Global Brand My @#$

By: Laurie | April 12th, 2008

So this is my first full weekend back. What does this mean?

It means I get to pick up my favorite pastime of last year, griping about how many freakin’ games I am not going to be able to watch.

I’ve done my part. I’ve forked over not only my $79 for Direct Kick (which my cable rep had never heard of and had to spend five minutes researching), but also my $19.99 for MLSLive.tv. (They show the same games, but with the MLSLive broadband package you have access to the archives.) So what more are they expecting me to do to see my team?

Here’s the thing. I know I put myself at a disadvantage by not actually living in the area my team plays in. If I lived in SoCal, I’d at least have access to Telefutura, which isn’t carried in my area except as part of a special, extra-cost Spanhish-language package. So I know I am partly to blame for this.

But not having any access whatsoever to NINE games?!? NINE freakin’ games?!?!?

When I look at the schedule, I’m counting thirty games, total, in the Galaxy’s season. I don’t have access to any that are on Telefutura, FSN-W or HDNet. And if they’re shown on these channels, they’re not shown elsewhere, and specifically not shown on Direct Kick. This means that I don’t have access to 30% of the games.

THIRTY PERCENT.

I understand that TV rights are an important revenue source. And I understand that exclusive rights are part of what MLS dangles in front of TV channels in order to get them to pay for these broadcast rights.

But when you sell off these rights to channels that serve only a portion of your audience, it’s the consumer (read: Fan; read: ME) who gets screwed.

Are you listening, MLS?

(P.S. Even though tomorrow is a Telefutura game, I have high hopes because it’s against Toronto. Since I live in a Canadian border state, I’m hoping I’ll be able to find a Canadian channel showing it. Cross your fingers for me.)

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Category: 2008 Season, MLS Money Matters, MLS News

Tags: 2008 Season, HDNet, LA Galaxy, MLS Direct Kick, MLS Money Matters, MLS News, MLS rants, MLSLive.tv, Telefutura, Television Rights

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• charlesj27 |  April 12th, 2008 at 10:10 am

  
  
  

  Laurie, welcome back to LA! Jen did a stellar job whilst you were away… getting to watch the France vs. England game – that must have been nice. Sorry, Jen – I didn’t mean to bring up some sore spots Anyways, I had the same experience you did, Laurie… my cable rep had to spend about 4 minutes also researching what the heck was “MLS Direct Kick”. I think it throws them off, that Direct Kick is a seasonal package… because, they denied me from pre-ordering Direct Kick back in Jan 2008… I literally had to wait until end of March this year to order it… Pssshhh – Annoying! I hope I have it… I’ll see as I try to tune in today to some of the MLS games that are playing today. I really want to see the New York – Dallas & Colorado – New England games. But, as always, my loyalty and my emotions will be reserved for tomorrows home game against the Reds. I’m pretty sure you know – Toronto FC has now signed Amado Guevara, Laurent Robert, and Rohan Ricketts. And, they may sign Oliver Tebily, too… I’m still coming the net for any clues. Just the three signings alone has more than “amply” pumped up their Midfield. I believe Mo Johnston is trying his best to make sure that all three are available to play tomorrows game at the HDC. I shall be blindly (I mean, faithfully) optimistic! Go GALAXY!!!

  Posted from United States

  

• RHYbread |  April 12th, 2008 at 10:35 am

  
  
  

  http://torrents.huntparkinsider.com/

  Posted from United States

  

• jz |  April 12th, 2008 at 10:42 am

  
  
  

  At a minimum, those PAYING for access to one of the services should never be blocked out by a regional broadcast of a game. I understand that the MLS has to do whatever it can to generate revenue, but those are just stupid deals. In fact, if you pay for access, I don’t see why it should ever be blacked out.

  Posted from United States

  

• RHYbread |  April 12th, 2008 at 11:03 am

  
  
  

  Also, if you want to see it live try,

  myp2p.eu (installation of outside apps required)
  channelsurfing.net (in browser window)

  Posted from United States

  

• Laurie |  April 12th, 2008 at 1:43 pm

  
  
  

  RHYbread, are you suggesting I utlize illegal streams? Why I would NEVER do THAT! And of course I don’t have TVAnts or SopCast on any of my computers.

  (What can I say? I’m a US fan of European soccer. Just try to get access to French Ligue 1 games without the help of the footy pirates.)

  PS My next bumper sticker will read: I Heart Footy Pirates

  Posted from United States

  

• Nathanhj |  April 12th, 2008 at 1:50 pm

  
  
  

  I use Myp2p.eu all the time. I’m watching Chicago-SJ on it right now.

  While I’m at the Getty Center.

  And I got a converter box so I can transfer the picture to my TV when I’m at home.

  Posted from United States

  

• Laurie |  April 12th, 2008 at 1:55 pm

  
  
  

  Oh, sweet. I need a converter box.

  Posted from United States

  

• Laurie |  April 12th, 2008 at 7:47 pm

  
  
  

  Oh, and Charles, thanks for the welcome back. Yes, Jen did do a stellar job, and yes, watching France-England WAS amazing!!

  Are you’re right — with the recent Toronto acquisitions, our work will be cut out for us.

  Posted from United States

  

• Ben |  April 24th, 2008 at 11:53 pm

  
  
  

  I managed to watch almost all games of the G’s via either MLSliveTV or Sopcast/TVU and I’m living in Europe of all places… bless “Myp2p.eu”

  Posted from Switzerland

  

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