Pirates/Rockies game Blacked-Out in Central Ohio

[gcotton]

We have always been able to view all of the Pirates games (including last night(4-8)), but for some reason tonights game on 1730 (RTPTHD) is shown as not available.  I thought maybe the game was on MLB, but they are showing CHIC @ MIL.

Anyone else notice this, or even care?  LOL!!!

[texasguy37 ACE - Champion]

Is Root Sports - Pittsburgh one of your local RSN's?

http://www.att.com/gen/sites/iptv?pid=13716

[gcotton]

No Roots isn't one of our RSN's.  But the Pirates have been/are considered one of our "local teams" here.  We were able to view the games since the start of the season up until last night (Sat).  They are not scheduled to be on Roots again until Tuesday, so I will have to check back then.

[texasguy37 ACE - Champion]

If you are not in Pittsburgh Pirates territory, the mistaken may have been not blacking out the games on Root Sports in your market.  That error may now be corrected.

[gcotton]

I just tried the RSN locator website and entered our zip (43123) and it is still showing that we should get the Pirates games.  We have the 450 package along with the HD tier.

[texasguy37 ACE - Champion]

Yes, with the HD Premium Tier Package you should receive the Pirates games on Root Sports - Pittsburgh (channel 1730).  So you are in the Pirates territory!

[gcotton]

Like I said, I will wait and see if we can view the game on Tuesday.  If it still says "Blacked Out", I will try the reboot, and hope that works.

[cbussteeler]

I am also in Central Ohio.  We should never be blacked out for the Pirates on Root Sports (former FSN Pittsburgh) in this area – the Pirates share this territory with the Indians and the Reds (a lot of people are not aware of this fact).

The same problem you described happened earlier in the week - they got the game back up in the later innings.  When I saw the issue happen again Saturday night, I engaged the black-out team - they got the game back up for the last inning or two.  They have indicated the problem should now be resolved - I will also watch closely on Tuesday to make sure the game is on in the Columbus area.  Let me know if anyone else has issues.

[joelifer]

Do let us know what happens on Tuesday. Strange things happen with Saturday games due to FOX carrying games and blackouts. Here is what MLB.tv says but the same rule should apply here I would think, "Due to Major League Baseball exclusivities, live games occurring each Saturday with a scheduled start time after 1:10 PM ET or before 7:05 PM ET and each Sunday with a scheduled start time after 5:00 PM ET will be blacked out in the United States."

You do have the Pirates as a local RSN though so I'm not sure if these are blacked out due to FOX carrying the game that day or them carrying another game and they decided to show that over the Pirates or something just got screwed up. I'm interested to see how this plays out.

[cbussteeler]

Thanks for the information.  The game last night started at 7:05 P.M. - Ch. 1730 cleared shortly after 9:30 after they fixed the issue.

[gcotton]

Thanks for the info.  After looking back a couple of times, I just gave up for the night.  Hope it is fixed tomorrow.

[panthers76]

I have had multiple games blacked out.  The first was on Tuesday 4/5  and the second was Saturday night.  The game tonight (4/14 Brewers) is on.   I have also experienced other "random" programming blackouts for pre-game or post-game shows for both Pirates and the Penguins.  I realize that the Penguins games should be blacked out, but I have always been able to watch the pre and post-game shows.  Also the rewind shows or replays are sometimes shown and sometimes blacked out.

When I called technical service I have received various responses.   Usually they try to convince me that they don't control blackouts, that it has to do with sell outs, etc.   But this never happened last year.  And it shouldn't never apply to programming that isn't actually games (e.g. pre or post-game shows).   I finally did get to a level 2 technician who admitted this shouldn't happen.   So he opened a case number on this.   But the next time it happened, I waited several hours to talk to level 3 support who opened a network ticket.

Even last time, the Penguins replay at midnight was blacked out but today the rewind show as on as was the Pirates pre-game and game.   So I am totally confused at this point what my expectations should be about seeing games and also very disappointed in the customer and technical support.

How do you get routed to the "blackout team" referred to in this thread?   It would be refreshing to actually talk to some support folks who understand their is an issue and actually work with you to resolve it.

Thanks.

[panthers76]

watched pre-game show and now Game is blacked out.   I have had no luck calling when this happens, I just get the same old song about blackouts or whatever..

Anybody know why?  Is this a legit blackout?

[cbussteeler]

If you are in Central Ohio and the game is aired on Root Sports (Ch. 1730), it should never be blacked out as that area is Pirates Territory. Call in and ask for at least a Tier 2 manager, they can then engage the black-out group to resolve the issue. I will be home in a little over an hour and if it is still blacked out, I will also check in to it.

[texasguy37 ACE - Champion]

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panthers76 wrote:

watched pre-game show and now Game is blacked out.   I have had no luck calling when this happens, I just get the same old song about blackouts or whatever..

Anybody know why?  Is this a legit blackout?

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What is your zip code?  Enter your zip code in the link below to see which RSN's and which teams games you should be able to view.

http://www.att.com/gen/sites/iptv?pid=13716

[panthers76]

The Pirates show as my home team.. I have watched every game this year save for a few in an April that this thread refers

to...

I am in Pickerington Ohio

It is just so painful to call in and discuss this because you rarely get a competent service rep

[cbussteeler]

I am checking in to it right now.

[panthers76]

Talking to a rep who is confirming the game is blacked out and apologizing but offering no rationale nor remedy..

now getting the story about Cardinal games being blacked out.. but this isn't a cardinal game?

these guys are clueless...

They never seem to get the fact that there might be a MISTAKE that the game is being blacked out.. they just try to placate you.. he is now saying I should buy the MLB package..

I hope somebody else is having better luck than me

[panthers76]

Ok - thanks. . I just struck out with my first attempt..

[cbussteeler]

It just came on about 6 minutes ago.  I will escalate for further information - looks to have been a scheduling problem.

[panthers76]

Thanks - watching it now.  Came on at a good time right as Bucs score 3 to take the lead. 

[cbussteeler]

Yes!  Another victory!  They are now 18 - 17.  I went over to the game on Sunday - a great game with the 3 run homer in the 8th....

[kryptonite]

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panthers76 wrote:

Talking to a rep who is confirming the game is blacked out and apologizing but offering no rationale nor remedy..

now getting the story about Cardinal games being blacked out.. but this isn't a cardinal game?

these guys are clueless...

They never seem to get the fact that there might be a MISTAKE that the game is being blacked out.. they just try to placate you.. he is now saying I should buy the MLB package..

I hope somebody else is having better luck than me

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And upon trying to buy the MLB package?? errr..wait a minute.

AT&T, DirecTV, Dish Network, and i'm sure a lot of other companies are all the same way -- the customer service people may not necessarily subscribe to the service for which they offer help.

For example, there's a company in the southern Hilliard area known as Teleperformance.  They offer, among other things, tech support for Verizon FiOS.  Guess what?  FiOS isn't available in Central Ohio.