Television schedule is out

[Michael Thompson]

http://www.nba.com/bobcats/television_schedule_0809.html

[chabber]

This is great!! Thanks Michael.

Now give us HD games! ;) ......Always wanting something aren't we. :p

[Dead_Real]

^Not to much to ask at all had my first taste of Basketball in HD during Team USA play nothing like it :)

Sounds good glad we'll get to see three preseason games on TV.

[chabber]

There are tons of HD games on league pass with DirecTV eaton. It's a beautiful thing really. FSN and SS both have HD versions of their channels on DTV so I know their is definitely opportunity for it if they have the equipment.

[ohara831]

Michael: Did you guys get the issue resolved with Charter Communications in the Upstate of SC? Remember they were not showing us the games on FSN and SS. Please tell me the Bobcats worked that out with the cable company.

[Muttley]

The link Michael provided mentions the addition of "Bobcats LIVE," half-hour long pre-game and post-game shows that will offer several things for us Bobcats fans, including LB's postgame newsconference. That's cool.

[ammofan]

The link Michael provided mentions the addition of "Bobcats LIVE," half-hour long pre-game and post-game shows that will offer several things for us Bobcats fans, including LB's postgame newsconference. That's cool.


sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet


cant wait for preseason game #1!!!!!!!!!!!

[Alex]

Sounds good!

[catsfan]

well i don't get sports south for some reason,and last years games on sports south were shown on FSN south for our area,so with the first game on sports south,and a canes game on at the same time on FSN...well wonder how it will play out

[davcbow]

well i don't get sports south for some reason,and last years games on sports south were shown on FSN south for our area,so with the first game on sports south,and a canes game on at the same time on FSN...well wonder how it will play out

Sounds like something you will have to take up with your local cable people...:cool:

[catsfan]

Sounds like something you will have to take up with your local cable people...:cool:


i live on the east coast,way east.......

we JUST got News14 Carolina last month,every time i called last basketball season for it,they had no idea what i was talking about


then after the cats signed the New TV deal i was bumed because we don't get sports south,and the cats were playing a game on there station that night

and as i go by Channel 73(FSN South).............boom there it is,FSN channel with all the sportsouth logos!

BUT ever since that night i've always wondered what would happen when the Canes and cats play on the same time at the same night


and it will go down the first night of the cats season

Canes on FSN
Cats on SS

[TheBeagle]

The link Michael provided mentions the addition of "Bobcats LIVE," half-hour long pre-game and post-game shows that will offer several things for us Bobcats fans, including LB's postgame newsconference. That's cool. I agree. Call me nostalgic if you will (and I definitely won't deny it!), but I loved the old Hornets telecasts that would have the pre and post game shows...usually hosted by Gerry Valliancourt himself! I guess there's still plenty of kinks to work out with the direction of the franchise, but it seems slowly but surely they're getting their "stuff" together! No doubt thanks to MT!!!

[Dead_Real]

Sounds like one of the shows I wanted Bobcats.com to start doing in the preseason gotta love us stepping it up off the court as well.

To Chabber I really do need to make the move from Time Warner to DirectTV my current HD list is ok but it's not full HD like they try to say it is when you upgrade to digital.

Also I thought it would be useful to go ahead and sticky this thread for the upcoming season.

[chabber]

Yeah man, there really is no comparison when it comes to HD. TWC is just way far behind. I don't even watch shows that aren't in HD because I got 115+ HD Channels now. Even if you don't count HD, most of TWC programming is still analog and not digital.

Also just to add. I'm extremely happy that they'll be doing the pre and post game shows this year. Not having them before it almost felt like we weren't a real NBA team or that no one cared enough about us and that we weren't worthy. I'd see all the pre and post game shows for other teams on League pass and feel jealous. This is just another small thing that will help legitimize us.

[spectre]

I checked on the schedule and the Bobcats vs. Tragic game is showing up on FSN for Wednesday night on DISH Network. Problem is it's shown as being BLOCKED. I called up DISH to find out what the deal was and after a half hour of explaining to this lady in what must have been Bangladesh 1) what the hell a Charlotte Bobcat is 2) that FSN doesn't stand for TBS and 3) threatening to cancel DISH right now and move to DirectTV if someone didn't make damn sure that game isn't blocked out on Wednesday she assured me that it would be televised.

I told her she'd better hope so; they do NOT want to hear from me at 7:05 pm on Wednesday night.

You guys counting on FSN should all probably check with your provider. It's up to them to actually show it.

[Jennings]

I was just going to post about this. I have twc and I looked on fsn on Wed. night and it didn't have the game. I'll have to call someone cause if they don't show the game I might have to make a trip to twc and it will not be pretty.

[spectre]

I have absolutely no confidence that the game is going to be televised on DISH. I talked to two different guys on interactive chat this AM (it's still showing up blocked in my schedule) and both told me that it wasn't available but couldn't tell me why not as my package includes FSN. I then spent another half hour on the phone and they then tell me that I will get it...and if I don't to call and they'll get it going.

I expect to be royally pissed off at 7 pm tomorrow night.

[Brash BCat]

SportSouth.....that is a good look for the fans down here in the SC:D

[ziggy]

SportSouth.....that is a good look for the fans down here in the SC:D

Anybody that uses a New Jack Citry Nino Brown avatar is cool with me! :cool:
Welcome to BobcatsPlanet.

[ohara831]

Charter Communications cable screwed us in the Upstate of SC at the end of last year and did not show the Bobcat games. I called them this morning and they say it is showing, but when I look on the cable guide on TV, it has something else. I wont know until game time tonight. But Charter may screw us again.

[Bobcat Matt]

i heard on packman that bobcats sent email saying blacked out on directv tonight...so i called bobcats arena, guy told me, yea tonight only avail. on time warner...he said a few pre-season games will be like this...i said well what about regular season, he said this wont be happening....so we'll see...but im in a foul mood about it now...i gotta find a friend or a bar with shitty time warner. I HATE TW!!

[spectre]

On DISH the game is showing up on League Pass free preview!

Keeping my fingers crossed.

BTW, you can always sign up for NBA All Access (it's free) and get audio all season long.

[millst2]

I have lexcom which has both FSN and SS, it is showing the game on at 7 on the guide channel, but I am not seeing it. Getting pissed. DTV here i come.

-

Well guess I aint watching it,, FSN is showing me boxing instead even though on the guide channel for me it is showing that they are showing the cats/magic game!
O how Pissed I am!

[spectre]

I just talked to probably the only intelligent DISH representative they employ.

He told me that I do not get Sports South but I should get FSS (I'll know for sure next game). I could however spend an extra 5.99 a month and get all the Fox channels including Comcast. It's possible I could be subject to blackout...don't see why as I'm not blocked on LP, but whatever...but odds are I'd be able to see all the Bobcats plus other teams.

Anyone got that package? As we're in the beginning of the season it' only take 6 bucks to find out, so I'll probably try it out.

[Muttley]

Wow, $6 sounds worth it.

In TWC-Raleigh news, not even Free League Pass Preview could save me from not being able to watch the game since it didn't come in. (maybe the preview's over?) It's looking to be slim pickins on televised games here in the triangle. I doubt that they'd opt to air Bobcats games over Canes games here when they coincide on FSN. I actually had no trouble getting games when they were on NEWS14, but too many others obviously couldn't watch because they didn't have TWC. I hope they get the whole television problem set soon, but it doesn't seem likely since each company (FSN, TWC, The Bobcats, etc.) wants to blame the other company for not showing the game.

[spectre]

Dude I just don't know what to believe anymore...it was blocked here too. LP is still free (DISH told me as much) but the first guy said I was "blacked out" and his supervisor said it was a technical difficulty.

Someone with DirectTV...tell me you got last night's game?

[Chef]

Is there any hope for Triangle viewers? I called TWC and the ineptitude about the broadcast situation was on par with paulson's with the economy. I emailed a ticket rep who has been emailing me trying to get me to buy more tickets. Haven't heard back. I told him what's the point of following the bobcats if i can't watch them on tv. i might as well follow the hornets or lakers, cavs and celts and watch them at least once a week on tv. at least they win. how can you be a fan of a perennial lottery team if you can't even watch them play.

[spectre]

They REALLY need to fix this.

If TWC LP and DISH LP was blocked for this game I'm wondering if this is a Fox Sports blackout? If so, then this is WORSE than the way it was last year.

I'm still extremely pissed about this, and the idiots you talk to on the damn phone can't tell you crap. I've heard multiple things but they're seldom correct.

About that Fox Sports package? The last rep I got last night told me there was NO DISH channel showing that game, that there was NO way for me to view it.

[spectre]

Check this out...on DirectTV they let you key in your zip code to find out which regional networks you belong to:

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPageIF.jsp?assetId=P3000004

I keyed in mine (Raleigh area) and it says I get the Canes, the Orioles and the Nationals. I tried Durham, Chapel Hill...same thing. Going west, the first city I encountered that included the Bobcats was Burlington, and then Greensboro.

Looks like us folks in RTP are screwed unless it's LP...and I can't even get it on LP.

[Chef]

I am going to try calling the Bobcats office today. Way to go Bobcats, exclude the second biggest market in the state.

[Muttley]

How can they possibly justify blacking out the league pass in an area that apparently is not even in the region for that team???

[spectre]

I am going to try calling the Bobcats office today. Way to go Bobcats, exclude the second biggest market in the state.


How can they possibly justify blacking out the league pass in an area that apparently is not even in the region for that team???

No shit. I just spent another half hour with a DISH rep and they are assuring me that it's Fox Sports who's blacking out the games on League Pass. So far as the "regional area" they couldn't tell me who determines that (seriously, why in the hell is the Baltimore Orioles in my "region"?)...even suggested that the government might set that. That wouldn't surprise me as they make it a habit of doing dumb ass things like that.

I'm emailing the Bobcats too. I've tried contacting Fox and they just flat out wouldn't answer my questions via their website and there wasn't a phone number.

Mr. Thompson...we need some help here.

[Muttley]

No shit. I just spent another half hour with a DISH rep and they are assuring me that it's Fox Sports who's blacking out the games on League Pass. So far as the "regional area" they couldn't tell me who determines that (seriously, why in the hell is the Baltimore Orioles in my "region"?)...even suggested that the government might set that. That wouldn't surprise me as they make it a habit of doing dumb ass things like that.

I'm emailing the Bobcats too. I've tried contacting Fox and they just flat out wouldn't answer my questions via their website and there wasn't a phone number.

Mr. Thompson...we need some help here.

I just sent an email to someone at TWC (didn't they name the arena? wouldn't they want to get the team's name and their own out into the public as much as possible??) and bitched about it. The only way this is going to get settled is if we keep drawing attention to it to all the providers, the channel and the team. It's like starting a letter-writing campaign to your local congressperson. Eventually, they might notice.

[spectre]

Hat tip to Slam:

DISH Network (http://www.dishnetwork.com/packages/ppv/sports/basketball/default.aspx)


DISH Network sincerely regrets that NBA League pass is currently unavailable. In the meantime, you can still view your favorite Basketball games on ESPN (CH 140), TNT (CH 138 ) and your local regional sports channel.

The loss of NBA League Pass was the result of the NBA's decision to impose unreasonable contract terms on DISH Network to continue to carry their programming package.

DISH Network remains committed to protecting its customers from unreasonable contract demands from programmers that will negatively affect DISH Networks goal of providing the best value in programming packages and equipment.

We continually strive to control costs on behalf of our customers and are hopeful that this dispute will be resolved quickly. Please understand we are not at liberty to discuss negotiation details without the NBA's approval. We realize that in today's competitive world you have a choice in services. We thank you for your continued business and support while DISH Network continues to work through these difficult but important negotiations with NBA TV.

I'd be really pissed if it wasn't for the fact that Fox Sports wouldn't let me see the games regardless.

But I'm still pissed anyway. I went from seeing approx. 80 games to NOTHING. Thanks Bobcats.

[Muttley]

Just heard back from TWC and they gave the same spiel about it being FSN's responsibility.

[Dead_Real]

Add this to the list of reasons a lot of fans find it hard to support this team. This sh!t doesn't make a lick of sense for an up and coming pro team to still not have balanced TV viewing in surrounding local areas. I wish they could somehow show them on channel 14 again for triangle viewers when they're airing for everybody else on sport south which we don't get for some strange reason.

Whether if it's TWC, the Cats or FSN's fault someone needs to get this issue sorted out and fast. They don't need to alienate the fan base that they have built so far . Any petition you all want to put together sign me up and I'll pass it along to other fans facing the same problems on other forums.

[tondi]

I live in Lenoir,NC and the game wasn't listed on SportsSouth nor was it actually shown. I am with Carter Cable and when I contacted them I was told I needed to contact SportSouth. Unfortunately, I've checked on the internet but can't figure out how to contact them. It really is odd that someone living an hour from Charlotte can't get the Bobcats game.

Anybody have any ideas?

[spectre]

I live in Lenoir,NC and the game wasn't listed on SportsSouth nor was it actually shown. I am with Carter Cable and when I contacted them I was told I needed to contact SportSouth. Unfortunately, I've checked on the internet but can't figure out how to contact them. It really is odd that someone living an hour from Charlotte can't get the Bobcats game.

Anybody have any ideas?

Man I tried contacting Fox Sports...didn't find a ph. # but found an email link. I put in all the stuff about regions, blackouts etc. and they send me a freaking auto reply saying they appreciate me commenting!

That was it.

The Bobcats so far as I know is our ONLY avenue. This is STUPID. On LP I saw all sorts of other teams that was playing on channels like FSN Ohio and they weren't blacked out.

Email them. Call them. If we dont make some noise they'll ignore us.

And I really want to know why my "region" is freaking Baltimore and what idiot decided that.

[Chef]

I called the bobcats ticket line and worked my way to the executive offices from the main menu. I spoke to a team rep at the TWC. He did not know that the triangle area was not able to get the game last night. When I told him that I searched the TV listings for the next 5 games and we don't get any of them, he said he was going to contact Time Warner to find out if and when SportsSouth would be added to our channel lineup. He seemed really helpful. I don't know how far he will get with it, but it seems that if everyone calls and voices a concern/complaint we might be able to get the organization involved. It is probably the only way that anything will get done considering the cable providers could give a shit. Get on the horn, whether or not you live in the triangle, and get them to get the bobcats covered.

[Muttley]

I called the bobcats ticket line and worked my way to the executive offices from the main menu. I spoke to a team rep at the TWC. He did not know that the triangle area was not able to get the game last night. When I told him that I searched the TV listings for the next 5 games and we don't get any of them, he said he was going to contact Time Warner to find out if and when SportsSouth would be added to our channel lineup. He seemed really helpful. I don't know how far he will get with it, but it seems that if everyone calls and voices a concern/complaint we might be able to get the organization involved. It is probably the only way that anything will get done considering the cable providers could give a shit. Get on the horn, whether or not you live in the triangle, and get them to get the bobcats covered.
Great work chef! Sounds like you actually made headway with someone.

[Dead_Real]

I'll make sure to call Saturday nice job chef

[ziggy]

Hey Guys,

I'm willing to use this site as a platform to draw some attention to those that are being screwed by the TV situation.

Let me know what I can do to help.

[spectre]

This is happening all over the state and it looks like it's based on that region thing. Some of the posters over at the Observer have chimed in:

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/forums/?plckForumPage=ForumDiscussion&plckDiscussionId=Cat%3ae6c8a297-bda3-4986-9497-eea243ec323eForum%3a05d70f4d-f5ae-4a75-9e15-c94404e2799cDiscussion%3af75782dc-98a1-4e98-a793-b5fe74a15ae3&plckCategoryCurrentPage=0

Mcleansville, NC - DirectTV
Asheville, NC - Dish Network

According to DirectTV's site everyone east of Burlington is also screwed.

Zig I've sent a PM to Mr. Thompson but he hasn't answered yet. If you know his email could you maybe give him a heads up and point to this thread?

[Jeff41]

Once again BLACKED OUT here in Winston-Salem NC :mad: The game is being shown on channel 451 on Dish Network as a SportSouth alternate, but it's blocked out. I've called Dish 9-10 times and supposedly they've sent in 3 engineering reports and still nothing but a blackout message. The guy I spoke to earlier this afternoon said they wouldn't even be showing the game and I said I SEE IT ON CHANNEL 451 IN THE GUIDE, YOU ARE SHOWING IT! And he said that there would be nothing on channel 451 :rolleyes: So I said, if there's nothing on channel 451, then unblock the channel and I'll watch the supposed "nothing" that's there and he then started this "blackouts are determined by leagues to protect.. blah blah". Unable to watch the Cavs game, unable to watch tonight's Heat game. Someone is royally screwing up and NO ONE wants to take blame for it. Tired of it, all I want to do is watch the Bobcats games. I've also left two messages with Fox Sports South.

[Mr Guy]

Fortunately the next series of games are FSN games and are being reported as being on channel 50 for TWC customers in Raleigh, including pre and postgame.

I still don't know what we're supposed to do for the SportSouth games. Do they just magically show up unlisted on some random channel if they show up at all? I have no idea how to schedule them to record if I can't guess where they'll be!

[Chef]

sorry guy, but we are getting the hurricanes on channel 50 starting at 730. i spoke to TWC and the guy said we are blacked out for all games. unless someone at the bobcats front office makes some changes, we will not see any bobcats games unless they are on tnt, espn or nba tv.

[Muttley]

sorry guy, but we are getting the hurricanes on channel 50 starting at 730. i spoke to TWC and the guy said we are blacked out for all games. unless someone at the bobcats front office makes some changes, we will not see any bobcats games unless they are on tnt, espn or nba tv.

F*&% THAT!

They better be playing this damn game. I am so sick of this $#!+. GOOD LORD, just show the freaking basketball games!

... Sorry, not your fault chef.

[Chef]

just spoke to someone at the bobcats exec office (it might be michael thompson (see the other tv related post)). basically, the deal is that the bobcats sold the distribution rights to fox sports and all broadcasting issues are now completely out of their hands. time warner, direct tv, dish etc buys the rights to show the games from fox sports. so, long story short we need to complain to the cable companies and fox sports. personally, i think this is a futile undertaking as many posts on this board and others i have read about situations like this in other sporting markets seem to have the cable company blaming fox sports and fox sports blaming the cable company.

in a side note, i have a friend with direct tv and he said that you can change your billing location and get the local channels for that city. so, if you have a friend or relative in atlanta, washington, etc you can look into changing your billing to that area and then getting league pass and you will be able to see the bobcats. not sure about all the details because i have time warner.

[Chef]

just got off the phone with a rep at fox sports south, very helpful. she was just reading michael's email. it doesn't look like sports south will be an option for trianglers. she is looking into the possibility of opening a local channel, like news 14, for us to get the other 31 games that are on sports south. so it looks like progress could happen.

i was mistaken earlier. the yahoo internet listings have us with carolina hockey, but time warners listings have us getting the cats on channel 50.

[spectre]

just spoke to someone at the bobcats exec office (it might be michael thompson (see the other tv related post)). basically, the deal is that the bobcats sold the distribution rights to fox sports and all broadcasting issues are now completely out of their hands. time warner, direct tv, dish etc buys the rights to show the games from fox sports. so, long story short we need to complain to the cable companies and fox sports. personally, i think this is a futile undertaking as many posts on this board and others i have read about situations like this in other sporting markets seem to have the cable company blaming fox sports and fox sports blaming the cable company.

You are fucking kidding me. The Bobcats at least have a line with Fox Sports, yet they say they "can't do anything" and puts it on US to go thru the neverending loop of fingerpointing that most of us have been getting for the past week?

If it's a "misunderstanding" as they're saying then it's up to THEM to get this fixed.

Chef...what's the phone # for Fox Sports? I need to represent the sat folks.

[Chef]

404-230-7300

[Jeff41]

Call Fox South, they have been very helpful (spoke to them three times this morning) and they hate the situation as much as we all are.

[Chef]

i called time warner this afternoon. here is the number you can call (especially for the triangle) to request sports south be added to the channel line up. it will let you bypass all of the transfers and hold time. the more callers the more likely it is added.

919-287-3886

[WAM9]

i called time warner this afternoon. here is the number you can call (especially for the triangle) to request sports south be added to the channel line up. it will let you bypass all of the transfers and hold time. the more callers the more likely it is added.

919-287-3886

I just called that number and got a guy named Josh Johnson. He was polite but said he had nothing to do with it and suggested I call Andy Curtis (female) at 919 573-7111. I just left a detailed message. Just keeping everyone updated.

[Muttley]

Yesterday, I called the number that Chef gave and left a detailed message too. I'm hoping he calls me back, but maybe I'll give this Andy woman a ring anyway.

[bozzy]

I have a source inside of a certain cable company who talked to management about this issue. They seemed to think the deal with FSN to show Bobcats games will never happen. It isn't even on their radar. And while he pressed them on the issue, they laughed at the idea that they would pay more to show the Bobcats. They feel like the current sports programming they offer is good enough and are not willing to spend the amount of money FSN is asking.

So basically we are back to the same situation as the old TV deal. The fact that the Bobcats are now putting it off on the fans to beg their cable companies to show them is laughable. How do you expect to build a fan base like that? People who don't care about the Bobcats aren't going to call their cable company to complain. And frankly, their aren't enough real Bobcats fans to make a difference.

[polarcat]

maybe emails and phone calls should get directed to the bobcats personnel instead. i can't imagine whomever is in charge of promotions and helping grow the bobcats fan base would be ok with the fans being the ones to get the deal. sounds like people that get paid to perform a job within the organization aren't doing their jobs. the worst part is, upper mgmt doesn't give a shit.... and they wonder why the carolinas haven't latched onto the bobcats like we did with the hornets.

[supadiscofly]

I love that they think their current sports programming is good enough for subscribers. Last night Charter in Greenville, SC had on kickboxing instead of the game. Nice. Of course I called Charter to complain once again and they have no idea what I'm talking about. It just makes me feel better to complain to them!

[bozzy]

I love that they think their current sports programming is good enough for subscribers. Last night Charter in Greenville, SC had on kickboxing instead of the game. Nice. Of course I called Charter to complain once again and they have no idea what I'm talking about. It just makes me feel better to complain to them!

Charter in the upstate SC area isn't going to show Bobcats games this year. I don't think we will ever see them on Charter in this area. They don't feel like it is worth it to pay the increase for local sports programming.

[Buckeye Larry]

The Observer just shows that the Bobcats can be seen on FOXSS. Since different cable systems and satellite systems offer FOXSS on different channels why not print the channels for each. The easier you make it the more viewers you will have.

[bozzy]

The Observer just shows that the Bobcats can be seen on FOXSS. Since different cable systems and satellite systems offer FOXSS on different channels why not print the channels for each. The easier you make it the more viewers you will have.

It would be a pretty short list.

[Scratch]

I have the same problem as a lot of you guys. I live in Greenville N.C and have direct tv with sports pack etc and I can not get the games no matter what. The nba league pass is blocked, fox is blocked, hell even the game on nba tv was blocked the other night. I called direct tv and talked crap then asked where the person was located that I was talking to and she said philippines. She was pretty much trying to blame fox. But whatever good thing for the internet.

[playoffs...PLAYOFFS?]

honestly the best way to get all the games is to buy the NBA broadband league pass...i bought it to watch them and the stream is really good. you can watch replays of the games as well and pretty much all the games in the league..its worth it if you a decent connection ( i have cable internet and works perfectly)

[spectre]

honestly the best way to get all the games is to buy the NBA broadband league pass...i bought it to watch them and the stream is really good. you can watch replays of the games as well and pretty much all the games in the league..its worth it if you a decent connection ( i have cable internet and works perfectly)

They're blocked for me on that as well. There is no option.

[bozzy]

I've just given up ever having a chance to see the Bobcats play on tv. At this point I doubt I will even go see them play this year. I still will follow them, but at this point, it's hard to stay attached to a team that is run this badly.

[playoffs...PLAYOFFS?]

They're blocked for me on that as well. There is no option.

that's ridiculous, why would they block it on the broadband? ..weird

[spectre]

I know, but it's true. Notice #1 on the rules that apply to broadband:



(1) Local and national market blackout rules apply based on your location.



I doubt it was their intent but the Bobcats have completely eliminated any legal means of seeing the games for the majority of us in NC/SC. If they want to survive they need to fix this and I'm amazed that they've let it go this long unless they're just total idiots.

[Melanie]

I'm in the way eastern corner of NC, like 15 minutes from GA. It's probably about a 4 hour drive to Charlotte, maybe a little more. I have Directv and I can watch the pregame show, but the games get blocked out. Even the away games. I was so excited going into this season, thinking I'd actually be able to watch the game; but NOPE, stuck in front of the computer AGAIN! Right now league pass, IF it would even show them, isn't in the budget....

[Hormel]

I hate that we don't have one game on ESPN/TNT all year :(

[davcbow]

I hate that we don't have one game on ESPN/TNT all year :(

Maybe since LB is building this team they will come. You know the saying "if you build it they will come"....:cool:

[SCBobcat]

I am in Columbia, SC, and I can't get the games either. That's why us fans in the outer market really have to hope like hell that we make the playoffs. That appears to be the only way that we will get to see any games on TV. That being said, I am sure they will find a way to screw us over on that if they can.

[Raleigh_Cats_Fan]

and have DirecTV....Can't see them here either and it is REALLY annoying. I do have XM Radio so I listen to as many games as I can.

[BigMike]

For real, 2 of the last 5 games of the year are not televised!?!?!?!?!

Tue, Apr 7 Philadelphia
Sat, Apr 11 @ Chicago

[bozzy]

For real, 2 of the last 5 games of the year are not televised!?!?!?!?!

Tue, Apr 7 Philadelphia
Sat, Apr 11 @ Chicago

There hasn't been a single game televised in Upstate SC all year long. So I can't say I feel to bad for you. :)

Frankly, I doubt I will ever go to another Bobcats game again. It's clear they do not care about anyone outside of the immediate Charlotte area.

[teej]

There hasn't been a single game televised in Upstate SC all year long. So I can't say I feel to bad for you. :)

Frankly, I doubt I will ever go to another Bobcats game again. It's clear they do not care about anyone outside of the immediate Charlotte area.

Once they sold the rights to Fox, it was out of the 'Cats hands.

THis is up to Charter, Time Warner, DirecTv, Dish, etc. Not the 'Cats. :cool:

[bozzy]

Once they sold the rights to Fox, it was out of the 'Cats hands.

THis is up to Charter, Time Warner, DirecTv, Dish, etc. Not the 'Cats. :cool:

That isn't completely true since the Bobcats can negotiate these deals. Also, it would of been nice if the Bobcats didn't lie about how great this tv deal was when they announced it. It turns out to be just as bad as the previous deal but they just don't want to admit it.

[teej]

That isn't completely true since the Bobcats can negotiate these deals. Also, it would of been nice if the Bobcats didn't lie about how great this tv deal was when they announced it. It turns out to be just as bad as the previous deal but they just don't want to admit it.

Bobcats can't negotiate between Fox Sports Carolinas and the cable/satellite companies.

And they didnt expect there to be such a resistance fromt he tv people when they signed it. And they still get about the same exposure, and if they make the playoffs they will get some more next year, I'm almost sure of it.

[spectre]

Bobcats can't negotiate between Fox Sports Carolinas and the cable/satellite companies.

And they didnt expect there to be such a resistance fromt he tv people when they signed it. And they still get about the same exposure, and if they make the playoffs they will get some more next year, I'm almost sure of it.

Why couldn't they? Seems to me they're the ones losing out by not gaining the sat fans?

They could play middle man between the two to get them to at least offer games as pay per view, or an extra package like the ESPN college channels. That way us...the FANS...would actually have a choice.

[teej]

Why couldn't they? Seems to me they're the ones losing out by not gaining the sat fans?

They could play middle man between the two to get them to at least offer games as pay per view, or an extra package like the ESPN college channels. That way us...the FANS...would actually have a choice.

They sold the rights to the games exclusively to FSCR. FSCR has all rights to our games, nothing is in the 'Cats hands. FSCR can demand any price from any tv company they want to. Problem is, even when they have reasonable prices, the networks liek Charter and Dish don't pick it up. Apparently there is some legal crap keeping certain Directv users from getting it in certain areas, but thats governmental, not FS, Bobcats, or Directv. All we can do is wait for them to pick up the 'Cats and see how long it takes them to realize the return on their investment.

From what I can tell, TWC and Directv are the only ones who have tried to get the games...go them :rolleyes:

[spectre]

From what I can tell, TWC and Directv are the only ones who have tried to get the games...go them :rolleyes:


There's no option to "go them" unless you live in the areas they provide service...and DirecTV doesn't offer it here either (I actually checked again last week).

I doubt very seriously that there's something in the contract stipulating that the Bobcats can not get involved to help alleviate the situation. Say if they offered to pay 25% of the fee or something?

Doubt if that would piss FSN off.

[bozzy]

They sold the rights to the games exclusively to FSCR. FSCR has all rights to our games, nothing is in the 'Cats hands.

That isn't true. From what I can tell, the Bobcats did get involved in some of the additions that happened soon after the season started. The fact that they still haven't fixed the tv situation shows how poorly the management is run.

[teej]

There's no option to "go them" unless you live in the areas they provide service...and DirecTV doesn't offer it here either (I actually checked again last week).

I doubt very seriously that there's something in the contract stipulating that the Bobcats can not get involved to help alleviate the situation. Say if they offered to pay 25% of the fee or something?

Doubt if that would piss FSN off.

Yes, but that doesnt help the Bobcats nearly enough. All they are doing is paying for people to stay home. They are losing enough money now, they finally found some income with FSCR/Sportsouth, and even if they paid some money, I'm not convinced that some of these companies would still buy the games. For instance, I have Charter, and they don't give a rats ass about service. I would get Directv as that should get me Bobcats games (according to their site), but I am a minor and I don't pay the bills, so I deal with what my parents want. But Charter fails to pick up many options like EspnU, 360, etc. Lots of poor OD and HD, all over. They suck worse than the Clippers. :o

[teej]

That isn't true. From what I can tell, the Bobcats did get involved in some of the additions that happened soon after the season started. The fact that they still haven't fixed the tv situation shows how poorly the management is run.

They can encourage companies to buy the games, but they cannot legally get involved. If you have questions, email Michael Thompson (mailto:mthompson@bobcats.com (mthompson@bobcats.com)) about it, he knows more than I do, and he's doing what he can. Trust me.

[spectre]

If you look back in this thread (pretty sure it's this one) someone knows a guy at DirecTV and they were saying FSN wanted an exhorbitant price...and DISH has insinuated as much to me over the phone.

And we're talking 2-2 1/2 hours away...blackouts are normally for people within an hour or two of the stadium as they're the ones who can be pushed into going vs. staying at home.

You want to televise the games in areas like Raleigh to MOTIVATE people to go the extra mile and drive to Charlotte and see them live.

And Teej, I have emailed Mr. Thompson a few times and I daresay I know as much or more about the TV situation than he does anyway. I might not know the specific money, but Lord knows I've bitched and complained enough to get it explained to me multiple times.