I live in the Galleria area and don't have cable or dish, only antenna (rabbit ears), and the reception for Ch 51 ain't that bad. In fact, in my apartment the video reception isn't any worse than the reception for any of the "big three" channels. However, I do notice that the audio sometimes comes in a bit weak, but that shouldn't be a problem for me; I can just turn down the TV volume and listen to the call from good ol' Gene P. and Jim F. on the radio. On second thought, I don't know how I'll handle not getting my regular Calvin Murphy fix...
I too am upset about the channel 51 selection, but at least we will be able to watch all of the games.... (six in one hand ... half a dozen in the other)
Can someone do a search and refresh me on the details of the new tv contract and how it will affect the games on TV?
Last time the Rockets chose a crap network to broadcast their games on channel 55, they switched over after a few weeks, so Im hoping they do the same again and go back to UPN20 or WB39. Lets keep our fingers crossed. If all else fails I'll buy and rig up the tallest f$#king antenna in all of houston. I haent missed a Rockets game in years, and I dont intend to miss one this season!
ch 51 has been bad 4 years. its been over three years since ive lived in houston (southwest), but even then, the reception was horrid for astros games. once when nbc got cut off for whatever reason, i switched to 51 and saw faintly AND heard nbc clearly. its a problem that needs to be fixed, and is sad that it hasnt been fixed for years. pathetic.
from where i'm located 51 looks just as good through rabbit ears as upn or the wb through the directv satellite. of course it's easier to just have it on the box but i'd rather watch all the games then miss out any.
Don't count on it. There are several elements at work here that suggest UPN is done as a home for the Rockets. - 51 already has the Astros so they have a track record with local sports broadcasting. In addition, Astros fans seem to have adjusted meaning there is some precident for it. - UPN is simply not going to broadcast all the games and the schedule at Fox SSW is getting tighter and tighter meaning less room to take on the games UPN cannot. It has always been a priority to the Rockets that all their games be broadcast locally. It will continue to be that way. There is a very good chance UPN does what 39 did a couple years ago and just passes on the opportunity to air the Rockets altogether in favor of network programming at some point in the near future. I can understand if the Rockets want some stability there and they won't get it with UPN. - Most importantly of all, 51 is very likely offering a lucrative, long-term deal that includes the Comets and pretty much anything else the Rockets want. If the Rockets can establish 51 as their base of operations, it could provide them with stable, long-term broadcast rights and a deal to do them that is worth it economically. It has to be cheaper than 20 and no doubt it is much more flexible based on 51's programming line-up. Let's assume for the moment the Rockets go with 51. If KNWS is able to go digital and enter the satellite system world next year prior to the beginning of the season, this will be a significant victory for the team. They get a long-term, stable broadcast partner at a low rate who will take care of everything they want.
Okay I have another question. I remember a while back when the Rockets were in the Playoffs, not all of the games were televised locally. Some games I would have to listen to on the radio. If they Rockets make the playoffs again will we have to listen to some of the games or will all the games be televised? Will ordering the NBA League Pass count with Playoff games also? If so I might just order that.
man this does suck i to have the dish network i guess i will ahve to get the nba leage pass. i hopw thay have it i am not sure because i just got the dish.
Satellite owners will cry over this...Locals do not include 51 on DTV so if you do not have NBA league pass your SOL. KNWS filed the paperwork too late for the channel to be added to the locals on DTV
That's not quite what I said. Assuming KNWS gets its paperwork in order, the earliest the DBS carriers would be legally obligated to distribute 51 is three years from now. However, given that the capabilities must already be in place (courtesy of MLB/NBA League Pass), it is conceivable the Rockets and Astros could throw enough money at the problem to overcome the bandwidth concerns of Dish, DirecTV, or the combined entity (if the merger goes through). KNWS is required to have their DTV (Digital Television) station up and running on 52 within the next year. Their deadline was actually September 1, but they got an extension. The infrastructure is being installed, and their engineers are hoping to go live in early January (+/- a month). That will eliminate reception issues for people with modern equipment. In short, I agree with Jeff. Long term, KNWS is fine . Short term (i.e.: this season), it sucks
Remember when the Rockets made the playoffs? THeir home post season gamese were on pay per view. WHy were they on PPV. I thought that sucked.
Good, I like channel 51. Now they have the Comets, Astros, and now the Rockets. My tv looks pretty clear on 51.
Well I happen to know that last year Channel 20 had it's hands tied regarding the Rockets. The Rockets actually PAY to be on TV, something like $30K a game. Because UPN's shows are so terrible and the ratings usually suck, it was tough for Channel 20 not to take that guranteed dough. \ They sell based on ratings and if the ratings for a show is bad, advertisers get a chaper rate, hense less money for the station. ALL the commercials during a Rockets game goes to the Rockets. In fact, the Rockets sell most of that commercial time. What happened was, after the Rockets deal was signed, UPN decided to got out and get some better rated shows like Buffy and then Enterprise, along with Smackdown. At that point, UPN20 was screwed because they could really sell Buffy and Smackdown, for sometimes up to $3K or $4K a :30 spot, you do the math and that is a helluva better than $30 for 3 hrs. Also the post game shows ratings are horrible and UPN20 can make more money just showing a re-run of Frasier or Martin. But Reliant Energy has their name on that show and a post-game show HAD to follow everygame, unless their was a pre-game show (which had just as bad ratings). This year, FOX now owns UPN20 and I don't believe they want any deal. Probably the Rockets are asking for too much. Usually the stations like to sell that time for themselves. A few years ago when the Astros were on UPN20 in the playoffs, they were selling :30 spots at over $5000 a pop, and that was all profit. Talk about a 9 inning game with 4-5 spots between innings and sponsored breaks. That my friends in a lot of dough. Anyway, the half-time and post-game WITH Lisa Malosky will most likely be on the road instead of having her in studio, like the last two years. Lisa, like Bill, Calvin and Jeff Hagedorn all work for the Rockets and will be on air where ever they are. We'll just have to wait and see officially where. I actually heard that the away game could get split up between 51 and 20. Talk about a bad move for the Rockets. They would have NO identity and NO broadcast home. They are just waiting for their new stadium to be built which will have it's own studio in it. I think this year they are just gliding. bad move when you have the attention of a Yao coming on board.
Does anyone know if this will impact the broadcast of rocket games on austin cable (which is non-existant right now)? -I know it won't affect league pass.
Hey all of you guys are lucky....Sometimes even the national televised Rockets games are sometimes blacked out up here in DFW. Even mentioning the name Rockets up here is a sin now the Mavericks are doing so well(I remember seeing the Rockets play the Mavs here about 4yrs ago and there were more Rocket fans in Reunion than Mavs fans...can you say fair weathered?) Anyway, does anybody know of a place in DFW that has a rockets fan club? If we can hook up with enough people, maybe we can start one at some local pub. Anyone interested?
I'm glad 51 comes thru good on my TW cable...no problem there. On a related note, does anyone know if the pre-season games will be shown on 51? Or if they are being shown at all? I NEED to see a game, even if it is a preseason one...
