Yet another Cardinals "blackout" question

[ARKDTVfan]

I'm in zip code 71959 yet the FSN MW games are not available, when I go to the EI feed for FSN MW it says call customer service, last year I had the sports pack and it was on, this year I dont have the sports pack just EI yet not on, keep in mind it does not say blacked out just to call a CSR

so I'm gonna have to pay $12 a month in addition to EI to get the Cards via FSN MW? :rolleyes: is this an error on Directv's part or some lame greed move? Or something on the Cards end?

[wmschultz]

You aren't seeing it on Extra Innings because you are in the STL market and the feed EI is using is the cubs feed.

See this thread (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=85148) it will explain how it should work. Then call DirecTV and have it fixed.

But if you go here (http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPageIF.jsp?assetId=P3000004) it shows that you have to pay for the sports pack to get it. I still say call.

[morbid_fun]

I'm in zip code 71959 yet the FSN MW games are not available, when I go to the EI feed for FSN MW it says call customer service, last year I had the sports pack and it was on, this year I dont have the sports pack just EI yet not on, keep in mind it does not say blacked out just to call a CSR

so I'm gonna have to pay $12 a month in addition to EI to get the Cards via FSN MW? :rolleyes: is this an error on Directv's part or some lame greed move? Or something on the Cards end?

From what I know, FSN Midwest is not officially recognized as a regional sports network. Therefore, in order to receive FSN Midwest as an in market network, you have to subscribe to the sports pack. FSN Midwest and D* supposedly have a short term agreement that lifts the blackout for subscribers w/o the sports pack in the appropriate zip codes, but that seems to be hit and miss. The message Program N/A in your area indicates a true blackout. Message 721 usually means that you are not subscribing, or receiving the authorization for, that channel.
Try reauthorizing your box from the website.
Hope all works out for ya.

[ARKDTVfan]

But if you go here (http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPageIF.jsp?assetId=P3000004) it shows that you have to pay for the sports pack to get it. I still say call.

Looks like I'd have to have sports pack to get the Cards via FSN MW :rolleyes:

good job DirecTV, next year I'm not renewing EI unless you stop screwing me over!!!:mad: :icon_an: :kickbutt: :new_cussi :flaiming :icon_lame :grrr:

[coldsteel]

It's not DTV. It's FSMW and MLB...

[wmschultz]

Actually in this case, it is DirecTV.

[morbid_fun]

Actually in this case, it is DirecTV.

Agreed. This situation is on D* and E* because neither recognize FSN MW as a local regional. Once either carrier does, the blackout for that carrier is lifted and the channel becomes your local RSN.

[Ext 721]

Cardinals/MLB charged FSN more. They're to blame.

FSN midwest told D* they'd be blacked out for cards games on outlying areas if they didn't move the RSN from the "sports pack" to the "choice" packaging in outlying areas(thereby upping their profits). They blacked it out. They're to blame.

DirecTv didn't immediately cave in and move the RSN to the essentially "digital basic" choice packaging, they tried to fight it out with the RSN. They're to blame.

So you see how the money and blame game works.
Cards want more $
RSN doesn't like to pay, so demands more from D*
D* doesn't want to pay, so stands firm...blackout happens, fans get mad....sometimes D* will cave, but soemtimes, if only a few fans are affected, and it's an obscene amount of money being requested, they won't.

Traditionally, E* does not cave, and would rather have a channel leave for a month (lifetime) than pay what it considers unfair.

Traditionally (as with MLB EI) D* is more likely to spend whatever's nessecary to keep channels for their customers. In this case, they dragged feet a bit longer on it, to see if the RSN would relent in it's demands.

The blame is in business, and the way the sports business model works...all the assorted businesses play some part.

[Ext 721]

Agreed. This situation is on D* and E* because neither recognize FSN MW as a local regional. Once either carrier does, the blackout for that carrier is lifted and the channel becomes your local RSN.

They did for most of MO.

Typically, it was areas further away from st. louis that were affected.

Someone thought "gee, the cards are so popular now since their big win...let's try to squeeze more money from the end-user signal providers. For years, in areas that were somewhat distant from St. Louis, areas that HAD another RSN, the cards were available through "sports pack".

Funny how the world series win seems to have changed that. :nono2:

[ARKDTVfan]

I guess calling a CSR would do no good then?

[morbid_fun]

They did for most of MO.

Typically, it was areas further away from st. louis that were affected.

Someone thought "gee, the cards are so popular now since their big win...let's try to squeeze more money from the end-user signal providers. For years, in areas that were somewhat distant from St. Louis, areas that HAD another RSN, the cards were available through "sports pack".

Funny how the world series win seems to have changed that. :nono2:

Thank you. I appreciate the additional info. In the end, I hope people in that area will be able to save some money and drop the sports pack.