not that shootout, the good one. MLS SHOOTOUT PACKAGE DELIVERS IN 2003 DIRECTV, DISH Network and iN DEMAND Will Combine to Offer Nearly 120 Regional MLS Broadcasts NEW YORK (Tuesday, March 18, 2003) - Major League Soccer fans will again enjoy three different options for acquiring the MLS SHOOTOUT Package during the League's eighth season, as satellite providers DIRECTV and DISH Network, along with digital cable provider iN DEMAND, will combine to present a full menu of MLS regional telecasts in 2003. "We're elated that our loyal fans will again have access to nearly 120 regional broadcasts during our 30-week season, for just $49," said MLS Executive Vice President Mark Noonan. "We are pleased to be working with DIRECTV for the seventh consecutive season, DISH Network for the fourth year in a row and we welcome back iN DEMAND and its digital cable carriers for a fifth year." All three packages will be priced at $49, while commercial establishments can purchase the package for a flat rate of $100 (regardless of seating capacity). The MLS SHOOTOUT Package will include all live and tape-delayed broadcasts of MLS regular-season and MLS Cup Playoff matches. While regional TV carriers are finalizing schedules with the 10 MLS teams, nearly all of the League's 150 games are expected to be available via ABC, ESPN2 or the MLS SHOOTOUT Package. The League's eighth campaign kicks off on Saturday, April 5, with the defending MLS Cup Champion Los Angeles Galaxy traveling to Columbus to face the Crew live on ABC Sports at 4:00 p.m. ET. The League's other eight teams kick off one week later, as the 2003 MLS SHOOTOUT Package kicks in with four games on Saturday, April 12, and another on Sunday, April 13. Major League Soccer has collaborated with all three providers to offer two separate FREE TRIAL periods for the MLS SHOOTOUT Package from April 12-19 and for July 4 and 5. All MLS Shootout Package telecasts are subject to change. Purchasing The MLS Shootout Package DIRECTV - Includes but is not limited to all regional broadcasts on major networks (e.g. MSG, Comcast, FOX Sports Net) 1-800-DIRECTV, online at www.DIRECTV.com <http://www.DIRECTV.com> cost (residential): $49.00 cost (commercial): $100 (888-200-4388) ======================================================== Dish Network - Includes all regional broadcasts (regardless of the originating network) 1-800-333 DISH, online at www.DISHNetwork.com <http://www.DISHNetwork.com> cost (residential): $49.00 cost (commercial): $100 (800-454-0843) ======================================================== iN DEMAND - Includes all regional broadcasts (regardless of the originating network) 1-888-SPORTS-iN, online at www.indemand.com <http://www.indemand.com> cost (residential): $49.00 cost (commercial): $100 About DIRECTV: DIRECTV will feature an MLS SHOOTOUT Package that includes regional MLS broadcasts shown through major networks such as and FOX Sports Net affiliates and MSG. DIRECTV is the nation's leading digital satellite television service provider with more than 11 million customers. DIRECTV and the Cyclone Design logo are registered trademarks of DIRECTV, Inc., a unit of Hughes Electronics Corp. HUGHES is the world-leading provider of digital television entertainment, broadband satellite networks and services, and global video and data broadcasting. The earnings of HUGHES, a unit of General Motors Corporation, are used to calculate the earnings attributable to the General Motors Class H common stock (NYSE: GMH). For more information, visit www.DIRECTV.com. About DISH Network: EchoStar's fleet of six satellites allows DISH Network to provide households and businesses across the country with more than 500 channels of digital video, audio and data services. DISH Network's MLS Shootout Package will provide soccer fans with every regional MLS broadcast (regardless of the originating network) throughout 2003. Since its launch in 1995, DISH Network's vast selection of channels also provides its customers with an affordable and comprehensive menu of quality sports and entertainment programming. About iN DEMAND: Digital cable subscribers in some markets will again be able to purchase every regional MLS telecast through iN DEMAND, the world's largest pay-per-view network, for a fifth consecutive season. With a 35-channel lineup, iN DEMAND's programming also includes movies from all the major Hollywood studios, in addition to sports and entertainment events. Since it first purchased the rights to license the NBA LEAGUE PASS for digital cable in 1999, the company's list of sports programming has expanded to include MLS, NHL, MLB and NASCAR programming. Currently available through nearly 2,000 cable affiliates nationwide, iN DEMAND expects to reach nearly 23 million subscribers in the next few years.
No announcement of FSW yet though. I fiquered if it was going to happen it would come out about now. Or maybe MLS is just waiting for the local tv schedules to announce the FSW partnership.
also, a good time to remind people that HDTV and DirecTV customers can get games in HD this season. i think the FSW thing can go either way ...patiently waiting for Crew TV schedule to be announced. And your free preview games: Saturday, April 12th Los Angeles at Dallas - 4:00 p.m. ET Columbus at MetroStars - 7:30 p.m. ET D.C. United at Kansas City - 8:00 p.m. ET San Jose at Colorado - 9:00 p.m. ET Sunday, April 13th New England at Chicago - 7:00 p.m. ET Saturday, April 19th Columbus at New England - 4:00 p.m. ET (espn2) Los Angeles at MetroStars - 7:30 p.m. ET Chicago at D.C. United - 7:30 p.m. ET Kansas City at San Jose - 10:00 p.m. ET Friday, July 4th Kansas City at Colorado - 9:30 p.m. ET New England at Los Angeles - 10:00 p.m. ET Saturday, July 5th MetroStars at D.C. United - 4:00 p.m. ET (espn2) Dallas at Columbus - 7:30 p.m. ET Chicago at San Jose - 10:00 p.m. ET
Does the Shootout package allow us to catch Crew home matches that are only slated for showing in the opposition's TV market?
It seems to change from year to year and from carrier to carrier so it's dangerous to try and generalize BUT: Last season, DirecTV carried every single match that was televised by anybody, anywhere. These "wild feed" games sometimes don't even show up on the schedule. They include the "Sport TV" Crew broadcasts, for example. TV "market" doesn't matter in this case. You paid, you get. The only matches we didn't get, and there were very few (Chicago seemed to be a black hole) were ones that NOBODY had a camera pointed at.
Has anyone tried TW yet? I called today and they said the package wasn't available right now. Please don't give me "get DirectTV." I'm very happy with TW and RoadRunner kicks ass.
keep in mind the shootout doesn't start for 3 1/2 weeks yet. they'll probably carry it, just not taking any orders yet.
Myshap, just keep in mind that you can order RoadRunner and now subscribe to TW. However, the cable modem will cost you about $10 more per month.