Direct TV Problem with Preseason Games...

In June Cox Cable raised my monthly bill to $216 for cable and internet.. I called retention services and they essentially told me I was lucky as it should have been $238... so I switched to Direct TV..

I live in RI so WBZ is not a choice that I can make..

Last week went to watch the Pats/Packers Game.. was supposed to be carried on the local CBS affiliate, turned that on and Jeopardy was on NFL network was blacked out. Really pissed, called them and ranted and raved to a computer.. eventually wound up speaking with Direct TV customer service rep who told me they have not control over this.. I told them they suck.. asked how much it would be to terminate my direct TV contract and they told me about $440.00.

Today I am checking the TV schedule for tonite's game, and it is apparently not available tonite either.. am so f..ing pissed, prior to last week never missed a game, last week was first as long as I can remember.. do not mind the radio broadcast, but I want to f... ing see the game.

For those of you considering Direct TV don't, unless you know something I don't..

I don't know if this helps, it's available over the air on channel 64.2. I'm in the East Bay and get that channel with rabbit ears.

DarrylS said:

In June Cox Cable raised my monthly bill to $216 for cable and internet.. I called retention services and they essentially told me I was lucky as it should have been $238... so I switched to Direct TV..

I live in RI so WBZ is not a choice that I can make..

Last week went to watch the Pats/Packers Game.. was supposed to be carried on the local CBS affiliate, turned that on and Jeopardy was on NFL network was blacked out. Really pissed, called them and ranted and raved to a computer.. eventually wound up speaking with Direct TV customer service rep who told me they have not control over this.. I told them they suck.. asked how much it would be to terminate my direct TV contract and they told me about $440.00.

Today I am checking the TV schedule for tonite's game, and it is apparently not available tonite either.. am so f..ing pissed, prior to last week never missed a game, last week was first as long as I can remember.. do not mind the radio broadcast, but I want to f... ing see the game.

For those of you considering Direct TV don't, unless you know something I don't..

Click to expand...

Darryl, I sympathize with your problems, but in reality, you aren't missing much. Sure it would be fun to see the game, but I missed most of last week's game and caught up with all the important stuff here at Pats fFans

Think about THIS. Given what you are probably saving monthly not paying Cox, you can definitely to take your entire family out to the CBS Scene for a meal, the game, drinks, and dessert, and STILL save money for the month. It's like with this Brady thing. You gotta look at the plus side.

WBZ (CBS/4 - Boston)
WNAC (My/64.2 - Providence)
WCTX (My/9 - New Haven CT)
WWLP (NBC/22 - Springfield MA)
WMUR (ABC/9 - Manchester NH)
WMTW (ABC/8 - Portland ME)
WFVX (FOX/22 - Bangor ME)
WCAX (CBS/3 - Burlington VT)
KFVE (My/9 - Honolulu)
KYUR (CW/13.2 - Anchorage AK)
KATN (CW/2.2 - Fairbanks AK)
KJUD (CW/8.2 - Juneau AK)


These are the markets/channels that carry Pats Preseason games. Seems like you got screwed because your market (Providence) puts the game on a sub-channel which you can only get OTA or if you have Cable.

Mike in 333 said:

I don't know if this helps, it's available over the air on channel 64.2. I'm in the East Bay and get that channel with rabbit ears.

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'channel 64.2'?? That sounds like Pirate TV!!

patfanken said:

Darryl, I sympathize with your problems, but in reality, you aren't missing much. Sure it would be fun to see the game, but I missed most of last week's game and caught up with all the important stuff here at Pats fFans

Think about THIS. Given what you are probably saving monthly not paying Cox, you can definitely to take your entire family out to the CBS Scene for a meal, the game, drinks, and dessert, and STILL save money for the month. It's like with this Brady thing. You gotta look at the plus side.

Click to expand...

Thanks, but cannot remember the last time I missed a Pats game on TV.. it is what I do and what I wait for.

CBS scene is about 40 miles from my house, and do not feel like driving anywhere to a preseason game..

Really pissed at Direct TV.. and wish there was an angle to break my contract. Have spoken with customer service folks who are all real sorry, but...

Get a TVFool report, buy an HD antennae that gets a Mass channel in your area (typically *something* will be available) watch for free in HD and laugh at bay area losers like me who are stuck watching **** streams and websites of a legality level I'd best describe as "when the NFL gets around to squashing them"

DarrylS said:

Thanks, but cannot remember the last time I missed a Pats game on TV.. it is what I do and what I wait for.

CBS scene is about 40 miles from my house, and do not feel like driving anywhere to a preseason game..

Really pissed at Direct TV.. and wish there was an angle to break my contract. Have spoken with customer service folks who are all real sorry, but...

Click to expand...

I understand Darryl, but even if you could break the contract where would you go, back to Cox?

In the end, I think it will all be sorted out over the next several years as Cable companies lose their monopolies as more and more people go to streaming options. Eventually we will all have what we SHOULD have had from the beginning. That's the right to pay ONLY for what we actually want to watch.

May I live to see the day.

patfanken said:

I understand Darryl, but even if you could break the contract where would you go, back to Cox?

In the end, I think it will all be sorted out over the next several years as Cable companies lose their monopolies as more and more people go to streaming options. Eventually we will all have what we SHOULD have had from the beginning. That's the right to pay ONLY for what we actually want to watch.

May I live to see the day.

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Cox might treat me as a new customer for 2 years.. so I might make out ok.. either that or Verizon Fios..

From your mouth to a higher orders ears.... any TV package is about 75% useless channels.. I would probably save with an "al a cart" package.

Honolulu, Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau for live preseason TV.... wow, I didn't know they were all part of "New England West"

You can catch the replay on NFLN at 1am EST (that's my plan -- well I plan to record it).

Certain local stations are available with your Direct TV. DirectTV isn't responsible for blackouts or what is shown on their channels.

If you want more local channels, buy an antenna.

If you want to make sure that you see every preseason game live (if you really must), I think there are ways to pay for such. I think that the NFL has such service. There are also other technological chooses like slingshot.

For me, I'll wait and watch tonight's game in the morning, after taping it on NFLN.

DarrylS said:

In June Cox Cable raised my monthly bill to $216 for cable and internet.. I called retention services and they essentially told me I was lucky as it should have been $238... so I switched to Direct TV..

I live in RI so WBZ is not a choice that I can make..

Last week went to watch the Pats/Packers Game.. was supposed to be carried on the local CBS affiliate, turned that on and Jeopardy was on NFL network was blacked out. Really pissed, called them and ranted and raved to a computer.. eventually wound up speaking with Direct TV customer service rep who told me they have not control over this.. I told them they suck.. asked how much it would be to terminate my direct TV contract and they told me about $440.00.

Today I am checking the TV schedule for tonite's game, and it is apparently not available tonite either.. am so f..ing pissed, prior to last week never missed a game, last week was first as long as I can remember.. do not mind the radio broadcast, but I want to f... ing see the game.

For those of you considering Direct TV don't, unless you know something I don't..

Click to expand...

RelocatedPatFan said:

You can catch the replay on NFLN at 1am EST (that's my plan -- well I plan to record it).

Click to expand...

Set to your DVR to record the 1am showing. Not ideal, but directv has never had regular access to all the preseason games. It's a weak link, but once the regular season starts and you have access to literally every game you won't care.

IF YOU MUST see tonight's game live, get NFL's Game Pass and cancel with 7 days. The 7 days is a free trial, giving you live and taped access to all preseason games. The total cost is $100 for next day access to games in the season.

BTW, this 7 day trail will also give you next Friday night's game also. Just cancel next Saturday morning. Personally, I like Gamepass and will likely keep it.

For me the only use of Direct TV is when the patriots are not available live AND I am in town.

DarrylS said:

In June Cox Cable raised my monthly bill to $216 for cable and internet.. I called retention services and they essentially told me I was lucky as it should have been $238... so I switched to Direct TV..

I live in RI so WBZ is not a choice that I can make..

Last week went to watch the Pats/Packers Game.. was supposed to be carried on the local CBS affiliate, turned that on and Jeopardy was on NFL network was blacked out. Really pissed, called them and ranted and raved to a computer.. eventually wound up speaking with Direct TV customer service rep who told me they have not control over this.. I told them they suck.. asked how much it would be to terminate my direct TV contract and they told me about $440.00.

Today I am checking the TV schedule for tonite's game, and it is apparently not available tonite either.. am so f..ing pissed, prior to last week never missed a game, last week was first as long as I can remember.. do not mind the radio broadcast, but I want to f... ing see the game.

For those of you considering Direct TV don't, unless you know something I don't..

Click to expand...

You blaming DirecTV for the NFL broadcast blackouts is just ridiculous. It's your own fault for not knowing the NFL Blackout rules. Not DirecTV. It's your local CBS station's fault for not carrying the Pats pre-season game, not DirecTV.

If you want to get pissed at DirecTV for something, do it for something they actually have control over. Not fore something that the FCC and NFL have in place.

DirecTV has never carried preseason games. Which I find odd, but nevertheless...

blackglass3 said:

DirecTV has never carried preseason games. Which I find odd, but nevertheless...

Click to expand...

Do you mean that Sunday Ticket doesn't carry preseason games?

mgteich said:

Do you mean that Sunday Ticket doesn't carry preseason games?

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Correct. Perhaps they uses to? They haven't since 2007 at least, when I first got DirecTV.

So I pay all that money, and the NFL doesn't even throw preseason into the package as a freebie. Sounds familiar....

blackglass3 said:

Correct. Perhaps they uses to? They haven't since 2007 at least, when I first got DirecTV.

So I pay all that money, and the NFL doesn't even throw preseason into the package as a freebie. Sounds familiar....

Click to expand...

No, the NFL sells preseason games separately. This year, the preseason games are part of the GameDay package. I suppose they could have provided those with Direct TV with a preseason upgrade for a price.

DaBruinz said:

You blaming DirecTV for the NFL broadcast blackouts is just ridiculous. It's your own fault for not knowing the NFL Blackout rules. Not DirecTV. It's your local CBS station's fault for not carrying the Pats pre-season game, not DirecTV.

If you want to get pissed at DirecTV for something, do it for something they actually have control over. Not fore something that the FCC and NFL have in place.

Click to expand...

I know the black out rules, but thanks for playing..

It is not a blackout issue, but thanks for your rant and rave, it is a broadcast issue.. as they do not provide for carrying one of the CBS affiliates that carries the game.. thus there is no coverage in my area.

My question is why defend any cable carrier??.. I have the right to view a preseason game, as do the rest of us considering the money we pay for all of this..