Are HDNet MLS Games on the Shootout?

It depends on if a local broadcaster also covers the game. Some of them are on HDNet and a local station - those games are on the Shootout.

However, some games, like this week's, are only on HDNet, so no Shootout. MLS had hoped to get as many of those games covered by local stations as possible.

But they basically realize that to get the exposure to the HD customer, they have to bite the bullet because the HD people will not "downgrade" their broadcast.

I'm bummed but I kind of see why it's happening. I think I have more details at home, but maybe Andy Mead (who is well versed in this) can fill in what I don't know.

 

big reason is because they use seperate cameras and all for the broadcasts... from my understanding, hdnet doesn't stand in the way of anyone doing a local feed, but they also don't help them in any way

hdnet does everything for the ultimate hd experience and that doesn't lend itself to being a lower quality feed... like that used for the local broadcast and, in turn, the shoot-out

so basically, what monster said

 

They do no home Quakes matches.

This game wouldn't be on the Shootout regardless of the HDNET deal. Every year there are a handful of games where neither team does a time-buy for a local broadcast. This one is no different.

 

Don't blame Cuban. Blame the local broadcasters. All in all, we'll still get probably 95 percent (or more) of the MLS games on TV this year through ESPN and the Shootout alone. I think you can count the number of games broadcast nowhere on one hand.

 

I'm not positive but I thought that I saw highlights of the HDNet game last week on MLS Wrap. It was in letterbox so I assumed thats where it came from. So if nothing else we should atleast get the highlights.

 

Autogoalzo - there are lots of people upset that the SJ-Clb game isn't being shown this week. Just check out the Quakes and Crew boards. I for one was distraught when I found this out.

But I don't think the HDSNet contract has anything to do with it. It's basically a separate issue.

Where it'll only come into play is if IN THE FUTURE local carriers don't cover the games because HSD is doing the game.

Personally, I think the only reason the Crew team isn't doing the game in SJ is probably 'cause of the increased production costs of flying way out to the West Coast. But that's just a guess.

 

I'd like it if SJ-Columbus were available on the Shootout, but it's not.

I have to work that night, anyhow.

Autogolazo: Take $50. Divide it by the number of games you wouldn't see otherwise. Now see if the shootout looks like a better deal, especially compared with the $15.95 you can pay for a single Premiership game on PPV. And it's support for MLS -- remember, if enough people don't buy this package, it'll go away.

 

As of 4/8, there were a dozen HD games not being covered locally. I think Columbus jumped in and added one of them recently so we're down to 11. Like I said, the league wishes the signal could be "downconverted" but understands that HDNet sees itself as excusively for the HD audience.

And if you have ever travelled to an HD message board, you'll see why this is good - people who aren't soccer fans are watching simply because it's such a good broadcast.

Again, don't blame Cuban or the league. The local guys need to get their sh!t together and make sure more games are broadcast. All in all, there were going to be around a 15-20 games not carried on ESPN2 or local carriers, and that was a month ago when I was told that, before all teams had finalized their plans.

I'll have to doublecheck again to see what the final figures were. But it's pretty damn good.

 

I believe that particular game was carried on MetroSports in Kansas City - I watched it on the shootout, with Bill McDermott and Ron Newman doing the game. I saw Schraeder and Doyle do a road game earlier in the season (Colorado, I believe?) and they did the game in Naperville last weekend.

It's unfortunate that this particular game turned out to be one that we'd all like to see, but whether or not you can or want to get HDTV, it's a good thing that this particular technology is being tested out on our league. Perhaps in the future it'll be more readily available (it might even become the standard eventually). But all I know is we're all missing a hell of a lot fewer MLS games than we used to.

 

I seem to recall on MLS wrap they showed highlights of the Dallas match last week. Took me a minute to figure out why there were the black bars at the top and bottom of my screen.

 

If you drop by your local HDtv appliance store would you be able to watch the SJ-CL game in their store? Which carriers provide the HDnet feed?

 

Just DirecTV right now. The local store ("Video Only" right next to where I work) was showing it when I went in to look at HDTVs.

www.hd.net has a page ("Where to Watch HDNet") where you can look up retailers that claim to show HDNet in their stores, but how many of them are going to be open at 7 PM Pacific / 10 Eastern on a Saturday night for tomorrow's game?

 

The page also has sports bars with HDnet. Good find.

 

SCREW HDNET!

THIS IS ALL A GIANT ANTI-SOCCER CONSPIRACY!

 

The listing of sports bars may not be accurate. They list a place in San Francisco ("Greens") which some people over in the SJ forum have reported that they don't actually have HDNet.

 

This is precisely what I did. I dropped by Good Guys in Canoga Park and they had several demo rooms with the soccer game on. The sales people were cool. I asked a few questions but other than that, they left me alone to watch the game.

The picture was just simply awesome, especially with the blue Quake uniforms and the yellow Crew uniforms against the gorgeous green field. You have to see it to appreciate it. If I could get DirectTv in my apartment, I would seriously consider investing in the equipment necessary to bring the "MLS on HDNet" exprience home. Until then, I will just have to consider Good Guys my third home