What to do about Direct TV (no Bucks/brewers HD)

[Scott]

Ok, I wanted to get this thread started to see from any of you out there if you have any ideas how to deal with Direct TV as it relates to HD sports.

Apparently now when Bucks or Brewers games are on in HD and on NBA TV or Fox Sports Net, Direct TV may very well carry them in HD on ch. 84, but we are not allowed to watch them.  We apparently are forced by league rules to have the SD version of Fox Sports Net (ch. 642), and can't watch the HD feeds of these games.

This is troubling, especially since supposedly the Time Warner cable people are getting these games.  (laugh it up TWC people, when football starts and we get those beautiful ESPN HD games on Sunday nights)

Direct TV has so far been non-responsive.  How many of you would sign a letter or communication to the Bucks/Brewers, Fox Sports Net and Direct TV?

These guys (especially Direct TV) have to know that I will dump them for TWC if I can't get my local teams (Bucks and Brewers) in HD.   That's half the reason I have HD.

Ideas on how to proceed?

[G-Man]

scott I am with you. I totally agree!!! I'll definetly will sign a letter of communication

[borghe]

nm

[easylistener]

I will sign.  Those types of thinks piss me off to.  Who better to watch those team in HD?  There our local sports teams.

Packers open up on Monday night football this year.  HD with the first game.  We are going to be spoiled.

[Matt Heebner]

I'm there. This is irratating to say the least.

Matt

[russellj]

I have Directv and I would sign. I was forced to put in TWC's basic service with a HD box so that I could get local HD channels, You are right TWC carries the Brewers and Bucks games on Fox Sports Net North. The Bucks games that I have seen look real good to. Directv claims to be the leader in HD but I don't think so. TWC carries more HD programing than Directv does. Directv's one advantage is having ESPN HD (which only seems to be HD some of the time). I think that Directv should carry Fox Sports Net North HD.

[smack]

We can sign all we want but D* is bound by the broadcasting agreements made by the teams with the local & national affiliates.

D* can not decide on it's own that they are going to ignore the blackout rules and "broadcast a game without the express written consent of  the team and the station"(or whatever they say during the broadcasts)

D* subs in their own commercial package on the national feeds.   Instead of the Fox sports commercials.

Wait for the new bird to go up (supposedly in Apr/May) and D* has said they will be doubling or tripling their HD offerings.
I know that doesn't do much if you want to watch the brewers/bucks in HD. But......

smack

[smack]

russelj,

What area do you live in?  Can't you pull in the OTA signal?

smack

[russellj]

smack,

I live in Waukesha. But the area that I live in is a very low area and I am in a townhouse rental unit. It has an antenna on the roof but it is very old and I can't replace it. I can't get CBS HD or Fox HD (which I understand most people can't anyway) with the antenna. I like the shows on CBS and want to see Packer games wide screen on Fox. Basic cable from TW is only about $10.00 a month so for me it's worth it. If you can get it on an antenna then I would agree that's the way to go.

[smack]

russelj,

Come football season we should be getting Fox through the national feed on D* as we are in an O&O Fox market.  Plus Fox will be getting rid of the "enhanced definition" and begin broadcasting in 720p this fall.

Plus if you get NFL ST on D* they have said that over 1/2 of the games this year will be in HD.

smack

GB vs. Carolina in the first regular season MNF game of the year.

I can't wait