An Interview with MLB.TV

by Grant on Apr 13, 2009 11:48 PM PDT Comment 135 comments

A random Tuesday off-day is the perfect venue to try out my new feature series, McCovey Chronicles News Magazine. It's where I'll try to do serious interviews with serious people. I hope this works. It also prevents me from mentioning yesterday's game, which didn't happen.

So without further ado, my interview with John Cocteauson, V.P. of Blackouts for MLB Advanced Media is after the jump.

McCovey Chronicles: Thanks for taking the time, Mr. Cocteauson.

MLB.com: No problem.

McC: I was hoping you could shed some light on some of the blackout restrictions for MLB.tv. For example, I understand you can't get Giants games in Hawaii?

MLB: Oh, good gracious, of course not. That's home turf for the Giants.

McC: There isn't a television station that carries the Giants in Hawaii.

MLB: But someone purchased the Giants' television rights for Hawaii.

McC: Who?

MLB: Like...some guy.

McC: Someone spent thousands, if not millions, for the right to broadcast Giants games in Hawaii, but they're not actually broadcasting them? And that's why you won't accept money from people in Hawaii who actually want to watch Giants games?

MLB: Look, we're not here to live in the past.

McC: But this is the pres...

MLB: And how much revenue would we lose from people who were going to hop a plane from Hawaii and catch a live game in San Francisco, but said, "Hey, I can get this on my computer for a substantial fee"? Millions. And the under-ocean light rail industry is a burgeoning one, my friend. It'll be here in no time.

McC: That doesn't seem especially realistic, though. And I'm still confused as to...

MLB: What is Hawaii, anyways? A freak state, that's what. Not even connected. I'll give Alaska a pass, because they're attached to Canada, and that's kind of like a mini-America, but Hawaii? Water-locked freaks. Do they even have baseball? Jury's out, man. Let's focus on the millions of Americans who are perfectly satsified with MLB.tv.

McC: Uh, ok. I work in an office a few miles from AT&T Park, and I wanted to watch the Giants/Dodgers game on Monday, but it was blacked out on MLB.tv. Could you elaborate on your blackout policies?

MLB: Unfortunately, local blackout restrictions are in place. We don't want to take business away from local television arrangements.

McC: I didn't have access to a television, though. I work in an office. The only way I could watch the game was on my computer. Who benefits with a blackout?

MLB: Local television networks, for one.

McC: But I didn't use their product or service. I couldn't. Wouldn't it make more sense to track the IPs of the people who log into MLB.com from within the broadcast territory, and share pieces of that revenue with the local networks? People aren't watching games on computers because they're choosing to. If there's an accessible TV, that's where they'll watch the game. If there isn't an accessible TV, wouldn't it be a good thing that there's another way for people to tune in?

MLB: It's complicated.

McC: Just so I have this clear: You're saying that I can't pay to watch a game on a signal that's broadcast to an electronic box, as that would interfere with the business interests of corporations who want me to watch signals that are broadcast to electronic boxes?

MLB: There are ads to deal with, my friend. What are we going to do, show the local commercials on the internet?

McC: Absolutely. Play the TV feed as is. I'll pay you to watch.

MLB: Then you'll just do something else on the internet while the commercials play.

McC: But I already flip around to different channels when I watch it on TV.

MLB: Look, we're not here to live in the past.

McC: You already have this arrangement with Gameday Audio, though. I pay, and you give me the radio broadcast, local commercials and all.

MLB: Apples and oranges. I don't want to get all technical, but radio is sound-based, and television is sight-based. Totally different.

McC: Both broadcast play-by-play accounts of baseball games, using advertising revenues to make money. How are they different for the purposes of blackout discussions? Why are you able to give me radio broadcasts in exchange for money, but you're unable to give me television broadcasts in exchange for money. Look, I'll pay you per game. There are, like, ten or twenty games for which I'm unable to get to a TV each year. I'll pay you $2 for each one. Could there maybe be two tiers of MLB.tv? One for people who don't want in-market broadcasts, and one for people who do? I'll pay extra each year. Please, take my money.

MLB: You're spunky, kid. You've got moxie. I like that. But you have the business sense of an Otter Pop. Why would we accept money for a service and share that money with the companies we're already partnered with? The only thing that we'd accomplish is that their advertisers might reach more potential customers, which then might increase advertising rates. I'm trying to find a silver lining here, but I'm coming up short.

McC: (holding fistfuls of cash) For the love of all that is holy, please take my money in exchange for your product.

MLB: Well, you've convinced me. I'll just walk over and take your c...(throws smoke bomb)

McC: *cough* *cough*

MLB: Try and give your money to some other sucker, you charlatan.

I hope you enjoyed this edition of McCovey Chronicles News Magazine. Tune in next week when we interview someone else who doesn't exist.

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Comments

I’d rather get Rickroll’d.

Judgment Day is coming
comics | art | Nattowear

by Natto on Apr 13, 2009 11:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

THERE’S NO WAY YOU COULD HAVE READ THIS ALREADY. I’M STILL PROOFREADING IT.

Hater.

by Grant on Apr 13, 2009 11:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If you want people to read this you’ll have to come up with something better than VP of Blackouts, Grant.

Still in despair.
BRING BACK MARMOL!
konakona:「つかさに教われと...なんか非常に負けたような気がする。」
Shun Kakazu: MOAR JAPANESE PROSPECTS PLZ

by Zetsuboushita on Apr 13, 2009 11:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

What the Heck....I thought we wanted to expand the game.....

Regular Season and Postseason Live Blackout: Due to Major League Baseball exclusivities, during the MLB Regular Season and Postseason, all live games will be blacked out in Japan and South Korea.

Tommy Lasorda HATES GIANTSBOARD.COM

Say Hey! Say Who? Say Willie, that Giant Kid is Great!

by merkin on Apr 14, 2009 12:01 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I guess you’re stuck with games featuring the stars of those respective countries.

Judgment Day is coming
comics | art | Nattowear

by Natto on Apr 14, 2009 12:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You need to also speak with the Confusion Coordinator and the Chief Frustratiing Officer about their sterling service designed with who? in mind…

NL West TempestTeapot
Nothing matters , and what if it did?

by victor frankenstein on Apr 14, 2009 12:08 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Brilliant

Especially for games that aren’t broadcast locally. One day they might actually figure things out

Do you Wazzel?

by NeifiChicken on Apr 14, 2009 12:15 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

cockoston

by kingofthacove on Apr 14, 2009 12:15 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

You’re about 12 days too late, Grant.

by SFGuy on Apr 14, 2009 12:24 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Strike what I said above. I know it was supposed to be a joke. Don’t know why I said that.

by SFGuy on Apr 14, 2009 2:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

MLB has a real iron fist grip on its media. It seems really concerned with keeping everything under its umbrella and controlled. Blackouts, no YouTube videos, exclusive video game agreements. This is one of the perplexing things about MLB. Don’t they want more exposure? Wassupwitdat? I guess MLB is just old school that way.

Judgment Day is coming
comics | art | Nattowear

by Natto on Apr 14, 2009 12:36 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The “no YouTube videos” thing really pisses me off.

by deuce deuce on Apr 14, 2009 12:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

2 things. First, BLESS YOU for using a 'Fletch' reference!

The most quoted movie for people my age! I know you kids have your ‘The Big Lebowski,’ so I try to wedge into my conversations things like “say what you will about national socialism; at least it’s an ethos.” But the simple joy of Jean Cocteauston, or “What kind of a name is Poon?” Ahhhh. Christ, I am OLD— I remember when Chevy Chase & Steve Martin & Eddie Murphy were funny, and I still lust after Christy Canyon. Sigh.

And the other thing is that I THINK they now prefer to be called outs of color.

Forsan et heac olim meminisse iuvabit... Maybe.

by Mayor of 311 on Apr 14, 2009 1:14 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

What is the “Fletch” you speak of old timer?

Tommy Lasorda HATES GIANTSBOARD.COM

Say Hey! Say Who? Say Willie, that Giant Kid is Great!

by merkin on Apr 14, 2009 7:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jean Cocteauston.

Ah. That’s a much better spelling. Going to update the post….

by Grant on Apr 14, 2009 8:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

"For God Don Don!"

I’m with you, Mayor. There aren’t enough people who reference the movie I’ve seen probably 20 times. Which is why this is my favorite Onion article ever.

My plans for 2009: getting married and attending Tim Lincecum Bobblehead Day.

by Kitspool on Apr 14, 2009 9:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Best line

“I hate Tommy Lasorda!” Punches picture of Lasorda.

El Presidente Larry Baer's epitaph
"Nothing important ever happened without me."

by ResDog on Apr 14, 2009 9:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

outs of color

irl lol. Hilarious

Extremely proud adoptive parent of Paul E. Stanley, hacker extraordinaire
Thanks to roger

by bondslegend on Apr 14, 2009 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

True story

Christy Canyon signed my boxers once.

"The BB's are out. The BB's are being arseholes to me." - Brian Wilson.

by hairball on Apr 14, 2009 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Very cool. Hook a mayor up, man.

Forsan et heac olim meminisse iuvabit... Maybe.

by Mayor of 311 on Apr 14, 2009 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It was when I was going to Cal

An Italian guy in my dorm took a few of us to one of the strip clubs in SF, and she was there in all her glory. What can I say- I was star struck.

Now if it had been Hyapatia Lee, I would have probably fainted.

"The BB's are out. The BB's are being arseholes to me." - Brian Wilson.

by hairball on Apr 14, 2009 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I always liked Desiree Cousteau.
Many of them will do in a pinch, tho.

"You ask for game winning hits, I give you Eugenio Velez"

by The Gene Hackman on Apr 14, 2009 1:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

lame… honestly though.. if i had access to both my TV and mlb.tv… of course i’d flip on the tele..

i mean i do understand why they do it, still lame though.

If my head is full of white hairs by the end of this season.. I blame Brian Wilson. (I'm only 22, dammit!)

by GiNgiNxbOi on Apr 14, 2009 1:20 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

It would be interesting (to me) to see how MLB executives themselves think about this part of their business, which looks a lot like the thinking of the music industry. (Although unlike the music industry MLB sells its product directly to consumers rather than going through retailers.) They have this new media product which they know they can make a lot of money off of, but at the same time they’re ambivalent because the nature of this product potentially presents a threat to the security of their property rights and exclusivity issues that could deter advertisers. If it even appears as a choice to them, I’d guess that MLB execs don’t think there’s a real problem with spreading the game around, so they opt for security over exposure.

I’m actually amazed MLB.TV works as well as it does. Generally speaking I don’t trust MLB to run an e-media-based operation at all. I’ve purchased digitized games from them from as far back as 2004 that I had no way to playback within about 2 years. Even my personal silver lining to all this is tainted. Their blackout software seems to have failed for me and I can watch Giants games live — but who would want to have watched these games so far?

by non sequitur on Apr 14, 2009 6:13 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

“I don’t want to get all technical, but radio is sound-based, and television is sight-based.”

LOL.

Solution: Move to Dallas. Where you might get Ranger/Astros games blacked-out but not Giant games. Win-win.

El Presidente Larry Baer's epitaph
"Nothing important ever happened without me."

by ResDog on Apr 14, 2009 6:21 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

But…you’d live in Dallas…

Jesse Foppert: I Still Believe
"I've come to the conclusion that the two most important things in life are good friends and a good bullpen." ~Bob Lemon,

by AndYourBirdCanSing on Apr 14, 2009 9:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

We all must make sacrifices for our team.

Judgment Day is coming
comics | art | Nattowear

by Natto on Apr 14, 2009 10:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Buy a RANCH!

Charlie Hayes ate my homework

by glenallen hill's waterpipe on Apr 14, 2009 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Buy THE Dallas Ranch!

El Presidente Larry Baer's epitaph
"Nothing important ever happened without me."

by ResDog on Apr 14, 2009 11:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

“Please take my money.” another LOL.

please, please, please

Krazy Krab despised in the 20th century and loved in the 21st century. Hey it only took over 20 years, so don't give up hope.

by timmeh on Apr 14, 2009 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I also don't get

how Fox managed to get exclusive broadcast rights for Saturday day games. That pisses me off to no end.

Still defending Rich Aurilia, and the Niners' classic unis

by wjackalope on Apr 14, 2009 8:16 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

This

will probably do more long-term damage to baseball teams’ relationship with their customer base than anything. Saturday has always been one of two days a week for families to take kids to the ballpark. They don’t have to worry about leaving games early when it’s the kids bedtime, or rushing to the game from work, or dealing with rush-hour traffic, etc. And because stupid fucking Fox thinks the world needs to stop for every Yankees-Red Sox or Cardinals-Cubs game, all the other teams either have to do without broadcast revenue for the game or start it on a Saturday night. It’s so stupid and counter-productive it makes me want to scream.

My plans for 2009: getting married and attending Tim Lincecum Bobblehead Day.

by Kitspool on Apr 14, 2009 9:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

exactly

I hate it so much because I love going to Day games – sit outside on a warm day and enjoy some baseball – and if I’m not at the game I want to hear it on the radio while I’m doing yard work or cleaning the house or just sitting outside somewhere with a cold one. And because of Fox and their absolutely god awful broadcasters, it ends up being a night game

Still defending Rich Aurilia, and the Niners' classic unis

by wjackalope on Apr 14, 2009 11:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

As an example of the Saturday absurdities, check this out:

Fans tuning in to SportsNet New York to watch Saturday’s Mets-Marlins game in Miami will not see the first 50 minutes.

To accommodate a postgame concert, the Marlins scheduled the tilt for 6:10 p.m. The first pitch falls inside Fox’s exclusive Saturday window (4p.m.-7p.m.), necessitating the blackout. Fox will air Red Sox-Angels here.

If Fox were a nation-state, they’d be North Korea.

My plans for 2009: getting married and attending Tim Lincecum Bobblehead Day.

by Kitspool on Apr 14, 2009 11:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree. Good way to make sure that little kids can't go to the game. Bravo.

Forsan et heac olim meminisse iuvabit... Maybe.

by Mayor of 311 on Apr 14, 2009 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree, that was a bone head move on a lot of fronts. We commute in from Sacramento for games, which usually means we ONLY go to day games. MLB is losing our ticket sales on Saturdays, the day we would prefer to go. Even when we can’t get into the City for a game on Saturday, I still like to have the game on when I’m puttering around the house, running errands etc…

And for crying out loud… not everybody wants to see the flipping yankees and redsox all the time. I can’t wait till technology gets to the point where we can choose the game we want to watch.

by Merope on Apr 14, 2009 12:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

this

That is exactly the way my childhood went…. Saturdays were it. We would not have driven to Candleshite or the Mausoleum for Sat. PM games. And there is absolutely no way I would be as big a baseball fan, and as excited to take my nieces and nephews. That ridiculous Sat. deal really screws parents with children, even those in SF.

I was very irritated when I discovered my MLB Extra Innings was dark on Saturdays. I mean, if you want to force the Red Sux/Yankees/Angles/Cubs watchers to look at the Fox idiots instead of their local broadcasters, OK. Why do baseball fans all over the rest of the nation have to crowd around crystal sets to listen to the glorious AM broadcast of their local team?

I don’t like the NFL blackout rules, but at least I understand the thinking. I don’t think blacking out
Raider games for years did anything to boost interest or attendance for the Raiders, but I know a lot of owners believe (and possibly have data supporting the theory) that televising a home game cuts into the gate, at least slightly. That has absolutely nothing to do with this stupid Rupert Murdoch fascist regime of foisting the Red Sux down the nation’s throat.

Finally, one of the greatest attributes of televised baseball is its delicious nap-inducing quality. There is nothing more relaxing on a summer Saturday afternoon than settling back on the couch, sipping your cold beverage (or for those of us in SF, scalding hot tea or coffee), sleeping for a few innings, then waking up to see the Giants trudge back to the clubhouse in shame. Fox even ruins this with their maniacal volume blasting explosion noises for every fade.

And… technology IS at the point where we can choose the game we want to watch. I have a satellite receiver that beams every game into my house, except the ones that the Murdoch Mafia scramble for my “enjoyment”.

Giants pitching coach Dave Righetti. "I treat Timmy differently from most pitchers: I leave him alone."

by natteringnabob on Apr 14, 2009 8:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Very good!

Giant Dirtbags: Brian Anderson, Todd Jennings, Steve Hammond, John Bowker
Wronghanded Affeldt doing it right

by Giant among Angels on Apr 14, 2009 8:26 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I have never watched a locally broadcast Giants game.

This year is the first time i’ve had access to mlb.tv. You’ve been spoiled for a while.
However, I agree wholeheartedly. Blackout restrictions only serve to limit revenue ceilings. Embracing technology has always been a slow process for the MLB and this instance is no different. Streaming TV is a huge market that they are missing because they overcharge and provide an unsatisfactory service.

Mischievously implosive purple pitching staff.

by SloIsLonelyForTheOrange on Apr 14, 2009 8:28 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I think the product itself is actually very satisfactory. I’ve had a few issues that I had to call in for (about 1 a year since I started getting mlb.tv) which did take a while to resolve but the product itself is fantastic, and getting better every year. The only reason that I feel they overcharge is because I’m in the Rockies AND Diamondbacks blackout areas which means that there are close to 40 Giants games a year that I can’t watch. At least they started including Gameday Audio with the tv package so that I can listen to them.

I would not be opposed to them checking my IP and noticing that I was in those areas and then forcing me to watch the local feed.

by paboperfecto on Apr 14, 2009 8:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The unsatisfactory service is in reference to those blackout restrictions. As Grant mentioned in the post, MLB is already revenue sharing with local tv stations as it is. If they track IPs to monitor which station each viewer would be tuned in to otherwise, they could also use that information to play local commercials during the breaks which would help cover the costs of broadcasting that feed and paying off the local station. This seems like basic economics done the exact wrong way.

Frankly, I believe mlb.tv should be provided at little to no cost. The audience would grow two-fold if the price were $10-25 per season. The cost right now is prohibitive for the importance of the service provided. I don’t know how their subscription rates are doing this year but a hundred dollars a year to watch baseball online could sound pretty wasteful to a lot of people.

Mischievously implosive purple pitching staff.

by SloIsLonelyForTheOrange on Apr 14, 2009 9:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd even consider it

in addition to Extra Innings to make it portable… but I already pay for 24 Saturdays with no baseball, so I’m not going to add the indignity of paying that money to STILL be unable to get the games.

And why not charge some egregious amount to let people watch a single game?

Giants pitching coach Dave Righetti. "I treat Timmy differently from most pitchers: I leave him alone."

by natteringnabob on Apr 14, 2009 8:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It should be noted that blackouts as apply to the 10AM PT/1PM ET games too even though (pardon me for yelling) FOX NEVER BROADCAST THAT DAMN EARLY!!!!!!!!

by SFGuy on Apr 15, 2009 2:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh look. Grant has a potential serious and informing…

/reads “good gracious”

Oh…never mind.

Not sure how I missed the VP of Blackouts first time through. Nicely done.

by chilibean_3 on Apr 14, 2009 9:03 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Nice

This is some great stuff. Much appreciated for the early morning/late night laugh.

Read me: http://www.addisports.com
Follow me: http://twitter.com/addisports

by addisports on Apr 14, 2009 9:05 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

MLB’s blackout restrictions have never affected me directly, but they really, really, really baffle me.

Never has a poster been more correct in the history of the internet. Ever! - ResDog on yours truly
Adopted Giant: Fred "Ruthless Aggression" Lewis

by jcb9 on Apr 14, 2009 10:00 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

I actually used to get blacked out when the Gmen went to play in Milwaukee. I lived in Minnesota, but lived like 500 miles away from Milwaukee. wtf.

Extremely proud adoptive parent of Paul E. Stanley, hacker extraordinaire
Thanks to roger

by bondslegend on Apr 14, 2009 10:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The NFL’s rules are almost equally arcane. And it’s especially discouraging when you live in a place where the four secondary teams are the Chiefs, Rams, Vikings and Broncos. Gag. Oh, and I can’t order Season Ticket because my building doesn’t allow satellite dishes. Neat. Luckily, Omaha is only an MLB market for the Royals, and that’s not a bad drive, if the Giants ever play in KC while I’m here.

Joe Martinez: My fingers are crossed and my palms are together for you.
When it's all said and done, America will be remembered for three things: The Bill of Rights, jazz, and baseball.

by cornball on Apr 14, 2009 1:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

homertv.net

check it out for NFL games. I’m not about to pay 300 bucks plus whatever stupid directv charges- the way I see it, if they’re going to be assholes and run a monopoly, I have no problem ripping them off. They also have some giants games on there too

Extremely proud adoptive parent of Paul E. Stanley, hacker extraordinaire
Thanks to roger

by bondslegend on Apr 14, 2009 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

or justin.tv

Still defending Rich Aurilia, and the Niners' classic unis

by wjackalope on Apr 14, 2009 1:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nice. Thanks guys.

Joe Martinez: My fingers are crossed and my palms are together for you.
When it's all said and done, America will be remembered for three things: The Bill of Rights, jazz, and baseball.

by cornball on Apr 14, 2009 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That works too

but homer does 700k mms streaming links for all NFL games during the season, so it’s basically mlb.tv quality for EVERY nfl game. The NFL should just take their model and charge you for it, because if they did that I would subscribe in a heartbeat. It’s awesome.

Justin.tv looks like crap a lot of the time. But it is better than nothing.

Extremely proud adoptive parent of Paul E. Stanley, hacker extraordinaire
Thanks to roger

by bondslegend on Apr 14, 2009 2:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the info, that’s why we have DirecTV … cuz Mr Merope wanted [lord knows why] to follow his bengals. This year he’s thinking maybe they are not worth the $ .

by Merope on Apr 14, 2009 3:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Couldn’t he just follow the local papers’ police logs?

by scout6 on Apr 14, 2009 3:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

seriously
but we both know that the year we don’t get Sunday Ticket, will be the year they win – more than 5 games…

by Merope on Apr 14, 2009 3:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yup

homer.tv is definitely the way to go. Take it from a niners fan- if I had to pay to watch the first half of last season, I would not have been happy.

Extremely proud adoptive parent of Paul E. Stanley, hacker extraordinaire
Thanks to roger

by bondslegend on Apr 14, 2009 4:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t understand…is it www.homer.tv ?

Giant Dirtbags: Brian Anderson, Todd Jennings, Steve Hammond, John Bowker
Wronghanded Affeldt doing it right

by Giant among Angels on Apr 14, 2009 8:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

whoops sorry

it’s homertv.net. They changed it now so you have to register, then you get approved after a couple days. Kind of annoying, but it is worth it IMHO

Extremely proud adoptive parent of Paul E. Stanley, hacker extraordinaire
Thanks to roger

by bondslegend on Apr 14, 2009 10:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

Giant Dirtbags: Brian Anderson, Todd Jennings, Steve Hammond, John Bowker
Wronghanded Affeldt doing it right

by Giant among Angels on Apr 14, 2009 11:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

When I lived in the dorms at Cal Poly, they only had 1 of the FSN West channels, and it was the Angels one, so whenever the Giants played the Dodgers, I couldn’t watch the games on TV and was blacked out from MLB.tv..

OF ALL GAMES TO BE CONSISTENTLY BLACKED OUT FROM, IT WAS GIANTS VS. DODGERS!

proud father of the newly acquired Brandon Crawford..

by Azmanz on Apr 14, 2009 10:26 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

travesty

Extremely proud adoptive parent of Paul E. Stanley, hacker extraordinaire
Thanks to roger

by bondslegend on Apr 14, 2009 10:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Should we send a telegram to current Cal Poly dorm residents explaining how this travesty actually was a GOOD THING yesterday?

Look kids, when I was your age the Giants were good. And we were blacked out from watching them beat the Dodgers.

You whippersnappers might complain about not seeing yesterdays game, but you kids got it better.

Charlie Hayes ate my homework

by glenallen hill's waterpipe on Apr 14, 2009 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

what year was that?

1912?

FIRE BRIAN SABEAN... UNLESS HE KEEPS DRAFTING WELL. .. AND SIGNS UNDERRATED PLAYERS LIKE AFFELDT OR PHELPS. .. OR ALRIGHT WHO'S PLAYING WITH THE ALIEN MIND-SWITCHING RAY?
-------
PARPG- Indy post-apocalyptic roleplaying game currently in early planning stages.

by zenbitz on Apr 14, 2009 2:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

When I was in the dorms there, I got both FSN channels.

GROUGTHINK ALERT
Chatterbalks dot com: Still with jokes. Now with updates.

by groug on Apr 14, 2009 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

They changed it in 06

So that we could get GSN and 4 HBO channels. For the first 3 months, we didn’t even have ESPN2.

proud father of the newly acquired Brandon Crawford..

by Azmanz on Apr 14, 2009 5:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was in the dorms in 2003-2004 and I am positive that I had ESPN2 and 2 Fox Sports channels.

GROUGTHINK ALERT
Chatterbalks dot com: Still with jokes. Now with updates.

by groug on Apr 14, 2009 5:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well done, sir

I actually did think it was real until the Hawaii thing. I’m kinda thick I guess.

However, those are, believe it or not, the most rational arguments for blackouts I’ve ever heard….which should tell you something

Extremely proud adoptive parent of Paul E. Stanley, hacker extraordinaire
Thanks to roger

by bondslegend on Apr 14, 2009 10:44 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh, Grant

We’re not here to live in the past.

by scout6 on Apr 14, 2009 11:00 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Mark McGwire is not here to talk about the past.

Meet my new son: Sundrendy Windster, coming soon to a minor league near you.

by EliminateMe on Apr 14, 2009 11:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I recently had struggles with MLB.tv and blackouts. I finally just said fuck it. I’m having Comcast installed in my room on Friday.

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Apr 14, 2009 11:01 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

If there’s one company that is guaranteed to screw up everything it touches, it’s Comcast. From billing, to customer service, to making sure that their product works, to having a functional website, Comcast gives a perfection of incompentence that stands out in an incompetent world.

by Grant on Apr 14, 2009 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I recently heard that studies have found that the public has a lower opinion of Comcast than it has of AIG.

Never has a poster been more correct in the history of the internet. Ever! - ResDog on yours truly
Adopted Giant: Fred "Ruthless Aggression" Lewis

by jcb9 on Apr 14, 2009 11:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL. Comcast is total crap. Cox is huge upgrade in terms of functional product and customer service.

Joe Martinez: My fingers are crossed and my palms are together for you.
When it's all said and done, America will be remembered for three things: The Bill of Rights, jazz, and baseball.

by cornball on Apr 14, 2009 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have heard this several times, but I have never had a problem with Comcast. I been using them for about 3+ years now. Their internet is amazingly fast.

The tv side has been fine and the only blackout I have had to deal with was one of the opening A’s games last week.

Customer service has always been terrific for me, their deals are pretty cool, they have no contracts, and I only use their website to pay my bill, and never had a problem with it either.

by scout6 on Apr 14, 2009 11:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

About 4 years ago we had Comcast for TV and internet. Everytime it rained the internet would go out. We would call Comcast and they would say that that was impossible. “There there silly woman don’t fret your head about this technical stuff.”

Last year we found out that cable and internet were out after a big storm cuz the whole shebang got drenched. Whatever leak we had noticed that was effecting our service had grown and knocked out half the complex. The contractors laughed when we told them about our experience “Yup, that’s Comcast, they won’t spend the $$ to fix something till it burns down or blows up.”

by Merope on Apr 14, 2009 12:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Strange.

i have had Comcast in 2 different locations, Clovis and now Tracy and never run into anything like that.

by scout6 on Apr 14, 2009 12:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’ve had fairly good luck with Comcast myself, but I’ve heard a lot of horror stories. Plus they tend to do lots of stupid things like throttling bittorrent traffic whether it’s legal or not and without telling anyone.

Never has a poster been more correct in the history of the internet. Ever! - ResDog on yours truly
Adopted Giant: Fred "Ruthless Aggression" Lewis

by jcb9 on Apr 14, 2009 12:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

They also typically don’t provide enough bandwith for the all the HD channels they provide and will routinely choke the feed of certain low-demand channels in order for the high-demand channels (like ESPN) to be in full HD.

Joe Martinez: My fingers are crossed and my palms are together for you.
When it's all said and done, America will be remembered for three things: The Bill of Rights, jazz, and baseball.

by cornball on Apr 14, 2009 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

How about AT&T as an ISP? Anyone have experience with them? I’m thinking about switching from my current provider (Earthlink, an AOL-generation Internet company) and the advantage of AT&T is I could get a package deal with (landline) phone service.

by non sequitur on Apr 14, 2009 2:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

we have AT&T now, and they have been good so far. I mean Comcast was ridiculous… every time it rained…sheeesh!

we had a major outage once and it was our whole area of the city, but that’s once in 3 years…it lasted for about 6 hours, of course it was also the day I had a midterm in an online class I was taking, but that’s another story!

by Merope on Apr 14, 2009 3:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

AT&T hasn’t been too many problems for us, but it’s quite expensive for the speed. I only get about 1.2 MB down and 300 KB up.

The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."
Kevin Frandsen should be with the big team.

by WalrusMan on Apr 14, 2009 4:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

AT&T hasn’t been too many problems for us, but it’s quite expensive for the speed. I only get about 1.2 MB down and 300 KB up.

!! Right now I’m only getting 300K down. Is this cable? (Does AT&T do cable?) I was looking at their DSL plans and the “Elite” one was only 6Mbps (about 750K) down.

by non sequitur on Apr 14, 2009 4:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm thinking he means mega"bit" down, not mega"byte" down

right walrus? cuz 1.2 megabyte down is what I used to have and that is effing awesome.

Extremely proud adoptive parent of Paul E. Stanley, hacker extraordinaire
Thanks to roger

by bondslegend on Apr 14, 2009 4:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yea that would be correct. I’ve always wanted cable to have a higher up speed so I can get a better share ratio for torrents.

The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."
Kevin Frandsen should be with the big team.

by WalrusMan on Apr 14, 2009 5:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ok. The AT&T plans may well be pricey but if their performance figures aren’t complete lies it’s still better than my current ISP.

by non sequitur on Apr 14, 2009 5:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

But AT&T cell phone reception is crap. And their terms and conditions for Yellow Pages advertising is immoral.

Thanks, I just needed to get that out there. I feel better. Continue.

Sir Alex Omar Hinshaw: It's not right if it's not left.

by The Enchanter on Apr 14, 2009 6:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

P.S. I’m not sure why I bothered to blockquote your short comment.

by non sequitur on Apr 14, 2009 5:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Because I’m important.

The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."
Kevin Frandsen should be with the big team.

by WalrusMan on Apr 14, 2009 5:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Because I’m important.

Indeed.

by non sequitur on Apr 14, 2009 5:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Quite.

The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."
Kevin Frandsen should be with the big team.

by WalrusMan on Apr 14, 2009 7:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Because I’m impotent.

True.

GROUGTHINK ALERT
Chatterbalks dot com: Still with jokes. Now with updates.

by groug on Apr 14, 2009 5:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yea probably left myself wide open to that. Should have thought more.

The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."
Kevin Frandsen should be with the big team.

by WalrusMan on Apr 14, 2009 7:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yea probably left myself wide open to that. Should have thought more.

You really should have

Extremely proud adoptive parent of Paul E. Stanley, hacker extraordinaire
Thanks to roger

by bondslegend on Apr 14, 2009 10:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yea probably left myself wide open to that. Should have thought more.

You really should have

Yep, he really should of.

by chilibean_3 on Apr 15, 2009 9:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I had bundled services for $115 per month. That’s internet, phone, and TV. I called to get the MLB Network. They said, oh, well that’s an additional $15 per month, but we have a promotion that knocks that tier down to $10 extra per month. Fine, I say. Gimme.

Now I get my bill, and they’re charging me an extra $70 per month. I call to ask what gives, and they tell me that the only way to get the Digital Preferred Tier is to break up the special bundle pricing. Information that might have helped me when I signed up for the freaking service.

Monkeys. That place is run by monkeys with head injuries.

by Grant on Apr 14, 2009 3:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

small claims court is your friend

go for it!

Giants pitching coach Dave Righetti. "I treat Timmy differently from most pitchers: I leave him alone."

by natteringnabob on Apr 14, 2009 8:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The internet speeds were good when I used Comcast. I didn’t have any issues with them on that front.

Now, with the TV side? That’s another story. Much like what Grant was talking about.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Apr 14, 2009 1:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Comcast is pretty crappy but it’s not nearly as awful as Dish. That’s saying something.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Apr 14, 2009 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

well, OK. this is better than Macca’s solo work.
but let’s see how “funny” you are when you’re, like, 80.

"You ask for game winning hits, I give you Eugenio Velez"

by The Gene Hackman on Apr 14, 2009 11:12 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Man, all this bitching about TV stuff and Bruce Jenkins is nowhere to be found? What’s next, an ode to Dusty Baker and a Maverick’s preview?

by Bay Area Sports Guy on Apr 14, 2009 11:28 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I actually have had no problems with mlb.tv, fantastic service, and their video options are amazing

Why does Sabean always look constipated?

by TexasRanger on Apr 14, 2009 11:35 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Blackouts are always dumb

Whether it’s done by MLB or the NFL.

Still, we have it a lot better today than we used to. I remember when my dad gladly paid a huge some of money in 1989 for “GiantsVision,” a cable add-on that only broadcast like 30 games or something (I can’t remember the exact number since it was 20 years ago) and featured the broadcast tandem of Duane Kuiper and. . . Joe Morgan.

by Bay Area Sports Guy on Apr 14, 2009 11:35 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

And, for years and years, I lived on the East Coast and only got to watch the Giants a few times a year, when they were playing the Mets. Most days, all I got was a box score in the next day’s paper – the day after next for night games played on the west coast.

Never has a poster been more correct in the history of the internet. Ever! - ResDog on yours truly
Adopted Giant: Fred "Ruthless Aggression" Lewis

by jcb9 on Apr 14, 2009 11:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

All good points, but today we have the technology. We have the capability to provide every game to people willing to pay for it.

by Grant on Apr 14, 2009 11:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, I agree. Like I said above, the blackout rules baffle me. It’s almost as though Major League Baseball was being run by an out-of-touch, cranky old idiot or something.

Never has a poster been more correct in the history of the internet. Ever! - ResDog on yours truly
Adopted Giant: Fred "Ruthless Aggression" Lewis

by jcb9 on Apr 14, 2009 12:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

by scout6 on Apr 14, 2009 12:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m in total agreement with you, I guess I just wanted to throw in a GiantsVision reference. The premise that someone would ever, ever watch a game on a computer when a TV is available is completely asinine.

It’s clearly a bone MLB’s throwing to cable providers to protect against people like my buddy whose girlfriend won’t let him get cable (so he bought MLB.TV). Man, she sucks.

by Bay Area Sports Guy on Apr 14, 2009 12:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe that’s why they are still together.

by Merope on Apr 14, 2009 12:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

She sucks in the “Dave Roberts as a Giant” sense, not the Marilyn Chambers (RIP) sense.

by Bay Area Sports Guy on Apr 14, 2009 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

On another note...

Has any seen those ridiculus anti PED commercials on MLBNetwork?

Minor White > Ansel Adams

by say hey nation on Apr 14, 2009 12:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Spot-on “interview”. The MLB Blackout Policies make zero sense.

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.

by jponry on Apr 14, 2009 1:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I do believe my hair now is longer than Page’s.

The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."
Kevin Frandsen should be with the big team.

by WalrusMan on Apr 14, 2009 4:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hate to burst your bubble

But you did not want to watch that monstrosity yesterday.
Seriously.

Someone get Damon Minor's agent on the phone stat!
Adopted Father of Luis Perdomo

by fanofvanlandingham on Apr 14, 2009 2:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

SHHHHHH!

I have it on my DVR! Don’t spoil it for me!

by Grant on Apr 14, 2009 2:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I look forward to the day when MLB has more women in upper management positions, because I really think Lindsay Lohan has a shot at VP of Blackouts.

by satyricrash on Apr 14, 2009 2:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

God this article sums up the bane of my existence.

I DONT HAVE CABLE. I CAN NOT WATCH THE GAMES ON TV IF I WANTED TO. I WILL PAY YOU 100 DOLLAR A YEAR TO SHOW ME COMMERCIALS. NO!???

Everybody loves money

by fwoty oz on Apr 14, 2009 2:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

the weird thing is, I can watch Giants games just fine from work. Proxywall fireserver or something…

Everybody loves money

by fwoty oz on Apr 14, 2009 2:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah if u can reroute through a proxy it’ll determine your ip as something not in the area

by quincy0191 on Apr 14, 2009 4:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

myp2p.eu

fantastic website, they’ve got several games streaming per day. you have to download tvants, which is nothing, to view the links, but they’re a lot more reliable than justin.tv IMO.

luckily i’m in LA (never thought i’d say THAT in connection to baseball…) so i wouldn’t get giants games blacked out even if i had the service. unless of course they were playing the dodgers. but mlb.tv sucks anyway; it’s way to expensive both per month and yearly.

i recommend MLB at bat 2009 if you have an iphone/ipod touch. it’s $10 one time for the paid version (there’s a free version that’s really basic) and it gives you live updates for all games as well as gameday audio. considering that’s a hell of a lot cheaper than MLB.tv’s gameday audio and it works without a wi-fi connection, it’s a much better deal. no blackouts, $10 for the whole year, go get it. combined with myp2p.eu and you’re set.

by quincy0191 on Apr 14, 2009 4:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Don’t know if I’d consider $10 a “hell of a lot cheaper” than $15. And there are no blackouts on gameday audio for the PC.

by paboperfecto on Apr 14, 2009 8:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes

but you can carry an iphone anywhere and use it anywhere….and it’s cheaper.

god i want an iphone so badly

Extremely proud adoptive parent of Paul E. Stanley, hacker extraordinaire
Thanks to roger

by bondslegend on Apr 14, 2009 10:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

An iPhone isn’t cheaper than Gameday Audio.

Judgment Day is coming
comics | art | Nattowear

by Natto on Apr 14, 2009 11:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

indeed

the app is though. But yes, I see your point.

Extremely proud adoptive parent of Paul E. Stanley, hacker extraordinaire
Thanks to roger

by bondslegend on Apr 14, 2009 11:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t know if it’s like that now but a couple years ago, I read that Las Vegas, according to MLB rules had 5 teams in it’s territory thus these teams were blacked out there: Diamonbacks, Dodgers, Angels, Athletics and Giants. None of these 5 teams are even close to Las Vegas, how can they be considered part of the city?

by SFGuy on Apr 14, 2009 5:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Ahem

It’s “try to,” not “try and.”

"Catcher are base running. Hitters are offense."
Only [hella] games left until the end of Zito's contract.
Adoptive father of "Poncho" Villalona: This Angel don't fly. Nothing about him is light.

by thehavenot on Apr 14, 2009 6:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

No sarcasm: I really, really appreciate these kinds of comments. I want to make a living as a writer/editor, so I need to know errors I’m prone to make.

I’m sure there’s alot I have to learn.

by Grant on Apr 14, 2009 7:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, I was just trying to make a joke in the grammar thread type of vein. I’m glad I was able to actually contribute something of value, however.

That’s much better than unfunny jokes.

"Catcher are base running. Hitters are offense."
Only [hella] games left until the end of Zito's contract.
Adoptive father of "Poncho" Villalona: This Angel don't fly. Nothing about him is light.

by thehavenot on Apr 14, 2009 7:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs