There's a good chance that the majority of Rockets fans will be very familiar with the ins-and-outs of internet streaming by the time this debacle concludes (because that may be when Comcast's contract ends). In addition, internet piracy will probably have better steams available as legit options will be destroyed by single-company (in this case Comcast) dominance. So here's the deal: Houston Rockets have already made **** load of cash by switching to Comcast as the main Rockets network. No matter who can carry the games, no matter the ratings, the Houston Rockets have already made their money. If you live in Houston (or Louisiana) and Comcast is a viable (****ty as it may be) option, then you're probably in luck. Comcast does not want to play ball with any cable company that they can't dominate and force into disagreeable terms. Small cable companies will eventually cave (or already have). Cable companies like Suddenlink, Dish, DirectTV, Uverse, and so forth are likely resisting the completely lop-sided terms offered in a Comcast deal. Comcast wants to completely dominate the cable market, and they're using "Comcast Sportsnet Houston" to do that. They don't give a **** about you. The Houston Rockets already have their cash. They're not dependent (yet) on ratings. They don't give a ****. League Pass will be blacked out for all local games. It doesn't matter who does, or does not, carry those games. League Pass will always be blacked out for local games. That means as far west as Midland/Odessa, and as far north as Lubbock, you're probably blacked out. Austin, San Antonio, Dallas? You're blacked out. So, in sum: Comcast wants to rule cable, and no matter how ****ty their service is, they won't play fair with Suddenlink, Dish, Uverse, or DirectTV. It's pretty unlikely you'll see Rockets games. League Pass doesn't matter because of restrictions leading to black outs. Smaller cable companies will (or have) readily become Comcast's b****. The Houston Rockets media people already have their cash, so they don't give a ****. Good luck Houston Rockets fans! Most of you, who aren't already, will probably be internet-pirate-ninjas by the end of this. That will reduce the power of Comcast in one respect. But otherwise... lol **** you! You're ****ed!
No. Blackouts work on both ends. Meaning: No matter who, or where, the Rockets are playing, the game is blacked out. Read above.
You can use a proxy. I know how to do it, I just have trouble finding proxies that work. It'll show that you're somewhere else, so that the Houston game isn't blacked out
It's based on your zip code. Basically, if you're in Texas, you're blacked out. TV, or internet, it doesn't matter. You're blacked out. If you can trick League Pass into thinking you're somewhere else (like a proxy, as stated above) then it might work. If it's based on your billing zip code for your ISP (and it looks like it is), then it doesn't matter if you use a proxy.
Wow that sucks. Ah well, I've been pretty experienced with streams. I am not going to ever to give in to comcast, the quality of streams will go up with the season starting.
I've seen my name mentioned a few times, so I will chime in to say I'm in the same situation as alot of you are. I switched to Direct before last season started...Im thinking of calling Comcast to see what the minimum level of service it would take to get CSN. Maybe I could get basic and add on the sports package just for the NBA season(or until Direct gets their head out of their asses)
If you were thinking of doing that R2K, you can put your direct service on hold for up to 6 months with out having to pay any bills. They offered that to me when i had to drop them because I couldn't get the service due to trees.
Here's a little bit of hope...Somebody asked Matt Bullard on twitter the chances of DirecTv having Rockets games by Wednesday. Matt Answered "I've heard chances are good" That was on the 27th though
If that is the case, I will only see highlights on NBA tv, and watch the rest of the league play like the Lakers/Heat/Thunder/Knicks and the unibrow Hornets. Not switching to comcrap.
This is utterly ridiculous how they haven't had any deal yet with even ONE of the major TV providers.
I called uverse again today and they said that nothing is in place yet and they don't know when they will have the channel.
How about a city referendum to make the Rockets provide the games on over the air TV? If I remember correctly Jeff and Clutch Fans hustled to win the refendum to use tax payer money for the arena. This is complete crap and crony capitalism at its worst.
bear in mind the right-wing voters in Houston vote for this ideology every time. they can't give enough away to the 5 or 6 guys who run the town.
Now that you mention public money, I'm even more angered at this situation. Denying the very tax payer base who funded this whole deal the 'privelege' no no no... more like the right to view these games in an effort to personally benefit more is extremely crony.
He's a Rockets employee and that is the Rockets company line. I'm not saying it ISN'T going to happen, but we shouldn't count on any Rockets employee for real information unless he gets specific.
LOL at blaming right-wing voters for this. 2 Democratic mayors (Lanier and Brown) were in office at the time and helped push it. It was bipartisan. Did you vote against the stadium? Then stop complaining. Keep that crap in D&D.
