Abel to Yzerman
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Man, The NHL Network Rules
by IwoCPO on 03/05/08 at 01:49 PM ET
Comments (31)
At least that’s what I hear. Because, you know, I haven’t seen a frigging second of it all year. Why?
Because Verizon Fios doesn’t carry it here in DC. Nor do they carry the Center Ice Package. So, if I want to watch hockey I have to go down to the...ready?.....yes, The Verizon Center.
Next chapter: this may come as a surprise to some of you, but I’m also a baseball fan. This year, because I’m fully onboard the Tigers bandwagon, I decided to get the MLB Extra Innings package so that I can ignore my family 162 times in six months instead of the normal 82 times during hockey season.
How do you order the MLB package? Well, you dial those bad boys up, right? You’d think I’d learned my lesson back in October. Remember the liveblogged call to Verizon? No? Here’s the gripping transcript.
0957: been on the phone for 11 minutes trying to determine whether they’ll offer Center Ice. Have spoken with 1 live person who I couldn’t understand and dealt with 17 recorded operators. None were helpful. I swore at them.
0959: On the phone with Ms. Wynn. 13th time I’ve given my phone number. “NHL...that would be hockey?. Bear with me one second please.”
1000: Tom from the Verizon Fios Solutions center doesn’t know what “the NHL” is, but he’s tracking it. Good on ya Tom.
1002: Now on the phone with Skip (really). He “doesn’t know if they’ll be offering it.”
Me: How can you “not know”? The season starts in two weeks.
Skip: We won’t know until it becomes available.
Me: But you don’t know now if it’s going to be available?
Skip: Right.
Me: So you’ll know it’s available when you start to see it on one of those tiny screens you geeks sit in front of?
Skip: What’s your home number again?
Me: Why?
Skip: Standard procedure.
Me: Skip, are you offering Center Ice or not?
Skip: silence
Me: Skip, you still there? Hockey or no hockey. I want my frigging hockey Skip. Yes or no?
Skip: No.
1018: I just hung up on Skip. Violently.
Back to baseball. So I get them on the phone last Saturday, fully expecting a quick transaction. I mean, it’s baseball right? Surely they’ll be carrying the national pastime, right? I know Bud Selig’s a tool, but he can’t be as bad as Bettman...right?
Wrong. Jeffrey, at Verizon customer service, had no clue. None. After listening to him babble on about never having heard of MLB Extra Innings, I started to yell. Jeffrey got offended, said he was gonna hang up if I didn’t “alter my tone.” I, for the record, altered my tone just long enough to ask if there was a man there I could speak with. Jeffrey, then, hung up on me.
So, I looked into DirectTV. Still in decision mode. Until today. Saw this on some geeky Fios blog that is apparently owned and operated by Fios itself.
We are currently working with MLB Extra Innings and we’re optimistic that we’ll begin offering the package soon. It won’t be everywhere, all at once unfortunately, but we are working hard to get MLB EI on FiOS TV for as many fans as we can as soon as possible.
As FiOS subscribers already know, FiOS TV already offers an extensive sports lineup.
Oh..yeah. Your lineup is downright extensive. It’s epic. I couldn’t be happier. I’ll be thrilled tonite to listen to Ken Kal and Paul Woods with my ear pressed to my laptop instead of watching it on tv, or even on my computer--which I can’t because IT’S BLACKED OUT GARY. ASS.
So, I went ahead and left a comment on the Fios Geek Blog. Thought I’d let you see it. Ready? Here we go.
“As FiOS subscribers already know, FiOS TV already offers an extensive sports lineup.”
How anyone with Fios can say that with a straight face is beyond me. Hockey fans in DC, where the arena is named...wait for it...yes, the Verizon center, can’t get the Center Ice package--because Fios doesn’t carry it. We can’t get the NHL Network because Fios doesn’t carry it.
Forgive me if I don’t hold my breath waiting for MLB Extra Innings. I’ve been royally shafted by Fios since day one--the day they told me when I signed up that the Center Ice package would be available--and if I wasn’t on a military base where the options are limited, I’d have moved on long ago.
Speaking of extra innings, when I called Fios customer service last week the highly informed consultant didn’t even know what it was. They had no clue when or if Fios would carry it. And, yeah, that was a day after this blog post. Nice inter-organizational communication you have there.
Oh, the “consultant” did say they’d credit my account for the promises made to me (MLB and NHL packages), but when I asked just how Fios would do that (give me a dollar back per game missed maybe?) they were speechless.
In summary, in case you missed my point, Fios absolutely sucks. Every time I turn the tv on I’m embarrassed that I actually pay your company money for the lack of service you provide.
Have a great day.
Kinda fun. Little bit of a stress relief, you know.
I tell ya. It’s hard work. Hard...damn...work being a transplant.
Oh..and if anybody knows a back-door (easy Dive fans) link to some sort of tv coverage of tonite’s game, could you send it to me? Pretty please?
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Comments
For once, I’m the happy one getting to watch the game… Checked Yahoo and they aren’t doing any stream today, sorry Chief. If I had a webcam…
Posted by eyesris from Chestertown, MD on 03/05/08 at 02:32 PM ET
Although I have Center Ice and I also have the satellite package that includes the NHL Network, which DOES rule, it really is STUPID that most people don’t have it or, like you Chief, can’t get it. Trust me, I pay for it, and I think it’s worth every penny, but at the same time, for a league that can’t draw any casual fans in the U.S. and blacks out games for all of us die-hards, it’s a sad testament to the way Little Gary runs continues to run our favorite sport into the ground. Thanks Gary. ASS!!!
Posted by Chris from Columbia, Tn on 03/05/08 at 02:33 PM ET
Hey guys try this
http://www1.myp2p.eu/competition.php?competitionid=&part=sports&discipline=icehockey
I think there is a forum that will explain how to get it all worked out better than I can explain it, but this is how I got to watch the World Juniors at work this year.
Posted by Dave on 03/05/08 at 02:42 PM ET
I use MyP2P on occasion to watch EPL/La Liga, but I’ve never used it for NHL. I wouldn’t hold out my hopes that it’ll be great for the NHL simply because hockey does not have the worldwide popularity of soccer, and so it won’t have as many people streaming content. But you should try it, you never know.
Posted by Nathan on 03/05/08 at 02:49 PM ET
I live in Virginia, Chief, and I’m in the same boat as you. Only I also have an HOA that makes me buy FiOS whether I want it or not.
I know this isn’t Deadspin, so I’ll provide the edited version of the following: Frack FiOS. Frack it up its stupid hinder.
Posted by Greg Wyshynski from D.C. on 03/05/08 at 02:53 PM ET
Nathan’s site is good. Really good. Should have the wings game tonight in below average quality.
Oddly enough my mom has NHL network. I may have to drive to her house to watch this in HD.
Posted by solo16 on 03/05/08 at 02:59 PM ET
For my Birthday, my wife bought me the HD upgrade converter from Dish (have had an HD set for a while, but the price to upgrade the DishNetwork to HD—was—kinda pricey).
This will be the first chance I have had to see the Wings on the NHL Network.
I must say though that you can really notice the difference in broadcast quality for the games on HD. I’m loving it.
But it is really stupid for the NHL to have set their US channel up on HD only. Nothing like trying to reach the widest audience possible—you know since hockey in the U.S. has such a massive following anyway.
Ass is a good description for Little Gary. Much more appropriate may be INCOMPETENT!
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Hockey Netherworld on 03/05/08 at 03:09 PM ET
Indeed, the NHL Network does rule.
Posted by Incognetis from Exile in Alabama on 03/05/08 at 03:18 PM ET
Amazingly, Charter carries the NHL Network in my part of MI. Small favors, I guess. But God forbid we get the NFL Network!
What really gets my hackles raided is the ongoing, year long pissing match between big cable and the Big 10 over the Big 10 Network. I’ve declared war on Charter over that little issue. And don’t get me going on the monopoly DirecTV has on the NFL Sunday Ticket.
But as you say, for many of us, our options are extremely limited. In my case, I have a choice of Charter, or...Well, no one.
In one way or another, these enormously profitable corporations find a way to screw over sports fans.
Posted by Big Al from Monroe County, MI on 03/05/08 at 03:20 PM ET
I use the same site as Nathan to watch most games. You might have to download sopcast and/or TVU and/or VLC media player, but if you go here: http://golf.cautela.nl/forumdisplay.php?f=34
it should have all the info for you. I have to watch low quality internet feeds because I live in the boondocks and don’t even have name brand cable. They give me four Fox College Sports channels (which are nice for watching college hockey), but I don’t even get Versus. Lame.
Posted by Bryan from Athens, OH on 03/05/08 at 03:22 PM ET
Hey Chief, DirecTV is a no brainer, my specialty.
I’ve had it for years, and I get Center Ice, NHL Network, Versus, all FSN channels nationwide. If I have a complaint, it is that there are not enough games offered in HD to suit me. But that’s true of any provider. Best money you will ever spend on televised entertainment, IMNSFHO.
NHL Net will change your life. Their “On The Fly” recap program that airs from 9 PM until 3 AM, and again after sunup, keeps you in the loop no matter what your schedule. Toss in a TiVo, and you won’t have to watch the six commercials they play in nonstop loop.
Pay a REAL technician to install the equipment, don’t let a DirecTV subcontracting hack that was delivering pizzas last month near your house, or your equipment. I speak from experience.
Playoffs coming, Chief, you gotta have it. Just suppose Patty Whaaaaa teaches Josie Theodore his patented Statue of Liberty move,and you are stuck watching the glorious end results on some crappy 2 inch picture on a ‘puter screen. Makes me sad to think about.
Posted by dougie on 03/05/08 at 03:24 PM ET
That’s the sad thing, though.
Hockey fans put up with all this crap to watch the sport, paying extra (if they can, or doing without) and jumping through flaming hoops - which other sports don’t have to - only to have ideas like advertising on the goalie jerseys bubble to the surface of the retaining pond.
I think hockey fans need to stage a coup d’etat of the television networks. 
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 03/05/08 at 03:27 PM ET
Sorry to hear about your viewing travails, Chief.
By the way, Dater’s “blog” keeps getting comments… even Thhhommy chimed in.
What a shocka.
Posted by TeamDub from The gratch. on 03/05/08 at 03:27 PM ET
Bryan:
I have to watch low quality internet feeds because I live in the boondocks and don’t even have name brand cable.
Dude, try middle of nowhere OKLAHOMA!!!
DishNetwork is working out great. With the CenterIce package, I even get HNIC!!
Had to pay a little extra to get the OutDoor Life Channel—Oh, I mean Versus. But with the HD upgrade, I get every hockey broadcast—which is really sweet!
Expensive, but Sweet!!
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Hockey Netherworld on 03/05/08 at 03:28 PM ET
Ill be catchin thi during class. Love watching hockey from class. Oddly enough the guy next to me is a wings fan too. He asked me about it yesterday lol.
Posted by solo16 on 03/05/08 at 03:35 PM ET
Hmmm… I get the NHL Network with the Center Ice package on Direct TV. Never much incentive to watch the NHL Network, except when they steal the Wing games from the regular listings.
Of course all channels are blacked out when the Wings play the Ducks because down here on the border we are all Duck fans willing to drive three hours and pay $300.00 for a seat...thanks Gary. Ass.
Posted by Rumbear from Sandy Eggo on 03/05/08 at 04:04 PM ET
This is ridiculous. I can’t believe (well, I can) that the NHL and Bettman have not fixed the issue of games being shown on the NHL Network (which hardly anyone gets) not being shown on Center Ice. We’ve been ripped off and given the bait and switch!!
Below is a letter that you can copy and paste (and edit to your situation) to send to Gary Bettman at :
Dear Gary Bettman/NHL heads,
At the beginning of this year’s NHL season, I paid an additional $145 to my cable provider to receive the NHL Center Ice package… which was advertised as allowing me to be able to watch every NHL game this season. It has been great, and I really love being able to watch so much hockey… especially my favorite team, the Detroit Red Wings, since I no longer live in Michigan and cannot get the local television feeds.
However, over the past couple months since the NHL Network has been introduced in the United States, there have been games that I have not been able to watch on the Center Ice Package… because they are only being shown on the NHL Network. I called my cable provider (Time Warner), and the friendly customer service representative told me that they do not offer the NHL Network to their subscribers yet. Even if they did—as I assume based on the way it is with the cable/satellite providers that do offer the NHL Network—it would cost me an additional monthly amount to subscribe to the NHL Network.
This does not make sense at all to me and I think it is ridiculous, and ultimately, going to hurt the NHL fan base. Why should I have to pay more money than I have already paid, to watch NHL games, when I had already been told that I would be able to watch them all? Why isn’t the NHL Network part of the Center Ice package??? Or why aren’t the games shown on the NHL Network also shown on Center Ice??? Even if I could subscribe to the NHL Network, I wouldn’t, because I feel like I am being completely ripped off. I am a huge hockey and NHL fan, and this whole TV debacle really makes me think twice about giving any more of my money to the NHL… to television subscriptions, to tickets to games, to apparel, or to anything NHL related. I know that many other fans are starting to think the same way. Look at a lot of the popular hockey markets… Detroit, Chicago, New Jersey, New York, etc… attendance is down this year because the game is just getting to be too expensive to be a fan of. These ridiculous bait and switch tactics with your television contracts is only making the situation worse. Your average hockey fan just can’t afford to spend this much money, just to be able to watch the games at home on their television!!
Wake up!! It really turns people off when you rip them off by pulling a bait and switch and not providing them with a product that was promised, and then to make them pay more for what they originally thought they would get.
Every hockey fan would truly appreciate any and every effort you could make to straighten this situation out and let fans watch the games that they were promised…
I am going to miss another game tonight… the Red Wings vs. St. Louis ... because this game is on the NHL Network, and NOT ON NHL CENTER ICE!!! Do I have any other options???
Sincerely,
A very concerned and upset hockey fan…
(and maybe not one much longer)
---------------
http://www.FireBettman.com
Posted by Matt on 03/05/08 at 05:02 PM ET
Thanks for the letter, Matt- just fired one off myself!
Posted by mudshark from Divetown, Colorado on 03/05/08 at 05:48 PM ET
Firebettman.com…
Me thinks a “Thanks Gary. Ass.” T-Shirt/coffee mug/bumper sticker might have some marketing appeal.
I’m just saying.....
Posted by Rumbear from Sandy Eggo on 03/05/08 at 05:52 PM ET
Sounds like you need a Slingbox. I got mine for Christmas and left it in my parent’s house. Haven’t had to miss a game since!
Posted by BuzzFledderjohn on 03/05/08 at 06:15 PM ET
Greg,
That clause in the HOA is null and void. Federal regulations prohibit that kind of clause. You can get satellite if you want it providing that you have a view of the southern sky and some sort of access to the exterior, like a porch or balcony.
Posted by Paul on 03/05/08 at 06:59 PM ET
Thanks for the idea Rumbear! we’ll try adding some new merchandise soon… merchandise with clever sayings, etc.
Posted by Matt on 03/05/08 at 07:11 PM ET
Thanks everyone for the info on P2P streaming. I’m now watching the game on a better-quality stream than I get with CenterIce most of the time. I’m just glad I’m moving back to Michigan this year. I’m so sick of dealing with this shit.
Posted by Sadie from New Haven, CT on 03/05/08 at 08:18 PM ET
Yep, thanks to Dave, Nathan and Bryan for the p2p tips. It’s working great. But I’m with you Sadie, the effort required to watch the nhl when you’re away from home is ridiculous.
Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC on 03/05/08 at 08:21 PM ET
I fired off one of those letter to Bettman too. I am watching the Caps/Sabres just for Ovechkin entertainment and getting Wings updates via text message. Sigh.
Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 03/05/08 at 09:43 PM ET
Alex just scored again, I think my guess for the Ovechkin jersey is going to be way off.
Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 03/05/08 at 09:47 PM ET
Watched the game on that surprisingly good P2P feed; thanks for the heads-up! Heck, it came through very well even on my normally-dismal connection in my hotel room.
Looks like the Blues are exhibiting their usual class here at the end of the game. That just increases my joy in watching them lose.
Posted by Matt from Tennessee on 03/05/08 at 10:06 PM ET
Like others have said...get Directv. The NHL Network comes with Center Ice.
To re-cap - You get Center Ice, you get NHLN and Verizon loses a customer because of their stupidity.
Problem solved.
Posted by KB from Missouri on 03/06/08 at 01:41 AM ET
If anyone listened to the NHL Hour with Gary Bettman today on XM Radio (or the direct internet feed from NHL.com), I got on the air!!
I asked about this whole mess of games that are on the NHL Network not being on Center Ice and how I felt it was a bait and switch tactic and that they were trying to make us pay even more to watch games… and how it is a ripoff. I would have gone on and asked more, but Mr. Buttman quickly said he would look into it and see what he can do… and then I was CUT OFF THE LINE!! they didn’t give me any chance at all to reply or to even say ‘thank you’. So I doubt anything is really going to be done about it… but I have a feeling Buttman gave the show producer the “cut the line” hand gesture while I was on the line… since he knew about this long ago with all of the emails that have been sent to him and he still hasn’t done anything about it.
------------------------------------
http://www.FireBettman.com
Posted by Matt on 03/06/08 at 05:49 PM ET
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Oh crumbs, is the game on the NHL network tonight? FRACK! I am so glad I paid so much money for NHL Center Ice only to lose several games that I wanted to see this year because my cable system doesn’t carry it!! ARRGGHHH!
Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 03/05/08 at 02:20 PM ET