Got a mailer from Comcast today in the Junk pile. Opened it up for shits and giggles. They claim that they have more HD channels and better HD quality than anyone else, including Verizon. (highly debatable) What caught my eye was a small section where they talked about Comcast Sportsnet, and how you couldn't get that HD programming ANYWHERE ELSE. This, apparently, is a marketing strategy for them, one that we've suspected all along but they've denied, since they claim to be trying to sell the channel to providers like DirectTV and Dish. I've completely given up hope that I'll be able to see Blazer games other than the few ones that trickle onto broadcast TV or TNT/ESPN. I lay this blame squarely on the shoulders of the Blazer Organization, which has had three years (THREE YEARS!!) to influence the situation and have done nothing except claim to be an innocent bystander, which is laughable. What happened to the online streaming option that teams were going to be allowed to make available, bypassing their broadcast commitments? Did that die a quick death at the hands of the lawyers? I haven't heard anything about that since it was announced. I love this team, and a generally love the organization, but them enabling this disaster for this long has put a serious dent in my unconditional love for the Blazers.
I'm not sure why Comcast doesn't offer the channel in HD to providers like Verizon. I think you are right. Comcast has no intent in offering the network unless they are willing to pay top dollar for it which no provider is willing to do. Comcast has either broke their promise with the blazers of trying to work out a deal with the other providers or the blazers knew all about what Comcast's plan was before they signed the agreement. In a sense, I have a tendency to believe the latter simply because you are not hearing much at all from the blazer organization. You would think they would be slightly upset about this. And that would have gotten out some how. However If it is the case, that they knew this was comcasts plan all along. Shame on the blazers. You have alienated a portion of your fan base.
seriously, is comcast that much more expensive? as far as the internet games, you can watch them on NBA.com with a league pass. As in, everyone wants your money, dummy...
I feel your pain brother! I finally made the switch this summer to Comcast so my family could see the games. I miss the DISH DVR, but other then that it's fine. It was tough, but worth it!
I have little sympathy for everyone the bitches about the comcast/blazer situation. I wish I could get the NFL Ticket but I'd have to ditch Comcast to get it.
When they had their online league pass trial at the start of the season last year, I wasn't able to watch a single game (out of five or so, IIRC) due to blackouts / crashed servers. And I don't want to pay for the rights to watch every NBA game when all I want is just 82 + 16 Blazers games.
well then, cough up the Comcast bill You're not going to buy exactly what you want and nothing more, with cable or internet or telephones. They're always going to sell you more than you exactly need, or charge you an arm and a leg. Do you really need XXXX minutes on your cell phone?
You don't know what your talking about. Most of the people that are complaining can't get Comcast. It's not about the money it is Comcast breaking the rules. The FCC gave Comcast the bandwidth to carry the CSNW with the stipulation that they barging in good faith with all providers especially Directv and Dish. I know I would pay for Comcast in a heartbeat if it was offered in my area. I would probably also keep Directv though. Directv and Dish have and could take Comcast to arbitration and win but it would cost them money and it isn't worth that much to them to spend the money on such as small market share of customers. Just because you can get Comcast doesn't mean shit and over half the people in Oregon and sw Washington can't even get Comcast if they wanted to.
As I understood from a previous discussion on the topic, you can get CSNW if you sign something saying you are more than 100miles from the rose garden or something, regardless of cable provider. I hadn't heard about the HD problem though. edit: the two people i was responding to, both claim to be in portland, so I'm pretty sure they CAN get comcast.
Here is a link to a article about FFC arbitration remedy in a similar case. The reason the FCC can do this is when they sell bandwidth to providers they have to negotiate in good faith or can have a arbitrator decide which between Directv or Dish and Comcast. Dish and Directv have used this before to win against Comcast but with CSNW being such a small market share it isn't worth the risk and money to take Comcast to arbitration on this. Here is a link and will try to find a better link when I have time: http://www.multichannel.com/article...V_Comcast_SportsNet_In_License_Fee_Battle.php
$60 a month for a bunch of crap I can already watch online legally and freely (through hulu, etc.)? no thanks. I'll just wait for ESPN360 to get its hands on the rights to more games, either that or the NBA to wake up and sell team based packages. In the meantime, long live justin.tv
Your ignorance on this subject is showing. i live 8miles from a Comcast service division between Albany and Corvallis. I am about 75 miles from the Rose Garden. Comcast won't/dosen't serve our lane about a mile long with 8 homes on it. Because Comcast will not negoiate with Directv or offer their service I am unable to watch most Blazer games either on TV or on the Internet. I am glad you can see the games if you want but I cant. I am going to buy my grandson a new Sling Box unit just so I can follow the games. Not much but at least I may get to see them on a small monitor.
