I just placed a pre-order for the MLS Shootout PPV package. I'm told that they won't be able to process the order until April 5th, but I'm getting the Shootout! I understand that you need digital cable with the expanded number of PPV channels and that large areas south of Denver can't get these. I'm in Glendale and we've only had them for about four months, so this is the first year I've been able to get the Shootout. I can hardly wait...let's start the season!
Expanded Channels? I just had my digital cable installed today . I have the "Silver Package" so I don't know if that counts as the expanded chanels. How much is the shootout package and what all does it include? IIRC last year they had some problems. Does anyone remember why? Garrett
Just hope that Comcast doesn't get rid of Fox Sports World for the Denver area -- they've already done it to a number of other markets that they've taken over...
Before we were in a rebuilt area, we had maybe 10 PPV channels. Now there must be about 50 and there are channels devoted to sports. For example, I think some are labeled "NBA" and others "GAME". Here is some more information regarding the Shootout. I've heard the price varies depending on where you are, but in the Denver area it's $49. Anyone here have the Shootout package last year?
If they do that, I would probably get rid of digital cable. The only reason I have it is for Fox Sports World.
While FSW isn't the only reason I have it, I'd likely jettison the digital cable as well. I'm not going to dwell on it, but it is a concern.
If you jettison digital cable, no more Shootout (You need the digital cable box to get the Shootout). I think there's a way to drop the digital cable service and keep renting the box, but you'd have to check.
Like others, I'm also worried about Comcast's track record with FSW. To me, their decision to drop FSW means I drop digital cable for satellite. If it means I have to pay another $49 to Dish or DirecTV for the Shootout mid-season, then I guess I do it (and won't like it, but even paying $100 for a whole MLS season is something like $.67 a game). Apparently, the reason Comcast has done this elsewhere is because they see FSW as being a competitor to the Outdoor Channel -- which Comcast has a stake in. You don't see a lot of bass fishing specials on FSW, so I don't quite see the logic but I've read about them doing it in several other markets.
Seeing the Outdoor Channel and FSW as competitors doesn't ring at all. Don't get why Comcast would even speculate about that.
I agree completely... that's what I've read, though, in a few different places online (here, some newsgroups, etc). And if you read it on the internet, it's gotta be true, right?
Just called Comcast and here's the story I got... The first weekend of games (4/5) is free, so the games covered by the package actually start on 4/12. If you have Digital Cable and see a channel in your guide called Sports PPV1, you've got the channels required. For me, this was channel 421. The rep I talked to said her computer only showed events that can be ordered a week or so in advance. She did find the Shootout package and confirmed that it was $49, but it's not in the list of things that can actually be placed on an account yet. This is probably what Baldwin referred to at the top of the thread. In any case, she said that calling mid- to late-week this week should work and they'll be able to add it to the account. Hope that helps...
Well that's nice, considering the only game played before 4/12 is the season opener between LA and Columbus, which is being broadcast on ABC! Just so you guys know, I was able to order with no problems from comcast here in Washington, so I don't know about this "not entered yet" story you're getting. As for Comcast seeing FSW as a competitor to OLN, it's not competition for ratings that they are talking about, it's competition for channel slots on cable systems. Most cable systems have (at most) 1 slot for niche sports on their expanded basic system (When I lived in Seattle OLN was on expanded basic while you needed digital for FSW, in Bellingham you need digital for both). The companies make the decision for what goes into that slot partially by how many homes the channel is currently in. By Comcast killing FSW on their system and putting OLN on, it gives it more homes AND takes them away from FSW. Then the next time a cable company (Charter for example) decides to rearrange their lineup, they may decided that OLN is a more attractive channel than FSW.
One of the big reasons Comcast drops FSW from it's systems is because of the general pissing war that's going on between Comcast and Murdoch. Comcast owns a large number of smallish networks that compete directly for ratings and airtime (system channel space) against similarly-themed networks owned by Fox. Thing HGTV vs. DIY, Lifetime vs. Oxygen, etc. Comcast also owns or are heavily vested in many regional sports networks in larger markets that compete directly against the Fox regionals -- such as New England Sports Network (NESN) vs. Fox Sports New England. This issue isn't isolated to Comcast systems, either. Many subscribers to cable systems run by AOL/Time-Warner have also been victims of corporate TV wars. Only safe bet if you want maximum soccer coverage these days is to stick with a satellite service -- while they too do have their own corporate interests (e.g. Starz has it's production facilities at DirecTV or DISH here in Colorado) -- it's not in their best interest to limit available channels. Considering that in most every case a satellite service is also cheaper than comparable digital cable service, the only reason I see to stick with cable is if you're in a situation where satellite is not a physical option.
Doh! The opener being on ABC didn't even occur to me on the phone... should have mentioned it. Who knows... it may be just hit-or-miss depending on who you get on the phone. Then again, the AT&T->Comcast switch is only just starting around here, so it may be a function of confusion and/or old/new procedures. As long as it's up and running on the 12th, I'm fine. Good point... I guess the thing that irritates me about that whole mentality is that there are an ass-load of channels available through the digital system. It seems ridiculous to me that they would want to take away a channel that's unlike any other, when there are a dozen "flavors" of Discovery, home improvement, or "24-hour shopping" channels. Like greenie says, they're just making satellite all the more attractive when they let pissing wars dictate what the customer gets. While I don't plan to give up my cable modem internet access, I do think the days of the cable box around here are numbered.
Pre-order lost If you ordered the Shootout package from Comcast before April 5th, I suggest that you call them back (303-930-2000) and confirm your order. I called March 31st and was told that although they couldn't put my order in their system until the 5th, they'd take care of it and I wouldn't need to call back. Well, it wasn't in their database this morning...
I took care of it last night and it seemed to go without a hitch. Once the rep "enabled" the service, I could turn to the PPV channels they're using (421-423) and see the schedule of this week's games. They also appear in the Tivo schedule just like any other programs, which should be convenient.
Over on the B&N boards somebody posted the Shootout schedule. EVERY Rapids game will be either on the Shootout or on ESPN2. The only ? is that the Shootout schedule still lists the game at home against the Metros on April 29th, when the game has been moved to July 26th. I'm assuming that will be corrected.
If you haven't ordered it yet and are in the area, try calling 888-675-1150. Follow the phone tree, once you get past that it's a piece of cake. Jasonma, I'm confident that will be corrected.