When It Comes to Blackout Restrictions, MLB Doesn't Get It

This is stupid. It gets stupider when you read the fine print

4 months ago tcyoung 19 comments 0 recs |

Comments

If it weren't for blackout

I would have just subscribed to MLB.tv instead of getting cable.

But I live in Wisconsin…so…yeah, they lost a potential customer. Instead, I get the crappy non-HD FSWisconsin broadcast, which looks like poop on a 52" LCD. Heck, even the ESPN broadcasts look better. Thanks for the Blackout Restrictions guys.

But at least I can watch the games at all.

by bluejazz04 on Jul 7, 2009 1:06 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

My biggest blackout issue is when they black out an away game that is not being broadcast in Wisconsin

Example Brewers are playing the Pirates in PNC Park Wednesday afternoon get away day special no broadcast on FSN-WI so if you are in Wisconsin it is not on TV. But if you try to use MLB.TV and watch the Pirate broadcast it will still black it out because Wisconsin is the “home” market and is always blacked out on MLB.TV. What are they trying to protect with this black out.

It is not like you would drive to Pittsburgh to see the game live.

MLB does a lot right with MLB.TV and Extra Inning but you punished if you actually live in the Market of the team you support. I remember when the Crew went to NYC Jeff could not watch the game because it blacked it out in NYC since and he did not have a TV so his only option for those three games was go to Shea or find a sports bar or listen to radio version.

When it comes to MLB.TV you are better off if you are a Brewers fan who lives in Cali or Florida than to live in Wisconsin

Let me spell it for you Cub fans O N E H U N D R E D A N D O N E Y E A R S

by WSB Chris on Jul 7, 2009 9:46 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Right

And now it appears that their solution is to sell blackout rights to the cable providers

Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".

by tcyoung on Jul 7, 2009 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

But ever since I taught you the black art of proxies...

It was a great selection of awesome.

by battlekow on Jul 7, 2009 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

true but still should not make paying customers steal the product

Let me spell it for you Cub fans O N E H U N D R E D A N D O N E Y E A R S

by WSB Chris on Jul 7, 2009 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

it's not stealing if you're paying

and if mlb.tv really wanted to stop you from doing it, they could

by warwick5s on Jul 8, 2009 12:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

you still have to pay to get mlb.tv

You just use the proxy to view the local game

Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".

by tcyoung on Jul 8, 2009 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Holy crap

Were YES games always blacked out and now Yankees fans have an option? It would be ridiculous if they just cut out all Yankees games from their MLB.TV lineup.

by ecocd on Jul 7, 2009 11:00 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Jeff might have more insight into this

Cablevision reached a deal with YES network on opening day of this year or last year to carry the games. I don’t understand why you would need to watch the games on the computer if you already subscribe to cablevision. I suppose it could be aimed solely at people who want to watch the games at work….

Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".

by tcyoung on Jul 7, 2009 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

you know more about it than I do

my level of interest in cablevision/YES network/yankees is such that this is the most I’ve read about it.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Jul 7, 2009 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Still don't own a tv do you Jeff ;)

Let me spell it for you Cub fans O N E H U N D R E D A N D O N E Y E A R S

by WSB Chris on Jul 7, 2009 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The days of local blackouts...

…appear to be numbered:

http://www.screendigest.com/online_services/intelligence/broadband/updates/bi-290609-mb1/view.html

by James Stanley Cocanower on Jul 7, 2009 3:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Numbered in the millions?

Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.

by TheJay on Jul 7, 2009 5:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

There's still a LONG way to go

Your link and my link are talking about the same thing. My point is that mlb has serious blackout issues. However, instead of fixing the problem, they’re looking to make a buck on it. They’re only making local games for two teams available to those who can already watch them on TV. That certainly doesn’t open up the market to those who don’t have cable, but would be willing to purchase mlb.tv to watch their local team.

Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".

by tcyoung on Jul 8, 2009 7:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hate the blackout rules with the fire of a thousand suns.

I lived in Iowa from ‘02-’08 and got to experience just how silly they can get firsthand.

Why?

Iowa is considered by MLB to be the home market of the Cubs, White Sox, Cardinals, Brewers, Twins, and Royals – or 1/5th of the ENTIRE league.

No place in the country, except for the tip of Nevada has it as bad. It didn’t make sense either. I can’t speak for western Iowa, but east-central Iowa was most definitely dense Cubs country.

by Acheron on Jul 7, 2009 5:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Nevada

Just the tip?

Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".

by tcyoung on Jul 8, 2009 7:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

that would have stated me down the road to building a truck bomb

I kid I kid violence does not solve anything :)

Let me spell it for you Cub fans O N E H U N D R E D A N D O N E Y E A R S

by WSB Chris on Jul 8, 2009 8:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Except overpopulation

It was a great selection of awesome.

by battlekow on Jul 9, 2009 2:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

In the meantime, there is a way to get around the blackouts

http://mlbtvblackout.blogspot.com/2009/07/mlbtv-blackout-workaround-bypass.html

by lozipan on Jul 7, 2009 7:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed

Search

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

NL Central Standings

	W	L	PCT	GB	STRK
St. Louis Viva El Birdos	91	71	.561	0	Lost 6
Chicago Bleed Cubbie Blue	83	78	.515	7.5	Lost 1
Milwaukee Brew Crew Ball	80	82	.493	11	Won 3
Cincinnati Red Reporter	78	84	.481	13	Won 2
Houston The Crawfish Boxes	74	88	.456	17	Lost 3
Pittsburgh Bucs Dugout	62	99	.385	28.5	Lost 2