We don't get channel 51 (KNWS). So call dish network at 1-800-333-DISH and request it. I've already requested it twice so if more people ask for it then we'll get it. Don't you just hate dish network.
I don't mean to sound like a Time Warner salesman, but with digital cable: 1) No dish to buy, and not having to worry about that pesky "southern exposure" 2) no bad or lost reception when it rains 3) no contracts 4) you get just about as many channels as satellite, and as for the channels you don't get, you probably wouldn't watch them anyways 5) free basic cable on every other TV in the house 6) 40+ channels of digital music (although I still haven't figured out what the hell "acid jazz" is)
If you live in Austin and don't have digital cable, you can get it free for 3 months no contract. Only catch is the free months are spaced out at 4th, 8th, and 12th so to get 3 free months you would have to keep digital for a year.
I believe channel 51 forgot to file their papers with the FCC (oops!) before the deadline to broadcast local stations on satellite. Here is the scoop from an old chronicle story . . . If you're counting, that increases the number of local stations available on DirecTV from four to 11. And if you're really paying attention through your post-holiday funk, you've noticed what it doesn't include -- KNWS (Ch. 51), the Astros' over-the-air station. In the past, the only leg up cable could claim over satellite broadcasters (with the exception, of course, of the usual subjective things that any provider uses in an effort to sell its product) has been local channel availability. For sports fans, that has meant cable-only access to over-the-air Astros games on 51 and Rockets games on 20. As of Thursday, that's no longer the case for Rockets fans, since Channel 20 is one of the seven stations added to DirecTV's Houston lineup. But for now, at least, Channel 51 remains available only via rabbit ears or cable systems. Why, you ask? You're going to love this one. June 30 was the deadline for stations to apply for must-carry status on DirecTV, said company spokesman Robert Mercer. Johnson Broadcasting, which owns Channel 51 and KLDT in Dallas, submitted its application a day late -- July 1. "Under the law, we do not have to reconsider their carriage status for another four years," Mercer said. "They've appealed to the Federal Communications Commission, and the ruling came back in early December that backed us." As for the possibility of Channel 51 being added at some date, Mercer added: "At this point, we've locked up all our channel capacity." There are, of course, two sides to every tale, and one would assume Channel 51 has an explanation for missing the deadline and, thus, the chance to have its programming and advertising messages -- including Astros games -- on DirecTV. Alas, a station spokesman did not return calls seeking information Thursday. I think the bottom line is we will have to wait four years before 51 will be on satellite.
I spoke to the systems engineer of KNWS yesterday and he told me that they have petitioned the FCC about the misunderstanding of the deadline for mailing the request to be added to the satellite broadcast programming. The KNWS had petitioned the governing body for an imediate addition to the progamming. He further explained that every other deadline placed on the TV station falls on a Monday deadline........Why is this one different? He told me to call back in a 2 weeks for an update. I will post his comments.
I did a lot of research on this subject a few months ago, and what made me go with the Dish Network over digital cable, is the fact that basic channels are not converted to a digital picture, even when you get digital cable. Nope, the digital signal only applies to the extra channels, not the basic package. If you don't believe me, call Time Warner Cable, and ask them yourself. On the other hand, am I the only Dish Network owner who notices that tv shows on the basic channels (abc, cbs, upn, etc) have a tendency to pixilate? Raven
I had that problem with Direct also Raven. Combine that with the weather problems, long story short, Digital cable for me.. All my channels come in good, and I dont need to pay an extra amount for each set-top box for each room...basic cable in all rooms and two cable boxes for the main rooms..tho the cable boxes cost the same amount as the extra charge that Direct charged me for having multiple boxes..
Actually I was a Dish network customer for 2 years then switched over to Warner Cable (Digital Cable) The picture was still not as good, their CUSTOMER SERVICE is ONE Of the WORST! Which made me remember why I went DISH! So I just recently switched back to Dish Network and darn the picture is SHARP as HECK! I think I will just STICK with my DISH and have Time Warner go somewhere else unless they improve their customer service.
Man, you and I have had the exact OPPOSITE problems. When I was with Dish, they were awful. They billed me wrong amounts, couldn't manage to get it fixed, etc. The picture was no better than my cable and, worst of all, if the weather even looked like rain, the dish started to scramble. When it rained, it was a nightmare - most of the time, it was out completely or basically un-watchable. When I called to get Roadrunner to replace my DSL, TWC offered me an unreal deal to come back to cable and it was worth it.
My mother gets an unreal deal as well. The filter they are supposed to use to block the cable TV signal doesn't work correctly and the techs are too embarassed or maybe just too lazy to ask anyone else about it, so she gets cable tv and roadrunner for just the price of roadrunner.
Havent had a problem one with their customer service. I have only needed to call them once, about their new on demand movie rentals..Picture has been equal of my old dish setup, don't have to pay extra for locals...and I have high speed internet and digital cable for the same price as my dish package and old dial up account...what more could a guy want?
At least you guys can listen to the game. I live in Beaumont and have BOTH Warner CAABLE and a DIRECT TV dish! Neither one carried the game. On top of that the 610 AM signal is so damn weak I couln't receive that either. For a former 3 year season pass holder - this is another reason I get TICKED off at the ROCKETS.
Charlie, have you tried the online 610 feed? I think there is one..not sure at this time.. Come to the chat room during game time for some great discussion and rockHEADS fantastic play-by-play.. Its almost as good as being there...ok not really , but what other choices do you have? Oh yea, League pass...
I have the league pass also through Direct TV dish system; guess what - Rockets games are blacked out more often than not. I would guess that I 90% of all Rockets games that are offered on League Pass is also carried free on the FOX 600 series of sports channels (free if you buy FOX sports). I thought Real Player Audio was the way to get the game - but never could find an easy way to get it going. When I tried the link in the Clutch City web site , none of the suggested radio channels worked. Why can't Clutch get us access that works? I'm willling to pay for it.
According the the press release from the Rockets, KNWS will be available on satellite during the regular season. I sure hope so.
http://www.reliabilitymall.com/basic/knwstv_channel_51.htm look at their website i think band together and purchase them i bet we can afford or maybe matress mack will help us
From Friday's Chron: David Barron Houston Chronicle Rockets update -- Buried in the release announcing the Rockets' one-year broadcast deal with KHWB (Channel 39) and KNWS (Channel 51) was this line: "Game coverage on KNWS will also be available on satellite beginning with the regular season." Hmmm. As you might recall, Channel 51 missed the deadline last year to become a must-carry station on DirecTV and Dish Network, then lost its appeal. At the time, officials said it would be four years before Channel 51 could get on the satellite. Rockets president George Postolos and Channel 51 owner Doug Johnson said Tuesday the satellite problems would be worked out this month. But DirecTV spokesman Robert Mercer said late Tuesday that the carrier has no immediate plans to carry Channel 51. A spokesman for Dish Network had no information on Channel 51's status. Schedule details, meanwhile, likely won't be available until (or if) the Rockets reach an agreement on a new cable deal with Fox Sports Net. As you might recall, the last deal didn't get signed until the afternoon of the 1997 season opener, so don't hold your breath. The Rockets' release said Channel 51 will air "at least" 34 regular-season games, which means the team probably is using the likelihood of airing more games on KNWS in an effort to pry concessions out of FSN. Channel 39 will show nine home games and six road games, primarily Saturday night, afternoon games and late West Coast dates, to avoid conflicts with the WB network schedule. Also this week, the Rockets signed a Spanish language radio deal with KYST (920 AM). Adrian Chavarria and Alex Parra will call the games.
