I realize games are still 5+ weeks away, but I'm getting anxious to hear any news as to the local tv deal. What's the hold-up? When do these things usually get announced? Are there any other possible carriers besides CSN and NC8? Why did our national coverage on ESPN/ESPN2 slip from 6 to 5 games? Who can answer these questions?
If the last couple of years are any indication, a week to ten days before the season begins. Not really. What you need is a carrier who is committed to DC and it's sports, and is willing to bump whatever it has now. CSN won't bump the O's....but if the O's are scheduled to be on another station, or on at a non-conflicting time, it's still the best answer. Might have something to do with being the 10th best team in a ten team league.
With DC's pathetic peformance on road game coverage relative to the rest of the league, this is an announcement I'm not looking forward to.
Slightly off topic: Does anybody know if the MLS shootout package will be offered this year? Thanks in advance.
I was told it will, but details are still under negotiation. I hope to have more answers later this week.
I sure wish UPN or WB would pick up some games. I'm pretty sure those affiliates do so in some other MLS cities.
Re: Re: When will we learn DC United's 2003 local TV deal? Could be worse. KC have either one or no games on national television. They got screwed.
There are 5 United games on ESPN2, 3 at home, 2 on the road. That means the local TV package, ideally, would show 25 games, 13 on the road, 12 at home. There are 6 conflicts with the Orioles where there games are on COMCAST the same time DC is scheduled to play. May 10 (home), June 11 (away), June 14 (home), June 28 (away), July 30 (away), August 16 (away) Here is United's schedule and what the Os are doing the same day, and when and where (on TV). April 12 DC @ KC, 8PM Orioles @ Boston, 7:05, Channel 54/PAX April 19 Chicago @ DC, 7:30 Tampa Bay @ Orioles, 1:35, Channel 54/PAX April 26 DC @ Colorado, 9:00 Orioles @ Tampa Bat, Channel 54/PAX May 3 Dallas @ DC, 7:30 Kansas City @ Orioles, 1:35, CSN May 10, NY/NJ @ DC. 7:30 Orioles @ Kansas City, 7:05, CSN May 17 Kansas City @ DC, 7:30 Tampa Bay @ Orioles, Channel 54/PAX May 31 DC @ Dallas, 9:00 Texas @ Orioles, 7:00, Channel 54/PAX June 7 Chicago @ DC, 7:30 Orioles @ St. Louis, FOX June 11 (Wednesday) DC @ Colorado, 9:30 Chicago @ Orioles, 7:05, CSN June 14 Columbus @ DC, 7:30 Milwaukee @ Orioles, 7:05, CSN June 21 New Engalnd @ DC, 7:30 Orioles @ Atlanta, 7:05, Channel 54/PAX June 28 DC @ Columbus, 7:30 Philadelphia @ Orioles, 7:05, CSN July 2 (Wednesday) DC @ Dallas, 9:00 New York @ Orioles, 3:05, CSN July 5 NY/NJ @ DC, 4:00, ESPN2 July 12 DC @ Chicago, 4:00 Orioles @ Oakland, 4:05, Channel 54/PAX July 19 San Jose @ DC, 4:00, ESPN2 July 30 (Wednesday) DC @ New England, 7:00 Orioles @ Minnesota, 8:00, CSN August 9 New England @ DC, 7:30 Orioles @ Boston, 7:05, Channel 54/PAX August 13 (Wednesday) Colorado @ DC, 7:30 Orioles @ Tampa Bay, 2:15 August 16 DC @ Chicago, 8:30 New York @ Orioles, 7:05, CSN August 24 (Sunday) DC @ San Jose, 6:00 Orioles @ New York, 1:05, Channel 54/PAX September 6 Los Angeles @ DC, 7:30 Seattle @ Orioles, 7:05, Channel 54/PAX September 13 San Jose @ DC, 7:30 Orioles @ Toronto, 4:05, Channel 54/PAX September 20 DC @ Los Angeles, 10:00 Toronto @ Orioles, 7:05, Channel 54/PAX September 25 (Thursday) DC @ NY/NJ, 7:30, ESPN2 September 28 (Sunday) NY/NJ @ DC, 4:00 Orioles @ New York, 1:05, Channel 54/PAX October 4 DC @ Columbus, 7:30 October 12 (Sunday) DC @ New England, 4:00, ESPN 2 October 19 (Sunday) Columbus @ DC, 4:00, ESPN 2 October 25 Kansas City @ DC, 7:30 *The Capitals last regular season game is April 5, before United’s first game. BUT, and this is a big but, their playoff games, at least some of them, are usually on local TV – Comcast, Channel 8 or Channel 50 – so if they make the playoffs, and they should – there are potential conflicts there. (Of course, given the Caps’ playoff history, whatever conflicts there are should be brief!) *There are no conflicts with the Washington Wizards. Amazingly, they don’t play on a Saturday in April and the regular season ends Apr. 16. If the Wizards make the playoffs, those games should be – especially with MJ – on national TV. *We – or at least, I – don’t know what other contractual obligations Comcast may have for these dates. There could be some auto race or college football or who knows what they have a contract for on the dates and times we think are open. *We don’t know what impact the Capitals fall schedule has in terms of conflicts. Traditionally, the Caps begin play in early October so we’re looking at potential conflicts October 4 (away) and October 25 (home). So, as things speak, Comcast could show as many as 19 DCU games. The team would need to find a venue for the other 6 games but 2 of those are home games so there’s less pressure to find an outlet for them. But, the 4 away games with Orioles conflicts are going to require a positive solution or result in a lot of unhappy – loud and unhappy – fans.
For you Shootout folk regarding those conflicts: That Metros game in May is on TV up there. They are televising every game not on nationally. That Chicago game in August is not on Chicago TV. That may be one MLS will try and get on TV somewhere, somehow. Those are the only two teams that have announced their TV plans so far.
I believe that the Wizards playoff games would be on both Comcast/WB and national cable. (Not that we have a lot of experience dealing with Wizards playoff games) Also, I believe WB 50 (in DC, other channels elsewhere) picks up a decent amount of Saturday O's games.
I would guess that it will be offered this year, since I got charged 49 clams for it on my latest Directv bill.
Does anyone think that if we bombard comcast or WB with e-mails that they might feel more inclined to pick up a few more extra games?
I'm not sure that would do much good until we know with who and what kind of contract DCU negotiated. I just find it a little strange that we're a little over a month away from the season and there's been no big media push for ticket sales or overall publicity.
So far dish is not offering it and rumors are that they will not offer the package. Which is really going to piss me off cause I have the dish so I could get the soccer programing I want
OK, admittedly, this is coming somewhat from having my head in the sand about these things, but.... Does anyone know why Comcast doesn't offer Shootout? Or Fox Sports World Espanol (in the District) for that matter....
Why dont we bomb the dish network execs with emails demanding they offer shootout! dammit thats why I bought the damned thing!
Read the thread in BUsiness and Media before you go off half-cocked. Dish is offering it. Some CSR didn't know that when one person called.