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Why do I say Comcast is anti-Philly Sports? Because, Comcast is making it harder and harder for Philly fans to watch their teams. In the old days, people could watch their favorite teams on local over-the-air TV stations. Not anymore! Most basketball, hockey and baseball games are carried on Comcast Sportsnet. Philly fans without cable get to see only a handful of basketball, hockey and baseball games that are still televised on local stations, on the networks or ESPN. This IS eroding the fan base and will hurt the competitiveness of our teams in the long run.
Obviously, I know that nearly everyone has cable or satellite TV so not being carried over the air is no big deal. WRONG! COMCAST refuses to allow Direct TV or Dish TV Satellite subscribers access to COMCAST Sportsnet. In effect, Comcast is doing exactly what network broadcasters tried to do to cable companies back when cable was just getting started.
This practice means that pubs and restaurants that choose a satellite service are not able to televise local games. Large restaurant chains like Applebees, Fridays, Ruby Tuesdays and others have chosen to go with satellite service because the companies are nationwide like these chains. Further, cable has consistently offered less at a higher price. I’m not just talking about charging more for fewer channels. I’m talking about no customer service or technical support on Sunday or after 8pm. People are switching to satellite TV in mass and each children in these families are not getting the Philly sports “bug” that so many of us caught when we were growing up.
Philadelphia is the only major market city where this is done. The reason is that the FCC rules related to fair access are set up to prohibit this. However, Comcast has chosen to have Sportsnet use older, less reliable and more expensive technology in order to meet the specifications of an arcane rule so they don’t have to allow the satellite companies access to Sportsnet programming. Obviously, our city, state and federal politicians should eliminate this loophole but their politicians and have been bought and paid for by Comcast. It is the same thing these Philadephia politicians did back before granting cable licenses in the 80’s. Philadelphia was the last major city to be wired for cable because our politicians were busy lining their pockets.
A few years ago, you could get the Basic cable service for $15-$20/month which many of us would do. Unfortunately, the local cable companies have pulled Sportsnet out of the Basic grouping and included it in the Digital Tier meaning the minimum cost is $40-$50/month. For example, my service – Urban Cableworks charges $13.50/month for basic cable. The cheapest package with Sportsnet is $57.95… a freaking joke!
C’mon Comcast, cut it out! You’re a Philly company, show Philly some love! Sell your programming to Dish TV and Direct TV and let’s keep our fans the smartest and most informed fans around. Sure we are miserable with all the disappointments but give us our sports…
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