HD Packer Games

[rnelson]

With many of us not able to receive Fox 6-1 at all, and others (Myself) not able to get a strong enough signal to get a viewable picture, I'm looking into an alternative to getting HD Packer Games on Fox this fall.

I do not subscribe to TWC but I am a D* customer.  Does that leave Sunday Ticket as an alternative?

The following is from DirectTV Website.

"However, due to league and network requirements, games broadcast by your local FOX or CBS station may not be available on NFL SUNDAY TICKET™. If your game is not available in the 700-719 channel range, simply switch over to the local FOX or CBS station."

Does that mean that IF the game is in HDTV on Sunday Ticket, I will not be able to get the game because I'm in the Fox 6 Viewing area.  Even though I cannot get WITI-DT.

Roy

[720p]

Yes I believe that's correct.  Isn't it possible to subscribe to locals only from TWC?  I believe my parents used to do just that.  I'm unsure if that includes the HD versions of locals though.  Has to be a lot less expensive than subbing to Sunday Ticket.  I'm one of the lucky ones who does receive 6-1 OTA but yet my favorite teams are not local so I'll be subbing to Sunday Ticket regardless.

[Scott Sippel]

I believe that only applies to NFL cities such as Green Bay.  I could be wrong but I don't recall those channles getting blacked out last year in our area.  I skipped last years NFLST but I thought I checked it out at a friends house. I reordred this year so we'll see.  
Don't forget there there is also a chance to watch the Packers on the FOX-HD national feed that DirecTV plans to offer for those in O&O markets such as ours.  However The pack would have to be the A or B game for that week for us to see them on the National Feed.

[720p]

Yeah I skipped ST last year as well.  This coming season is only the second time I've had ST and last time I did there weren't any HD channels games available.  I'm looking forward to it much more because of Fox's new HD commitment.  Ideally though I'd like to have the option of watching all the Packers games on 6-1 and on a ST-HD channel.

[Tom Snyder]

Before I committed to NFL Sunday ticket, I'd make SURE that the games won't be blacked out if the local affiliate is carrying the game (even if YOU can't pick up the signal).

I remember several people getting the shaft with that last season.

BTW... it's not just the A&B games, it will be the A,B,C,D,E,F and G games...

As far as HD locals, yes, you just have to subscribe to the basic cable package, which gives you all the locals and a couple other throwaways. You have to pay an extra couple bucks for the HD box, but that's all.. you don't get digital channels or the on-screen channel guides. I know cuz I have it.

[smack]

Ok here it goes.

Up until last year (2003-2004 season) I could get the packers on Fox and on the NFL ST package.   This was channel 6 and whatever the ST game was (700's).

Last year it changed and when the game was on FOX it was blacked out on the 700's so i had to watch it on 6.

The game was also blacked out on the Fox Enhanced Definition games (480p) the few times the Packers were on it via NFL ST.

However, the CBS HD game of the week was not subject to the blackout rules per an agreement with CBS and D* from what I have read.  So the Packers were in HD on the CBS NFL ST special channel for the KC & Denver games as well as CBS 58.

I am not sure what is in store for this year if we will be exempt from the blackouts of the FOX HD games.  Remember that we should be getting FOX HD out of New York because our local affiliate is an O&O.  So when the packers are the "featured game nationaly" we should be able to get them in HD via the NY network feed.

I am not sure what the situation is with the regular HD games that will be on FOX.  If they will be blacked out or not?

smack

[rnelson]

I sent the Following request to DirecTV

I would like more information regarding being able to see Green Bay Packer Games on NFL Sunday Ticket in HDTV.

Although I can receive WITI (Channel 6) in the waterford area, the digital signal that they transmit over channel 33 (WITI-DT) does not reach Waterford.  Because I am a Direct TV HDTV Customer and want to see the Green Bay Packer Games in HD, I considered subscribing to NFL Sunday Ticket to get the games.

I see however that their is a clause about seeing the game when it is carried by the local Fox Station and I need a committment.

If I will be able to see the Packer Games in HDTV via Sunday Ticket I would probably subscribe to the service.

Please let me know.

And Got the Following Reply:

Dear Roy,

Thank you for writing. DIRECTV will play a selection of NFL SUNDAY TICKET games in HD. Unfortunately we do not have the information on that at this time. More information will be available closer to the season.  We will post the details online at DIRECTVSports.com/nfl.

We have Standard DIRECTV systems, DIRECTV DVR Systems and High Definition DIRECTV Systems available - it only takes a few minutes and you can even schedule your installation online!

If you'd rather order your system by phone, or have questions that are not answered on our web site, you can call us at 1-888-238-7177 from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m., ET. Our sales center is staffed with knowledgeable Entertainment Consultants that are ready to take your order.

We look forward to serving you as a customer and showing you why DIRECTV is the best entertainment value out there.


Sincerely,

[John L]

Although I can receive WITI (Channel 6) in the waterford area, the digital signal that they transmit over channel 33 (WITI-DT) does not reach Waterford.

[/B]

*******************************************

Someone on here from Elkhorn, WI. mentioned that they receives WITI-DT OTA with no problems.  I live in Muskego and have no problems with it.  Waterford is in between, thus I would think it would be very possible to get WITI-DT in Waterford.  Unless you live in low terrian area, or your antenna is blocked by several trees or maybe a mountain.

-John L.

[rnelson]

The area I live in is lower than other areas.  I have my antenna on a 10 ft tripod on my roof.  That's the best I can do to get it up into the air.

I can only hope that by the time the leave's fall, I will pick up just enough additional signal to stablize the picture.  I'm still working with DirecTV to try to get a clear answer to the simple question . . . "Will I be able to view any NFL game that ends up being broadcast in HDTV via NFL Sunday Ticket, even if that same game is also broadcast over the local Fox staion in Standard Defination?"

Roy

[borghe]

unfortunately DirecTV won't be able to help you as they don't determine which games are blacked out. Right up to immediately before the game is supposed to air (but usually around a half a week before) DirecTV receives zipcodes from the NFL that are supposed to be blocked for a certain game. DirecTV is ENTIRELY indiscriminent on this entry. They just punch the zipcodes in and let your access card do the rest.

There is no possible way for DirecTV to give you an answer.. The best answer you will receive is the other members here and in other forums saying that their local games were at times blocked out on NFL ST. Not a great answer, but honestly the best one you are going to get at this point.

[rnelson]

Here's the "Get to the Point" answer I was looking for From DirecTV

Thank you for writing back. Although you are not in any particular
blackout area, the NFL Sunday ticket will not show the games that are being shown on your local Fox or CBS affiliate. For example, if the Green Bay Packers are playing the New England Patriots on your local Fox Station and the game is also being shown in HD on DIRECTV, then you will not be able to receive that game on the NFL Sunday ticket. Your local affiliates will show about 3-4 games each week and those games will not
be shown on DIRECTV.

Roy

[borghe]

wow.. that is changed from when I had it.. well that sucks.