Broadcast Schedule Issues Start Now

by Guinness on May 18, 2008 10:35 AM EDT

So, this is the last weekend for a while where we are able to watch the Rays on TV without a blackout on a Satruday or Sunday. Over the next 5 weeks, there are 6 Saturday and Sunday games that aren't on TV (in the Tampa market, even with MLB package). Most are home games, which might mean the intention is to get people our of their living rooms and into the stadium. Why exactly does this happen and how do they choose which games to broadcast and which not?

This post was written by a member of the DRaysBay community and does not necessarily express the views or opinions of DRaysBay staff.

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The national TV deal with FOX stipulates all games that start before a certain time (7pm et?) are blacked out on Saturday on the MLB packages. The other games.. I don’t know.

Longlorious.

by RATW on May 18, 2008 11:14 AM EDT reply actions

OK, if that’s the case, why would we move the start times on those Saturday games from 7:10 to 6:10 when the result is the game not being available on local TV?

by Guinness on May 18, 2008 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah that's bizarre

Grrr FOX sucks so much.

by phil333 on May 18, 2008 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Post-game concerts usually draw bigger crowds?

"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena

by R.J. Anderson on May 18, 2008 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions

That's exactly it

They’ve moved the start times back to accommodate the summer concert series.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on May 19, 2008 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Haven’t the Rays always had 6:10 start times on Saturday? I’ve had Extra Innings for three or four years now and virtually never get the Saturday home games. I can’t speak for the local broadcasts.

Longlorious.

by RATW on May 18, 2008 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Na, 7:10 most games.

"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena

by R.J. Anderson on May 18, 2008 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Ah, I’ve confused myself since I’m in a different time zone.. so I’ll just shut up now.

Longlorious.

by RATW on May 18, 2008 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions

They were always 7:10 last year.

And I think it’s not as much an issue of the size of the crowds, but the fact that it is tough to market these concerts to fans in outlying areas such as Orlando if they know they will get home well after midnight. It’s too much at this point to expect them to get hotels.

by GomesSweetGomes on May 18, 2008 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm hoping for a TBS pickup

June 15 vs. Florida

by Orlando Rays on May 18, 2008 1:11 PM EDT reply actions

Get a Slingbox

There is also software that lets you re-route your IP address.

by GomesSweetGomes on May 18, 2008 2:18 PM EDT reply actions

So, if i reroute my IP address, i can use the MLB TV?

by Guinness on May 18, 2008 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions

You may have to change your account settings

I think they check both IP and CC billing address. So if you’re hellbent on getting around their system I think the way to do it is a prepaid credit card (or the card of a friend that is in the location you want to be) and a proxy server. I have never tried myself as I only live a few miles from the stadium and go to most every game anyways, but I feel your pain.

http://www.oaklandfans.com/discus/messages/36/5489.html?1094264723

by GomesSweetGomes on May 18, 2008 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions