April 1, 201115 yr Hello all, I just recently found this forum hoping that someone here has an answer to a question that I have. I just recently moved to Central Florida (Lake Mary to be exact) and was planning on ordering the MLB Extra Innings package from Brighthouse Networks so I can watch Marlins games up here. However, after doing some reading online, I found out that Marlins broadcasts are blacked out on the MLB Extra Innings package and MLB.TV all over Florida because the Marlins play on FS Florida, which as you all know also shows Rays and Magic games in Central Florida. However, neither the Marlins and Panthers, whom both have their games shown on FS Florida are shown locally here. Do any of you live in this area and know what I could possibly do with this situation? I just find it ridiculous that if you live anywhere else in the state except for South Florida that you're blacked out of watching your favorite team, but someone in say Seattle for example can watch almost every game. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks! and GO MARLINS!!!
April 1, 201115 yr Author I thought the Rays were on SUNSports instead of FOX ? They are, but from what the Brighthouse Networks representative I spoke to over the phone told me, both of those networks are joined into one partnership, which is why the blackouts occur. That doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me since they show Rays broadcasts in South Florida.
April 1, 201115 yr I thought the Rays were on SUNSports instead of FOX ? They are, but from what the Brighthouse Networks representative I spoke to over the phone told me, both of those networks are joined into one partnership, which is why the blackouts occur. That doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me since they show Rays broadcasts in South Florida. Hmm... is the Brighthouse in Lake Mary different than the one here in Orlando? I would think they would both be Brighthouse Central Florida. If that's the case, I see no reason why they should be blacked out for you as I get my Fish on FSN. If there's a conflict with the Magic, the Magic win, however if you get FSN and SunSports both, you should get both with no programming blackouts. Perhaps the Customer Service Rep is confusing FSN requiring a digital box as a blackout. When BH ended my 10 year Marlin-less exile on TV by finally carrying FSN (thank you, Magic), they went on the "basic" tier on Ch 50, but they required a digital box and service in order to get it. Suffice it to say, I know how frustrating being a Marlins fan in Central Florida can be. Hope you can get it straightened out.
April 1, 201115 yr Author I thought the Rays were on SUNSports instead of FOX ? They are, but from what the Brighthouse Networks representative I spoke to over the phone told me, both of those networks are joined into one partnership, which is why the blackouts occur. That doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me since they show Rays broadcasts in South Florida. Hmm... is the Brighthouse in Lake Mary different than the one here in Orlando? I would think they would both be Brighthouse Central Florida. If that's the case, I see no reason why they should be blacked out for you as I get my Fish on FSN. If there's a conflict with the Magic, the Magic win, however if you get FSN and SunSports both, you should get both with no programming blackouts. Perhaps the Customer Service Rep is confusing FSN requiring a digital box as a blackout. When BH ended my 10 year Marlin-less exile on TV by finally carrying FSN (thank you, Magic), they went on the "basic" tier on Ch 50, but they required a digital box and service in order to get it. Suffice it to say, I know how frustrating being a Marlins fan in Central Florida can be. Hope you can get it straightened out. Very interesting. You have just given me a ray of hope here! I'm assuming that I would get the same service from Brighthouse as you would in Orlando. I do have a digital box, so if what you're saying is true, then I should be just fine and only get screwed when the Magic are playing. It figures that they have a game tomorrow night during the Marlins season opener heh. I have a feeling that the Customer Service rep that I spoke to was unaware of this because I believe that it's only been recently that FS Florida and Sun Sports have merged into a partnership. Anyway, thank you so much for this information! Hopefully we have a good series against the Mets. Nothing would make me happier than seeing all those "New Yawkas" go home pissed off after a Fish win
April 1, 201115 yr OK, here's the deal. Both Rays (mostly on Sun Sports) and Marlins (mostly on FOX Sports Florida) can air statewide, so that's why MLB Extra Innings blacks out Marlins and Rays games in Florida - the games (150 for each team) are airing already on either Sun Sports or FOX Sports Florida. So, for the fan in Lake Mary, If a Rays or Marlins game is scheduled on either Sun Sports or FOX Sports Florida in Northern and Central Florida, then you, living in Lake Mary, will see the game on Bright House as Bright House carries both regional sports channels in that area. Early in the 2011 season, for about the first week to 10 days, there are a few games for both Rays & Marlins, where either the games cannot air statewide, or they may be airing on the other channel (Sun Sports or FS Florida), due to pre-existing conflicts with NBA & NHL games. Here's the schedule for this weekend's Rays & Marlins games.... Friday, April 1, 2011 7:00pm Florida Marlins vs. New York Mets Airs live on FOX Sports Florida in South Florida only on cable (statewide replay at midnight); live statewide on DirecTV 654 & DISH 423. 7:00pm Tampa Bay Rays vs. Baltimore Orioles Airs live on Sun Sports in Northern & Central Florida only on cable (statewide replay at midnight); live statewide on DirecTV alternate channel 656 & DISH alternate channel 475. Saturday, April 2, 2011 7:00pm Florida Marlins vs. New York Mets Airs live on Sun Sports in South Florida on cable and live on FOX Sports Florida in Northern & Central Florida on cable (statewide replay on FOX Sports Florida at midnight); live statewide on DirecTV alternate channel 655 & DISH alternate channel 446. 7:00pm Tampa Bay Rays vs. Baltimore Orioles Airs live on Sun Sports in Northern and Central Florida only on cable (statewide replay at midnight); live statewide on DirecTV 653 & DISH 422. Sunday, April 3, 2011 1:00pm Florida Marlins vs. New York Mets Airs live statewide on FOX Sports Florida, both cable and satellite. 1:30pm Tampa Bay Rays vs. Baltimore Orioles Airs live statewide on Sun Sports, both cable and satellite. Questions, e-mail askus@foxsports.net
April 1, 201115 yr When did we get a FSN rep on the boards? Welcome aboard! Joined:Today, 11:54 AM hurr durr Hello Mr. Minervini.
April 1, 201115 yr When did we get a FSN rep on the boards? Welcome aboard! I share your excitement. At first I was like, 'Wow this guy sure did his research for this post, who is this?', and then I saw his name and his post count. :lol Pretty cool.
April 1, 201115 yr Been here a while, actually – remember askus? Hell, they might even be the same person. At any rate, glad to have them. Their posts are quite helpful.
April 2, 201115 yr Author Thank you so much for that response FSMarlins ^_^ Even though the game wasn't shown live due to the Magic playing, I was very pleased to see it being replayed from Midnight-2:00am.
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