Blackouts in Milwaukee and Green Bay on DISH, DIRECTV, etc Full Court explained

[ChicosBailBonds]

OK, I've been asked this question a few times so why not just answer it publicly.  I've been told there is a thread on the other board as well so this would answer their questions as well for those that lurk over here.

TWC has the rights to Marquette games in Milwaukee and Green Bay is our understanding.  These rights were negotiated with Marquette University, again this is our understanding and could be off target. 

However, as it relates to Full Court games involving Marquette, those first two games were blacked out in ESPN Full Court on DISH, DIRECTV and potentially on other systems.  This direction of blackout was provided by ESPN to those distributors per the rights agreements that TWC holds.  If TWC wished to lift those rights, they could.  If they choose not to, they also could.   Either decision is a choice on their part and a business decision they have to make (no different then NFL Sunday Ticket for DIRECTV just that the $$ numbers are much different).

As of today, the UWM game has no blackout instructions from ESPN.  That could change, tomorrow or even Saturday.  Those instructions are sent out from ESPN daily to the various providers.

But as of today, the game is in the clear for Milwaukee and Green Bay customers that have Full Court

[SCdem@MU]

http://masnsports.com/2008/11/masn-daily-programming-saturda-9.html

MASN picks up most Big East games that are not carried by ESPN.

[ChicosBailBonds]

http://masnsports.com/2008/11/masn-daily-programming-saturda-9.html

MASN picks up most Big East games that are not carried by ESPN.

Yes.  SNY does as well.  For example, Saturday's game is on SNY as well as ESPN Full Court.

[NYWarrior]

Yes.  SNY does as well.  For example, Saturday's game is on SNY as well as ESPN Full Court.

Glad they are picking up the game.....last year SNY picked up several MU broadcasts as well -- hoping it's in HD

[SCdem@MU]

btw I added this info to the schedule wiki. However, I have a question about that:

Would it make more sense to update which specific games are being picked up by MASN, SNY, and other regional sports networks rather than just having the disclaimer at the bottom?

SNY and MASN do not pick up all Marquette games, but once its known which games they (and other RSNs) are picking it up it might be useful to put that on the row for that game.

What do you all think?

[Tulsa Warrior]

There's a PO factor that the Marquette Atheltic Department needs to address.  I understand business decisions but when I buy ESPN Fullcourt I want to know what I'm getting or not getting.  There needs to be an upfront disclosure on policy.  Anything less is a rip off.  Any service offering coverage needs to be clear from the get go.  The issues with TV coverage are not Marquette's fault but it will p%^$# the fan base and is not constructive for the continued growth of the program.

[DoubleMU0609]

Did anyone living in Chicago have any problems with the UWM broadcast on FullCourt (Comcast)?  I've been having some problems with my service so I'm not sure if the game was blacked out or if it was a problem with my service.  I got the Chicago State game, but that could have been because CSU is a home town team here. 

If it is a blackout problem, is there any lobbying to the university that would remedy the situation or does TWC have full control of the rights based on the contract?

[1990Warrior]

I don't live in Chicago.  I got the feed but there seemed to be technical difficulties with the feed. The picture and sound were very choppy and digitized throughout the game.

[Henry Sugar]

I also had problems with the UWM broadcast, also in the Chicago metro area on Comcast Fullcourt.

The game didn't record.  Appeared to be blacked out.

[sigep80]

No problems with the UWM game on directtv in Chicago

[spartan3186]

I was at the schoolyard for the game and there were no problems there. Not sure if they are directtv or comcast