The new Brdcast deal and SC viewers

[ohara831]

Ha Ha!! We must have quite a few of us Bobcat fans here in the Upstate, at least more than just CMc$ and myself. As you might know from yesterday's rants that CMc$ and I had, we in the Upstate did not get the Minn game last night on FSNSouth. No, we got the Best Damn Catches and some other crap they wanted to show, not the Bobcats. I looked ahead for tonight on SportsSouth, and they have planned a college Baseball game for Georgia Tech.

Well, I called and spoke with the good folks at Charter Communications, the cable company in the Upstate. After going through a heck of a lot of red tape, I finallly got a live person. I politely explained the situation, and said that if they were intent on having the Upstate cable system married to Atlanta sports teams and not Charlotte, even though we are 2x closer to Charlotte than Atlanta, then to let me know then and there. I would just call up Dish Direct and get back on the dish and tell them to come get their cable boxes from my trashcan. Their reply:

Sir. We were "flooded" with calls from the Upstate of South Carolina all last night. Complaints were that the Bobcat game was to be televised on FSN South, but was not. We have fixed the problem. You will get the game vs the Knicks on tonight on SportSouth, and the next games set for FSN South should be shown in your area.

"Flooded" I thought. "Flooded" with calls"! Well, hell yeah!! It isn't just me and CMc$ up here; we must have several Bobcat fans up here. Good job mgmnt, if you can just manage to actually show us the games, I bet you will see a lot more show to the arena as we are only 1 hr away. Let people see the games, develope a love for the team, and they will come to the arena. If you show the masses the Bobcats, the masses will come to the arena.

Well, I wanted to share this bit of good news with you fine Bobcat fans. Hopefully, the person I spoke with on the phone was not yanking my chain. Beleive me, if I turn on SportsSouth tonight and see Georgia Tech baseball and not Bobcat basketball, you will see some very irate posts going up on Threads tonight by this fan. Hopefully, all there will be is "Hey, it's showing." and then "Man, we whipped some Knick butt tonight. Did you see J-Rich hit for 40? "

[Mustachio]

thats unexpected... but cool

[spectre]

Heh, amazing how quick those guys react when you threaten them with the competition.

Good deal Ohara!

[supadiscofly]

Thanks for your post! I also live in the upstate and was upset when the game wasn't on last night. I didn't get the chance to call Charter and complain yet, but I'm certainly glad that others did. I, like you, will be anxiously awaiting to see if the game is on tonight.

[Muttley]

This is good news. Way to take care of business O'Hara.

For those who are worried about FSN carrying it when their guide says different, I wouldn't worry any longer. If they say it's airing, then it'll air, or they'll be "flooded" with calls again. The guide hear in Raleigh still says non-Bobcats shows will be airing at that time, but the Bobcats game will be on. I hope they play their asses off for the masses, so everyone can realize that they will enjoy the product if they tune in.

[spectre]

This is good news. Way to take care of business O'Hara.

For those who are worried about FSN carrying it when their guide says different, I wouldn't worry any longer. If they say it's airing, then it'll air, or they'll be "flooded" with calls again. The guide hear in Raleigh still says non-Bobcats shows will be airing at that time, but the Bobcats game will be on. I hope they play their asses off for the masses, so everyone can realize that they will enjoy the product if they tune in.


Muttley are you in the city proper? Maybe a better question...do you have TWC or a satellite? I'm about 20 miles west of Raleigh and 1) I'm not blacked out and 2) the game last night showed up on a FSN alternate station on DISH but was blacked out. I was able to see the Bobcat's feed via LP however.

[ReesieNCPantherCatfan1]

+1 Stick it to em Ohara! I think this new deal will help with the overall popularity of the Bobcats, and give them that many more fans, and to alienate fans in SC is just negligent. I am glad the squeaky wheel is getting the grease.

Ha Ha!! We must have quite a few of us Bobcat fans here in the Upstate, at least more than just CMc$ and myself. As you might know from yesterday's rants that CMc$ and I had, we in the Upstate did not get the Minn game last night on FSNSouth. No, we got the Best Damn Catches and some other crap they wanted to show, not the Bobcats. I looked ahead for tonight on SportsSouth, and they have planned a college Baseball game for Georgia Tech.

Well, I called and spoke with the good folks at Charter Communications, the cable company in the Upstate. After going through a heck of a lot of red tape, I finallly got a live person. I politely explained the situation, and said that if they were intent on having the Upstate cable system married to Atlanta sports teams and not Charlotte, even though we are 2x closer to Charlotte than Atlanta, then to let me know then and there. I would just call up Dish Direct and get back on the dish and tell them to come get their cable boxes from my trashcan. Their reply:

Sir. We were "flooded" with calls from the Upstate of South Carolina all last night. Complaints were that the Bobcat game was to be televised on FSN South, but was not. We have fixed the problem. You will get the game vs the Knicks on tonight on SportSouth, and the next games set for FSN South should be shown in your area.

"Flooded" I thought. "Flooded" with calls"! Well, hell yeah!! It isn't just me and CMc$ up here; we must have several Bobcat fans up here. Good job mgmnt, if you can just manage to actually show us the games, I bet you will see a lot more show to the arena as we are only 1 hr away. Let people see the games, develope a love for the team, and they will come to the arena. If you show the masses the Bobcats, the masses will come to the arena.

Well, I wanted to share this bit of good news with you fine Bobcat fans. Hopefully, the person I spoke with on the phone was not yanking my chain. Beleive me, if I turn on SportsSouth tonight and see Georgia Tech baseball and not Bobcat basketball, you will see some very irate posts going up on Threads tonight by this fan. Hopefully, all there will be is "Hey, it's showing." and then "Man, we whipped some Knick butt tonight. Did you see J-Rich hit for 40? "

[King Taharqa]

Thats messed up your cable providers had you linked to ATL sports. So much for Carolina pride. Glad you guys got it fixed.

[Muttley]

This is good news. Way to take care of business O'Hara.

For those who are worried about FSN carrying it when their guide says different, I wouldn't worry any longer. If they say it's airing, then it'll air, or they'll be "flooded" with calls again. The guide hear in Raleigh still says non-Bobcats shows will be airing at that time, but the Bobcats game will be on. I hope they play their asses off for the masses, so everyone can realize that they will enjoy the product if they tune in.


Muttley are you in the city proper? Maybe a better question...do you have TWC or a satellite? I'm about 20 miles west of Raleigh and 1) I'm not blacked out and 2) the game last night showed up on a FSN alternate station on DISH but was blacked out. I was able to see the Bobcat's feed via LP however.



I am in the city proper, and I have TWC. I did just notice that the TWC guide has the game listed correctly tonight. There was no blackout or anything. The only potential blackout in my house last night was the one that I would have had if we lost that game.

So, from what you're saying, do you foresee being blacked-out a lot? That would suck if you would still have to get LP (or find a link online) to view the game.

[CMc$]

I've been wanting to comment on this thread all day. I'm a little to scared to post at work during the day . . .

ohara is my new favorite member on bobcatsplanet. not only is he a neighbor practically, but he also takes the cable company on when we get the shaft from fsn and the organization. He and I were quite irate on the boards yesterday at having our excitement at the TV deal completely crushed when we turned on the tv that night.

I hope that Charter Communications knows what they are talking about when they are telling you that we are on the way to getting the games. I will be skeptical until it happens.

Although if it turns out we are not going to get the games it will completely blow me away. Every know and then I see the Carolina Hurricanes (3 plus hours away), the thrashers (2.5), braves (2.5) and once in a blue moon, the hawks (2.5). I'm sure if we do get the shaft we could go to FSN about it. Have them rethink their viewing boundaries or whatever.

[ohara831]

Keep hope alive! We will know in short order if we have the game or not. I'm ready to post like an irate mad man if we get shafted!

[spectre]

This is good news. Way to take care of business O'Hara.

For those who are worried about FSN carrying it when their guide says different, I wouldn't worry any longer. If they say it's airing, then it'll air, or they'll be "flooded" with calls again. The guide hear in Raleigh still says non-Bobcats shows will be airing at that time, but the Bobcats game will be on. I hope they play their asses off for the masses, so everyone can realize that they will enjoy the product if they tune in.


Muttley are you in the city proper? Maybe a better question...do you have TWC or a satellite? I'm about 20 miles west of Raleigh and 1) I'm not blacked out and 2) the game last night showed up on a FSN alternate station on DISH but was blacked out. I was able to see the Bobcat's feed via LP however.



I am in the city proper, and I have TWC. I did just notice that the TWC guide has the game listed correctly tonight. There was no blackout or anything. The only potential blackout in my house last night was the one that I would have had if we lost that game.

So, from what you're saying, do you foresee being blacked-out a lot? That would suck if you would still have to get LP (or find a link online) to view the game.


I dunno. I think I'm out of the blackout ring they did have which allowed me to get it on LP before (good thing), but that might reverse on me in this case. I'm going to contact DISH before I re-up next season.

Heh, either way I'm gonna see the games!

Be nice to lose that 180$ per year though.

[ohara831]

UNREAL!!! They are showing the UGA vs Ga. Tech College Baseball game!!!!!!! Kick me in the nuts and end my misery!!

[ohara831]

I just spent 20 minutes on the phone with Charter Communications. Now they say they are not showing the Bobcat games. I told her that I have 4 cable boxes and pay them $190.00 / month. I will call them tomorrow to cancel and come get their crap and I will have Dish Direct out here ASAP. I wash my hands of those lying SOB's

[CMc$]

I just spent 20 minutes on the phone with Charter Communications. Now they say they are not showing the Bobcat games. I told her that I have 4 cable boxes and pay them $190.00 / month. I will call them tomorrow to cancel and come get their crap and I will have Dish Direct out here ASAP. I wash my hands of those lying SOB's


Make sure the Dish FSN is showing the games before you cancel. It could just be the region period.

Try and think of it as not being that bad, we didn't have the games before, we don't have them now.

[ohara831]

I'm going to confirm that tomorrow, CMc$. No use bitching about it if it is the Bobcats issue. I'll be pissed to the hilt!

[dnbman]

I feel your SC pain from down here in the Midlands. Same deal.

What's worse, I actually got a lot of games on that WCTV or whatever it was. Now, I'm unsure if I'll get any! Ugh! ???

I'll guess I surf the internet and see if I "stumble" across a live feed. :g:

[ohara831]

I posted a letter to Michael at the BobcatsReport site and also e-mailed the Bobcats themselves about this. I am asking them to check into it and see if this is a Regional matter and the Upstate is just screwed or what. I have asked them to help us in any way possible since we are Bobcat fans and need their help. What Mr. Whitfield said about both North and South Carolina getting access to the games would be great if it were true, and any help they can provide in making it true would be appreciated.

Hopefully, I get a reply.

It might help if any of you also send them a letter at Bobcats.com about helping with this deal to see if we can get a larger number of fans access to the games. That can only help the team, so it is in their interest.

[dnbman]

I posted a letter to Michael at the BobcatsReport site and also e-mailed the Bobcats themselves about this. I am asking them to check into it and see if this is a Regional matter and the Upstate is just screwed or what. I have asked them to help us in any way possible since we are Bobcat fans and need their help. What Mr. Whitfield said about both North and South Carolina getting access to the games would be great if it were true, and any help they can provide in making it true would be appreciated.

Hopefully, I get a reply.

It might help if any of you also send them a letter at Bobcats.com about helping with this deal to see if we can get a larger number of fans access to the games. That can only help the team, so it is in their interest.


I'm hoping it's simply a timing issue: TWC had local deals worked out with those shows/teams, so programming could not be so quickly changed. (72 hours?)

Let's see if we see the last couple of games.

[TheBeagle]

Hmmmm. I wonder if anybody outside the Carolinas is getting Bobcats games now on the League Pass thingy. What I absolutely can't figure out is that this shouldn't be a TWC thing; I mean, they've absolved themselves out of any duty of airing Bobcats games now; they have the Arena naming rights and thats it, as far as I understand it, so that you don't need to be a TWC subscriber to get games anymore. It has to be something like what DNB is saying. Because, for some stupidasss reason, you guys in upstate SC are patched into Atlanta feeds, and maybe it just takes time to get the logistics of that situation straightened out. It's just so strange because, here south of Winston, the guide said UGA vs. GT baseball on SS like it did for you guys, but we got the Bobcats game because on News14 it had the Bobcats game listed, but was showing the news.

It just has to be your cable company, and whatever contracts they have with the Atlanta market that is keeping your from getting the games now.

If anybody is reading this: Are there any North Carolinians that are not getting the games now?

I wonder if even Rock Hill is getting the games?

*******

ohara, I've gotten to know Michael Thompson pretty well, so I'll email him directly for you and see what he knows. Believe me, this is important to him.

[CMc$]

Hmmmm. I wonder if anybody outside the Carolinas is getting Bobcats games now on the League Pass thingy. What I absolutely can't figure out is that this shouldn't be a TWC thing; I mean, they've absolved themselves out of any duty of airing Bobcats games now; they have the Arena naming rights and thats it, as far as I understand it, so that you don't need to be a TWC subscriber to get games anymore. It has to be something like what DNB is saying. Because, for some stupidasss reason, you guys in upstate SC are patched into Atlanta feeds, and maybe it just takes time to get the logistics of that situation straightened out. It's just so strange because, here south of Winston, the guide said UGA vs. GT baseball on SS like it did for you guys, but we got the Bobcats game because on News14 it had the Bobcats game listed, but was showing the news.

It just has to be your cable company, and whatever contracts they have with the Atlanta market that is keeping your from getting the games now.

If anybody is reading this: Are there any North Carolinians that are not getting the games now?

I wonder if even Rock Hill is getting the games?

*******

ohara, I've gotten to know Michael Thompson pretty well, so I'll email him directly for you and see what he knows. Believe me, this is important to him.


I'd like to send him an email too, would you mind posting it or sending me a pm with the address?

[CMc$]

Hmmmm. I wonder if anybody outside the Carolinas is getting Bobcats games now on the League Pass thingy. What I absolutely can't figure out is that this shouldn't be a TWC thing; I mean, they've absolved themselves out of any duty of airing Bobcats games now; they have the Arena naming rights and thats it, as far as I understand it, so that you don't need to be a TWC subscriber to get games anymore. It has to be something like what DNB is saying. Because, for some stupidasss reason, you guys in upstate SC are patched into Atlanta feeds, and maybe it just takes time to get the logistics of that situation straightened out. It's just so strange because, here south of Winston, the guide said UGA vs. GT baseball on SS like it did for you guys, but we got the Bobcats game because on News14 it had the Bobcats game listed, but was showing the news.

It just has to be your cable company, and whatever contracts they have with the Atlanta market that is keeping your from getting the games now.

If anybody is reading this: Are there any North Carolinians that are not getting the games now?

I wonder if even Rock Hill is getting the games?

*******

ohara, I've gotten to know Michael Thompson pretty well, so I'll email him directly for you and see what he knows. Believe me, this is important to him.


I'd like to send him an email too, would you mind posting it or sending me a pm with the address?


Nevermind, found it.

[ohara831]

Thanks Beagle! CMc$, send him one too to let him know you are being left out as well.

[ohara831]

I e-mail Fox Sports this moring also since that is where I was sent when looking up Sports South and FSN South. Between pleading with Michael Thompson, the Bobcats Organization and the network, maybe something will be done to help those of us abandoned in the "wilderness of South Carolina."

[Michael Thompson]

I know everyone is frustrated. I'm working to get answers. As soon as I get them I will share with you. I appreciate your patience.

[ohara831]

I know everyone is frustrated. I'm working to get answers. As soon as I get them I will share with you. I appreciate your patience.
__________________________________________________

God Bless You, Michael. Thank you for trying to help us out! You are very much appreciated!

[supadiscofly]

Michael, thanks for your help! We all want to make sure the right people know that there are many South Carolina fans out here who enjoy watching the games on television since we live a little too far to be able to go to a lot of them. Thanks also to my fellow South Carolina Bobcats fans who aren't letting this situation go.

I would be horribly disappointed to find out that we are no longer going to get to see the Bobcats on television. We only got a few games with the prior contract, but I did really enjoy them and was thankful for the ones I got to see.

[ohara831]

Michael, thanks for your help! We all want to make sure the right people know that there are many South Carolina fans out here who enjoy watching the games on television since we live a little too far to be able to go to a lot of them. Thanks also to my fellow South Carolina Bobcats fans who aren't letting this situation go.

I would be horribly disappointed to find out that we are no longer going to get to see the Bobcats on television. We only got a few games with the prior contract, but I did really enjoy them and was thankful for the ones I got to see.


_________________________________________________

+1 super Well said, and way to join the fight. We have to get the games on for the Upstate. And Michael will help if possible.

[Michael Thompson]

Alright. Here's what I know to be true at this point in time:

FSN South is committed to distributing Bobcats games to all Bobcats fans within the team’s television market. A variety of issues limited the distribution area for the five remaining games of the 2007-08 NBA season, but their intention is to make FSN South Bobcats games available to the Bobcats’ market throughout North and South Carolina in the 2008-09 season.

With regards to the Charter situation in Spartanburg, things are a bit more complicated. FSN South's affiliate group is working on it now and I will let you know what they're able to work out as soon as I hear.

I know this is of absolutely no comfort to our fans in the Upstate with regards to watching the Indiana game on Saturday, and for that I am truly sorry. Please know again that we are all working towards making our games available throughout South Carolina.

Below is the channel guide for Saturday's game against the Pacers at 7pm on FSN South:

Comporium in Rock Hill - Channel 29
Dish Network - Channel 452
DirecTV - Channel 633

And when I move to South Carolina in July (we're building a home there) I would love to host a watch party for my new Upstate neighbors (and maybe a few "northerners") next season.

[x2pacalypse]

mr. thompson do you know anything about the situation in southeastern NC with charter? im in hampstead which is close to wilmington but instead of TWC i get Charter and i only get FSN South, last night the knicks game wasn't on so im wondering if the bobcat's games are only going to come on for the FSN South or if they plan on putting the sportssouth ones on there too?

i noticed that somebody said braves come on sportssouth, but here they just put those games on FSN south so am wondering if they will do the same with the cats

[Michael Thompson]

Great question. I'm passing that along to my friends at FSN South and I'll let you know what I find out.

[ohara831]

Michael:

Thank you for what you are doing. I trust that you fine folks will help get this matter squared away for all of us in the Upstate.

By the way, on behalf of all of us here in the Upstate, we would love to meet you and do up a Bobcat party!

[Muttley]

Wow. No one here probably needs a reminder, but Bobcats fans are lucky as hell to have a guy like MT looking out for us.

Also, Watch Party sounds great.

[spectre]

Wow. No one here probably needs a reminder, but Bobcats fans are lucky as hell to have a guy like MT looking out for us.

Also, Watch Party sounds great.


Ditto...can't say it enough. Much appreciated Michael.

[CMc$]

Michael is the man. Whoever says the Bobcats don't reach out are either morons or ignorant. The fact he communicates to us posters and the many readers of the forum that don't post says alot about him as a person and the organization.

Michael, myself and so many of us appreciate it that you take the time to look into these things and communicate them.

[ohara831]

I got a response from Fox. I mentioned I wrote Fox Sports about the issue since they are parent company of SportsSouth and FSN South. Their response:
We appreciate your inquiry and want you to be satisfied. We do not get involved in Regional matters, though. Sorry.

Well, at least we have Michael and the Bobcat organization working on this for us.I'm keeping the faith!

[TheBeagle]

ohara, I've gotten to know Michael Thompson pretty well, so I'll email him directly for you and see what he knows. Believe me, this is important to him.
I told ya! You guys are right, he is the man!! And he's even better in person. He'll chat it up with you about what you think is right, what you think is wrong with the Bobcats. What are some changes you'd make, or like to see made. New Orleans might've stolen the Hornets, but we got sweet revenge by stealing Michael from New Orleans to Charlotte!

[supadiscofly]

Thanks for replying to all of us, Michael. Your message does comfort us South Carolina fans because we know someone is trying to work on the problem for us. We might miss out on the last few games this season, but we can look forward to everything hopefully being worked out for next season.

Thanks again!

[ohara831]

Update:

Michael e-mailed me an update tonight. He said that, ironically, the NO Hornets are having the same issue with Charter Communications. The wealthy suburbs are on the North side of Lake Pontchartrain, and that is Charter territory. They cannot get the Hornets games either.

Charter is being very much a pain for NBA fans, but he said they the Bobcats are determined to get this straightened out for us. Go Bobcats!

[CMc$]

Can anyone verify whether or not the Dish and Direct services are showing the Cats games on FSN South? I've been thinking about switching to them already. This would seal the deal.

[ohara831]

Can anyone verify whether or not the Dish and Direct services are showing the Cats games on FSN South? I've been thinking about switching to them already. This would seal the deal.
________________________________________________

With only 2 games left, I'm just going to wait and see if Michael and the Bobcats can get the issue with Charter straightened out. If they cannot, I will certainly try to change before next season begins.