb]

The new channel will be run by Comcast, but is available to satellite as well. It will get the rights to the Bull, Blackhawks, Cubs, and White Sox; FS-Chicago will have no major pro sports after October 1, 2004. Since it carrying all the Chicago teams, I doubt it will be ignored like Victory Sports (Twins) has been.

http://www.broadbandreports.com/forum/remark,8698081~mode=flat

If history is any guide, DirecTV will carry this channel on its launch, while Dish will haggle over the price for three or four years before finally picking up the channel. :bang

[HeavyC]

If that's the case, it's another huge reason why I'm switching to DirecTV. I can't live without my Bulls games.

[Whipl50]

Wow, I thought that this thread was dead, but boy what a surprise to come back and read this information. I had heard a little about this, but couldn't confirm it.

Thanks for the great info guys. :)

[jampedro]

IIRC in order to get your local RSN's you have to subscribe for your locals and have a phone line connected. Thus you can order the minimum package plus Chicago locals. You'll get any new Chicago RSN D* carries. You don't have to buy the whole $12 RSN or any premium choice package, even tho the CSR wants to sell you them.

[Ray_Clum]

Some of us actually get two or three Fox Sports RSN's in Total Choice. I get FS Midwest and FS Cincinnati here in Indy.

[skaeight]

I hope everyone is right about his, I really would like Fox Sports Pittsburgh. I'm just afraid that the RSN's included in Total Choice is a granfathered feature. Can anyone confirm w/ a new install I will recieve my local RSN? This is the only thing that E* has over D* right now, it confirms on their programming page that I will recieve my RSN.

However, I probably will still go w/ D* over E* regardless of the RSN situation, if for nothing else to get the NFL channel.

[Steve Mehs]

Nearly everything that I have ever seen or read, indicates DirecTV includes your local RSN(s) in Total Choice and above. I picked up the most recent brochure at Best Buy yesterday and it's still in there. I have received 2 emails ago this, and AFAIK, you only need TC. No sports pak, no Premier, no locals, just Total Choice.