MLB selling "the package" rights to DirecTV

by Tony on Jan 22, 2007 4:26 PM PST Comment 34 comments

Wow. I just read about this over at BP. That really sucks. I know everyone always bitches about the NFL only being available to people with the dish, but at least regular cable subscribers could get baseball still. This hasn't affected me for the last 5 years, as I've been in the Bay. Now, I'm moving down south and my plans just took a direct hit from DirectTV (horribly obvious pun intended).

My guess is that there's a fairly significant portion of AN who follows the A's from afar on the Extra Innings package as well. Not good.

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I will have to look into this

My current domicile is smack up against a mountain that blocks satellite tv reception to the south. As it is if you got a clear view to the south, it is also very low on the horizon.

rip 2006, it was nice while it lasted.

by ak_A on Jan 22, 2007 4:33 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

New York Times article...

...discussing the deal is here. DirecTV would pay MLB $700 million over seven years, which apparently blows away InDemand's $70 million bid (triple what they had been paying).

I have a feeling the Extra Innings price for the DirecTV consumer with will be jacked up because of this. So it'll suck for them, too.

I've had MLB Extra Innings on cable for the last five years, and I was able to watch more A's games in those five years than the previous 15 since I became an A's fan. Words cannot describe how much I loathe this development.

"So, whatever, Ozzie." -- Nick Swisher

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Jan 22, 2007 5:37 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

no kidding!

rip 2006, it was nice while it lasted.

by ak_A on Jan 22, 2007 9:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

This would really blow

This was brought up on the DLD.

I echo FormerH-ville's sentiment. I have subscribed to EI through cable the past few years.

I still make most of the games in Anaheim and a handful in Oakland but missing most of the rest on tv is going to hurt.

And Direct TV is not practical for me because I have a high speed/cable/phone package plan through the cable company.

by easyraider on Jan 22, 2007 5:48 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

It's been coming for a while

Selig and the owners saw the eyepopping money the NFL was getting with Sunday Ticket and figured exclusivity would get them a bigger check.

In the end a team's revenue isn't going to go up much. Right now the A's get $2 million from the existing set of deals annually, this new one might get them $2.5-3 million. Woo-hoo!

One good thing that might come out of this is that more MLB EI games might be in HD as a result.

by vertig0 on Jan 22, 2007 5:58 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

If you want to complain

The proper email address format for MLB executives is firstname.lastname@mlb.com.

Allan H. (Bud) Selig Commissioner of Baseball

Bob DuPuy President & Chief Operating Officer
Jimmie Lee Solomon Executive Vice President, Baseball Operations
Tim Brosnan Executive Vice President, Business
Rob Manfred Executive Vice President, Labor Relations & Human Resources
Jonathan Mariner Executive Vice President, Finance
John McHale Jr. Executive Vice President, Administration

Also, the number for the commissioner's office is 212-931-7800. Let them know your opinion on the DirectTV deal.

by IM4Oakgal on Jan 22, 2007 7:06 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

you'd probably have more luck

by writing your representative in Congress. Selig and company have no incentive to even consider the fan response. It's a done deal, and they have their cash.

However... In an interesting development, last month Arlen Specter launched an assault on the NFL's anti-trust exemption to negotiate TV rights. Perhaps someone can do the same for baseball.

--Nebraska--

ThePastime

by Ryan Armbrust on Jan 22, 2007 9:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

<hugs my DirecTV dish>

"Come on, you douche bags, we're all on the same team!"

by Jennifer on Jan 22, 2007 7:20 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

lands on haybales and manure

pile, is okay, shakes out over-alls. Bath day is now Friday instead of Saturday

rip 2006, it was nice while it lasted.

by ak_A on Jan 22, 2007 9:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I've never been so happy

when so many others have been so sad. Hopefully they will be adding more HD broadcasts. I just jumped off the dishnetwork plan so now I can watch EVERY YANKEE GAME. Yuck!#!%

"Shitburger, Skip?"

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jan 23, 2007 4:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I hope your dish turns into a 24-hour birdbath.

;)

"So, whatever, Ozzie." -- Nick Swisher

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Jan 23, 2007 7:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

This Sucks!

My parents have DirecTV and I have cable to help bundle the cost of internet, etc...I guess I can get the internet subscription but watching my computer screen isn't nearly as nice as watching my TV.

Gas to Chicago- $23.87 A's/White Sox Tix- $28 Watching the A's whipping the Sox in July 05'- Priceless

by WiscoFan on Jan 22, 2007 8:40 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Taking place?

Any rumors as to if this will happen for this upcoming season? I am already looking at DirecTV's website for price plans.

by Hawk on Jan 22, 2007 8:44 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I already have Directv...

and I hate this deal. I was actually thinking of switching to comcast, since I've had so many ridiculous issues with DirecTv (one installer, there to do an "upgrade" actually put a hole in my porch...didn't get the dish pointing the right direction...someone still has to come out every 3 months or so to point the dish the right direction...getting someone on the phone who won't hang up on you is impossible...) But I'd guess that they're ALL like that. Who am I kidding? I'll have to check the cost of EI this year, since they simply "re-enroll" you from season to season, they don't ask if you want it again.

That, or I go live in a cave, I guess...that'll show 'em

by giambizombie on Jan 22, 2007 8:51 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

My only hope...

Is the possibility that mlb.tv will be better in terms of quality than last year. Also they should allow quicktime to run the feeds rather than their bloated WMP or Real Player.

Is there anyone on here who watches the games via mlb.tv on their main TV? Is it even watchable in terms of quality? I'm not gonna sit in front of my computer for 162 games. I mentioned in the DLD, I cant get Direct TV because of the bad signal.

THIS REALLY SUCKS

"...we don't score six, seven runs. We score three, four runs and play defense and pitch" - Eric Chavez

by pickinmachine on Jan 22, 2007 9:21 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I know that Smith1051 does

I've watched MLB.tv on his tv in KC, and while it was watchable, it was still a far cry from MLB:EI quality. I hate this deal. A lot.

--Nebraska--

ThePastime

by Ryan Armbrust on Jan 22, 2007 9:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

In college I used to ...

on a 27" tube tv.

It's not HD by a longshot, but it's pretty comperably to a standard picture.

Read my latest articles

by devo on Jan 22, 2007 11:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I wrote letters to my senators and representatives

There's no way Bud will listen to us, so we have to use the only leverage that we have on baseball, the anti-trust exemption. I'd encourage you all to at least write a short note to your congressmen/women, and mail it to them. You can find their addresses at http://house.gov and http://senate.gov

When MLB makes a decision that so impacts fans, they need to be held accountable for their actions.

At least that's what I think.

--Nebraska--

ThePastime

by Ryan Armbrust on Jan 22, 2007 10:47 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Awful....just awful...

...that's my only link to the A's...

Ho hum. Just another day for the OAKLAND ATHLETICS OF AWESOME! ~Kyli

by baseballgirl on Jan 23, 2007 12:33 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

You better be nice to people that have DirecTV....

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Jan 23, 2007 1:32 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

and perhaps make a donation

with exclusive rights, I wouldn't be shocked to see the package price jump from ~$160 to over $300.

--Nebraska--

ThePastime

by Ryan Armbrust on Jan 23, 2007 2:19 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

No way it jumps that high...

It may go up, but no way is it going THAT much higher than the NFL, which is also exclusive to DirecTV. They would lose a ton of customers at that price.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Jan 23, 2007 8:04 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

don't forget "options"

NFL ticket alone is reasonably priced but "Superfan" costs another $100 so I could get games in HD. It also includes some other cool stuff but, trust me, they will dangle an optional carrot with the EI package and you will feel like you MUST eat it.

You will fall for the "banana in the tailpipe."

"Shitburger, Skip?"

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jan 23, 2007 4:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Terrible.....the worst news.

This is a perfect example of the blackmail engendered when delivery systems also have a say in content. DirecTV is way behond cable in terms of subscribers, so who suffers? The cable subscribers! This is an outrage, one of many in today's world. I sympathize with you, BBG.

"It's a cookbook!"---The Twilight Zone

by Buck18 on Jan 23, 2007 9:59 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I meant behind, not behond....

in my fury and disappointment, I mis-typed. Score one, as always, for greed.

"It's a cookbook!"---The Twilight Zone

by Buck18 on Jan 23, 2007 10:01 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Canadian perspective

I subscribe to a package with my cable company that includes MLB, the NFL, NBA, and NHL, plus a bunch of other stuff for 25-30$ a month. I don't have Direct TV but I do get all of the NFL games.
Not sure how all that works but I would imagine that either way I would still get EI. I do however have enormous empathy for any NRAFs who may be losing this.

by Larry E on Jan 23, 2007 9:54 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

It would be nice if

they would ease blackout restrictions as a concession. I still don't understand why mlb.tv doesn't want my money.

"Look its either batman or batman and robin not robin w/o batman robin isn't sh@#."--cchefz71

by jeepers on Jan 23, 2007 11:06 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Seriously ...

at the least they could do it based on what is actually broadcast in each area.

I'd be fine with it if they blacked out the A's games that were actually shown here, in Sacto and I'd still be happy to pay their fee for the 50 or so games that are left and available.

Read my latest articles

by devo on Jan 23, 2007 11:15 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Precisely.

"Look its either batman or batman and robin not robin w/o batman robin isn't sh@#."--cchefz71

by jeepers on Jan 23, 2007 11:32 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

If you are serious Devo,

there is a way around the blackout rules. Of course you have to be a DirecTV subscriber, but I've been watching A's games in Fresno for 3 years on KICU and Fox sports. Fresno is also in the blackout area for the A's as is Sacramento. All my local channels are out of San Francisco but I could care less. If I want to watch the local Fresno broadcasts (which I don't) I can watch them via arial antenna. It's perfectly legal as far as I know.

"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer

by alox on Jan 24, 2007 3:38 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm hoping EI will show more games.

Yeah, I know EI already shows 14 bajillion games per season. But last season, there was a two week stretch (around the COL/LAD games) where the A's were on maybe twice.

"Come on, you douche bags, we're all on the same team!"

by Jennifer on Jan 23, 2007 11:18 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

read joe sheehan's article

BP subscribers should check out Sheehan's article from Monday. He basically said that this is a good deal for MLB because 1) $700 million is a lot of money and 2) the sale likely won't alienate fans, since it is unlikely that hard core fans who bought 1,500 games a year would stop being fans to altogether. They'll either just switch to DirecTV, buy mlb.tv (which has always worked well for me with good picture quality), or suck it up and watch the games on cable. As Sheehan says, "Extra Innings is a niche product for extreme users, not a gateway drug."

http://baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=5820

by Nick86 on Jan 23, 2007 12:49 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I think Joe is assuming

everyone is like him, a fantasy baseball/baseball guy that watches lots of different games to keep up on their players. I don't think he has any real research on what the market is like.
I can tell him, I don't fit that demographic, I am someone that lives in an apartment where my only option is cable. I watch maybe 3 or 4 A's games a week and the reason I get EI is because I live about 5 hours away from my hometown and am out of market. I do other stuff on the computer or cook, clean etc while watching the games as well. I am a casual user that enjoys being able to watch the A's. Many times I am using the computer while watching the A's, so MLBtv is of limited use for me.

I think most of the people that watch these games may not be rabid baseball fantasy fans whose career depends on baseball knowledge (which probably be Sheehan and his world). I think there are other customers just like me-The Detroit native living and working in Chicago, The San Diego native working in Palo Alto or the Baltimore native working in New York.

"Choosing between Milledge and Gomez is like choosing between Mozart and Beethoven" --NY Mets Message Boards

by apilgrim on Jan 23, 2007 5:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs