A place to consolidate Comcast news and updates

by kobestopper on Jul 31, 2009 9:00 AM PDT

If there are any new updates, official releases, or actual news about the Comcast situation, this would be a good place to put them. Pushing through an agreement between now and start of the season would be ideal for the fans and the team, if not for Comcast (who appears to be in no hurry, at the risk of stating the obvious).

If anyone has any news or updates, please post them here.

Meanwhile, let's take a little poll:

UPDATE: I HAD NO IDEA THIS POLL WOULD BE SO ONE-SIDED. SAYS A LOT ABOUT PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF THE COMCAST SITUATION. I ADMIT THERE IS SOME BIASED LANGUAGE IN THE WAY THE QUESTIONS ARE PHRASED :)

Poll

Do you think anything will change with Comcast's stranglehold on broadcasting between now and the start of the regular season?

Yes - they will strike a deal with satellite companies

16 votes

No - their reign of terror will continue

184 votes

200 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 45 comments | 2 recs |

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Comments

I have given up hope

2 seasons and waiting, it ain’t gonna happen…

How did you guys win that?
"We scored enough points. We scored 107, they scored 105.
-Nate McMillan Postgame, 3/4/2009

by douglast on Jul 30, 2009 1:17 PM PDT reply actions

Heres what will happen.

Canzano will have some comcast idiot on his show. the guy will say were trying to work it out, then a little over a year later we will still be talking about this.

Momma.....der go dat man

by AllHailRoy on Jul 30, 2009 1:24 PM PDT reply actions

Were you in

Knowing with Nicolas Gage? I agree with you.

by TrailBlazerChief on Jul 31, 2009 10:11 AM PDT up reply actions

Yep its Nick, im a total blazer fan, COMCAST SUCKS!!!! My movie is coming out soon.....

Go see it.

Momma.....der go dat man

by AllHailRoy on Jul 31, 2009 3:13 PM PDT up reply actions

Nevermind i forgot it was already out, Buy it on DVD then.

-Nick

Momma.....der go dat man

by AllHailRoy on Jul 31, 2009 3:14 PM PDT up reply actions

Well the Blazers do have an opt out clause in their long term deal woth CSN....

Maybe it is time to put pressure on the Blazers, maybe FSN would like therights to Blazer games. I am sure if the Blazers upped their pressure on CSN it would work… without the Blazers CSN is garbage.

by Escrote on Jul 30, 2009 1:35 PM PDT reply actions

Why would the Blazers opt out of a deal that pays them $12M a year for 10 years?

That’s the cost of Brandon’s or LMA’s new contract. FSN only offered a couple million a year and wouldn’t broadcast all the games. Comcast basically created a Blazer channel for them. There is no way the Blazers are backing out of the Comcast deal.

by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jul 30, 2009 5:36 PM PDT up reply actions

You are probably right, I was just bringing it up because not that many people know about it.

I believe it is to the effect of if the Blazer games are not widely available the Blazers reserve the right to terminate the contract. Maybe if they threatened CSN they could help push a deal. I don’t get why the Satellite companies don’t just make it a premium channel, then they only have to pass the cost on to those who want it. In fact I am a big fan of a la cart cable/satellite but that is a slightly different topic.

by Escrote on Jul 31, 2009 8:31 AM PDT up reply actions

from my understanding

the satellite companies WANT to put comcast in their premium sports packages, thus only having to pay comcast for those subscribers that elect to have that package. Comcast however is demanding that they get paid the fee on ALL subscribers – in essence the same as if it were in the standard lineup.

It’s like this – FoxSports NW is currently the one “free” sports channel that NW area directv subscribers get in their basic package. Therefore, directv pays Fox a fee for EVERY subscriber in the NW. Comcast wants to either replace FSNW as the one “free” channel in the basic lineup, or else be added into it as well. Directv however is only willing to add CSNNW to it’s sports-package. I believe this is the impasse

How did you guys win that?
"We scored enough points. We scored 107, they scored 105.
-Nate McMillan Postgame, 3/4/2009

by douglast on Jul 31, 2009 10:04 AM PDT up reply actions

makes sense, from both sides.

I guess it is a matter of which comes first the chicken or the egg. I can see why the satellite companies don’t want to add CSN to the standard package because all it is is Blazer games and 1 or 2 worthwhile shows. Then again CSN can’t afford new programming until they get more viewers.

by Escrote on Jul 31, 2009 10:14 AM PDT up reply actions

DirecTV treats Oregon customers as Seattle residents

First, not all NW subscribers get FSNW. FSNW is not included in the DirecTV Family package ($29.99/month). You must have the Choice package ($55.99). So if Comcast wants the same deal for CSNNW they would not get paid for all NW subscribers, only those with the Choice package or better.

If you live in the Chicago area you get CSN-Chicago as part of the Choice package, not as part of the optional Sports Pack. If you live in San Jose, you get CSN Bay Area as part of the Choice package, not as part of the optional Sports Pack. etc. So if Comcast wants DirecTV/Dish to treat CSNNW the same way for Oregonians that isn’t unusual or unreasonable.

FSNW is primarily Seattle-Washington-centric. It’s the Mariners, etc. DirecTV provides FSNW for Oregon zip code customers as part of the Choice package. CSNNW is primarily Portland-Oregon-centric (Blazers, U of O, PSU, UP, teams), but DirecTV treats Oregon customers like we are residents of Seattle by giving us FSNW instead. If they won’t provide both CSNNW and FSNW to Oregon zip codes in the Choice package, then they should move FSNW to the Sports Pack ($12.99 a month) and provide Oregon customers with Oregon’s teams in the Choice package.

It baffles me, why anyone would blame Comcast for treating its Oregon customers like Oregonians and supporting the Blazers by paying them an enormous amount of money to televise ALL games (which Fox Sports refused to do), while DirecTV treats us like residents of Seattle and gets almost no blame for carrying FSNW instead of CSNW. Somewhere there are DirecTV execs laughing their heads off every time someone rants about Comcast keeping the Blazers from their Oregon fans.

DirecTV could fix this problem by giving Oregon customers CSN in the Choice package, and moving Washington teams on FSN to its optional sports pack. Is it Comcast’s fault DirecTV won’t do that, or is it DirecTV’s fault?

by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jul 31, 2009 5:21 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs

It's Comcast's fault

Witty Unpredictable Talent and Natural Game

by iDea on Aug 3, 2009 11:02 AM PDT up reply actions

Its as much Comcast's fault as it is there Competitors

It takes 2 to make a deal, its not like Dish is handing over there lock on there exclusive channels

Draft Cole Aldrich 2010

by jlarose78 on Jul 30, 2009 1:42 PM PDT reply actions

One more thing

If all else fails watch it online www.justin.tv

Draft Cole Aldrich 2010

by jlarose78 on Jul 30, 2009 1:45 PM PDT up reply actions

Sure, but...

the problem is I’d rather watch it on a 40", not a 15". Since I’m downsizing just about everything these days, the NFL package with DirectTV was a casualty. I spoke with a DTV customer serv rep and told him that if a deal isn’t reached by October, I’d be switching to Comcast or Verizon. They offered to cut my bill $10 whole dollars a month…BFD, I’d rather have Blazers and Ducks!

by oregon_fan on Jul 31, 2009 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Agreed... according to my inside sources who wish to remain annonymous:

CSN has offered the same deal to all the satellite and cable networks, some have taken the deal others have not.

by Escrote on Jul 30, 2009 1:45 PM PDT up reply actions

I'd say it's 90% Comcast's fault.

Because the rumored deals they are offering don’t seem very reasonable.

Disclaimer: everything I know about basketball I learned on Blazersedge.

by pualo on Jul 30, 2009 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions

Don't mean to rub it in....

but last night while I was searching through on demand (on comcast), I selected sports and leisure and they had a Comcast sports selection. Once I selected that then there was a Trailblazer selection, they had last Mondays Courtside with the K.P. and Andre Miller interview and one of the summer league games. So I bet that they will have regular season games too. Personally though I can’t wait for the satellite companies to pick up Blazer games, I will switch as soon as that happens.

by Ripcity08 on Jul 30, 2009 1:54 PM PDT reply actions

You will switch. Exactly.

Which is why Comcast doesn’t want to make a deal with the satellite companies.

by BOSAKI on Jul 30, 2009 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions

That is a good point,

but I don’t know if there are enough people that would switch, at least enough that would cause Comcast to even think about that. The main reason I would switch would be so that I can get Japanese TV, which is not offered through Comcast in the Portland Metro area. My wife is Japanese, in case you are wondering why.

by Ripcity08 on Jul 30, 2009 2:43 PM PDT up reply actions

I would switch too

Mostly because they are expensive, and I get a 60 hz hum through my subwoofer that I think might be caused by interference from the cable line. When we had dish I never had that problem. Also, their DVR is ruining my receiver because it keeps switching between 5.1 and stereo during commercials, and its caused some of the inputs to stop working. I don’t know if dish would fix that though.

Although Comcast would make a bundle from whatever deal they would make with dish. I don’t know if it’s enough to offset the amount of customers that would switch though.

by BOSAKI on Jul 30, 2009 2:58 PM PDT up reply actions

The 5.1 vs 2.0 thing is on the channel itself

it wouldn’t matter what carrier

"My avatar picture is of the favorite vehicle I ever owned" -Me

by 92wastheyear on Jul 30, 2009 4:44 PM PDT up reply actions

And what did you do to your elbow?!

OUCH.

by BOSAKI on Jul 30, 2009 2:58 PM PDT up reply actions

I used to have DirecTV

and I’m going to miss the NFL Sunday ticket ;^(

My wife sells Clear and they’re going nationwide in a few days, so if DirecTV had the Comcast Sports net channel we’d switch over, in a heatbeat

When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Jul 30, 2009 4:03 PM PDT up reply actions

whats your experience with clear wimax?

i heard some poor things about the quality of service and their reception.

Senior Asian ambassador of Blazers Edge

by Philthyanimal on Aug 1, 2009 1:11 AM PDT up reply actions

I've already switched

unfortunately to Comcast HD. i loved my directTV with tivo, but it got to the point where i couldn’t stand not being able to watch the team that plays 5 miles from my house, so i broke down. if i could get CSN on my dish, comcast would only be able to rip me off on internet instead of both TV and internet.

by retirecards51 on Aug 1, 2009 11:01 AM PDT up reply actions

It was a b-ball injury,

I dove for a loose ball and I guess I ruptured one of the fluid pockets. It swelled up in minutes to almost the size of a baseball. Surprisingly there wasn’t that much pain, when I woke up the next day it was back to normal. It was a trip..

by Ripcity08 on Jul 31, 2009 6:21 AM PDT reply actions

Do you really want to sleep on Tom's "love seat?" I certainly don't.

< /war >

by Diesel10 on Aug 1, 2009 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions

I have comcast

and I am still pissed about this whole situation

by TrailBlazerChief on Jul 31, 2009 10:05 AM PDT reply actions

If you want to minimize the $ you give to Comcast go with Verizon's FIOSTV

If you are in the Portland area FIOSTV has pretty good coverage now, and gets CSN on channel #77. You don’t get the games in HD – but you do get the games. I’m sure Comcast gets some type of royalty – but at least they don’t get my full TV bill.

by Mad Matt the Road Warrior on Jul 31, 2009 10:11 AM PDT reply actions

Fios is leaving Oregon

It is selling it’s Oregon holdings to another company …..will become final in about 6 ,months or so

"My avatar picture is of the favorite vehicle I ever owned" -Me

by 92wastheyear on Jul 31, 2009 12:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Really ? can you give me any more specifics? link?

by Mad Matt the Road Warrior on Jul 31, 2009 12:26 PM PDT up reply actions

Let me see if I can find it

"My avatar picture is of the favorite vehicle I ever owned" -Me

by 92wastheyear on Jul 31, 2009 1:41 PM PDT up reply actions

I know they are selling their advertising department to comcast. Hadn’t heard about the tv service itself

by tmundal on Jul 31, 2009 8:35 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

Nevermind found one - but so long as I still get Blazers I don't care who owns 'em

Verizon FIOSTV leaving Oregon

by Mad Matt the Road Warrior on Jul 31, 2009 12:42 PM PDT reply actions

If you have comcast basic cable, and a digital tv...

Try tuning to 64.5 I won’t get to enjoy this season in HD (it just costs too darn much) but I can handle $9.95 a month…until comcast puts a trap on my line to block QAM access

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16911531

by tmundal on Jul 31, 2009 8:23 PM PDT reply actions

i heard if you get just the broadband net and no cable tv

that you can still get these channels. is that true?

Senior Asian ambassador of Blazers Edge

by Philthyanimal on Aug 1, 2009 1:15 AM PDT up reply actions

Not sure.

I had just cable internet, and didn’t get any tv. I have internet, and the most basic package ($8-9 a month) and I get the channels. If they go away, I will have to pony up for the basketball season, but hopefully not. I guess I can watch the KGW games in HD, and just suffer through the rest.

by tmundal on Aug 1, 2009 4:23 PM PDT up reply actions

This is straight from The Blazers PR man.

I spoke with directv and dish network. No vios in my area. Both satelite providers told me I would get the games (all of them) if I ordered the sports back AND ordered NBA tv as well. After checking with several people who have both providers I found this to be a blatant lie. Both times I questioned the agent and was put on hold for a substantial period of time in which either a coach or manager told me that I indeed would get all the games because the carry CSN. When I questions which area of CSN I got no direct answer and was told the NW package.

This is my correspondence with the Blazers that took place after I spoke with both networks.

…………………………..

Sent: Sunday, June 14, 2009 4:55 PM
Blazers Feedback
Subject: Broadcast Information

Message: What are my options if I want to watch blazer games this year, but do not want to use Comcast cable? I would like to know so that I do not swindled. Several companies I spoke with told me they do, but could
not confirm. Thanks.

On Jun 17, 2009 12:14pm, Trail Blazers Communications Department TrailBlazersCommunications.Department@trailblazers.com> wrote:

Pdxborn,
At this point, unfortunately, there have been no changes in the status
of the broadcast agreements. Still no carriage on DirecTV, Dish Network or
Charter Cable. Among ‘major’ carriers, only Comcast and Verizon
FIOS have agreements to air Comcast Sports Net Northwest. Some smaller regional
carriers also have distribution, including the following:
Ashland TV
Canby Telcom
Country Cablevision
Monroe Telecom
Scio Cablevision
Wave Broadband
BendBroadBand

This has been a very frustrating and unfortunate ordeal; hopefully
progress is made this summer for the benefit of the many fans inconvenienced by
this process. Thanks for your continued patience.

Bill Evans

Trail Blazers Communications

Mon, Jun 22, 2009 at 10:03 AM
subject – Re: RE: Broadcast Information Bill,

Thanks for your reply. I was told by DIrectv that they could supply the games if I purchased their sportspack with regular package. I didn’t think anything had happened recently that changed the current situation.
Your email helps to clarify the situation. It is unfortunate that no progress has taken place. There are a lot of fans that would like to be able to watch, and would like to be able to chose the best provider available.
Comcast is using this like a stranglehold on the market. I can attest to some pretty poor customer service from them. Yet I still want to watch the Blazers when I can’t go to the games.

I will wait and hope that a deal is made before the season starts.

Go Blazers.

Respectfully,

Pdxborn

Get busy livin', or get busy dyin'. -the shawshank redemption.

by pdxborn on Aug 1, 2009 10:06 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

DirecTV should put CSNNW in its Choice package and put FSNW in its optional Sports Pack.

Chicago, the Bay Area, Boston, Washington DC, etc. all get their CSN regional network in the DirecTV Choice package, but DirecTV refuses to do the same for Oregon fans. They want the Seattle-centric FSNW in our Choice package instead. NY get 3 regional sports networks in their Choice package. Even Sacramento gets both Comcast Bay Area and Comcast California channels in their Choice package. Why does DirecTV treat Portland like a suburb of Seattle?

by BlazerFanSince1970 on Aug 1, 2009 3:04 PM PDT reply actions