JeffGollin
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The delayed launch of the NFL Network (which means preseason games won't be aired on it this year) puts us right back on "square one" with regard to blackouts.
There is more than one issue involved here.
- Why should games be blacked out at all in distant markets that carry FoxSportsAZ via DirecTV and DISH? Whether or not we watch the game has no bearing on local ratings or the impact on sales of the advertisers' product in AZ.
- Unpredictability - We never know whether or not the game will be aired or blacked out until we either (a) see the game or (b) the "blue strip of death" appears at the bottom of the Channel 649 screen. (Or even worse - the first few minutes of the game airs - and then they black it out).
- Poor Communications - Sometimes we're told the game will be aired & then it isn't. Sometimes we're told it will be blacked out and then it airs. And we never know til game time. Why can't we get accurate info about the airing of the game - at least a week in advance of the game. Some of us plan our weekends around watching it. Then when it's not on, another evening has been screwed up.
- Buck Passing - Depending on who you talk to - "It's the NFL who blacked out the game." "It's FOX." It's DirecTV." "It's the Cardinals." "It's the other team." "It's a last-minute side deal between FOX AZ and another western affiliate." It would be helpful if someone with clout were to take it upon him/herself and bring all the parties together to permit the airing of these preaseason games.
- Bleep Happens After It's Too Late to Do Anything About it - Each year we get the same story - "Things were worked out prior to preseason and we're stuck with those policies." The time to fix those policies is NOW - before the milk is irrevocably spilled.
Jim O - Can you run interference for us on this? We need someone representing the Cardinals to clear away the archaic blackout stuff that benefits no party (league, broadcaster, satellite provider, team or fan). Can you start the ball rolling by having someone work things out with the various parties involved while there is still time to do it?
To a hard-core Cardinal fan, preseason games, in some ways, are more interesting than some regular season games because it's like opening your Christmas packages in July and August - you get to see what the draft and off-season moves have brought you.
Help. Please! Thanx.
There is more than one issue involved here.
- Why should games be blacked out at all in distant markets that carry FoxSportsAZ via DirecTV and DISH? Whether or not we watch the game has no bearing on local ratings or the impact on sales of the advertisers' product in AZ.
- Unpredictability - We never know whether or not the game will be aired or blacked out until we either (a) see the game or (b) the "blue strip of death" appears at the bottom of the Channel 649 screen. (Or even worse - the first few minutes of the game airs - and then they black it out).
- Poor Communications - Sometimes we're told the game will be aired & then it isn't. Sometimes we're told it will be blacked out and then it airs. And we never know til game time. Why can't we get accurate info about the airing of the game - at least a week in advance of the game. Some of us plan our weekends around watching it. Then when it's not on, another evening has been screwed up.
- Buck Passing - Depending on who you talk to - "It's the NFL who blacked out the game." "It's FOX." It's DirecTV." "It's the Cardinals." "It's the other team." "It's a last-minute side deal between FOX AZ and another western affiliate." It would be helpful if someone with clout were to take it upon him/herself and bring all the parties together to permit the airing of these preaseason games.
- Bleep Happens After It's Too Late to Do Anything About it - Each year we get the same story - "Things were worked out prior to preseason and we're stuck with those policies." The time to fix those policies is NOW - before the milk is irrevocably spilled.
Jim O - Can you run interference for us on this? We need someone representing the Cardinals to clear away the archaic blackout stuff that benefits no party (league, broadcaster, satellite provider, team or fan). Can you start the ball rolling by having someone work things out with the various parties involved while there is still time to do it?
To a hard-core Cardinal fan, preseason games, in some ways, are more interesting than some regular season games because it's like opening your Christmas packages in July and August - you get to see what the draft and off-season moves have brought you.
Help. Please! Thanx.
