TV Schedule

[Nate Colbert]

As we wait for RSSW to announce its broadcast schedule for spring training and the full season, ESPN has released its early season schedule. Amid the usual plethora of FUYankees and BlowSox games, the Astros/Indians opening day game will be televised.

[juliogotay]

As we wait for RSSW to announce its broadcast schedule for spring training and the full season, ESPN has released its early season schedule. Amid the usual plethora of FUYankees and BlowSox games, the Astros/Indians opening day game will be televised.

Won't the Astros/Indians be blacked out in the Astros home region which is about 1/3rd of the landmass of the continental U.S.?

[HudsonHawk]

Won't the Astros/Indians be blacked out in the Astros home region which is about 1/3rd of the landmass of the continental U.S.?

Why would it be blacked out?

[Bench]

Won't the Astros/Indians be blacked out in the Astros home region which is about 1/3rd of the landmass of the continental U.S.?

The nationally broadcast games aren't blacked out.  They preempt the local broadcast. 

[ValpoCory]

The nationally broadcast games aren't blacked out.  They preempt the local broadcast.  

Is that just an ESPN thing, or does it apply to all nationally televised games?  I remember one or two MLB Network games that were blacked out last year.  I had to go to Pluckers here in Austin to watch the secondary MLB Network feed.   And the Jackie Robinson game was going to be blacked out until they decided to specially remove the blackout for that one game.

[ValpoCory]

The first regular season Astros game on Root Sports Southwest will be Wednesday, April 8th.   You're on the clock, Time Warner Cable.

[Fredia]

should I synchronize ?

[NeilT]

should I synchronize ?

That's a straight-line if ever there was one.

[HudsonHawk]

The nationally broadcast games aren't blacked out.  They preempt the local broadcast. 

 Think that's backwards. Local networks have priority, with the exception of some Fox games. At least it used to be. I've forgotten what it's like to watch local games.

[Ty in Tampa]

Think that's backwards. Local networks have priority, with the exception of some Fox games. At least it used to be. I've forgotten what it's like to watch local games.

That's how it is here. Local coverage has priority except in exclusive situations.

[Bench]

Think that's backwards. Local networks have priority, with the exception of some Fox games. At least it used to be. I've forgotten what it's like to watch local games.

Granted it's been several years since I've had to consider this issue, but aren't the games that are on ESPN (Sunday night games, opening day games, etc...) always on ESPN because of ESPN's contract with MLB?

[HudsonHawk]

Granted it's been several years since I've had to consider this issue, but aren't the games that are on ESPN (Sunday night games, opening day games, etc...) always on ESPN because of ESPN's contract with MLB?

There *are* some exclusivity deals with MLB, and Opening Day, Sunday nights, etc may be part of that, but I don't think that means a blackout, just exclusivity to that network and not the local one. But it's been so long that I've thought about it, I don't remember the details. 

[juliogotay]

Why would it be blacked out?

I did not get a single ESPN Astros game last year...including spring games.

[Ty in Tampa]

I did not get a single ESPN Astros game last year...including spring games.

Where are you?

[jbm]

IIRC, there were not too many Astros games on ESPN last year.  Opening day, I think, but can't recall another.

[HudsonHawk]

I did not get a single ESPN Astros game last year...including spring games.

That doesn't mean they were blacked out.  They were being shown locally by the local network.  

[juliogotay]

That doesn't mean they were blacked out.  They were being shown locally by the local network.  

I'm reasonably certain the exhibition game against the Yankees last year was not being shown locally.

[HudsonHawk]

I'm reasonably certain the exhibition game against the Yankees last year was not being shown locally.

I don't know if they were or not, but not broadcasting a game isn't the same as "blacked out".  I get that hardly anyone had CSN Houston, but that's not a black out.  That's your provider refusing to carry the network.  You seem to be suggesting that just because it wasn't on ESPN it was blacked out.  That's not necessarily true. 

[juliogotay]

Where are you?

North Texas.

[juliogotay]

I don't know if they were or not, but not broadcasting a game isn't the same as "blacked out".  I get that hardly anyone had CSN Houston, but that's not a black out.  That's your provider refusing to carry the network.  You seem to be suggesting that just because it wasn't on ESPN it was blacked out.  That's not necessarily true. 

There was a blank screen on the main ESPN channel. If it looks like a blackout and smells like a blackout....

[HudsonHawk]

There was a blank screen on the main ESPN channel. If it looks like a blackout and smells like a blackout....

Again, you got a blank screen on ESPN because it was being shown on another network.

[juliogotay]

Again, you got a blank screen on ESPN because it was being shown on another network.

No. Again, it was a blackout. It was an exhibition game not being shown by Comcast. There was a blank screen on the station that most of the country was getting the Astros-Yanks game. Not calling that a blackout is like calling Islam terrorism a few bad apples gone astray.

[HudsonHawk]

No. Again, it was a blackout. It was an exhibition game not being shown by Comcast. There was a blank screen on the station that most of the country was getting the Astros-Yanks game. Not calling that a blackout is like calling Islam terrorism a few bad apples gone astray.

Your bigotry aside, Comcast paid for, and had the rights to show the game. Whether they did or not, I don't remember.  But that's still not a black out.  You fundamentally misunderstand what one is. 

[juliogotay]

Your bigotry aside, Comcast paid for, and had the rights to show the game. Whether they did or not, I don't remember.  But that's still not a black out.  You fundamentally misunderstand what one is. 

ESPN showed the game to  most of the country.  It was denied to our region. Whether it was denied by the content provider or it was denied by the medium is irrelevant. Whether it was denied for contractual reasons or whether it was denied for business reasons it is a blackout. You, however, feel free to call it whatever you wish to. BTW, the FCC seems to agree with me. http://www.fcc.gov/guides/sports-blackouts

[Bench]

ESPN showed the game to  most of the country.  It was denied to our region. Whether it was denied by the content provider or it was denied by the medium is irrelevant. Whether it was denied for contractual reasons or whether it was denied for business reasons it is a blackout. You, however, feel free to call it whatever you wish to. BTW, the FCC seems to agree with me. http://www.fcc.gov/guides/sports-blackouts

This is a wonderful debate, but the first line of your FCC link undermines your argument:  "A sports blackout is when a sports event that was scheduled to be televised is not aired in a particular media market."

If the game was aired on CSN in Houston than it was "aired in a particular media market." 

[HudsonHawk]

ESPN showed the game to  most of the country.  It was denied to our region. Whether it was denied by the content provider or it was denied by the medium is irrelevant. Whether it was denied for contractual reasons or whether it was denied for business reasons it is a blackout. You, however, feel free to call it whatever you wish to. BTW, the FCC seems to agree with me. http://www.fcc.gov/guides/sports-blackouts

That is just factually incorrect. But don't let that stop you.

[Mr. Happy]

That is just factually incorrect. But don't let that stop you.

Far be it from me to wade into the debate pool, but JulioGotay may simply be meaning that since he couldn't watch the game, it was effectively blacked out as to him. Otherwise, I agree with HH and Bench. It wasn't technically a blackout.

[HudsonHawk]

Far be it from me to wade into the debate pool, but JulioGotay may simply be meaning that since he couldn't watch the game, it was effectively blacked out as to him. Otherwise, I agree with HH and Bench. It wasn't technically a blackout.

I understand. For the las two years, none of the games were available to me. But they weren't blacked out. He made it sound like the Astros market would not be able to watch Opening Day due to some blackout rule. That's simply not the case.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

This is a wonderful debate, but the first line of your FCC link undermines your argument:  "A sports blackout is when a sports event that was scheduled to be televised is not aired in a particular media market."

If the game was aired on CSN in Houston than it was "aired in a particular media market." 

Right, and it wasn't shown in Austin or San Antonio, because none of the carriers in those particular media markets had a contract to do so.

[juliogotay]

This is a wonderful debate, but the first line of your FCC link undermines your argument:  "A sports blackout is when a sports event that was scheduled to be televised is not aired in a particular media market."

If the game was aired on CSN in Houston than it was "aired in a particular media market." 

CSN Houston was never available in DFW market. Yet the ESPN broadcast was not aired instead showing a blank screen. My particular media market was blacked out.

[Bench]

CSN Houston was never available in DFW market. Yet the ESPN broadcast was not aired instead showing a blank screen. My particular media market was blacked out.

Didn't realize you were a northerner.  As fucked up as it is, the relevant "particular media market" here is Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and parts of New Mexico

[Fredia]

I live in Austin and have time warner on speed dial.

[HudsonHawk]

CSN Houston was never available in DFW market. Yet the ESPN broadcast was not aired instead showing a blank screen. My particular media market was blacked out.

Your market was not blacked out.  A network bought and paid for the rights to broadcast the game in your area, and could have if they chose to do so. 

[HudsonHawk]

Right, and it wasn't shown in Austin or San Antonio, because none of the carriers in those particular media markets had a contract to do so.

The carriers didn't have an agreement with the network, but a network had the rights to broadcast in your area.  They chose not to.  That sucks for viewers who want to watch it, but that's not the same as a black out. 

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

The carriers didn't have an agreement with the network, but a network had the rights to broadcast in your area.  They chose not to.  That sucks for viewers who want to watch it, but that's not the same as a black out.  

Did not say it was a black out. Again, no black out, but no availability. The carriers didn't want to pay the Network for an overpriced and inferior product, thus, it was not available. The Network had no vehicle on which to carry the games they presumably wanted to broadcast. They didn't have a buyer. The Network couldn't sell the product to the carriers for the asking price. Not a blackout, just not an option, it was non-existent. It was simply not a product offered in markets that did not have Comcast, well except for Grande Telcom customers in some parts of Austin, and maybe some other podunk provider in parts of East Texas and Louisiana. Not a black out...

[Nate Colbert]

‏@RyanDivish  55 minutes ago
#Mariners confirm that they will televise 16 Cactus League games on ROOT Sports this spring.

Let's hope RSSW announces a similar number of Astros ST games will be televised.

[austro]

Let's hope RSSW announces a similar number of Astros ST games will be televised.

I'm just hoping they'll be televised in Austin. I've got U-Verse, and they're carrying RSSW, and I've seen programming on the channel, but every time I've tried to catch a Rockets game it's been blacked out*. I hope the same thing doesn't happen with the 'Stros.

* No, I don't know if it's an actual blackout or not. My TV shows me a blue screen telling me that the program isn't being carried in my area. The effect is the same.

[NeilT]

I'm just hoping they'll be televised in Austin. I've got U-Verse, and they're carrying RSSW, and I've seen programming on the channel, but every time I've tried to catch a Rockets game it's been blacked out*. I hope the same thing doesn't happen with the 'Stros.

* No, I don't know if it's an actual blackout or not. My TV shows me a blue screen telling me that the program isn't being carried in my area. The effect is the same.

"That's not a black-out, that's a blue-out." 

HH.

[jbm]

I'm just hoping they'll be televised in Austin. I've got U-Verse, and they're carrying RSSW, and I've seen programming on the channel, but every time I've tried to catch a Rockets game it's been blacked out*. I hope the same thing doesn't happen with the 'Stros.

* No, I don't know if it's an actual blackout or not. My TV shows me a blue screen telling me that the program isn't being carried in my area. The effect is the same.

It won't be "blacked out."  The Rockets blackout is because of NBA rules and that Austin is in the Spurs area. The Astros TV is analogous to Rangers games on FSN, which are shown in Austin.

[HudsonHawk]

It won't be "blacked out."  The Rockets blackout is because of NBA rules and that Austin is in the Spurs area. The Astros TV is analogous to Rangers games on FSN, which are shown in Austin.

Exactly.  You don't get Rockets games in Austin because it's outside of the Rockets' broadcast territory.  They don't have rights to broadcast in that market.  But the Astros do. 

[Bench]

In recent BLACKOUT news:

A federal appeals court in California ruled two weeks ago that MLB's antitrust exemption was alive and well, and broad enough to protect the league from charges by San Jose, Calif., that it violated federal antitrust law by refusing to allow the Oakland A's to move to San Jose.

But across the country, a federal appeals court in New York has left in place a district court decision rejecting MLB's antitrust exemption in a case challenging the way MLB divvies up the U.S. into broadcast territories for each team.

[Nate Colbert]

Doesn't sound like the new commish is interested in doing anything about the blackout problem (in fact, here he's simply obfuscating the issue):

MB: The #1 customer complaint to MLB.com is about the league’s blackout policy. There are some markets that see as many as 6 teams blacked out due to club TV territories. What would you say to fans that pay to see games, yet wonder why a business would limit its product to them?

Manfred: Television territories that cause these blackouts are integral to the economics of the game. They’re a foundation of the very structure of the league. Blackouts are actually caused, not by our desire not to cover that area, but by the inability of the rights holder to get distribution in certain parts of the television territories. It’s not solely our issue to resolve. Having said that I am aware of these complaints and whenever we have an issue like this we are constantly evaluating how we do business to make sure we are as fan friendly as possible.

[Nate Colbert]

Well, this sucks:

RSSW to televise just 4 spring training games.

[ValpoCory]

Well, this sucks:

RSSW to televise just 4 spring training games.

Still nothing about Time Warner Cable or DISH Network picking them up. 

[jbm]

Well, this sucks:

RSSW to televise just 4 spring training games.

Wow.  The channel has no content besides Astros and Rockets, and they will only carry four games?

[Nate Colbert]

Wow.  The channel has no content besides Astros and Rockets, and they will only carry four games?

Exactly what I thought. Guess they think airing the Dan Patrick show three times a day makes perfect sense.

[HudsonHawk]

Wow.  The channel has no content besides Astros and Rockets, and they will only carry four games?

You realize that broadcasting baseball games isn't free, right?

[austro]

You realize that broadcasting baseball games isn't free, right?

You don't get any revenue for games you don't broadcast, either.

[roadrunner]

You don't get any revenue for games you don't broadcast, either.

Maybe the games don't turn a profit?

[austro]

Maybe the games don't turn a profit?

The spring training games probably don't, unless you take the longer view that they're developing an audience that will watch more regular season games.

[HudsonHawk]

You don't get any revenue for games you don't broadcast, either.

I'd be absolutely gobsmacked if Spring Training games were profitable.

[jbm]

The spring training games probably don't, unless you take the longer view that they're developing an audience that will watch more regular season games.

This.  The example I use is the LHN.  I used to really enjoy UT basketball.  All the early shitty games against the directional schools were on one of the channels and I watched to acquaint myself with the players and get more excited about the future games.  When LHN arrived and I could no longer see all those early games, I lost some interest in the team.  My love for baseball is greater and this won't ultimately affect my desire for opening day, but it likely will for some.  Also, this team is still future oriented and spring training is the best, and only, time for some to see the future players.

[Lefty]

Aren't at least a few additional games shown online?

[HudsonHawk]

This.  The example I use is the LHN.  I used to really enjoy UT basketball.  All the early shitty games against the directional schools were on one of the channels and I watched to acquaint myself with the players and get more excited about the future games.  When LHN arrived and I could no longer see all those early games, I lost some interest in the team.  My love for baseball is greater and this won't ultimately affect my desire for opening day, but it likely will for some.  Also, this team is still future oriented and spring training is the best, and only, time for some to see the future players.

But nobody gives a shit about practice games.  Not the vast majority of fans, and especially not advertisers.

[Nate Colbert]

But nobody gives a shit about practice games.  Not the vast majority of fans, and especially not advertisers.

The vast majority of *hardcore* fans, the ones who eat the high costs of cable/satellite packages because they want to see their favorite team on their RSNs, do want to see these games. As far as advertisers, don't they pay up for live sports programming (as opposed to the 3rd rerun* of the day for the Dan Patrick show), because they know viewers can't zap their imbecilic commercials?

*And in an age of DVRs, why the fuck re-run programming at all?

[HudsonHawk]

The vast majority of *hardcore* fans, the ones who eat the high costs of cable/satellite packages because they want to see their favorite team on their RSNs, do want to see these games. As far as advertisers, don't they pay up for live sports programming (as opposed to the 3rd rerun* of the day for the Dan Patrick show), because they know viewers can't zap their imbecilic commercials?

But hardcore fans don't make the world go around.  The casual fans do.  If teams had to rely on the hardcore fans, they'd be out of business in a month.  Secondly, the monthly subscription the network gets for the hardcore fans isn't enough to fund the network.  They have to have advertising dollars.  Lots of them.  And yes advertisers pay for live sports programming, but not for live practice.  

Professional sports are not like college.  Yes, everytime the Longhorn band has a bake sale, there are hundreds of thousands of screaming fans ready to pony up hundreds of dollars to watch a piccolo player hand out change.  But the viewing public simply does not care about the Astros' practice games.  Bottom line.  And it's all about the bottom line.

*And in an age of DVRs, why the fuck re-run programming at all?

Because it's cheap.  That's the point. 

[juliogotay]

Advertisers pay based on projected ratings points. They can buy an ad in a preseason game cheaper than in a regular season game and they often do. Do you not see NFL preseason games? they have plenty of commercials. Baseball won't do as well rating wise as NFL regardless so the ads are less. They also sell packages which puts advertisers in every game with so many "showings". That would include preseason games and they have to guarantee xx ratings points over the contract period. My point is that there is a market for advertising in preseason baseball games but it won't bring a windfall to the network.

[HudsonHawk]

My point is that there is a market for advertising in preseason baseball games but it won't bring a windfall to the network.

And my point is that it won't even bring a profit.  Believe me, if there were any significant financial advantage to broadcasting ST games, the network would.  It's not a conspiracy to screw you.  It's simple economics. 

[Jacksonian]

And my point is that it won't even bring a profit.  Believe me, if there were any significant financial advantage to broadcasting ST games, the network would.  It's not a conspiracy to screw you.  It's simple economics. 

Given that I would think they'd tape all the games and edit them down to 30 minutes to play at night to try to drum up a little more casual fan interest without investing a lot of tv time to do it.

[BUWebguy]

Besides the inherent difference in interest levels, another important difference between NFL and MLB preseason games: NFL games are played at night and on weekends. MLB games are mostly weekday afternoons.

[roadrunner]

If a team isn't turning a profit on a game, then that game costs money.  I'm sure in the overall pro forma they decided that whatever "interest" gained by broadcasting ST day games is not worth the cost to the overall company.  That makes sense to me.

[subnuclear]

Given that I would think they'd tape all the games and edit them down to 30 minutes to play at night to try to drum up a little more casual fan interest without investing a lot of tv time to do it.

I would watch this, but I don't know what it would cost to produce. I wonder how much work goes into those 13-min condensed regular season games on mlb.com. Those are great.

[Nate Colbert]

MLB Network released its spring training games broadcast schedule. Four Astros games will be televised on MLBN (in addition to the four being televised by RSSW) but none of those four will be shown live:

• 3/17 vs Nationals
• 3/20 vs Mets
• 3/25 vs Mets
• 3/26 vs Phillies

Dates are broadcast dates--games were played the day prior.

[jbm]

Heads up for those wanting to see the Astros on TV.  The first game broadcast by the MLB network be a tape delay of the split squad against the gnats.  Tomorrow morning at 5:00 am.

I think the first game by RSSW is also tomorrow, live at noon against the Pirates.

[Bench]

Heads up for those wanting to see the Astros on TV.  The first game broadcast by the MLB network be a tape delay of the split squad against the gnats.  Tomorrow morning at 5:00 am.

I think the first game by RSSW is also tomorrow, live at noon against the Pirates.

I believe Tuesday, Friday, Sunday and Monday's games will be on RSSW.

[Nate Colbert]

Not sure I understand the weasel wording in the press release of "up to" but apparently the plan for ROOT is to televise every single regular season game.

Cool.

[Tralfaz]

Anyone heard if Astros Opener is available in Austin on TW?

[HudsonHawk]

Anyone heard if Astros Opener is available in Austin on TW?

The game is on ESPN but will be blacked out in Austin because it's also on Root Sports Southwest, which is not carried by TW.  So the answer is no.

[Duke]

This. Really. Sucks.

[Bench]

The game is on ESPN but will be blacked out in Austin because it's also on Root Sports Southwest, which is not carried by TW.  So the answer is no.

I know it's a silly question, but are you sure about this?  Usually ESPN televised games aren't blacked out. 

[Navin R Johnson]

National games shouldn't be blacked out.

[HudsonHawk]

I know it's a silly question, but are you sure about this?  Usually ESPN televised games aren't blacked out.

No, I'm not.

[HudsonHawk]

National games shouldn't be blacked out.

I thought it was only the Fox national games that weren't blacked out because they're not on the local network.  But I don't know for sure.

[NeilT]

I thought it was only the Fox national games that weren't blacked out because they're not on the local network.  But I don't know for sure.

Must be the new format.  It's screwing with the messages.

[juliogotay]

The game is on ESPN but will be blacked out in Austin because it's also on Root Sports Southwest, which is not carried by TW.  So the answer is no.

Why is it now a black out but back in January it was not a black out?


That doesn't mean they were blacked out.  They were being shown locally by the local network. 


« Last Edit: January 15, 2015, 03:22:39 PM by HudsonHawk »

Not trying to re-stir the pot but interested in your distinction? Sure looks like the same thing to me.

[Duke]

I know it's a silly question, but are you sure about this?  Usually ESPN televised games aren't blacked out.

For what it's worth the American Statesman listed it showing tonight.

[Fredia]

i have been bombarfding time warner with email after email. not one reply

[Bench]

For what it's worth the American Statesman listed it showing tonight.

I think it's safe to assume it'll be on ESPN.

[HudsonHawk]

Why is it now a black out but back in January it was not a black out?


That doesn't mean they were blacked out.  They were being shown locally by the local network. 


« Last Edit: January 15, 2015, 03:22:39 PM by HudsonHawk »

Not trying to re-stir the pot but interested in your distinction? Sure looks like the same thing to me.

Because I wanted to fuck with you. No other reason or distinction.

[juliogotay]

Because I wanted to fuck with you. No other reason or distinction.

OK.