FSNMidwest

[bailorg]

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Robster95 wrote:

I talked to a well informed lady from U-verse yesterday.  U-verse has more customers than just the St. Louis area.  If U-Verse purchases the 20 games from fsmw then all of U-Verse customers must pay a price increase for these games.  All customers would include customers across the United States.  The St. Louis market is a small market compared to other markets carrying U-Verse.  These markets do not want a price increase for us to see 20 more Cardinals games.  They could care less about the Cardinals.  I would pay a couple of extra dollars to see all the games but that would not be fair to other cities.  U-Verse makes a one-size-fits-all deal with fsmw and refuses to pass the cost on to other markets that doesn't care about the Cardinals.  U-verse believes that they would lose more customers overall if they raised the price for all customers across the board.

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Keep this in mind: U-verse is the ONLY provider in the St. Louis metro area who has not settled with FSMW. This includes both relatively small providers almost no one has heard of, the cash-strapped Charter Communications, and nationwide providers DirecTV and the reputedly tight-fisted (when it comes to sports anyway) Dish Network.

To me anyway, this implies that the amount FSMW is asking for is not the exorbinant, customer-burdening amount that AT&T reps seem to be claiming.  

[cletus284]

Add me to the list of unhappy customers.  I've had Uverse for about 3 years, but I am now seriously considering switching after the constant price increases and now these blacked out Cardinals games.  It's really a shame as I have been very happy with my Uverse services, but I pay good money to watch TV, and expect to get the Cardinals games.  If AT&T won't do it, then I'll go with someone who can.

[Skitt5]

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donmc wrote:

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Robster95 wrote:

I talked to a well informed lady from U-verse yesterday.  U-verse has more customers than just the St. Louis area.  If U-Verse purchases the 20 games from fsmw then all of U-Verse customers must pay a price increase for these games.  All customers would include customers across the United States.  The St. Louis market is a small market compared to other markets carrying U-Verse.  These markets do not want a price increase for us to see 20 more Cardinals games.  They could care less about the Cardinals.  I would pay a couple of extra dollars to see all the games but that would not be fair to other cities.  U-Verse makes a one-size-fits-all deal with fsmw and refuses to pass the cost on to other markets that doesn't care about the Cardinals.  U-verse believes that they would lose more customers overall if they raised the price for all customers across the board.

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didn't they just have an across the board increase?

Sounds like we to are helping pay for the other Fox Sports stations too

which are also BLACKED OUT in our area. Like Sunday when the Cardinals were

on Fox Sports Prime Time and we could not view it.

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I agree. We did just have an increase if we wanted to go to the premium tier. AT&T knew at the time of that "offer" that they would not be carrying the 20 games but told us we couldn't see the Cardinals unless we purchased the premium tier. We are never able to see any of the other games anyway no matter where we live. It always says, "blacked out in your area." An AT&T employee told me I couldn't watch the Cubs because they were in my area. I live in Little Rock. Amazing! At least with Comcast if you purchase the sports package, you are never blacked out of any game in that package. AT&T blacked me out of ESPN two years ago.

[Skitt5]

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S827 wrote:
I called att Saturday to cancel. Already had install dates set up with other providers and after given several discounts I was told that negoiations are in the works and a deal is close. Probably before the end of the week. So I am staying. For now, but would like to know if I was being told the truth and if any progress has been made. I loved uverse services but would have never used them if Dish hadn't done the same thing with the Blues games. I left Dish and will do the same again.

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I hope you are right. I called early last week and was told it would all be worked out by Friday. Friday has come and gone, however. I, like you, will give them the benefit of the doubt at least through this Friday. Thanks for the info.

[donmc]

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Robster95 wrote:

I talked to a well informed lady from U-verse yesterday.  U-verse has more customers than just the St. Louis area.  If U-Verse purchases the 20 games from fsmw then all of U-Verse customers must pay a price increase for these games.  All customers would include customers across the United States.  The St. Louis market is a small market compared to other markets carrying U-Verse.  These markets do not want a price increase for us to see 20 more Cardinals games.  They could care less about the Cardinals.  I would pay a couple of extra dollars to see all the games but that would not be fair to other cities.  U-Verse makes a one-size-fits-all deal with fsmw and refuses to pass the cost on to other markets that doesn't care about the Cardinals.  U-verse believes that they would lose more customers overall if they raised the price for all customers across the board.

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Did the well informed lady say if other markets were getting only 132 games?

I thought that FSMW charges a cable company a per subscriber rate.

If other areas are getting more games than we are and paying the same price

we are the ones getting cheated.

[costanza]

Are AT&T and FSMW in any kind of serious discussion trying to resolve this matter?

Not hearing any news about this.

[kryptonite]

Donmc, keep in mind that various teams have their own TV deals. One baseball team could be on FSN 110 times a year, while another could be on 155 times per year.

Constaza, it's very rare you'll hear anything until a deal is done. This is typical of all providers and all contract renewals.

Sales reps don't know something if it isn't in front of them. They're not privy to negotiations taking place between corporate suits.

And finally, if it was my team in my area, would you all want to pay more so I could watch my team?

[kryptonite]

Skitt.. You are probably referring to MLB Extra Innings which AT&T does not have. The sports pack is typically national channels that carry niche sports that AT&T feels ask too much for what they seem to be worth.

[katjo]

We've waited for 3 years to get rid of our satellite dish and have U-Verse installed.  Now, we are so disappointed to learn that all of the Cardinal Baseball games are not being televised by U-Verse, even though they are being broadcast by FS-MW.  Wish we would have known that before making the switch - our baseball is very important to us!  My husband is now planning on going back to satellite when our contract with AT&T is up.  Yes, he's that upset by this!!

[Dread Pirate Ro…]

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katjo wrote:

We've waited for 3 years to get rid of our satellite dish and have U-Verse installed.  Now, we are so disappointed to learn that all of the Cardinal Baseball games are not being televised by U-Verse, even though they are being broadcast by FS-MW.  Wish we would have known that before making the switch - our baseball is very important to us!  My husband is now planning on going back to satellite when our contract with AT&T is up.  Yes, he's that upset by this!!

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It's only 20 games, and 3 have been played already. THere is a list of games in this thread.

DPR

[texasguy37 ACE - Champion]

Actually, 5 of the 20 games in dispute have been played.  Thus, there are 15 disputed games for the remainder of the season.

[cddoyon]

.....but who's counting????  We still aren't getting what we have been paying for!!!!  

Be sure to call customer service and complain.  I received a discount of $15 for the next 12 months.  Obviously I would prefer to have the games, but I didn't turn down the $180 bucks!  The 3rd of the 4 CSR's I spoke with did tell me that they are asking their supervisors to pass this up the line - hoping that the situation can still be resolved.....

[Dread Pirate Ro…]

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cddoyon wrote:

.....but who's counting????  We still aren't getting what we have been paying for!!!!  

Be sure to call customer service and complain.  I received a discount of $15 for the next 12 months.  Obviously I would prefer to have the games, but I didn't turn down the $180 bucks!  The 3rd of the 4 CSR's I spoke with did tell me that they are asking their supervisors to pass this up the line - hoping that the situation can still be resolved.....

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I don't think uv is going to pay the extra money they want uv to pay for the games. It's a not done deal. Talk about getting what you pay for, UV is not getting what they pay for and based on that, you are getting what you paid for. They want extra $$ to show those 20 games. Would you pay more? Good job on begging for free stuff, the American way. You make a pirate proud!!

DPR

[donmc]

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kryptonite wrote:
Donmc, keep in mind that various teams have their own TV deals. One baseball team could be on FSN 110 times a year, while another could be on 155 times per year.

Constaza, it's very rare you'll hear anything until a deal is done. This is typical of all providers and all contract renewals.

Sales reps don't know something if it isn't in front of them. They're not privy to negotiations taking place between corporate suits.

And finally, if it was my team in my area, would you all want to pay more so I could watch my team?

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If other teams are on FSM more than 132 times, I am already paying for more than I am getting.

The logic of not adding 20 games because others may have to pay more is only valid if we all

get the same number of games.

[dwinth]

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donmc wrote:

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kryptonite wrote:
Donmc, keep in mind that various teams have their own TV deals. One baseball team could be on FSN 110 times a year, while another could be on 155 times per year.

Constaza, it's very rare you'll hear anything until a deal is done. This is typical of all providers and all contract renewals.

Sales reps don't know something if it isn't in front of them. They're not privy to negotiations taking place between corporate suits.

And finally, if it was my team in my area, would you all want to pay more so I could watch my team?

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If other teams are on FSM more than 132 times, I am already paying for more than I am getting.

The logic of not adding 20 games because others may have to pay more is only valid if we all

get the same number of games.

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There has never been a time when every Major League team had the same number of games telecast. I remember as a kid  the Cardinals telecasting about 30 road games while the Cubs would telecast over 100 games on WGN both road and home. For a time there were not any telecasts of the Milwaukee Braves. The Dodger and the Giants were on pay per view after they moved to California.

The contracts to determine how many games are to be telecast are between the team and the television provider entity be it YES, a Fox RSN, a Comcast RSN, or local over the air channels.

The number of games to be telecast is not between the team and the cable, digital, or satellite provider per se. However, that number to be made available from the original amount can be altered by the television provider entity and/or the cable, digital, or satellite provider. We see that in the case of Fox Sports Midwest vs. U-Verse.

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Owning a computer and not having the internet is like buying a refrigerator and not stocking it with food.

[texasguy37 ACE - Champion]

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donmc wrote:

If other teams are on FSM more than 132 times, I am already paying for more than I am getting.

The logic of not adding 20 games because others may have to pay more is only valid if we all

get the same number of games.

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The number of games that appear on a team's RSN vary greatly.  The Texas Rangers games are as follows:

129 games:  FSSW

24 games:    Local broadcast channel

1 game:       ESPN Sunday Night

6 games:      Fox

2 games:      Not broadcast

Of course the games on FSSW may be reduced if some of the Sunday games are selected by ESPN as the season goes on.

[dwinth]

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texasguy37 wrote:

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donmc wrote:

If other teams are on FSM more than 132 times, I am already paying for more than I am getting.

The logic of not adding 20 games because others may have to pay more is only valid if we all

get the same number of games.

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The number of games that appear on a team's RSN vary greatly.  The Texas Rangers games are as follows:

129 games:  FSSW

24 games:    Local broadcast channel

1 game:       ESPN Sunday Night

6 games:      Fox

2 games:      Not broadcast

Of course the games on FSSW may be reduced if some of the Sunday games are selected by ESPN as the season goes on.

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The Cardinals are scheduled to appear as follows:

152 games:    Fox Sports Midwest   (includes the 20 games blacked out on U-Verse)

9 games:        Fox

1 game:         ESPN Sunday Night

0 games:        local

________

162 games total

If any of you have the time, please give us a similar breakdown of your local team. It would be interesting to compare.

I wish St. Louis still had local telecasts. We went from 40 on KSDK Channel 5 in 2008, to 20 Sundays in 2009 and 2010, to none this year.

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[robson1]

All,

Does anyone know if AT Uverse televises the Cardinals games through FS Midwest in the Bentonville/Rogers/Springdale/Fayettville Arkansas area? - I see that it is on the premium HD tier, but I currently have Cox cable here and they black out Cardinals games on FSN and televise it on a sstandard def Cox channel (39) with no HD equivilent.  I want to get ATT uverse, even though the 20 games are blacked out, it's my only way to see the Cards in HD!  But I'm concerned they do something similar to Cox here and no one from ATT and give me an answer!

[texasguy37 ACE - Champion]

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robson1 wrote:

All,

Does anyone know if AT Uverse televises the Cardinals games through FS Midwest in the Bentonville/Rogers/Springdale/Fayettville Arkansas area? - I see that it is on the premium HD tier, but I currently have Cox cable here and they black out Cardinals games on FSN and televise it on a sstandard def Cox channel (39) with no HD equivilent.  I want to get ATT uverse, even though the 20 games are blacked out, it's my only way to see the Cards in HD!  But I'm concerned they do something similar to Cox here and no one from ATT and give me an answer!

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What is your zip code?  You can enter your zip code in the link below to see which local RSN's you will receive and which teams games will not be blacked out in your market.

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

[robson1]

Thanks, looks like Cardinals but no Royals...

[robson1]

Anyone know if the 20 Cardinals games are blacked out only in St. Louis area, or are they blacked out anywhere ATT Uverse carries FS-Midwest games?

[kryptonite]

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robson1 wrote:

Anyone know if the 20 Cardinals games are blacked out only in St. Louis area, or are they blacked out anywhere ATT Uverse carries FS-Midwest games?

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You must live in Cardinals territory (as defined by Major League Baseball) in order to receive Cardinals games. 

There may be some parts of the country semi-near to St. Louis where viewers can see Cardinals games on FS Midwest by receiving the HD Premium Tier.  For example, I live in Central Ohio.  My regional channel is Fox Sports Ohio.  I am in the territory of the Cincinnati Reds (FS Ohio) and Cleveland Indians (Sports Time Ohio).  However, MLB also defines us as Pirates territory.  If I get the HD Premium Tier, I can also get Pirates games.

Now, i'm thinking there are people in the area between Chicago and St. Louis, and maybe other parts of the country, that could get Cardinals games on FS Midwest by paying for the HD Premium Tier, in addition to Cubs & White Sox games on WGN Chicago.

You just posed a very interesting question.  However, I would assume the answer is that those games would also be blacked out..but once again, someone who would fit that description would have to tell us for sure.

[donmc]

Another Sunday of Cardinals being blacked out on U-verse.

I am so sorry I switched from Charter to ATT. My agreement

expires in November, I can't wait.

[texasguy37 ACE - Champion]

Yes, today's blackout was expected and is not a surprise.  It is one of the 20 games in dispute listed earlier in this thread.

[johnryan55]

Very disappointed that myself and colleagues switched to uverse to find out that 20 games would not be carried.  The local cable competition in STL will carry these games.  I would hope AT&T would step up and get on with what the consumer is demanding and do what's right.

[dwinth]

Tomorrow night's game is blacked out too.

Monday, May 2 Florida (7 p.m.)
Friday, May 13 at Cincinnati (6 p.m.)
Sunday, May 15 at Cincinnati (12 p.m.)
Sunday, May 22 at Kansas City (1 p.m.)
Sunday, June 12 at Milwaukee (1 p.m.)
Tuesday, June 14 at Washington (6 p.m.)
Wednesday, June 22 Philadelphia (7 p.m.)
Thursday, June 23 Philadelphia (7 p.m.)
Sunday, June 26 Toronto (1 p.m.)
Sunday, July 10 Arizona (1 p.m.)
Sunday, July 17 at Cincinnati (12 p.m.)
Sunday, August 7at Florida (12 p.m.)
Sunday, August 14 Colorado (1 p.m.)
Sunday, September 4 Cincinnati (1 p.m.)

[homebord]

I totally agree with your disappointment.  I can tell that those making this decision are not from St. Louis.  They are willing to save money by not signing the contract for more games and yet they are also willing to have att users decide to go elsewhere. 

[costanza]

How Did ATT decide which games would be blacked out? Is it purely random? Or is there a plan.

I notice 4 of these games are against heated rival Cincinnati. I think they're using that as a hammer.

[texasguy37 ACE - Champion]

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costanza wrote:

How Did ATT decide which games would be blacked out? Is it purely random? Or is there a plan.

I notice 4 of these games are against heated rival Cincinnati. I think they're using that as a hammer.

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AT&T did not chose the 20 games.  FSMW chose 20 games that they would request additional fees above the existing contract amount from the TV providers.  How FSMW decided what those 20 games would be is a question for FSMW.

[oufanindallas]

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homebord wrote:

I totally agree with your disappointment.  I can tell that those making this decision are not from St. Louis.  They are willing to save money by not signing the contract for more games and yet they are also willing to have att users decide to go elsewhere. 

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You are wrong, AT&T has a signed contract with FSMW, FSMW is demanding MORE money than orginally agreed.  FSMW is the one who is in breech of contract.  Complain to the greedy folks as FSMW.