Sports Empty Netters Help a reader out - 09-22-11
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We'll try to track down some answers regarding the issue posted below, but in the mean time, if you can help this fellow reader out, feel free to post something in the comments.
For years I lived in areas that received Fox Sports Pgh/Root/KBL that carried the local Penguins games. Now I live in Akron, Ohio (94 miles from Consol Energy Center according to Google Maps), where I can’t get any of the local broadcasts. That is bad enough, but for some reason somebody sees fit to black out any and all Penguins games on NHL network.
Those on Versus or NBC show up.
Do you have any contacts that can explain to me why they would black out a game that I am not considered "local" for, and can’t get on any other channels? NHL just sends you to a voice mail box that is never returned, NHL.net actually talked to me and said for the online broadcasts I am not in the blackout area, but they can’t offer any explanation about the televised blackouts, and claimed not to know anyone who would know.
Is this any way to run a league? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Dave Zumbach
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written by ricks1683, September 22, 2011 - 04:27 PM
I also live in the Akron area and have run into the exact same problem you're experiencing. The reason the games are blacked out is that the Akron area is what is known as a "secondary market" for the Penguins, as determined by the NHL. So when the games are on NHLN, the league sees the Akron area as a "home market" and blacks them out. It's not cool, but that's the explanation I got when I called my cable company, Versus and emailed the NHL 3 years ago. Really stupid.
I do have a solution though!
Because the area is a secondary market, what you can do is use that to your advantage. If you live in an area where you can get AT& U-Verse, you can sign up for their TV and internet, then subscribe to their Sports Package. That package ($10/mo) gives you all the regional sports channels, like all the FSN's, CSN's and other regional sports channels. Normally any NHL game on one of those stations is blacked out. BUT!! Not Root Sports PGH! All because we are a secondary market for the Pens. So you can get the pens games for about $10 a month, which is definitely cheaper than going with the Center Ice Package. And it also solves the 1st round playoffs blackouts on Versus as well. Ta-da!
Hope that helps!
Rick
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written by rege8484, September 22, 2011 - 04:32 PM
You should be able to get Root Sports with DirecTv and not have an issues with getting Pens games.
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I moved to the Akron area a few years back and have been frustrated with the tv service as well. I've ordered the Center Ice package every year and have been able to watch the Pens games. I also pay an additional fee to have the NHL network, however when the Pens play on this channel they black the game out on all channels.
I've tried to get an answer from someone as to why the Pens are blacked out on NHL Network and not the NHL Center Ice. If it falls under the blackout rules why isn't it blackouted on both networks?
Don't get me wrong, I do alot of traveling and LOVE to listen to Mike Lange's braodcasts in hotel rooms, but when i'm home i want to watch it on tv (especialy when i pay premiums for two NHL services).
In the case of last nights game against the wings i watched it online at www.livetv.ru/