BendBroadband only showing 13 Blazer games this year.

by TallTimber on Sep 16, 2008 2:21 PM PDT

There will be no Comcast or KGW games for BendBroadband customers this year, most likely. Only ESPN and TNT games will shown.

Here is the latest press release from BB.

"What about Trail Blazer Basketball?

CSN plans to air about 50 exclusive Trail Blazer games. In addition, unless BendBroadband offers CSN, BendBroadband will not have access to the syndicated broadcast games that have been previously carried on digital channel 39, (this was about 25 games during the 2007-8 season). 13 regular season Trail Blazer games will be carried on other cable networks like TNT and ESPN during the 2008-9 season.

Does BendBroadband plan to carry CSN?

BendBroadband has been in ongoing negotiations with Comcast Sports Network for the past 12 months. During this time we have made some progress towards an acceptable agreement. We are continuing to negotiate for terms that will minimize the increase in the price of our customer’s cable TV service. However, Comcast has made it clear that the cost of the channel is not negotiable.

Like other regional sports networks, Comcast Sports Network charges a very high programming cost per subscriber. The cost that BendBroadband would pay to Comcast Sports Net would then have to be passed on to subscribers of the specific programming package where that channel would be carried (in this case that would be our Preferred digital package). The cost for Comcast Sports Net would also be in addition to the annual programming cost increases of the existing channels already carried in that package. Considering that CSN alone will add about $1.50 to the monthly cost of the Preferred package.

We understand that there are many enthusiastic Trail Blazer and Oregon Duck sports fans in Central Oregon and we will continue to gauge our subscriber’s interest in this channel as we remain in negotiations with Comcast. Given the current economic climate, we are hearing from many subscribers that they are very sensitive to further price increases. However, if an overwhelming number of Preferred customers support the addition of CSN, this will of course influence our decision to carry the channel. As we have always indicated, we look to our customer’s feedback when it comes to adding channels.

Why not just put CSN into the digital Sports Tier or offer it as a pay-per-view choice?

Comcast Sports is not willing to allow BendBroadband to place this channel on our digital Sports tier nor are they considering offering specific sporting events on a pay-per-view basis. Comcast requires that cable operators place CSN into a package that reaches at least 40% of that cable system’s subscribers."

It's amazing to me that we won't be able to watch the only professional sports team in the state of Oregon in a market that's only 150 miles from Portland. The most anticipated season in many years and I will only be able to see a few games. Unbelievable. What a horrible decision by the Blazers to give the contract to these people.

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This is such junk

I am so peeved about this. I’ve called them a bunch of times and complained about this. It is even worse this year than last year! At least last year I lived in a place that had Comcast.

How come Ashland managed to get CSN but Bend can’t?

I’m very tempted to break Dave’s rules here.

I’m about to start pushing for hearings in the state leg. about this.

by BlazerD on Sep 16, 2008 2:31 PM PDT reply actions

I support you :)

"Thank God those nightmarish booty-less days are behind us. I blame cocaine."-Mortimer
I detest that man who hides one thing in the depths of his heart, and speaks for another. - Homer
That was a very hard winter,
and it was just like one long night,
with me lying awake, waiting and waiting and waiting
for daybreak.
- Black Elk
1881
The wild hawk stood with the down on his beak And stared with his foot on the prey. - Lord Alfred Tennyson

by BlazerFan1 on Sep 16, 2008 4:20 PM PDT up reply actions

Thanks Sophia

But your support might not be enough to get me through this. I might just have to move back to PDX for basketball season…

by BlazerD on Sep 16, 2008 5:38 PM PDT up reply actions

$1.50??

That is hella cheaper than NBA league pass and I imagine that would be easily made up pretty quick. At least allow the dishes to get into the plan so you can get it there in Bend.

There is only a few more weeks to get any deal done so I am hoping that something comes soon. I am a bit immune to it as I live in PDX and will hopefully be able to watch games online as I have a PDX IP address.

Anyone heard anything more on the online streaming stuff?

The season cannot get here soon enough.

by SpyderRyder on Sep 16, 2008 2:33 PM PDT reply actions

How much IS league pass?

I was trying to do some research and they really don’t tell you anything about it until you call them to sign up. Does it vary by location?

"Jerryd is straight ahead at you. Rudy dips around. Jerryd is a rock. Rudy is the wind. Jerryd loves the ball in his hands. Rudy moves without it. Jerryd defends by getting up in your grill. Rudy plays the spaces in between. Jerryd has focused vision. Rudy sees all around him. Jerryd likes to score off of the dribble. Rudy can catch and shoot. Jerryd is aggressive. Rudy is sneaky. Jerryd will hit you hard. Rudy will annoy you until you hit him." -Dave

Word.

by joelor on Sep 16, 2008 3:37 PM PDT up reply actions

I found this a while back

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPageNR.jsp?assetId=1000008&DARGS=/DTVAPP/layout/component/topNavSections.jsp.30A&DAV=-1&dynSessConf=-322151144774073587

says its $169 for DirecTV although if you wait a while it drops to like $99 or so.

I am going to see if Ican get my parents to sign up for Dish Network HD DVR and then attatch a slingbox to it so I can watch cable for free over the internet . I was looking at seeing if my father would be willing to go in for half a season. I have been hitting the csnw website and requesting that DN carries csn as that would be amazing to be able to get csn and all the other channels off my parents feed.

The season cannot get here soon enough.

by SpyderRyder on Sep 16, 2008 3:46 PM PDT up reply actions

i want to say they offer it...

for like $129 or $139 just before the season starts and then it jumps to $169 after the first week of the regular season and then $99 around the midway point and then i think like $59 for the last month or two. I think it’s worth it. I had it two years in a row and they break up the bill over like 4 months so you don’t have to pay it all up front.

by avalonzero on Sep 16, 2008 11:43 PM PDT up reply actions

It would be cheap for a Blazer fan,

but every Bend Broadband customer would have to pony up, whether or not they even knew or cared who the Portland Trailblazers were.

Comcast’s greed so much sucks! And it’s true what TallTimber says: Blazer management should never have signed this kind of agreement with Comcast. They were the only party with true leverage, but it’s too late now except maybe to threaten them regarding the next contract (many years down the line).

I'm just a modest guy with much to be modest about

by TwoDeep on Sep 17, 2008 8:55 AM PDT up reply actions

What's the Bend Broadband Link Between

KGW and CSN? I understand (and am disgusted by) the Comcast component of this issue … but don’t most local cable companies provide KGW coverage as part of their basic packages?

When the Last Tree Is Cut, When the Last River Is Emptied, When the Last Fish Has Been Caught, Only Then Will Man realize that he can not eat money? A national poem of Bhutan, from "The Geography of Bliss," by Eric Weiner.

by Caveowl on Sep 16, 2008 3:19 PM PDT reply actions

I have no idea why they can't have KGW games again this year.

I don’t really like Wheeler or Harvey that much. I would much rather listen to the Mikes.

by TallTimber on Sep 16, 2008 8:01 PM PDT up reply actions

Comcast, It's Capitalistic!

This sucks. If if makes anyone feel any better I yelled at a customer service rep for craptastic last week and I got a free movie! :)

Sophia

by BlazerFan1 on Sep 16, 2008 4:21 PM PDT reply actions

Major Suckage

I feel for you all. Here’s to comcast/everyone else working this sitch out before the season tips off.

You can pick your friends, and you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friend's nose.

-- Unknown

by SloppyJoe on Sep 16, 2008 5:01 PM PDT reply actions

How about the Blazers Edge community teams up

to buy tickets for us second class fans East of the Cascades….

by BlazerD on Sep 16, 2008 5:40 PM PDT reply actions

you second class fans...

Obviously don’t matter. You get sunshine, we get Blazers…that’s just how it works. I’m glad you people who think you’re Portland fans living in California, uheem, Bend, only get a little taste. Why don’t you just come to games on you’re yachts? The rivers all connect…

It puts the lotion on the skin...or else it gets the hose!

by courtsideerrandboy on Sep 16, 2008 11:14 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm actually Mega-rich

I’m really at 60 fathoms in my private submarine. I haven’t been able yet to strike a deal with Comcast on my own…

by BlazerD on Sep 16, 2008 11:44 PM PDT up reply actions

60 fathoms

I can’t even fathom that, and I’m a man! I’m 40! at least you can get to the garden quickly…good luck getting a ticket!

It puts the lotion on the skin...or else it gets the hose!

by courtsideerrandboy on Sep 16, 2008 11:57 PM PDT up reply actions

LOL .... that's funny.

But the problem affects more than just the elite in Bend and all the others living on the east side.

I have no option for Comcast where I live near Astoria (on the Washington side of the river) and Blazers games are blacked out here on League Pass. Same for my son in McMinnivlle. I believe this is true in most places all up and down the valley as well as the entire coast. Well, maybe as you work your way south down the coast it is getting far enough away from Portland that League Pass would not be blacked out.

The only way to get Comcast’s attention is for all you Comcast subscribers to cancel your service until they sign a reasonable deal with Bend Broadband and the satellite companies. You would do that for us ….. right? I’m holding my breath.

I'm just a modest guy with much to be modest about

by TwoDeep on Sep 17, 2008 9:07 AM PDT up reply actions

I am moving to broad band and direct TV Oct 1

One option seems to be to wait till later and buy the[pukes his dinner]NBA package.

by southern oregon on Sep 16, 2008 6:33 PM PDT reply actions

Once Comcast signed the exclusive agreement with the Blazers

they have been able to basically name the price. They have a monopoly, so why wouldn’t they?

Bottom line: The Blazers negotiated a horrible deal for their fans.

Comcast is the bad guy now, but the Blazers enabled them. Ultimately, the Blazers/NBA get to decide who has broadcast rights to their content. The Blazers took the money and threw the fans under the bus.

by Bust a Bucket on Sep 16, 2008 6:54 PM PDT reply actions

I hate to agree on this

But I do. The fans did get thrown under the bus and the team put themselves in a position where they can’t do much about it.

It’s astounding to me that such a large percentage of the Blazer fan base just got tossed aside.

If you live in Bend, you can’t get League Pass (inside the blackout zone), you can’t get Comcast and you can’t even get any of the KGW games? What the Furness?

I was one of the fans that had Comcast last year, it was great and I didn’t have much concern at the time, (because I had it) and I was sure that a deal would get done.

This really sucks and the Blazers should have known better. This whole situation is getting preposterous and the Blazers mgmt. should be hearing about it A LOT until the situation is resolved. How can you cut off half the state and just assume a deal would get done?

This whole thing is “Big Suked.”

by BlazerD on Sep 16, 2008 7:51 PM PDT up reply actions

BOHICA Baby

That stands for BEND Over Here It Comes Again.

It puts the lotion on the skin...or else it gets the hose!

by courtsideerrandboy on Sep 16, 2008 11:24 PM PDT up reply actions

Nice double entendre with "Bend" over

very nicely done.

by Bust a Bucket on Sep 18, 2008 9:38 PM PDT up reply actions

Guys, just watch the games online for free.

Might not be the same as TV but it’s better than nothing.

by DarthBlazer on Sep 16, 2008 7:44 PM PDT reply actions

I watched a few online last year without problem.

But most of the time it would go for a minute and then spend another minute buffering. I usually just gave up and listened to Wheeler.

by TallTimber on Sep 16, 2008 7:58 PM PDT up reply actions

Did you watch it through nba.com league pass or P2PTV (sopcast)?

by DarthBlazer on Sep 16, 2008 8:06 PM PDT up reply actions

I was watching mainly on channelsurfing.net

There were a few other sites that Damir came up with during the season.

by TallTimber on Sep 16, 2008 9:05 PM PDT up reply actions

the ADTHE.FR site is lame now

you have to install zango to access it. lame. lame. lame.

by avalonzero on Sep 16, 2008 11:46 PM PDT up reply actions

I highly doubt

That Comcast didn’t give ever assurance to the Blazers they would try and get some kind of deal done. I bet it is just as big of a surprise to the management that a deal still isn’t done as it is the us the fans.

There’s always the few TNT/ESPN games for those of us outside the KGW/CSN area; and Dave’s fabulous recaps.

by usdblazerfan on Sep 16, 2008 8:50 PM PDT reply actions

Dude, the Blazers have of some of the best business lawyers in the US

They knew exactly what they were getting into and they chose to take that step full well knowing the consequences. Maybe they thought a deal would get done, but after signing that contract they knew they would have no say in the process.

by BlazerD on Sep 16, 2008 8:57 PM PDT up reply actions

Maybe...

You complainers should’ve never left Portland. Portland’s job market is bubbling with opportunity and you people want to go live in California and get treated like privileged Portlanders? You take it for granted you can even get into this site, let alone post on it, and you never even acknowledge how good you have it. 13 games is way better than Portland fans living in New Orleans. They don’t even have t.v.’s

It puts the lotion on the skin...or else it gets the hose!

by courtsideerrandboy on Sep 16, 2008 11:23 PM PDT up reply actions

I might have to sell the submarine

Perhaps I’ll move to N.O. and use the submarine $$ to buy league pass. Or I’ll buy a TV station in Central Oregon and make a deal with Comcast myself…

by BlazerD on Sep 16, 2008 11:47 PM PDT up reply actions

why don't you just buy comcast?

i think that’s the ticket.

by avalonzero on Sep 16, 2008 11:49 PM PDT up reply actions

There is no Comcast in Bend, or anywhere else in Central or Eastern Oregon

I’d obviously get it if I could.

by BlazerD on Sep 17, 2008 12:21 AM PDT up reply actions

i meant buy the company!

by avalonzero on Sep 17, 2008 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions

I'll look into it

Need to “liquidate” the submarine first….

by BlazerD on Sep 17, 2008 2:39 PM PDT up reply actions

dude...

it’s the people IN Portland (and surrounding blackout zone) that are complaining. Some people can’t get Crapcast service because where they live in the area. People in Cali and around the nation could get league pass and see everything.

by avalonzero on Sep 16, 2008 11:48 PM PDT up reply actions

That's the truth

People outside of Oregon can see all the games but many fans in Oregon are out of luck. That’s just not right.

by TallTimber on Sep 17, 2008 7:04 AM PDT up reply actions

You sound like a guy who has Comcast.

I'm just a modest guy with much to be modest about

by TwoDeep on Sep 17, 2008 9:12 AM PDT up reply actions

I live in Woodburn

a whopping 30 miles out of Portland…….and no CSN. At least we get KGW, but this is beyond dumb. I’ve already missed one Duck game, and am going to miss another this weekend.

--Dave
Addicted to Quack, SBN's Oregon Ducks blog

by David Piper on Sep 17, 2008 7:15 AM PDT reply actions

I live south of salem and was able to get the ducks/utah state game

I pulled out the rabbit ears and pointed them towards Eugene. It worked perfect… channel 32,34 or something like that for Eugene’s local coverage that isn’t blacked out by comcast.

by tweener on Sep 17, 2008 11:46 AM PDT up reply actions

Comcast needs to step up to the plate

and stop discriminating against Woodburn… it’s not like it’s Hillsboro.

by Bust a Bucket on Sep 18, 2008 9:40 PM PDT up reply actions

I don't know what availability is around the state

but Verizon FIOS tv carries CSN. My roomate just switched to Verizon and their service is good. Only downside is that right now, not enough HD channels. And no Mad Men in HD makes DrivetheLane upset. But if Verizon is available in your area, it’s a good alternative.

by DrivetheLane on Sep 17, 2008 8:26 AM PDT reply actions

a lot of this pain and suffering could be averted...

if they would just lift the blackout for satellite customers and people that have access to league pass but not CSN. i know some people will still not be happy to have to fork over 150 bucks for the pass but at least people will have the option to see the blazers. the fact that it has gone on this long is beyond retahded.

by avalonzero on Sep 17, 2008 12:43 PM PDT reply actions