TSN: TSN Blackouts - Mendes wants your feedback

[Golden_Jet]

As I mentioned previously, it's also almost always blacked out on TSN.

Yes if you live in Ottawa’s broadcast region, and don’t subscribe / pay for TSN5,
You will be blacked out.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

I can only watch sens games if they are on Saturday. Otherwise need to use a VPN and pretend that I'm in Vancouver with my laptop. What a joke, pay $280 a year for SN+, have access to my friends Bell Fibe and still can barely watch any games without VPN or sailing the high seas.

That's how Sportsnet+ premium works, so it's working as they advertise unless I'm misunderstanding something here.

If you're in the Ottawa region, the out of market hockey Sportsnet+ premium service won't give you access to Senators regionally broadcasted games on TSN5. They should be blacked out. You would need to subscribe to TSN Go to access them on TSN5 and leave Sportsnet+ out entirely.

That's why it works when you VPN to Vancouver as it's telling the app you're not in the Ottawa market, which is what that Sportsnet+ out of market premium service is for. The Sportsnet+ premium package is not meant for <insert canadian team here> fans living in the <insert canadian team here> region, it's meant for fans of those teams that don't live there, like say me in the Yukon trying to watch Senators games.

Like other streaming, this sports streaming is all a stupid mess and the monthly fees on these apps are absurd, but I don't think what you're using is technically working incorrectly.

 

[Micklebot]

That's how Sportsnet+ premium works, so it's working as they advertise unless I'm misunderstanding something here.

If you're in the Ottawa region, the out of market hockey Sportsnet+ premium service won't give you access to Senators regionally broadcasted games on TSN5. They should be blacked out. You would need to subscribe to TSN Go to access them on TSN5 and leave Sportsnet+ out entirely.

That's why it works when you VPN to Vancouver as it's telling the app you're not in the Ottawa market, which is what that Sportsnet+ out of market premium service is for. The Sportsnet+ premium package is not meant for <insert canadian team here> fans living in the <insert canadian team here> region, it's meant for fans of those teams that don't live there, like say me in the Yukon trying to watch Senators games.

Like other streaming, this sports streaming is all a stupid mess and the monthly fees on these apps are absurd, but I don't think what you're using is technically working incorrectly.

So, while I understand this, I find it incredibly frustrating that in order to get every single game for an out of market team, say Edmonton, I only need one service, for $250.

But, if I want to stream every local game, I need to pay SN $179.99 and TSN $199.99 for a total of $380, and I have to figure out which app to launch every game instead of having one spot to go to.

It's like they want people to pirate when they make it harder when you pay for it, and arbitrarily more expensive just because of which team you follow and we're you're viewing that same team from.

 

[Golden_Jet]

So, while I understand this, I find it incredibly frustrating that in order to get every single game for an out of market team, say Edmonton, I only need one service, for $250.

But, if I want to stream every local game, I need to pay SN $179.99 and TSN $199.99 for a total of $380, and I have to figure out which app to launch every game instead of having one spot to go to.

It's like they want people to pirate when they make it harder when you pay for it, and arbitrarily more expensive just because of which team you follow and we're you're viewing that same team from.

That’s easy to understand, SN has the in market games for the Oilers, Calgary and Vancouver.

 

[jbeck5]

Yes if you live in Ottawa’s broadcast region, and don’t subscribe / pay for TSN5,
You will be blacked out.

Why would the Ottawa game be blacked out in the Ottawa region specifically.

The team should be trying to grow the fanbase. Having local games blacked out does nothing for that.

That's how Sportsnet+ premium works, so it's working as they advertise unless I'm misunderstanding something here.

If you're in the Ottawa region, the out of market hockey Sportsnet+ premium service won't give you access to Senators regionally broadcasted games on TSN5. They should be blacked out. You would need to subscribe to TSN Go to access them on TSN5 and leave Sportsnet+ out entirely.

That's why it works when you VPN to Vancouver as it's telling the app you're not in the Ottawa market, which is what that Sportsnet+ out of market premium service is for. The Sportsnet+ premium package is not meant for <insert canadian team here> fans living in the <insert canadian team here> region, it's meant for fans of those teams that don't live there, like say me in the Yukon trying to watch Senators games.

Like other streaming, this sports streaming is all a stupid mess and the monthly fees on these apps are absurd, but I don't think what you're using is technically working incorrectly.

I'm not disputing what you're saying, but that is so illogical as a business model.

They make it easier to be a fan outside of the city than inside the city. Makes no sense.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Why would the Ottawa game be blacked out in the Ottawa region specifically.

The team should be trying to grow the fanbase. Having local games blacked out does nothing for that.

That’s how it works in every NHL city, you need to subscribe to the local broadcast on regional nights. The team has zero say in it.
Not saying it’s good, but that’s how it works for every team.

 

[jbeck5]

So, while I understand this, I find it incredibly frustrating that in order to get every single game for an out of market team, say Edmonton, I only need one service, for $250.

But, if I want to stream every local game, I need to pay SN $179.99 and TSN $199.99 for a total of $380, and I have to figure out which app to launch every game instead of having one spot to go to.

It's like they want people to pirate when they make it harder when you pay for it, and arbitrarily more expensive just because of which team you follow and we're you're viewing that same team from.

It makes extra no sense considering the majority of a teams fans will be local.

So they make it convenient for the 10% that are fans of a team outside their city, but make it really hard for the 90% of fans that live in their teams city.

 

[Micklebot]

That’s easy to understand, SN has the in market games for the Oilers, Calgary and Vancouver.

Yes, I get that. the point is getting 82 out of market games (or significantly more if you count all 31 out of market teams) is significantly less expensive than getting 82 in market games, at least here in Ottawa, and it's a bigger hassle for those of us who have regional games and national split across two or more services.

The point is the NHL is failing to provide it's customers with the best possible service, and as a result inflating the price for inferior products. They are pushing people towards pirating as a result, someone who would be happy to pay up to $250 to watch their team might see getting two services as too expensive, and rather than pay for one and "Y'arr" the rest, just hit up the 7 seas for all 82 games.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

So, while I understand this, I find it incredibly frustrating that in order to get every single game for an out of market team, say Edmonton, I only need one service, for $250.

But, if I want to stream every local game, I need to pay SN $179.99 and TSN $199.99 for a total of $380, and I have to figure out which app to launch every game instead of having one spot to go to.

It's like they want people to pirate when they make it harder when you pay for it, and arbitrarily more expensive just because of which team you follow and we're you're viewing that same team from.

100%. They are choking the life out of us with fractured services as if everyone is going to fork it over and put up with how and which one to use for any given game. Even as a massive sports fan, I've started to learn to both go without some games a little more, and also find other means to view that doesn't result in revenue to the suppliers, as you reference. Most people I know are doing the same over giving TSN and Sportsnet $60/month. Less if you subscribe to the yearly offer, but I also would only sub 7 months a year for basketball and hockey seasons, so not a deal to be had there either, again, same behavior as most people I know.

My co-worker's "streaming" bill is over $200/month because he just wants everything accessible at any given time from sports, shows, video games and movies. Personally, I find other means, but I do still have Cable TV (currently free on 6 month seasonal suspend since they goofed and left it active), which gives me the base Sportsnet+ and TSN Go app subs as well, so I'm not sure how I'd go about this without that. I don't blame anyone trying to find ways around this stuff in this economy. Our Corporate Overlords be damned.

And like you say, it's not just the cost, but the fractured nature of where and how to watch. It sometimes feels easier to just launch up the free streams than to figure out where and how I'll watch.

I'm not disputing what you're saying, but that is so illogical as a business model.

They make it easier to be a fan outside of the city than inside the city. Makes no sense.

I don't disagree, you're talking to a guy that uses a GPS spoof app and HDMI output from my Tablet to get around this BS and downloads whatever I want with zero remorse, but it's all about their viewing rights in said region for explaining why it is the way it is, right or wrong. I feel like I understand this well because I've been out of market all my life and have been buying Senators out of market game rights since like 2000 or so. I also worked for years at a cable TV provider and sat in training sessions for this stuff, saw all the internal information, and had to explain it to customers.

TSN5 has the rights to broadcast Senators games in the Ottawa region. They pay a lot of money for that, so they want to preserve that and not allow people in that region to access them through Sportsnet+'s out of market premium service, they want them tuning in to TSN5's feed. Still seems like there should be a more elegant solution here, but it basically boils down to that. In Ottawa, sub to and watch on TSN5. Out of Ottawa, sub to and watch on Sportsnet+ premium, which will likely be the TSN5 feed relayed. If you want to stay above board, that's your option. If you don't, all the power to ya.

 

[jbeck5]

100%. They are choking the life out of us with fractured services as if everyone is going to fork it over and put up with how and which one to use for any given game. Even as a massive sports fan, I've started to learn to both go without some games a little more, and also find other means to view that doesn't result in revenue to the suppliers, as you reference. Most people I know are doing the same over giving TSN and Sportsnet $60/month. Less if you subscribe to the yearly offer, but I also would only sub 7 months a year for basketball and hockey seasons, so not a deal to be had there either, again, same behavior as most people I know.

My co-worker's "streaming" bill is over $200/month because he just wants everything accessible at any given time from sports, shows, video games and movies. Personally, I find other means, but I do still have Cable TV (currently free on 6 month seasonal suspend since they goofed and left it active), which gives me the base Sportsnet+ and TSN Go app subs as well, so I'm not sure how I'd go about this without that. I don't blame anyone trying to find ways around this stuff in this economy. Our Corporate Overlords be damned.

And like you say, it's not just the cost, but the fractured nature of where and how to watch. It sometimes feels easier to just launch up the free streams than to figure out where and how I'll watch.

I don't disagree, you're talking to a guy that uses a GPS spoof app and HDMI output from my Tablet to get around this BS and downloads whatever I want with zero remorse, but it's all about their viewing rights in said region for explaining why it is the way it is, right or wrong. I feel like I understand this well because I've been out of market all my life and have been buying Senators out of market game rights since like 2000 or so. I also worked for years at a cable TV provider and sat in training sessions for this stuff, saw all the internal information, and had to explain it to customers.

TSN5 has the rights to broadcast Senators games in the Ottawa region. They pay a lot of money for that, so they want to preserve that and not allow people in that region to access them through Sportsnet+'s out of market premium service, they want them tuning in to TSN5's feed. Still seems like there should be a more elegant solution here, but it basically boils down to that. In Ottawa, sub to and watch on TSN5. Out of Ottawa, sub to and watch on Sportsnet+ premium, which will likely be the TSN5 feed relayed. If you want to stay above board, that's your option. If you don't, all the power to ya.

I have cable with sports package so blackouts don't affect me.

But what I do find funny is we get like the renegades failed. The rebel failed. Is the PWHL team still getting a draw? But I never saw them on TV.

I'll check the guide and see Toronto Maple Leafs at Columbus Blue jackets on 4 different channels...but the women's PWHL Ottawa game is not on...

And then I'll hear that the team folded or something.

I asked on FB if the black bear games were all going to be televised on Sportsnet or TSN?

I got answered that TSN covers all the games but on the TSN + app which is seperate...but not on TSN channels.

So if you like to turn on your tv and watch sports the classic way...no go. You need an app.

For a sports team to be successful, they need to have all their games televised...not only some, and not have to deal with multiple apps.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Yes, I get that. the point is getting 82 out of market games (or significantly more if you count all 31 out of market teams) is significantly less expensive than getting 82 in market games, at least here in Ottawa, and it's a bigger hassle for those of us who have regional games and national split across two or more services.

The point is the NHL is failing to provide it's customers with the best possible service, and as a result inflating the price for inferior products. They are pushing people towards pirating as a result, someone who would be happy to pay up to $250 to watch their team might see getting two services as too expensive, and rather than pay for one and "Y'arr" the rest, just hit up the 7 seas for all 82 games.

Ya I would also prefer one stop shopping as would all. With streaming now, it’s breaking it up even more, worse in USA now, also need Prime now in Canada, but lots have that.

Not sure what the solution is, if they remove the current model of regional games, then that’s probably either around 500+ million dollars a year to make up or add to the National deal,
Or the league takes a big drop in the cap to compensate, with revenues going the way they are, maybe dropping the cap is the answer.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

I have cable with sports package so blackouts don't affect me.

But what I do find funny is we get like the renegades failed. The rebel failed. Is the PWHL team still getting a draw? But I never saw them on TV.

I'll check the guide and see Toronto Maple Leafs at Columbus Blue jackets on 4 different channels...but the women's PWHL Ottawa game is not on...

And then I'll hear that the team folded or something.

I asked on FB if the black bear games were all going to be televised on Sportsnet or TSN?

I got answered that TSN covers all the games but on the TSN + app which is seperate...but not on TSN channels.

So if you like to turn on your tv and watch sports the classic way...no go. You need an app.

For a sports team to be successful, they need to have all their games televised...not only some, and not have to deal with multiple apps.

Gotcha. Ya, I still have cable too, but need the Center Ice package for Sens games if I want them on that since I'm out of region.

I think those leagues are tough to compare. Not that I'd be tuning in for any of them in general, but none of them draw anywhere near the revenue an NHL team would and are basically amateur sports in comparison.

If the Leafs were on all 4, that means it was a national broadcast, and I can see why they'd flood all 4 over PWHL getting 1 or 2. I doubt that brings in much for viewers atm and I doubt it's a strong TV product. It'll get its time probably, but not at the expense of a Leafs game being on all 4.

They may. Small time sports basically. I think those leagues need to keep expectations in check and make sure the red and black balances to stay afloat.

Who are the Black Bears? Never heard of them.

Yuuuup. More fees. TSN+ is an entirely separate subscription from TSN Go and is supposed to be content that isn't appearing on TSN1-5. TSN Go basically mirrors what you get on cable TV, while the + is all different content.

Yes, but that's already the world we live in. Same goes for movies and shows. Lots of good movies get put out that people never even hear of because they're locked to one service only until/if rights expire and gets passed around.

I agree, but again, the Corporate Overlords feed us what they feed us and do what they want. We don't live in a world where it's about what's best for the consumer anymore, it's about what's best for the content provider/rights holder.

 

[RickyLafleur]

y

So, while I understand this, I find it incredibly frustrating that in order to get every single game for an out of market team, say Edmonton, I only need one service, for $250.

But, if I want to stream every local game, I need to pay SN $179.99 and TSN $199.99 for a total of $380, and I have to figure out which app to launch every game instead of having one spot to go to.

It's like they want people to pirate when they make it harder when you pay for it, and arbitrarily more expensive just because of which team you follow and we're you're viewing that same team from.

Yep its a garbage system. Unclear how the NHL wants to "grow the game" while making it nearly impossible to watch your team if you live in the same city as your team. Gotta love paying for 5 different streaming services when everyone used to be available on cable for significantly less.

 

[Golden_Jet]

y

Yep it’s a garbage system. Unclear how the NHL wants to "grow the game" while making it nearly impossible to watch your team if you live in the same city as your team. Gotta love paying for 5 different streaming services when everyone used to be available on cable for significantly less.

The regional / National system the NHL uses has been in place since the 90’s it feels like.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

I would research IPTV . From what I have gathered there are several legal iptv content providers. Most of these will charge by connection meaning if you / your household want to watch on more than one device , you would want additional connections ; and most will advise a VPN to possibly avoid IP throttling. You will also likely want devices like a firestick or android tv box .. there are several. This works where by you need a player ie software that plays the content and the content. You pay for the content which includes NHL games , and other channels like Flo Hockey, ESPN, TSN, Sportsnet, NBC , CBC etc; You also get many movies and many tv series. How much ... prices vary but several are available for under 100 per year. DYODD but I think its a great solution... Firesticks are cheap and they work well. There are high end boxes like Formuler and Nvidea Shield which offer some higher end features including custom players that can improve the experience.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

The regional / National system the NHL uses has been in place since the 90’s it feels like.

Yes, not much has changed other than the delivery system and pricing structures.

In Ottawa, to get all Sens games, you need TSN Go for regional Senators games and Sportsnet+ basic for national Senators games.

Out of Ottawa, you need Sportsnet+ Premium for all Ottawa games and you don't need TSN Go.

I think the difference is you used to be in for your cable package regardless, so adding on another sports package (or the Center Ice package for out of market peeps) didn't seem like a huge leap. It's actually cheaper now for out of market if you really only kept cable for hockey and maybe some other sports. Get Sportsnet+ Premium and keep it for the 6-7 month season which works out to $245/year or buy it for the 1 year reduced price for the same $245. TSN Go would be $140 for 7 months, or $200 for the yearly reduce price, so all told it's about $400 for the hockey season, or $460 for year round. That works out to about $40/month, which is less than a Cable package with those channels.

I think what burns people is that every industry streaming things has moved to this model and there's no unification of any of them, so it sometimes feels like there's 10+ services/memberships you might subscribe to monthly and have to handle separately. Would be nice if there was one unifying interface each services offerings could be integrated into.

Also, if anyone is ever wondering what app it'll be on, just go to TSN.ca or the app and look at the scoreboard. If you see a TSN logo in the little score box beside the game, that means it's a TSN regional game. If the logo isn't there, it'll be on Sportsnet+. Wrench might be for this Amazon Prime Monday stuff, I'm not clear on the details around that.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Yes, not much has changed other than the delivery system and pricing structures.

In Ottawa, to get all Sens games, you need TSN Go for regional Senators games and Sportsnet+ basic for national Senators games.

Out of Ottawa, you need Sportsnet+ Premium for all Ottawa games and you don't need TSN Go.

I think the difference is you used to be in for your cable package regardless, so adding on another sports package (or the Center Ice package for out of market peeps) didn't seem like a huge leap. It's actually cheaper now for out of market if you really only kept cable for hockey and maybe some other sports. Get Sportsnet+ Premium and keep it for the 6-7 month season which works out to $245/year or buy it for the 1 year reduced price for the same $245. TSN Go would be $140 for 7 months, or $200 for the yearly reduce price, so all told it's about $400 for the hockey season, or $460 for year round. That works out to about $40/month, which is less than a Cable package with those channels.

Also, if anyone is ever wondering what app it'll be on, just go to TSN.ca or the app and look at the scoreboard. If you see a TSN logo in the little score box beside the game, that means it's a TSN regional game. If the logo isn't there, it'll be on Sportsnet+. Wrench might be for this Amazon Prime Monday stuff, I'm not clear on the details around that.

Amazon Prime bought Sportsnet Monday night games, so they are games with at least one Canadian team.

Last night was Habs and Oilers on Prime.
Prime has the best picture quality bar none, you can still go check it out on Prime, if want to see what it’s like.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

Amazon Prime bought Sportsnet Monday night games, so they are games with at least one Canadian team.

Last night was Habs and Oilers on Prime.
Prime has the best picture quality bar none, you can still go check it out on Prime, if want to see what it’s like.

So it's just 1 exclusive game per night? I think at first I thought all Monday games were exclusive to Prime.

I might use my Prime free month offer here soon to check out the PQ when a match interests me, but didn't want to use that up quite yet for the games they've had.

 

[Golden_Jet]

So it's just 1 exclusive game per night? I think at first I thought all Monday games were exclusive to Prime.

I might use my Prime free month offer here soon to check out the PQ when a match interests me, but didn't want to use that up quite yet for the games they've had.

Usually one game, but I think I saw 2 on one night, an early and a late game.

Has to be a Canadian team playing.
I think Sens have 2 Prime games.

 

[UglyPuckling]

Amazon Prime bought Sportsnet Monday night games, so they are games with at least one Canadian team.

Last night was Habs and Oilers on Prime.
Prime has the best picture quality bar none, you can still go check it out on Prime, if want to see what it’s like.

Things are getting too fractured though. Even if you want to follow one sport, you watch some games on one service, platform or package, others on another, yet other ones on some other service or platform. The leagues are making more money by selling broadcast rights to multiple companies. Its always boils down to money. Prime has broadcast rights for NFL football on Thursday nights in the U.S. now. It's a battle I think to see which corporation is the wealthiest and Amazon is right up there in the 3 trillion + dollar club. That’s not helping the average citizen, but I suppose they’ll fire up another rocket to assuage his ego or whatever. I watch fewer NFL football games now than I used to. A little better quality is not enough for me to suffer through the shenanigans and greed.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Things are getting too fractured though. Even if you want to follow one sport, you watch some games on one service, platform or package, others on another, yet other ones on some other service or platform. The leagues are making more money by selling broadcast rights to multiple companies. Its always boils down to money. Prime has broadcast rights for NFL football on Thursday nights in the U.S. now. It's a battle I think to see which corporation is the wealthiest and Amazon is right up there in the 3 trillion + dollar club. That’s not helping the average citizen, but I suppose they’ll fire up another rocket to assuage his ego or whatever. I watch fewer NFL football games now than I used to. A little better quality is not enough for me to suffer through the shenanigans and greed.

Ya I mentioned that earlier as well, even more fractured in the States. It’s gotten worse with streaming now, as more options for them to fracture it up.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

Usually one game, but I think I saw 2 on one night, an early and a late game.

Has to be a Canadian team playing.
I think Sens have 2 Prime games.

Ah gotcha, makes sense. Maybe I'll save my free month for one of those Sens games since I don't have much use for Prime otherwise.