[mtnagel]

Maybe a stupid question, but can someone explain ESPN Game Plan to me? My gf is moving in and is a Florida fan. If we pay for the package, will she be able to see every FL game? On the schedule right now, they show the first game vs Hawaii, but there is no FL game on the schedule the next 2 weeks. Also will the games be in HD? And can someone explain the blackout rules and if that would affect us? Thanks for any help.

 

[bwaldron]

Maybe a stupid question, but can someone explain ESPN Game Plan to me? My gf is moving in and is a Florida fan. If we pay for the package, will she be able to see every FL game? On the schedule right now, they show the first game vs Hawaii, but there is no FL game on the schedule the next 2 weeks. Also will the games be in HD? And can someone explain the blackout rules and if that would affect us? Thanks for any help.

Yes, having GamePlan in Ohio should allow seeing all UF games. The ones that aren't on ESPN or CBS are carried on Raycom or UF PPV -- both of which are available on GamePlan (the PPV games only in the package for those outside the state -- those living in Florida have to buy those at the PPV price).

Raycom has said their games will be HD this year -- but we don't yet know (a) if that will be the case or (b) even if it is true, whether we will get HD in GamePlan.

 

[mtnagel]

Awesome. Thanks for the quick info.

 

[terryfoster]

You may find that enough of the games are available on WSTR (like game 1) that buying the entire package isn't worth it.

 

[mtnagel]

How do you know the Hawaii game is on WSTR? It just has generic guide data online?

 

[dcowboy7]

How do you know the Hawaii game is on WSTR? It just has generic guide data online?

http://raycomsports.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=100&Itemid=4

 

[bwaldron]

http://raycomsports.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=100&Itemid=4

Didn't realize that Raycom had an SEC affiliate in Cincy. Should have figured that, given the proximity to Kentucky.

Given that...GamePlan would offer:

* Raycom games that might not be shown in that market (they do occasionally regionalize two games some weeks)

* Any Florida PPV games

For those of us who follow an (out-of-market) SEC team and want to get every game, GamePlan is still required. But for less die-hard fans, it's probably not that cost-effective.

 

[HDRanger]

BTW, when do the Gameplan channels become available? Right now I don't have visibility to them on any of my receivers, and yes, I have been billed already.

 

[soloredd]

The reason there isn't a UF game on GamePlan after this weekend is because the Miami-UF game on the 6th is @ 8pm eastern on ESPN. The week after that is a bye week. On the 20th, the game vs. UT will be on CBS.

As a Gator fan in California, buying GamePlan solely for UF games isn't worth it. A lot of the SEC games and the FSU game are on national TV. Not to mention the quality is horrible - thankfully, this will be the last year for Raycom. I buy GamePlan to keep up with the rest of the SEC.

 

[mtnagel]

Didn't realize that Raycom had an SEC affiliate in Cincy. Should have figured that, given the proximity to Kentucky.

Given that...GamePlan would offer:

* Raycom games that might not be shown in that market (they do occasionally regionalize two games some weeks)

* Any Florida PPV games

For those of us who follow an (out-of-market) SEC team and want to get every game, GamePlan is still required. But for less die-hard fans, it's probably not that cost-effective.

Well for the other games, there is a gator club that meets at a local BW3's where they show all the UF games on the big screen. Although even if we went to the bar to watch more than a couple games, we'll probably be spending more money on beer and food than the package, but she likes the atmosphere of watching a game with other fans, so I'm sure we'll go out for at least the ones we can't see at home and probably some we can.

Thanks all who replied.

 

[narrod]

I've found that buying on a per game basis is most effective for me. I just buy those weeks when the Volunteers aren't available anywhere else. Fortunately,
most of their games are on on of the major networks. I agree the picture quality is terrible. I don't know if that is a Raycom or DirecTv isssue. I'm pleased the SEC
is dumping Raycom for ESPN. Between CBS and ESPN the SEC coverage should be much improved.

 

[bwaldron]

I agree the picture quality is terrible. I don't know if that is a Raycom or DirecTv isssue.

Both. The JP/LF/Raycom games have never looked all that good, even via their backhaul feeds. But DirecTV shares the blame for further compressing the games into the horrible mess that we see in GamePlan.

 

[GlennDio]

I really think you should buy Sports pack (get games this way although not really many SEC games this way unless they are out of conference) and see what you don't get and then if necessary (out to bar not an option.?.) check if your ISP has ESPN360 (they show virtually all Gameplan Games on line -- I have Fios and they have access to it so I hook laptop up to big screen through cables and its not bad at all) or then pay for the weekend ... I think you'll be covered ... I don't see the value in Gameplan at all for me since I have Sports pack and can get ESPN360 ... now if it were to be all in HD...then that would be a very different story

 

[e03179]

Raycom will be in HD this year.