Switching back to comcast

[nyca5124]

after 2  days of having U-Verse.

I like many things about U-verse. However it infuriates me that all of the baseball games are blacked out.  one of the main reasons  I was willing to switch from Comcast was receiving the YES network, and all of the games are blacked out. And on other networks too. That is insane, and is certainly no way to offer sports programming.

So I'll have to switchback to comcast and my tivo. But at least I'll get what I'm paying for.

[skeeterintexas]

You've got to decide what is important to you and your family. 

Around here, we don't give a flip about baseball....now football...that's a whole other issue!

[trader71]

Everyone says the same thing about Uverse, I know alot of people that don't switch to it because they don't have MLB Network. 

[Dead_Terrorist]

Are you living in the Yankees Team Territory? If not, they you wouldn't get the Yankess from anyone unless you had MLB Extra innings which UV doesn't offer. If you do live in the Yankees territory, it could be you are blacked out in error.

While AT&T employees don't post on here, I know they monitor the site. In the past, folks have posted their zip codes and the blackout issue gets fixed. If you really want to stay with UV, give it a whirl. It can't hurt.

[nyca5124]

No, I live outside San Francisco. I think though that if they offer the networks, they should provide the full programming. The games are in the guide as well. There should at least be a disclaimer stating that games are not available. There are so many baseball channels where the games are blacked out.

I  do receive MLB extra innings through Comcast, but love YES, that's why I switched. I was led to believe I'd be able to watch the Yanks feed.

Comcast is coming tomorrow morning.

[texasguy37 ACE - Expert]

Good luck with Comcast!  You will be missed.

Here is the disclaimer:

Geographic and service restrictions apply to AT&T U-verse. Click here to see if you qualify. May be purchased in other packages for an additional monthly / yearly fee. *A monthly $10 HD Technology Fee applies for access to HD service. Channels not available in all areas. Pricing excludes taxes, fees, and other charges including city video cost-recovery fees where applicable. Prices, dates, and programming are subject to change. *Excludes programming subject to blackouts. Games subject to local blackout. Customers must subscribe to a U-verse programming package. †Channels/content available for viewing in Multiview are based on TV package and additional programming purchased. Occasional sports programming in HD is not available 24/7 and is subject to in-market availability and blackouts. Note: Access to out of market regional sports channels does not provide access to out of markets games.  Game availability is based on league guidelines and areas and are subject to blackout. ††Mobile Alerts: To opt out text STOP to 9696. Exclusively for AT&T Wireless customers. Video requires a 3G cell phone and unlimited data plan. Standard text messaging rates apply. Must be 18 or older to opt in.

[dhascall ACE - Master]

So you can watch the Yankees in California on Comcast via Yes?!  I understand MLB Network but don't all of the black out restrictions apply regardless of the provider?

[Dead_Terrorist]

YES Network has the most blackouts of any sports show. (The blackout out pre, post-game and even talking head shows) .

If you have MLB Extra Innings, then you knew you were payiing for the "rights" to view the Yankees. If you're an avid baseball fan, they you would know you can't watch the Yankees in SF without paying MLB their pound of flesh to see them.  UV Sports package in NOT an out of market sports package..  It's for CBS College Sports, Tennis Channel, HRTV, FOX College Sports (East, Central and Left Coast)...  the regional sports are just added bonus.. WITH NO PRO CONTENT... you'll get tons of college sports but no Pro.. 

It's hard to believe that someone who paid for MLB Extra Innings would think they would get the same programming without paying for it...  IMHO

BTW... there is a disclaimer -- "Games are subject to blackout rules"

[texasguy37 ACE - Expert]

---

Dead_Terrorist wrote:

YES Network has the most blackouts of any sports show. (The blackout out pre, post-game and even talking head shows) .

If you have MLB Extra Innings, then you knew you were payiing for the "rights" to view the Yankees. If you're an avid baseball fan, they you would know you can't watch the Yankees in SF without paying MLB their pound of flesh to see them.  UV Sports package in NOT an out of market sports package..  It's for CBS College Sports, Tennis Channel, HRTV, FOX College Sports (East, Central and Left Coast)...  the regional sports are just added bonus.. WITH NO PRO CONTENT... you'll get tons of college sports but no Pro.. 

It's hard to believe that someone who paid for MLB Extra Innings would think they would get the same programming without paying for it...  IMHO

BTW... there is a disclaimer -- "Games are subject to blackout rules" 

---

Be careful, DT!  That has always been my contention for those who identify themselves as "avid baseball fans"; however, others on the forum dispute that.  The casual baseball fan may not be aware of that, but I would expect that an avid fan would be.

[dhascall ACE - Master]

---

texasguy37 wrote:

---

---

Be careful, DT!  That has always been my contention for those who identify themselves as "avid baseball fans"; however, others on the forum dispute that.  The casual baseball fan may not be aware of that, but I would expect that an avid fan would be.

---

I hear ya but I still don't completely buy into that.  I still bet that an avid fan who has only had analog cable for years will salivate when they see Fox Wherever, Comcast Chicago, Yes and so on and see MLB, NHL etc games in the Guide only to be disappointed when those games are blacked out.  I don't know how else to publicize it other than to ensure that salesfolk are required to mention "do you know that professional games on most networks ate blacked out?"  When that happens, pigs will fly.

[texasguy37 ACE - Expert]

---

dhascall wrote:

---

I hear ya but I still don't completely buy into that.  I still bet that an avid fan who has only had analog cable for years will salivate when they see Fox Wherever, Comcast Chicago, Yes and so on and see MLB, NHL etc games in the Guide only to be disappointed when those games are blacked out.  I don't know how else to publicize it other than to ensure that salesfolk are required to mention "do you know that professional games on most networks ate blacked out?"  When that happens, pigs will fly.  

---

I doubt that an avid baseball fan would settle for analog cable if that does not give him an opportunity to access out of market baseball games.  I know it's hard for you to understand since you have described yourself as not being a baseball fan.  An avid fan wants to watch as much baseball as possible and is willing to take steps to make that happen. 

Any baseball fan, whether he is an avid fan or casual fan, has a period where he is not aware of the MLB blackout rules.  At some point he does become of aware of the MLB blackout rules and learns what can be done to gain access to out of market games.  If that fan purchases the MLB Extra Innings package, as the OP indicated that he has done in the pass, that fan has reached the point where he has gone from "not knowing" to "knowing".

[smcleod1106]

---

dhascall wrote:

---

texasguy37 wrote:

---

---

Be careful, DT!  That has always been my contention for those who identify themselves as "avid baseball fans"; however, others on the forum dispute that.  The casual baseball fan may not be aware of that, but I would expect that an avid fan would be.

---

I hear ya but I still don't completely buy into that.  I still bet that an avid fan who has only had analog cable for years will salivate when they see Fox Wherever, Comcast Chicago, Yes and so on and see MLB, NHL etc games in the Guide only to be disappointed when those games are blacked out.  I don't know how else to publicize it other than to ensure that salesfolk are required to mention "do you know that professional games on most networks ate blacked out?"  When that happens, pigs will fly.

---

Sorry I couldn't resist

[dhascall ACE - Master]

I do agree that many (but not all) know about the blackouts but still want to gripe and moan about it anyway.  And of course it is all AT&T's fault.  Right Paul?

[bedwards_1]

It's an interesting discussion.

I'm not a huge BB fan. I sometimes watch a game, but being an avid Football fan, I understand local market teams and black outs. I am always suprised when someone in SF, who can't watch a Yankee game,  complains about it. Local markets again. I am always suprised that some people think they get every BB game played across the old USA just because they have a sport package. If that was the case, would you NEED the much asked for MLB network?

[texasguy37 ACE - Expert]

---

bedwards wrote:

It's an interesting discussion.

I'm not a huge BB fan. I sometimes watch a game, but being an avid Football fan, I understand local market teams and black outs. I am always suprised when someone in SF, who can't watch a Yankee game,  complains about it. Local markets again. I am always suprised that some people think they get every BB game played across the old USA just because they have a sport package. If that was the case, would you NEED the much asked for MLB network?

---

I believe you meant MLB Extra Innings which is the out of market baseball package.

As an avid football fan you are aware of the NFL blackout rules, and I am sure you are also familiar with the NFL Sunday Ticket package, which is a Directv exclusive.  In a similar manner, I would expect an avid baseball fan to be familiar with the MLB blackout rules and the need for the MLB Extra Innings package to gain access to out of market games especially if they have purchased it from a previous TV provider.

[unhappybirthday]

---

texasguy37 wrote:

I believe you meant MLB Extra Innings which is the out of market baseball package.

As an avid football fan you are aware of the NFL blackout rules, and I am sure you are also familiar with the NFL Sunday Ticket package, which is a Directv exclusive.  In a similar manner, I would expect an avid baseball fan to be familiar with the MLB blackout rules and the need for the MLB Extra Innings package to gain access to out of market games especially if they have purchased it from a previous TV provider.

---

Does that mean when UVerse finally gets the MLB Network, we will get to hear everybody gripe about how they don't have MLB Extra Innings? Can't wait.

[kryptonite]

---

unhappybirthday wrote:

Does that mean when UVerse finally gets the MLB Network, we will get to hear everybody gripe about how they don't have MLB Extra Innings? Can't wait.

---

Considering that those two go hand-in-hand, I bet that when AT&T adds MLB Network, that they'll add MLB Extra Innings within that week, if not the same day.

Actually, AT&T needs to add EVERY channel except the adult channels.  I can't wait to see an onslaught of posters claim "You don't have Hot Choice! I'm switching back to cable!"

[texasguy37 ACE - Expert]

---

unhappybirthday wrote:

Does that mean when UVerse finally gets the MLB Network, we will get to hear everybody gripe about how they don't have MLB Extra Innings? Can't wait. 

---

Because of MLB's requirement linking the 2 together, I would expect that when we get the MLB Network the MLB Extra Innings package will be added also.

[JamesTheName]

Ok. If I remember correctly, the OP said that he did have MLB Extra Innings with his previous provider, before he came to Uverse. That's why he was able to watch the Yankees on YES. When he came over to Uverse, and I think this is the problem with many new subscribers, they see the listings on all the Sports Pack channels and all those baseball games on the schedule and reasonably think they can watch them. That maybe with Uverse, there is no blackouts because, there they are listed in the guide. Then when they find out they can't see them, they go a little ballistic. And of course, the CSR's and salespeople don't know or care what's really on the schedule, they're just there to sell. Maybe AT&T should instruct those people to tell customers who inquire about the Sports Pack that despite what they see in the guide, unless those games listed are in their region, they're blacked out. Sure they might sell less Sports Packs but, they just might keep customers from jumping ship if they know ahead of time that those games cannot be seen everywhere.

Yes, they could do research first before they come to Uverse but, not all people do. So what's wrong with telling them up front what's what. Being honest goes a long way.

[texasguy37 ACE - Expert]

---

JamesTheName wrote:

Ok. If I remember correctly, the OP said that he did have MLB Extra Innings with his previous provider, before he came to Uverse. That's why he was able to watch the Yankees on YES. When he came over to Uverse, and I think this is the problem with many new subscribers, they see the listings on all the Sports Pack channels and all those baseball games on the schedule and reasonably think they can watch them. That maybe with Uverse, there is no blackouts because, there they are listed in the guide. Then when they find out they can't see them, they go a little ballistic. And of course, the CSR's and salespeople don't know or care what's really on the schedule, they're just there to sell. Maybe AT&T should instruct those people to tell customers who inquire about the Sports Pack that despite what they see in the guide, unless those games listed are in their region, they're blacked out. Sure they might sell less Sports Packs but, they just might keep customers from jumping ship if they know ahead of time that those games cannot be seen everywhere.

Yes, they could do research first before they come to Uverse but, not all people do. So what's wrong with telling them up front what's what. Being honest goes a long way.

---

I'm not sure that I buy that.  I had Dish Network for 3 years prior to switching to U-verse in May 2009.  Dish also does not offer the MLB Extra Innings package; however, they do, like U-verse, offer a Sports Package which contains the out of market regional sports channels.  I consider myself an avid baseball fan, and I was aware of the MLB blackout rules. I saw the MLB games listed in the Guide on the out of market regional sports networks, but I knew that Dish did not offer the MLB Extra Innings package. I also did not assume that I could pay Dish $5/month (i.e. $60/year)  for it's Sports Package to see MLB games that would cost me $199/year on other providers.  Also, I would get all the NHL games and the NBA games on those out of market regional sports networks.  Wow!  What a steal that would have been.  I could pay Dish $60/year to get all the games that would cost me $600/year will other providers!  If I knew nothing else, the illogic of that would tell me that my thinking is off.

[oufanindallas]

Even with Extra Innings, the games aren't are their respective networks are they?  Wouldn't they be on separate channels like with the other sports packages?  I'm a baseball fan, but I'm a fan of the local team, Go Rangers, and I get to watch every one of their games on tv, that being said, when I wasn't living in their broadcast region I was not going to pay the $300 to watch them play.  I have better things to spend my money on than that.  I can understand for some it's a good deal, but not for me.

[jhibbs1009]

Back when I had DTV, I had MLB:EI for two seasons.  As I recall, the games did not show up on the RSN itself, but a separate grouping of channels that simulcasted the RSN for the length of the game.  I have had UV for 18 months now, so things may have changed.

Therefore, my theory is, anyone who came from another provider AND subscribed to MLB:EI would know this.  YMMV.

[CTEL08]

HOW ABOUT JUST MOVE BACK TO NEW YORK THEN DARN C*RPETBAGGER!!!!11

I keeeeed! good luck,

comcast has some good deals going on right now and they upped their game as far as HD goes for sure

id switch back if it wasnt such a pain setting up appointments and dealing with the miswired robots they call customer service and techs. + the technology advantage with uverse makes it easier to justify staying : THDVR, and built in wifi for mah intrawebzs

[RCSMG ACE - Expert]

Too bad the sales people aren't held accountable for bad or misinformation.  Too many people post how they were told by sales people that they could get channels, services, internet speeds, etc, and found out they couldn't.  As for channels and networks that UV doesn't carry, no system is perfect.  Subscription services are like cars.  Some have some cool features that others don't.  So we have to choose the services we like from the providers who offer them.  Complaining that UV doesn't have features that DTV or Comcast has is not reasonable.  How many people complain that GM has On Star and Chrysler doesn't?  It gets kind of ridiculous.  IMHO