What's the deal with Channel 51 and them not being on satellite? It's crazy that the Rockets would sign a deal with a station that no one outside of the beltway can pick up! I would love to see Rockets games, but I can't pick up Channel 51. Anyone know if 51 will ever get on DirecTV?
Yes...in three years or so Check the archive. This issue has been dealt with to death. For now, the only way to receive KNWS is "over-the-air" (OTA), or via cable. If you can't receive the OTA signal, you may want to invest in DTV equipment. The digital signal extends out much further than its analogue equivalent (KHWB-DT can regularly be seen 60-80 miles outside city limits), and the picture you get will be "perfect."
You're not missing that much chief. Channel 51 is by far the worst station I've ever seen. Even telemundo has a million times better picture. I'm just wondering what in the hell those guys are doing over there? I guess I should look on the bright side, at least we get to see Judge Judy at the same time as the Rockets games.
It's the same with Dish Network. I'm going back to cable next year for this exact reason. In fact, I never would have gone with DN if I had known they didn't carry channel 51. Raven
Chill! I read an article in The Houston Chronicle about a month ago, stating that KNWS ch. 51 will be on The DishNetwork soon. December 02' January 03' Time Frame Direct TV is not getting channel 51, yet.
Anyone have the email address to send to DirecTV? I would really like to see Yao play, but right now I can't see any of their games. They used to at least show home games of Fox SportsNet.
Not to mention that all the Rocket games got blacked-out on NBA leage pass for outside Houston city limit (like Beaumont....)
I read the same article. I believe he stated if they got it, which they probably will, it will be between december this year and summer next year, hopefully the sooner. Makes me glad I have dishnetwork over DirectTV, not going to have to get that crappy video feed anymore.(hopefully)
Here's the latest from the Chronicle: By DAVID BARRON Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle The better Yao Ming plays, the less likely it appears that Fox Sports Net and the Rockets will come to terms on a new broadcast contract this season. Both sides insist that talks are continuing, but Rockets executive Tad Brown expressed renewed pessimism Thursday that a deal is going to get done. "I'm not sure if we can (reach an agreement)," Brown said. "One way or another we've been trying to get this thing done, and we haven't gotten there yet. In an effort to give it every opportunity, we have been waiting to see if we can get movement on some issues, and it hasn't happened. "We have strong feelings about some of the long-term issues related to this contract, and they (FSN) have strong feelings in another direction. Our ratings are increasing, and everybody is excited about the team. The more that happens, the less likely it is for us to change our position." The Rockets have played 24 games, all but a handful on KNWS (Channel 51), and their ratings don't appear to be suffering. They did Nielsen ratings of 6.5 and 5.4 last week on 51 against the Kings and Grizzlies, respectively, compared to 3.2 for a game against the Clippers on KHWB (Channel 39) and 4.0 for Wednesday night's Rockets-Pacers game on ESPN, which, according to conventional wisdom, should draw in larger audiences than Channel 51. "We are pleased with the ratings we've gotten on 51, and I think our broadcast exposure has increased from what we have had in the past," Brown said. "We're reaching more fans and giving people more opportunities to see games." And how is Fox Sports Net holding up? Not well. A year ago, the network had a measurable Nielsen audience (a rating of 0.1 or higher) in 270 of 672 quarter-hours during the second week of December. This year, they had a 0.1 or higher in 176 quarter-hours. That's a difference of roughly 24 hours, and all of that can't be attributed to the absence of Rockets games. Without the Rockets to draw viewers to the station, Fox Sports Net is losing viewers across its broadcast day. Meanwhile, Channel 51 owner Doug Johnson said Thursday that the station could be offered on Echostar's Dish Network within two weeks. "We're working out the actual written settlement, but Dish Network says they'll be able to put us on a channel, hopefully by the end of the year," Johnson said. "And if Dish Network picks us up, I think DirecTV will follow."
