http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/Rockets_Announce_New_Broadcast-54739-34.html Note that this does NOT say that 51 will be on satellite. NBA League Pass will be including the Rockets games, with the Rockets announcers as part of their package. The question is whether those broadcasts will be made available to all DirecTV subscribers in the Houston DMA. Tim? It looks like those of you with DISH are SOL.
http://www.indemand.com/listings/monthlySchedule.jsp?prodId=6834 Notice the Nov 26th game vs. Portland is missing.
Actually there was a little blip in the Chron not too long ago from a Rockets rep that they were trying to get KNWS on satellite before the season started.
codell, dont you remember reading the thread about the legal problems concerning KNWS's late filing? I dont think it is gonna be possible for it to happen according to the release from Direct... EDIT: Here is the original post from edc about the legal problems concerning KNWS and satelite feeds
David Barron, Houston Chronicle, October 11, 2002 Barron seems skeptical, and I concur. It is not in the best interests of the satellite carriers to add another local. They are both running up against physical bandwidth limitations. If they don't make it available to everyone, I hope they at least lift the blackout, so the NBALP games on the bird can be seen by those of us who subscribe!
Actually I did read that and i was aware of it last year when all the other locals starting appearing on satellite. However, here is the article I was refering to: -- 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. -------------------------- Im still skeptical if it can happen. But at least it looks like they are working on it.
The post before mine? By Smokey? League Pass and In Demand had nothing to do with what I was talking about. I was talking about the David Barron article.
It's all and fine that they are working on it, but I dont think it will happen until they can convince the sat providers that there is something in it for them.. otherwise...Direct/Dish will probably just blow em off..and nothing will change.. Besides, it is in the best interest of the satellite provider to not carry KNWS. If subscribers want to see the games, they will have to pay for league pass..which is money in their(provider's) pockets.. as usual, just my take on things...I could be (and probably are) wrong.. EDIT: edc is talking about his own post right above yours.
EDC beat me to the punch. He must have posted that while i was in the middle of my reply to you. lol I am skeptical too. I dont expect to see 51 on Dish Network. But Im glad to see that the Rockets realize that it would be beneficial to alot of fans as far as quality and reception go to do what they can do help KNWS out. Im sure the satelitte providers could care less what the Rockets think.
Well I plan to e mail Dish, and tell them that I'm switching to didital cable as soon as my contract runs out, because digital cable has channel 51 (I assume they do - heh). Raven
However, under normal circumstances, purchasing NBALP only provides you the "out of market" games. The Rockets on NBALP are blacked out in Houston. They want you to watch your local carrier. The question is whether it can/will be arranged to lift that blackout, or if they are going to force all the satellite folks to cable/antenna for the KNWS games.
Id be suprised if they did consider lifting the blackout rule. If they did, no one would be watching KNWS and they wouldnt make money.
Oh, I see.. I somehow missed that aspect of LP.. but since I dont have it, that wouldn't be that unusual. Between KNWS/WB and FSSW on my TW dig, cable(yes Raven, TW does carry KNWS) I am set for Rox games.. Now if I could just get the school to re-schedule class off of the nights the Rockets play, I would be set!!
