Still can't watch the games!!!!!!

[Shrimpy_Jackson]

Anyone else having this problem? I've got Dish Network and live in Reidsville, NC and for years I've always been able to get Hawks games on FSS, and even if a Bobs game was coming on I'd miss it like most everyone else, now I can actually get the games, but they're fucking blocked out as well as every other NBA game that comes on except for the ones on TNT and ESPN. So what the fuck? I mean it's been five years and the only thing calling Dish Network did was so they could tell me that my 27320 zip code (Literally 10 minutes from Greensboro) Doesn't have a particular team so I can't watch anything. Anyone got any suggestions? I mean I'm so pissed off about this. Five fucking yeras and I haven't been able to watch but on average 10 games a year. Bullshit! Sorry for my profanity laced tirade, but I was planning on calling some people at FSS but apparently they're closed on Saturdays. Sorry for that rant! But it's good to get these things out.

Pissy Jackson

[spectre]

http://www.bobcatsplanet.com/vb/showthread.php?t=7781&page=5

If you have a FSN number post it.

[mrtarheel]

Screwed just like you, all games are blacked out in my area also. The great city of Laurinburg / Maxton areas. I also am a dish network subscriber.

[dnbman]

Screwed just like you, all games are blacked out in my area also. The great city of Laurinburg / Maxton areas. I also am a dish network subscriber.

If it's impossible to obtain something in the expected, legal manners, sometimes you have to...

or do you?

I was never here.

[davcbow]

Its like everything else in this country, its all about the money. If you want to watch the bobcats play you got to buy a damn NBA package and watch it on the NBA channels provided. Sometimes I don't think they want any real fans they only want the money.... I remember back when the Hornets were in town just about every away game was broadcast on regular tv like channel 45 or 48 in my area. They just don't realize the potential to create a fan base by providing free airings of the games on broadcast airwaves tv. All they care about anymore is the money....:cool:

[spectre]

You'd think davcbow, but we're not even getting the OPTION of paying to watch the games. We're just totally SOL.

DNB, I did that Thurs. night...very choppy, esp. if anyone moves over a slow walk. I do agree though that it's much better than nothing.

[Michael Thompson]

We received about 100 calls and emails yesterday from fans across the Carolinas - Columbia, SC to McClain, NC to Holden Beach, NC - and we're taking the situation very seriously. Let me share with you what I know, what I think, and what we're doing about it:

WHAT I KNOW:
- FSN has made Bobcats broadcasts available to every cable and satellite operator in North and South Carolina
- At that point, it is up to the individual cable and satellite operator to buy the distribution from FSN
- So far, the following have made that decision; Time Warner Cable in Charlotte, Greensboro/Winston-Salem, Raleigh/Fayetteville; Bristol Virginia Utilities in NC; Skyline Communications in NC; Southern Coastal Cable in SC; DirecTV; Dish Network
- If you're a cable subscriber and your cable company is not listed above, you will have to call them and put pressure on them to pick up Fox Sports Carolinas and SportSouth because they've made the decision to not give you the option to view those channels
- League Pass in North and South Carolina is blacked out to protect the FSN broadcasts, regardless of whether or not the local cable operator has decided to buy distribution from FSN
- The on-screen guide is not always right (I have DirecTV at home in Ft. Mill, and for the Cleveland game my on-screen guide said the Hurricanes game was on SportSouth, but when we turned to that channel the Bobcats game was actually playing)
- DirecTV is putting tonight's game on regional sports alternative channel 650 tonight according to my on-screen guide at home (DirecTV in Ft. Mill)

WHAT I THINK:
- The blackout rules regarding League Pass have confused a few people, so just to be clear, all Bobcats games will be blacked out on League Pass to protect the broadcast on Fox Sports Carolinas and SportSouth
- There is a disconnect with DirecTV and Dish Network in some parts of the Carolinas about blacking out Fox Sports Carolinas and SportSouth (something about the Bobcats being one of three teams in the NBA to request a blackout)

WHAT WE'RE DOING:
- I've left messages with DirecTV and Dish Network to get answers (as of Saturday afternoon I have not heard back)
- Keeping in constant contact with FSN in Atlanta to forward what we're hearing from our fans
- Sending out information to our fans as soon as we get it

Please be patient as we work through all the kinks. Our goal is to get the games broadcast to all of our fans across the Carolinas. We're navigating some new territoy here, but we're trying to do it quickly and right.

Keep information coming. You're my eyes and ears in the areas outside of Charlotte.

[spectre]

We appreciate anything you can do Mr. Thompson.



- FSN has made Bobcats broadcasts available to every cable and satellite operator in North and South Carolina
- At that point, it is up to the individual cable and satellite operator to buy the distribution from FSN
- So far, the following have made that decision; Time Warner Cable in Charlotte, Greensboro/Winston-Salem, Raleigh/Fayetteville; Bristol Virginia Utilities in NC; Skyline Communications in NC; Southern Coastal Cable in SC; DirecTV; Dish Network



DISH is quoting "region" to me and is blaming that for not getting the games. They also say they don't set the region.

If you look thru the sticky thread they're not the only ones putting it on Fox either. Hopefully it's as you say and it's a "disconnect" on a request to black us out. Either way, I don't care who's fault it is so long as I get some access. If it takes buying the complete FS package I'll be more than happy to do so.

It's like a computer problem...software guys blame hardware and vice versa.

[dnbman]

You'd think davcbow, but we're not even getting the OPTION of paying to watch the games. We're just totally SOL.

DNB, I did that Thurs. night...very choppy, esp. if anyone moves over a slow walk. I do agree though that it's much better than nothing.

Although, strangely, I could understand our offensive schemes much more easily, as you could see the position slowly morph.

On the other hand, I may have just been imagining an offensive scheme the same way kids connect dots and make pictures out of them.

My favorite moments were when guys took shots and the screen froze up, as if the FSN was taunting us for watching a net broadcast.

[tondi]

Mr. Thompson,

Thanks for all you are doing to resolve this situation. I live in Lenoir, NC and when the game did not come on Thursday night, I called my cable provider, Charter Communications, and was told I needed to contact SportSouth because they had no control over what was broadcast on the SportSouth channel. I have SportSouth and was also supposed to see the NHL game according to my programming guide, however, all I got was a retrospective of Appalachain State football all evening. It was quite a disappointment. Is there someone I can contact to get this resolved? Thanks again.

[x2pacalypse]

so in order to watch bobcats games...i have to call up charter cable in holly ridge/hampstead just so i can watch that instead of hockey?

jesus christ

[Ghost Kat]

The Magical city of Raeford,NC is getting nothing. I have DirectTv and the only game i could see was the game on TNT. Atleast last year i could watch the game on Channel 14, that have fucked everything up with this "new deal". I probably will miss all the games this year cuz my cable provider wont pick up the service....They really should have left things like they were...they just wanted more more and rights now they have ruined my basketball season.

[tamburello]

You can use http://www.justin.tv/directory?category=sports for emergency situations ;)

[Shrimpy_Jackson]

Much appreciated for doing some dirty work on our behalf Monsieur Thompson! Hopefully it'll all get itself sorted out, I spent time on the phone with a guy yesterday who was just confused as I was, he couldn't even see a Bobcats game on his schedule and kept asking me if I was sure they even played. Anyways hopefully we'll have a good game tonight!

[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.

[Jeff41]

Oh yea and Dish is offering free League Pass this week, but guess what? Bobcats BLACKED OUT. >:(

[jdub28]

Guys the only bright light Ive found is that when I search ahead to the Hornets game Im able to set it up for DVR. The Knicks and Pistons just give me the blackout message but maybe this means they expect to have it fixed by then...maybe.

I dont know, it made me feel better than writing another email or making another phone call

[Jeff41]

For you other Dish subscribers, anyone else got someone not from India when calling? I keep getting "Brian" and "Bob" with a THICK Indian accent :rolleyes: Brian and Bob are such traditional Indian names

[catsfan]

:mad: i have TWC,and flat out don't get sportsouth,but i do get FSCarolinas...........hopefully i don't have any problems monday for there FSN debut

[spectre]

For you other Dish subscribers, anyone else got someone not from India when calling? I keep getting "Brian" and "Bob" with a THICK Indian accent :rolleyes: Brian and Bob are such traditional Indian names

I've gotten an American lady twice (different ones).

Basically, don't let them waste time about "technical issues" as that's BS...they're blocked. If you read Mr. Thompson's post it appears that there's a miscommunication between FSN and the providers; they think they're all supposed to be blocked but that wasn't the intent.

We'll see...personally I think it's FSN doing it on purpose.

I'm amazed Winston Salem is blocked too.

[WAM9]

Mr. Thompson,

I have Time Warner in the Raleigh-Durham area and have not been able to see either of the first 2 games. I keep being told they will be on but they have NOT been. I get every single channel offered by TW so if it was on, I should get it. Hockey has been on the Fox channel at least one of the games. PLEASE HELP!

[swetooth9]

what's the differnce between FSN South and SportSouth?

i tried looking for sportsouth and couldn't find it...all i found was the hawks game last night

I go to UNC chapel hill and live in that dorm...i think we get directv

[TheBeagle]

Wow. What weirdness. I have no clue why, but I've never had trouble with a Bocats game. I live in northern Davidson County (right below Forsyth, and its capital Winston-Salem), have digital TWC and was able to see the games going back to the CSET days, then News14, and I've got all games thus far on SportSouth, including the pre and post game shows. For the Cavs game, the interactive menu had NHL hockey, but the Cats were on. I don't know what it said last night since I was at the game and I forgot to DVR it, but I'm sure it was available here too.

Has ANYBODY that uses one of those satellite providers picked up a Bobcats game this year? No matter the location; just has any satellite customer gotten a game yet?

Secondly, has any non-TWC cable subscriver gotten a game yet?

Thirdly, has any TWC subscriber NOT gotten a game yet?

Even though it doesn't effect me, I'm still intrigued by this debacle, and am frustrated for y'all that aren't getting it. I just hate to see loyal fans getting screwed and caught in the middle of a "he said, she said" debate. Thankfully, MT is on the case, and he won't rest 'til he gets some answers.

[Keetch]

Agreed Beagle. Up here in Winston on TWC we're getting Sportsouth on Channel 71 and FSN on Channel 46. The interactive guide seems to think Atlanta Thrashers hockey is on Sportsouth, but I set the DVR anyway and lo and behold...its the Bobcats....though sometimes I've even had to DVR like 6, 30 minute episodes of whatever to get a whole Bobcats game; erasing each one as I watch my way through it.

I think Sportsouth and FSN are separate Fox networks, but both still Fox. I also think Sportsouth and FSN must be run by noobs; especially Sportsouth.

[Muttley]

Beagle, here in the triangle we don't get SportSouth on TWC. Originally, we were told that the SS games would air on FoxSports South, but they haven't been. The Detroit game is the first game on FSS, and will also be the first one I'll get to watch this season.

[spectre]

I hope you get it Muttley. I have FSN South too, but I scrolled ahead last night and instead there's a college game listed. The Bobcats are listed on an "alternate" channel and that's showing as blocked.

I'm on DISH though, so maybe it'll be different with TWC.

[Carolina X]

Similar to a post a few pages back, I too, have Charter Cable. Like so many of you, I was subject to watching either the Carolina Hurricanes or the Atlanta Thrashers last Thursday night. I called Charter's toll-free hotline only to find out that they direct me to a national call center in Minnesota. Needless to say, the woman on the phone was of no help. It looks as though Charter has simply decided not to pick up these games.

This might be my opportunity to cut off ties permantly with Charter Communications. I've read all the previous posts and I'm still not sure what I need to do to ensure that I can watch the local team. Should I switch to Direct TV or Dish Network? It seems as though there are arguments against each satellite provider on this board. What is the guarnateed way for me to view Bobcats games without blackouts?

[jdub28]

Similar to a post a few pages back, I too, have Charter Cable. Like so many of you, I was subject to watching either the Carolina Hurricanes or the Atlanta Thrashers last Thursday night. I called Charter's toll-free hotline only to find out that they direct me to a national call center in Minnesota. Needless to say, the woman on the phone was of no help. It looks as though Charter has simply decided not to pick up these games.

This might be my opportunity to cut off ties permantly with Charter Communications. I've read all the previous posts and I'm still not sure what I need to do to ensure that I can watch the local team. Should I switch to Direct TV or Dish Network? It seems as though there are arguments against each satellite provider on this board. What is the guarnateed way for me to view Bobcats games without blackouts?

I live in Fayetteville and Dish is blacking out the Piston game

[bozzy]

Should I switch to Direct TV or Dish Network? It seems as though there are arguments against each satellite provider on this board.

You might be better off switching to become a Atlanta Hawks fan. You will get more Hawks games on Charter than Bobcats games this season. :)

[Jeff41]

I can understand the NC/SC coast being blacked out for these games (and even that shouldn't be happening), but to black out Raleigh and the triangle is baffling. Huge viewership potential and a way to win new fans, what a shame. What makes it worse is blacking out League Pass as well. The only thing that it seems that will solve this is for this team to start winning and grow their fanbase so people will DEMAND the games on tv.

[TheBeagle]

I live in Fayetteville and Dish is blacking out the Piston game Excuse the language, but that's fucking ridiculous. Something's got to be done about this nonsense.

Does Dish offer Fox Sports Carolinas and SportSouth, or do you have the league pass?

I can't imagine other cities/states that have an NBA franchise and are part of TWC having this much trouble watching their team's games. >:(

[jdub28]

Excuse the language, but that's fucking ridiculous. Something's got to be done about this nonsense.

Does Dish offer Fox Sports Carolinas and SportSouth, or do you have the league pass?

I can't imagine other cities/states that have an NBA franchise and are part of TWC having this much trouble watching their team's games. >:(


All 3

LeaguePass

FoxSports

SportsSouth

and one of My ALT SPORTS channels has the Knicks game listed tonight

I Live in NC and I can watch every NBA game tonight EXCEPT the Charlotte Bobcats

[Mustachio]

I Live in NC and I can watch every NBA game tonight EXCEPT the Charlotte Bobcats



wow .... that is pretty freaking bad right there.

[WAM9]

I Live in NC and I can watch every NBA game tonight EXCEPT the Charlotte Bobcats

I'm in the same boat. Really bad...

[Ghost Kat]

I live in Raeford, I have the same packages for Direct TV as the person above with Dish Network. Sport South on Direct, Dish Network or TWC should show basically the same thing right? They don't and so far either the game isn't listed or it's blacked out in my area. Blacked out in my area? For what? I live 3 hrs from Charlotte. I'm not driving to see the games. I cheer from home , I drink, I smoke, I cuss at the ref's and Boo and wish evil on the other team....All from home. I buy the damn Jersey's , The damn Bobcats clocks basketballs and other bullshit and they block out my fucking games. Angry is not even the word, I have been hyped about this year and to not be able to watch my team play is very discouraging at the least.

[Shrimpy_Jackson]

Yeah man, I feel your pain. I'm telling you if we just get a bunch of torches, some pitchforks, and a few goats we can take this fight straight to the man! Who's with me?!

[TheBeagle]

I live in Raeford, I have the same packages for Direct TV as the person above with Dish Network. Sport South on Direct, Dish Network or TWC should show basically the same thing right? They don't and so far either the game isn't listed or it's blacked out in my area. Blacked out in my area? For what? I live 3 hrs from Charlotte. I'm not driving to see the games. I cheer from home , I drink, I smoke, I cuss at the ref's and Boo and wish evil on the other team....All from home. I buy the damn Jersey's , The damn Bobcats clocks basketballs and other bullshit and they block out my fucking games. Angry is not even the word, I have been hyped about this year and to not be able to watch my team play is very discouraging at the least. No reason to apologize to me about the language; I sort of said that at the beginning of my post for effect since I use profanity a bit more than anyone else here (not to mention the games......the worst thing I said tonight was calling Peja an asshole after he hit 3 3s in the first 3 minutes or so).