I'm a Dish customer. I just remembered that last season that Rox games where never on the same channel, ie FSN Houston. It was always on some random 'HD Alternate' channel along with every other NBA game that was on at the moment. All the other games would be blacked out except for the Rox game. I always just assumed that they just unblocked the other games when you purchase League Pass. If it's like that again this year, I wonder if I may not even need CSNHouston. Anyone else with Dish have any thoughts?
The games aren't being broadcast on FSN any longer...Dish needs an agreement with CSN in order to be able to broadcast CSNHouston to their subscribers.
I understand this. But, like I said... The games did not come on FSN. They were always on an 'HD Alternate' channel. During Rockets games FSN would broadcast regular programming. In essence, as a Dish customer last season I did not need FSN to watch Rockets games. The contract negotiations have nothing to do with carriers broadcasting the games via League Pass. Those people outside of the Rockets viewing area will still see Rockets games as long as they purchase League Pass. Regardless of thier carrier. This leads me to believe that the games are still going to appear on my Guide on an 'HD Alternate' channel, and could possibly be unblocked. Just like last season. Is this likely??? Hell no, it's just a thought.
So I emailed DirecTV to follow up with my many prior request seeking updates regarding Comcast SportsNet and they responded with the following the below. Looks promising to me... Even though I will not switch providers, it doesn't hurt to tell them I will if they cannot get the channel. :grin:
The alternate feeds were FSH feeds though. Through DISH you have 416 which is FSSW, the non NBA and MLB programming was pretty well the same for both FSSW and FSH so they just split the feed for game broadcasts. If you bought league pass from DISH last year your games were shown on other channels (In the 600's I believe). If you purchase LP you will get games on those channels. it does not open up the 400 alt channels, those only open up for viewers in the areas of the broadcast. Whether you get the Rockets on the 600 level LP channels, I don't know. That is regulated by the rules of LP. If they aren't on LP and there is no deal with ComCast then you will not be able to see them.
My vote goes to the Rockets for signing am agreement with a network that is not currently being offered to the majority of the public. The Rockets made the decision to do this and line their pockets. The must have realized the hurdles ahead to get their product in to your living room
That is good news. Likely I will sign a new contact with DirectTV next month for my GSN channel and watch some rocket games if I can.
what pisses me off is when I think i'll get to finally watch a game on NBAtv its blacked out in my area and I'm 2 hrs north in Lufkin. This TV stuff is just crazy rediculous.
My guess is you'll know the day it's a done deal. They will publicize it. It will be news when a major provider here picks it up.
That makes sense. I just don't understand why it's taking this long! I hope it doesn't carry on into the regular season.
there is hope. I thought dish network would never settle with amc *. yesterday I check my guide... and wala it was there, no more searching for alternative methods to view the walking dead. * it only took a year womp womp
It might...but I don't think it will last long. It's taking this long because it's part of the negotiation...who will blink, the Rockets/Comcast who have an interest in making sure that all their games are broadcast to a huge audience so they can justify high advertising prices to sponsors?? or the other providers who don't want to overpay, but also don't want to risk losing subscribers because they're not offering the one and only channel that shows Astros and Rockets games going forward? I don't think it will last long because I think there's clearly common ground for an agreement...Comcast and the Rockets have a vested interest in making sure this channel is available to as big an audience as possible. But don't be surprised if it happens after the regular season opener.
yea, shame on the rockets & astros for creating a houston specific tv channel that is 24/7 rockets, astros, texans coverage plus improved quality all around.. this is an issue between your provider and csn/nbc..
