MLB blackout rules

[Nutriaitch]

Am I the only one who really dislikes the MLB blackout rules?

For some reason, MLB decided that EVERY zip code in America has to be listed as a "home market" for at least one MLB team. What ever team's market you're in, you can't watch those games on the Extra Innings package on DirecTv. This is supposed to force you to watch your local channels for the game instead of the subscription package.

Here's the problem. I live about 7 hours drive time from the nearest MLB "local market". Why do I have to get blacked out of these games? I can't watch them on local TV, and can't watch them on the subscription package.

Normally, I don't care about Rangers and Astros games (the market MLB thinks I'm in), but some nights, that's the only games playing before the west coast games get started.

[blacksilverfan12]

Are any of us in Japan's market?

Didn't think so

[steve rogers]

I'm about 30 minutes east of Hartford CT. I get all the Yankees games and all the Red Sox games. I'm a Yankees fan but I like the Mets and they're the closest National League team so it would be nice to get those games. I used to get all the Mets games. Now that they're on SNY I don't get any. Comcast (which owns part of SNY, I believe) says I dont live within the Mets broadcast area, even though Shea is closer to me than Yankee Stadium. And MLB blacks out the games on extra innings because they say I am within the Mets broadcast area. I've called Comcast about 50 times to complain but nothing has been done and it looks like that will stay that way. Talk about assinine.

Scott

[Nutriaitch]

I dont live within the Mets broadcast area, even though Shea is closer to me than Yankee Stadium. And MLB blacks out the games on extra innings because they say I am within the Mets broadcast area.

I'm 600 MILES from the Rangers. They played a game @ Anaheim last year that I got blacked out of. That's what really set me off.

A team 600 miles from me playing a game nearly 1900 miles away, and I'm supposed to watch it on my local channels?

[blueraider]

I agree this is a pain. I live in Virginia. I get Sny through Directtv, but can only see mets games here and their. I mainly get nationals and O's games.

[Nutriaitch]

OK, WTF?!!? I even get blackout of classic games?

Example last night on NESN, there was a Sox game from last year. Tune t the channel and get "program not available in your area"

[Mr. Grission]

OK, WTF?!!? I even get blackout of classic games?

Example last night on NESN, there was a Sox game from last year. Tune t the channel and get "program not available in your area"

Once I was at a house that had DirectTV and had all of the Fox Sports channels from across the country. Most of the channels were showing MLB games, but all of the FSN stations were blocked b/c the people didnt have Extra Innings.

I don't understand why they even include national sports channels if you can't actually watch any of the meaningful sporting events that they air because they are part of premium packages. It would be better off not to include all of these Fox Sports channels at all then to tease sports fans who hope that they might get to watch a game for free for once...

[LobsterSan]

Are any of us in Japan's market?

Didn't think so

Yeah, this pisses me off to no avail. I have been living in Japan for the past 4 years and have subscribed to MLB.tv for the past 3. I still like it for the archived games and the live radio, but the blackout thing just pisses me off. None of the MLB games are on the airwaves here, and even with cable I'd only be able to watch Ichiro, Matsui Hideki, and Fukudome. So why black me out of all the other live games? STUPID.

[Nutriaitch]

Once I was at a house that had DirectTV and had all of the Fox Sports channels from across the country. Most of the channels were showing MLB games, but all of the FSN stations were blocked b/c the people didnt have Extra Innings.

They black you out on those channels if you don't live in the TV market for that channel.

I don't understand why they even include national sports channels if you can't actually watch any of the meaningful sporting events that they air because they are part of premium packages. It would be better off not to include all of these Fox Sports channels at all then to tease sports fans who hope that they might get to watch a game for free for once...

ALL pro sports are blacked out on those channels. Lots of college sports go on these channels though.

[NineWorldSeries]

Sometimes the blackout rules are just plain stupid. I live in the Columbus, OH, area, and the PIRATES are blacked out for us (along with the Reds and Indians, which is understandable). What makes this even worse is that no local radio or TV station broadcasts the Pirates' games. Basically, I must drive 2.5 to 3 hours if I ever want to see them play.

[Aviator_Frank]

What I can't figure out is why the Yankees Classic games aren't blacked out but the Mets Classic ones are. I have DirecTV and the Fox sports pack.

12 bucks a month on top of MLB Extra Innings and still you're treated to blackouts. Bastiges.