[Keyser]

If anyone is curious, I Emailed DirecTV and asked them why the Mets-Astros game wasnt shown on Sunday even though it was carried on FSN-Houston and why it appears that they have stopped showing this feed on Sundays. This was the non-response I got from them:

Note: I edited out all identifiers with ****, and I am actually a Mets fan, but I posed as an Astros fan in order to help explain the situation.

I am curious what people's opinions are.

Subject---------------------------------------------------------------Astros game missing on Sundays Discussion Thread---------------------------------------------------------------Response (***** ID *****) - 08/05/2008 04:33 AM Dear Mr. *****, Thank you for taking the time to write. I understand your concern regarding the Houston Astros games not appearing on MLB Extra Innings on Sundays. Please be aware that we do offer up to 80 games per week with the MLB Extra Innings but there are times where we are unable to broadcast a certain team's feed. This may be due to a local channel, for that team, purchasing the rights to the game and as such it would not be broadcast nationwide. We have not dropped the Astros feed from FSN Houston but we do have to follow the guidelines in place for broadcasting of the game. Thanks again for writing and I thank you very much for your patience and understanding. Sincerely, *****. ***** DIRECTV Customer Service Catch up to 14 games every week this fall with NFL SUNDAY TICKET, now available at directv.com/nfl. Make the most of DIRECTV by registering your account on directv.com. You'll learn about exclusive online promotions, new features of DIRECTV and the latest programs and packages. Visit www.directv.com/register today. Customer (Entered by *****. - *****) - 08/04/2008 05:02 PM Dear DirecTV, I have been watching the Astros FSN-H feed every Sunday on Extra Innings. All of a sudden this Sunday, there was no feed. Worse, looking at your schedule, I dont see the Astros feed for next week's game either (only the Reds feed)??? Has the Astros feed been dropped? What is going on? Thank you for your reply.

 

[lucky13]

Non-responsive answer.
We know there are reasons a game won't be shown.
Which reason was in play here?

Good luck if you try to get a clarification.

 

[tftc22]

Last Sunday's Astros game was not on FSN Houston and neither is next week's game. Sunday games are carried on KTXH. Last Sunday's Mets feed was on WPIX, which also doesn't have carriage agreements in place with Directv. You may have seen FSN Houston show a replay on Sunday, but it certainly wasn't the live game. Here's my source for who carried these games: http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:ADZOwsDCq0EJ:sports.yahoo.com/mlb/teams/hou/schedule&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us

Edit: As posted below, I didn't realize that FSN Houston was used to show the game outside of the immediate Houston viewing area and that Directv has carried that feed on Sundays in the past.

 

[lucky13]

Last Sunday's Astros game was not on FSN Houston and neither is next week's game. Sunday games are carried on KTXH. Last Sunday's Mets feed was on WPIX, which also doesn't have carriage agreements in place with Directv. You may have seen FSN Houston show a replay on Sunday, but it certainly wasn't the live game. Here's my source for who carried these games: http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:ADZOwsDCq0EJ:sports.yahoo.com/mlb/teams/hou/schedule&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us

Not disputing your information, but the DirecTV program guide listed the Mets-Astros game at 2 PM ET on FSNH.

I didn't notice that it wasn't marked live, but it would have been an odd programming decision to run a replay of the previous game at the exact time the live game was on OTA.

In another thread on this subject, someone commented that the FSNH feed was for viewers in the Astros territory outside of the Houston DMA, who couldn't receive the broadcast on the local broadcast station.

Of course, the guide info could have been wrong.

 

[tds4182]

Last Sunday's Astros game was not on FSN Houston and neither is next week's game. Sunday games are carried on KTXH. Last Sunday's Mets feed was on WPIX, which also doesn't have carriage agreements in place with Directv. You may have seen FSN Houston show a replay on Sunday, but it certainly wasn't the live game. Here's my source for who carried these games: http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:ADZOwsDCq0EJ:sports.yahoo.com/mlb/teams/hou/schedule&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us

I'm not 100% certain, but I'm pretty sure I watched the Astros-Mets game Sunday afternoon on channel 678 (SD version of FSN Houston).

 

[Keyser]

Last Sunday's Astros game was not on FSN Houston and neither is next week's game. Sunday games are carried on KTXH. Last Sunday's Mets feed was on WPIX, which also doesn't have carriage agreements in place with Directv. You may have seen FSN Houston show a replay on Sunday, but it certainly wasn't the live game. Here's my source for who carried these games: http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:ADZOwsDCq0EJ:sports.yahoo.com/mlb/teams/hou/schedule&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us

Thank you for your input. As posted previously, FSN-H has in fact been carrying the Astros games outside of Houston (in houstong, it is blacked out on FSN-H and carried on My20, as per what you have in your link), and therefore has been carried on EI every Sunday previous to this week. You can see that on every Sunday until this past Sunday, DirecTV has in fact carried this feed:
http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPageIF.jsp?assetId=3160004

I may be a little messed up on the names of the channels. The link here shows that the My20 games are definitely carried on an FSN outside of the Houston DMA:
http://houston.astros.mlb.com/hou/schedule/affiliate_info.jsp

Nevertheless, the fact is that the Houston feed has in fact been carried every single Sunday, despite being on My20 in Houston, until this past Sunday, and it appears that it won't be on this coming Sunday either (The Reds feed will be on). Something has changed between July and August. It would be nice to know what it was.

 

[Keyser]

I'm not 100% certain, but I'm pretty sure I watched the Astros-Mets game Sunday afternoon on channel 678 (SD version of FSN Houston).

We tried to do that at a bar in Los Angeles, but it told us that it was blacked out. The bar manager tried tuning in that channel but it gave him a message that that channel was blocked. The HD version was just a black screen. Is it possible that they blocked receivers from businesses getting the game but not homes (although, since other people had the same complaint, I doubt it).

 

[xzi]

I know Boston used to have a situation where OTA games in the city were shown on NESN outside the city limits ONLY. Maybe it was a situation like this? Not available on EI because it was OTA, and it was blacked out on FSN except in Texas but outside of Houston?

Blackout rules are crazy sometimes.

 

[tftc22]

Thank you for your input. As posted previously, FSN-H has in fact been carrying the Astros games outside of Houston (in houstong, it is blacked out on FSN-H and carried on My20, as per what you have in your link), and therefore has been carried on EI every Sunday previous to this week. You can see that on every Sunday until this past Sunday, DirecTV has in fact carried this feed:
http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPageIF.jsp?assetId=3160004

I didn't realize that but I see that now. So I have no idea what's going on with Directv not using the feed.

 

[scarylibrary23]

Most the time on sunday the astros game is on fsn houston but it actually isnt. It comes on my20 which doesnt show up on MLBEI but does on the guide. So only regional people get it.

 

[Keyser]

Most the time on sunday the astros game is on fsn houston but it actually isnt. It comes on my20 which doesnt show up on MLBEI but does on the guide. So only regional people get it.

Are you saying that even though every week before this month, they have reserved a channel for this feed, listed it on their website, and not actually shown it? I tend to doubt it, but since I dont watch the Astros, maybe you are right.

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/globa...0011&page=Packages/MLBExtraInnings/2008_7.htm

Furthermore, many people have reported to me being able to see Astros feed on Sundays before last Sunday. I do know that outside of the My20 Area in Houston, they carry the games on a regional FSN, which can be found on the Astros website, so it should be on EI.

 

[Keyser]

I don't know why someone would think this type of response would be helpful? Honestly, if DirecTVs support doesn't know the answer, just say so.

Subject
---------------------------------------------------------------
RE: Astros game missing on Sundays [Reference #: 080804-004875]

Discussion Thread
---------------------------------------------------------------
Response (*****) - 08/05/2008 04:29 PM
Dear Mr. *****,

Thanks for writing. There are times where we are unable to broadcast a certain team's feed. This may be due to a local channel, for that team, purchasing the rights to the game and as such it would not be broadcast nationwide. Please understand that sports blackouts and game availability are controlled by the leagues, sports associations, and networks that purchase the rights to broadcast individual games. To protect their rights, we must enforce the blackouts and availability mandated by them.

I hope you find this information helpful and thank you again for writing.

Sincerely,

Emain H ID *****
DIRECTV Customer Service

Catch up to 14 games every week this fall with NFL SUNDAY TICKET, now available at directv.com/nfl.

Make the most of DIRECTV by registering your account on directv.com. You'll learn about exclusive online promotions, new features of DIRECTV and the latest programs and packages. Visit www.directv.com/register today.

Customer (*****) - 08/05/2008 12:10 PM
.

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I understand that there are rules in place which sometimes cause games to not be able to be carried by EI.

However, what I don't understand is why this last Sunday (August 3rd Mets-Astros) has different than every other Sunday previous regarding the FSN-H feed, and why this appears to be the case for next week as well. My20 has clearly not bought an exclusive deal for that game since it in fact was broadcast on FSN-H outside of Houston in Texas. Has something changed between July an August such that these Sunday games, which have until this point been carried on EI every single week, all of a sudden are not
being carried any more?

Thank you for your consideration.

 

[Keyser]

The latest DirecTV reply (Do I come across as being a complete idiot in my letters to them?)

Subject
---------------------------------------------------------------
Re: Astros game missing on Sundays [Reference #: *****] [Reference #: *****]

Discussion Thread
---------------------------------------------------------------
Response (*****) - 08/06/2008 05:04 PM
Dear *****,

I have reviewed the MLB schedule on the MLB Extra Innings package and do not see any Houston Astros scheduled to broadcast on Sunday's except as provided by the Reds network. Our current satellite capacity does not allow us to carry every MLB feed.

I hope you find this information helpful and thank you again for writing.

Sincerely,

*****
DIRECTV Customer Service

Catch up to 14 games every week this fall with NFL SUNDAY TICKET, now available at directv.com/nfl.

Make the most of DIRECTV by registering your account on directv.com. You'll learn about exclusive online promotions, new features of DIRECTV and the latest programs and packages. Visit www.directv.com/register today.

Customer (*****) - 08/05/2008 08:10 PM
.

Thank you for your response.

I understand that not every game is carried by DirecTV's EI. I understand
that sometimes a local OTA channel has rights to a game and they lock you
out from broadcasting the feed. I have already noticed that, among others,
the Mets, Cardinals, and Rockies feeds are not carried on Sundays because of
this rule. I am not questioning this or upset about this (well, Im not
completely happy, but I understand that DirecTV's hands are tied).

What I don't understand is what has changed with the Sunday Astros feeds.
Every Sunday in April, May, June, and July, the Astros feed has been carried
on EI. Every single one. You can see it for yourself on your own webpage:
http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/globa...0011&page=Packages/MLBExtraInnings/2008_4.htm
http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/globa...0011&page=Packages/MLBExtraInnings/2008_5.htm
http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/globa...0011&page=Packages/MLBExtraInnings/2008_6.htm
http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/globa...0011&page=Packages/MLBExtraInnings/2008_7.htm

The local broadcast arrangements have not changed between now and then.
Every single Sunday in April, May, June, and July, My20 in Houston carried
the game, and the regional FSN in Texas outside of Houston also carried it.
Every single Sunday, this Astros feed has been carried by EI. Nothing has
changed this month to the My20 and FSN arrangement, but for some reason the
Astros feed isn't being carried. What changed between April-July and August
this year?

That's all I want to know. What has changed regarding the Astros feed on
Sundays from April-July this year and August this year? Why have you carried
the Astros feed every Sunday and all of a sudden, you have stopped.

Thank you for your time.

 

[pbg]

The latest DirecTV reply (Do I come across as being a complete idiot in my letters to them?)

Though I haven't been around this board for too long, I have seen several posts similar to yours. My only advise, which you probably already have determined is not to hold your breath or get too upset waiting for a detailed explanation of why a certain sporting event has been blacked out or not carried. It's doubtful you'll ever receive any information that details or even hints of agreements between Direct and broadcasters. It's frustrating. A simple 'we don't have an agreement at this time with My20' might do, but I doubt you'd ever get it.

It would be helpful to us, and probably create less burden on the CSR's, if they could provide just a simple updated list of the broadcasters that they currently have agreements with across the Sports Packages. We understand that not all games can be shown. If we had a resource to reference what sources are available, and conversely what's not, we could grumble about it amongst ourselves, but at least we'd be informed and maybe not hassle a CSR about it.

Of course there's the argument if its not on the guide you're not getting it, but us sports fans would like just a wee bit more info. If you tell us why, we do understand and will move on.

 

[Keyser]

Though I haven't been around this board for too long, I have seen several posts similar to yours. My only advise, which you probably already have determined is not to hold your breath or get too upset waiting for a detailed explanation of why a certain sporting event has been blacked out or not carried. It's doubtful you'll ever receive any information that details or even hints of agreements between Direct and broadcasters. It's frustrating. A simple 'we don't have an agreement at this time with My20' might do, but I doubt you'd ever get it.

It would be helpful to us, and probably create less burden on the CSR's, if they could provide just a simple updated list of the broadcasters that they currently have agreements with across the Sports Packages. We understand that not all games can be shown. If we had a resource to reference what sources are available, and conversely what's not, we could grumble about it amongst ourselves, but at least we'd be informed and maybe not hassle a CSR about it.

Of course there's the argument if its not on the guide you're not getting it, but us sports fans would like just a wee bit more info. If you tell us why, we do understand and will move on.

I agree 100%

I think what is frustrating in this case is that there likely has been a change in their arrangement in the middle of the year, since they used to cary this feed and now they have stopped. This seems rather unusual. Thats why I decided to bang my head against a wall a few times.

To be honest, I really didnt expect any reply at all. Its almost like they are begging to keep writing and laughing at the stupid answers they are send me. Unfortunately, they probably just are that stupid.

 

[Keyser]

I think DirecTV customer service just gave up. Now they claim that they have nothing to do with what gets aired. Umm, OK, then why is their package different then the cable Extra Innings package?

Subject---------------------------------------------------------------Re: Astros game missing on Sundays [Reference #: 080804-004875] [Reference #: 080805-003115] [Reference #: 080805-005768] Discussion Thread---------------------------------------------------------------Response (*****) - 08/07/2008 06:53 AM Dear *****, Thanks for writing back. We understand you'd like to view the Astro's feed for the upcoming games. Our goal is to provide a wide variety of channels and programming content but we can't predict or control the programming selection MLB Extra Innings chooses to air. Although we continually work with our programming partners to improve your television entertainment experience, DIRECTV does choose the line up that airs on this package. Thanks again for writing and we apologize for any inconvenience this has caused. Sincerely, *****DIRECTV Customer Service Make the most of DIRECTV by registering your account on directv.com. You'll learn about exclusive online promotions, new features of DIRECTV and the latest programs and packages. Visit www.directv.com/register today. Customer (*****) - 08/06/2008 08:25 PM . Dear DirecTV, I must admit that your answers to my question are puzzling, and to be honest, somewhat insulting to my intelligence. Yes, I know that the Sunday Astros feed isn't on your schedule this week either, that's why I've been writing. Yes, I know that bandwidth is not infinite, but there has not been any increase in games carried on Sundays in August versus Sundays in April-July to explain the dropping of the Astros feed for what appears now to be the first 3 Sundays in August. Perhaps I have been too elaborate in my question which has caused some confusion. I will simplify. 1) From April-July of 2008, EVERY Sunday, the Astros feed has been carried on EI by DirecTV. EVERY SUNDAY. You can verify for yourself on your own website here:http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/globa...0011&page=Packages/MLBExtraInnings/2008_7.htm 2) All of a sudden, in August, the Astros feed was not carried on the first Sunday, it is not on your schedule for this upcoming Sunday (August 10th), and it is not on your schedule for next Sunday either (august 17th). What is the difference between April-July and August? Thank you for your consideration.

 

[Keyser]

Well after all of that non-sensical discussion with DirecTV, they ended up putting the Astros feed on the schedule toady and next Sunday. We'll see what they do for the August 24 Mets-Astros game.

 

[TerryB]

What I saw in Houston this weekend was a blank screen on Saturday and the My20 SD on Sunday.

TerryB