Cubs Blackouts

[wonkadog]

So, in years past, us Cubs fans (and I am thinking Twins, Royals, White Sox, & Cardinals) have been bent over by MLB who claims that we are in the home market of about 5 different teams here in Iowa. Has anything changed with this or not? I am not looking forward to seeing the Cubs ESPN games blacked out again this year and would love to find a contact we can email about this ridiculous situation.

I know in the past we've blamed DirecTv or whomever but when I call them they pass the blame on to MLB.

 

[garn91]

So, in years past, us Cubs fans (and I am thinking Twins, Royals, White Sox, & Cardinals) have been bent over by MLB who claims that we are in the home market of about 5 different teams here in Iowa. Has anything changed with this or not? I am not looking forward to seeing the Cubs ESPN games blacked out again this year and would love to find a contact we can email about this ridiculous situation.

I know in the past we've blamed DirecTv or whomever but when I call them they pass the blame on to MLB.

Nothing has changed and the blame is on MLB and their out dated blackout policy.

What's strange is that last year, whenver the Cubs were on ESPN and Comcast Sportsnet at the same time, the ESPN feed wasn't blacked out for me.

 

[djcubby]

What I absolutely loved is when the Cubs were at Philly, and at Atlanta and the games were blacked out in Des Moines.

I guess MLB is expecting to me to hop in my private jet and go catch the game.

 

[garn91]

What I absolutely loved is when the Cubs were at Philly, and at Atlanta and the games were blacked out in Des Moines.

I guess MLB is expecting to me to hop in my private jet and go catch the game.

are you talking about games that were on ESPN and blacked out? In order to protect the local broadcast, the national feeds (ESPN, Sunday TBS games, etc.) of the "local teams" (Cubs, White Sox, Royals, Cardnails, Twins, and Brewers) are supposed to be blacked out.

If you're in Des Moines with Mediacom, blame Mediacom for not offering Comcast Sportsnet.

 

[illinoiscyclone]

what channel is the cubs game on today?

 

[DaddyMac]

Comcast

 

[BryceC]

The Royals are rarely on TV but I've never seen them blacked out in Iowa. They get on Fox Sports once in a while.

 

[jumbopackage]

The blame for blackouts rests firmly on the rights-holders to the games, which is MLB. Yell and scream at DirecTV all you want, but they are just doing what their contract tells them they have to do.

 

[clone2011]

my dad just e-mailed me this blackout map.....seriously?

 

[wonkadog]

The blame for blackouts rests firmly on the rights-holders to the games, which is MLB. Yell and scream at DirecTV all you want, but they are just doing what their contract tells them they have to do.

That's what my assumption was but what about garn91's assertion that MLB is assuming we should have Comcast for some reason here in central Iowa?

FYI I don't yell at DirecTv but you'd think with how often they probably get yelled at they would have contacted MLB by now.

 

[CyDude16]

what channel is the cubs game on today?

espn2 I believe.

 

[GriffClones]

I guarantee the radio broadcast will not be blacked out.

 

[wonkadog]

my dad just e-mailed me this blackout map.....seriously?

Wow, that's ridiculous to actually see that on a map. Is this from a legit source? That's why MLB Extra Innings is absolutely worthless here in Iowa, you can't watch anyone!

 

[dustinal]

my dad just e-mailed me this blackout map.....seriously?

Ooo, pretty.

 

[BigSkyCy2]

espn2 I believe.

It will be blacked out on ESPN in Iowa. You will only see it on Comcast here.

 

[hurdleisu24]

Why and of corse I don't have Comcast

 

[cybsball20]

I think the majority of the blame is on the local carriers for not picking up the channels, knowing its the only way for fans to see the game. MLB isn't expecting you to go to the game, they are expecting you to support your 'local' partner station...

 

[DJK15]

my dad just e-mailed me this blackout map.....seriously?

Iowa's myriad of colors just blinded me. That's ridiculous.

 

[BigSkyCy2]

Iowa's myriad of colors just blinded me. That's ridiculous.

No kidding. There are so many colors there I can't even tell what colors really ARE there.

 

[garn91]

Wow, that's ridiculous to actually see that on a map. Is this from a legit source? That's why MLB Extra Innings is absolutely worthless here in Iowa, you can't watch anyone!

Yes, that blackout map is for real. Unless you're a fan of the Yankees or Red Sox, Extra Innings is useless here in Iowa. If you've got DirecTV, hit the link below and punch in your zip code, it'll show you what pro teams you can receive.


Local Regional Sports Network Information

This is what I receive:

Comcast Sports Chicago (all of the Chicago pro teams)

Through the Sports Pack:

FSN North (all Minnesota & Wisconsin pro teams, except the Bucks)
FSN Midwest (Cardnails, Blues, and Royals)