NFL Superfan and NON-HD local

[mtsz52784]

So a few of us are trying to figure this out... we live in the Buffalo DMA where the local CBS is operated by LIN TV. As alot of people know LIN currently is not broadcasting in HD on D*. So with the upcoming Denver at Buffalo game in HD via OTA and TWC, and not on D* will the game be shown in the Buffalo DMA on superfan OR be blacked out because it will be on the local number 4? I understand that it should be black out on channel 704 but should not be blackout out on 719. Somebody please shed light. I did try calling D*, of course not really helpful... the game is sold out and no OTA yet.

[generalpatton78]

So a few of us are trying to figure this out... we live in the Buffalo DMA where the local CBS is operated by LIN TV. As alot of people know LIN currently is not broadcasting in HD on D*. So with the upcoming Denver at Buffalo game in HD via OTA and TWC, and not on D* will the game be shown in the Buffalo DMA on superfan OR be blacked out because it will be on the local number 4? I understand that it should be black out on channel 704 but should not be blackout out on 719. Somebody please shed light. I did try calling D*, of course not really helpful... the game is sold out and no OTA yet.

It will be blacked out. Go to antennaweb.org type in your zip for reception info. If your close enough go get a indoor antenna and test out your reception. Don't spend to much on one though. Most of the time there all hit or miss even the good ones like the silver sensor. I'd recommend one with a amp you can turn on and off as needed.

However I must say I have no idea how the Red Zone channel handles black outs.

[gct]

I think we touched on this subject in a couple of other threads. I don't blame you: you are trying to get a straight answer. But here is where I think you are:

IF you can receive your local affliliate, that is - you cannot justify a DNS waiver by claiming the local cannot be received,
and
IF your local affiliate is offering the game in HD
THEN your goose is cooked. DIRECTV will be required to black out both the SD and HD SundayTicket feeds. For sure.


On another issue of RedZone Channel in HD: one of the loopholes in the NFL agreements has to do with what is called 'tape delayed' broadcasts. Can a station show highlights of a game in progress on another station - well, yeah, if it is not live-time and it is not a significant portion of the game. So can RedZone show seqments or key plays of a game, with those segments "tape delayed" by a minute or two? This Sunday, I think you'll find the answer is 'yes'.

[WolfClan Dan]

I think we touched on this subject in a couple of other threads. I don't blame you: you are trying to get a straight answer. But here is where I think you are:

IF you can receive your local affliliate, that is - you cannot justify a DNS waiver by claiming the local cannot be received,
and
IF your local affiliate is offering the game in HD
THEN your goose is cooked. DIRECTV will be required to black out both the SD and HD SundayTicket feeds. For sure.


On another issue of RedZone Channel in HD: one of the loopholes in the NFL agreements has to do with what is called 'tape delayed' broadcasts. Can a station show highlights of a game in progress on another station - well, yeah, if it is not live-time and it is not a significant portion of the game. So can RedZone show seqments or key plays of a game, with those segments "tape delayed" by a minute or two? This Sunday, I think you'll find the answer is 'yes'.

I thought the Red Zone channel only showed Fox highlights. I live in Salamanca and cant get OTA HD for crap channel 4.

Iam hoping and praying the HD feed is'nt blacked out on SF. Ive read in the past they were not, so we will see this Sunday!

[mtnagel]

Wow, what a crappy situation. I'm an out of market Bills fan, so I pay for ST and SF just for the Bills basically. I don't want to rub it in, but I'll be seeing them in HD this weekend :)

[Blitz68]

So a few of us are trying to figure this out... we live in the Buffalo DMA where the local CBS is operated by LIN TV. As alot of people know LIN currently is not broadcasting in HD on D*. So with the upcoming Denver at Buffalo game in HD via OTA and TWC, and not on D* will the game be shown in the Buffalo DMA on superfan OR be blacked out because it will be on the local number 4? I understand that it should be black out on channel 704 but should not be blackout out on 719. Somebody please shed light. I did try calling D*, of course not really helpful... the game is sold out and no OTA yet.

Nope. HD games are not blacked out in Super Fan, just SD games.

[spidey]

Nope. HD games are not blacked out in Super Fan, just SD games.
Only case might be no sellout but from what I have seen is HD game is shown even if local is broadcasting it.


Go Bills!!!

[markman07]

I thought the Red Zone channel only showed Fox highlights. !


You are correct (two years ago). Last year the Red Zone showed both CBS and FOX game footage.

Last year for many markets would show the HD game on SuperFan even if the game was on your local channels. I have heard a few people say this wasn't the case for them but I do know for myself and many other markets the Superfan HD coverage was not affected by if a game was on their local channels. In the case of SD games they were blacked out if the local channels were carrying the game.

[bonscott87]

Nope. HD games are not blacked out in Super Fan, just SD games.

I've seen others post this before (maybe you). This is just NOT TRUE. Maybe for you they weren't but they were for many, many people.

Any game that is broadcast on your local stations will be blacked out on Sunday Ticket. HD or SD doesn't matter and it doesn't matter if your local station doesn't do HD. Count on this.

However, some markets the last couple years have not been blacked out of the HD feed for some reason. Last season they caught up to my market about halfway thru the season and the HD feeds were blacked out. Luckily I get my local in HD OTA and now via MPEG4.

The rule of thumb is this: Don't ever count on any game broadcast on your local stations to be available via Sunday Ticket, SD or HD. If the HD feed happens to not be blacked out then bonus. Just don't count on it.

[Canis Lupus]

To date, my HDs have not been blacked out, but of course, I'm not directly "in-market" (Boise). However when, say, a Denver game is blacked-out SD, I do still get the HD. Of course, they may have "caught up" to me by now :(

[markman07]

bonscott87, I have also noticed you post this in other threads. You may be right for wherever you live, but I can guarantee you 100% that last year in my area (SoutEast - MN) that in cases the local networks carried a game the SD version was blacked out while not one HD game was ever blacked out!. My market doesn't offer HD LOCALS. I am wondering if that may be the difference between our two markets and the reason why there is a difference.

[bonscott87]

bonscott87, I have also noticed you post this in other threads. You may be right for wherever you live, but I can guarantee you 100% that last year in my area (SoutEast - MN) that in cases the local networks carried a game the SD version was blacked out while not one HD game was ever blacked out!. My market doesn't offer HD LOCALS. I am wondering if that may be the difference between our two markets and the reason why there is a difference.

That's why I have said it very simply every time:
Count on the HD games being blacked out.
If they aren't then it's a bonus for you.

It has been this way for 3-4 years now. I remember having this same discussion 3 years ago on AVS where after a couple weeks we found out the pattern was that HD games were blacked out in NFL market cities only, but not in others.

And yes, my market has MPEG4 locals up on the sat and the week after they were offered the HD games were blacked out.

Again, just don't count on it, even if you don't have MPEG4 HD locals on the sat. If you count on it and you have a big party and it's blacked out then you only have yourself to blame as it's *supposed* to be blacked out. :D They just may not enforce it in all markets for whatever reason.

[Hdhead]

bonscott87, I have also noticed you post this in other threads. You may be right for wherever you live, but I can guarantee you 100% that last year in my area (SoutEast - MN) that in cases the local networks carried a game the SD version was blacked out while not one HD game was ever blacked out!. My market doesn't offer HD LOCALS. I am wondering if that may be the difference between our two markets and the reason why there is a difference.

I am trying figure out the same thing, first year with ST. markman are you in the La Crosse DMA as am I? I hope it works out the way it worked for you last year.

[NYSmoker]

My Superfan HD games were not blacked out last year. I could watch the Giants and Jets on the local or the HD Superfan channel. The SD Sunday Ticket channels were blacked out.

[bonscott87]

Also note that sometimes the HD blackouts are affected by if your local affiliate is an O&O. In the past the networks gave blanket "waivers" for HD blackouts for those with O&O affiliates.

[morgantown]

Also note that sometimes the HD blackouts are affected by if your local affiliate is an O&O. In the past the networks gave blanket "waivers" for HD blackouts for those with O&O affiliates.

I've mentioned this a few times too...

For me in the Pittsburgh DMA the Steelers ARE blacked out on SuperFan because I am in an area covered by the DIRECTV HD locals. It all depends on several factors -- but I am one that I do not get the home team in HD on SuperFan because I do get them via my local affiliate. So, FWIW me and bonscott have much of the same experience.

Just $0.02 folks...doesn't help the OP much, though.