Thanks John Kerry for sticking up for us baseball fans

bigboydan · 01-31-2007, 11:11 PM

It's bad enough that the NFL sunday ticket is a Direct TV exclusive, but I'll be damn if there not trying it with baseball too.

Quote:

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A proposal to make Major League Baseball's "Extra Innings" exclusive to DirecTV has drawn the ire of Sen. John Kerry.

The Massachusetts Democrat said he plans to raise the matter with the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission at a hearing Thursday.

"I am opposed to anything that deprives people of reasonable choices," Kerry said in a statement. "In this day and age, consumers should have more choices -- not fewer. I'd like to know how this serves the public -- a deal that will force fans to subscribe to DirecTV in order to tune in to their favorite players. A Red Sox fan ought to be able to watch their team without having to switch to DirecTV."

"Extra Innings" is a service that allows viewers to watch games involving teams not in their local markets. In past years, the service has been available through a range of providers, but a pending deal would make the service only available to DirecTV subscribers.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin is a scheduled witness at Thursday's hearing of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.

onlòóker · 01-31-2007, 11:14 PM

Those sports packages are becoming a big azz rip off anyway. But we dont need to lose them all to Directv.

Willie Bee · 02-01-2007, 08:23 AM

I'm all for being able to watch as much baseball as possible. But Senator Kerry should be tending to other far more important matters. The government should keep their nose out of this.

onlòóker · 02-01-2007, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willie Bee

I'm all for being able to watch as much baseball as possible. But Senator Kerry should be tending to other far more important matters. The government should keep their nose out of this.

You know what Willie. Your right. They are in this enough as it is.

Seattle Slew · 02-01-2007, 01:16 PM

This is what they do, they react, they never cut anything off before it happens. That's why they are worthless. Just like all these 9-11 hearings, commissions, post-Katrina hearings. All a bunch of BS. Why don't they ever do something before the

hits the fan?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willie Bee

But Senator Kerry should be tending to other far more important matters. The government should keep their nose out of this.

Willie Bee · 02-01-2007, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seattle Slew

Why don't they ever do something before the

hits the fan?

Doing so would mean taking a stand before they know which way the wind is blowing. Being proactive instead of reactive would mean people would sign up to receive calls from telemarketers instead of signing up not to receive them. Makes too much sense, and lord knows we can't have a lot of logic and sensibility polluting the political scene

Hulu · 02-01-2007, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onlòóker

Those sports packages are becoming a big azz rip off anyway. But we dont need to lose them all to Directv.

How much do you guys pay for extra innings anyway?

My cable company doesn't offer any of the individual sport packages but instead offers one super package that includes MLB extra innings, NFL sunday ticket, NHL Centre Ice, about 90% of NBA games, and many assorted NCAA basketball, football and a few euro soccer games (mostly Portugese Super Liga for whatever reason). Its an ideal package for a sports bettor but I'm not sure its a better deal than just buying the sports you want. I pay $27 a month for it.

onlòóker · 02-01-2007, 07:18 PM

I dont buy the package Hulu, but I think it runs $149? I could be wrong. Or maybe $189. Something in that range.

bigboydan · 02-01-2007, 07:32 PM

I never bought one of these sports packages before either looker. Although, the early bird special is $159 for the MLB package this year I believe.

Hulu · 02-02-2007, 07:49 AM

I'm feeling a little better about my $27 a month now, that's actually not a bad deal. I talked myself into it by telling myself that I could flip between games while using my home gym and getting into better shape for next football season. So far I have mastered that flipping channels part, but only on the couch with a beer nearby.

onlòóker · 02-02-2007, 04:30 PM

Get one of those expensive shirt/coat hangers. I think its called a treadmill.

BuddyBear · 02-06-2007, 09:03 PM

Just listen to the games on the radio...lot more entertaining

Willie Bee · 02-07-2007, 06:56 AM

I agree for the most part, Buddy. A good play-by-play man on the radio is the best way to take a game in if you can't be at the park. Uecker's one of the best going these days. The MLB.com radio feed is still pretty cheap, and XM Radio is something I'm going to finally break down and invest in this season.

bigboydan · 02-07-2007, 11:24 AM

Willie, The XM Radio feeds are on like a minute delay while the MLB package is only on a 7 second delay. With that being said, I personally would just pay the extra money and buy the TV package for that fact alone.

Willie Bee · 02-07-2007, 11:35 AM

That 53 second difference isn't a big deal to me, Dan. Also somewhat difficult for me to get the MLB.com feed or the DirecTV feed while I'm on the road in my pickup

bigboydan · 02-07-2007, 11:59 AM

You mean you don't wanna get one of those 6' inch mobile satellite dishes mounted in bed of your truck Willie.