Rangers coverage - TWC/Austin

[grinder]

Is it just me or are there fewer Rangers game on TWC this season? We are getting no games from this weekend's series. Further, it appears no games will be on Ch. 77 as in past years. Sigh...

 

[mynametaken]

I find it humorous that Astros and Rangers games on Extra Innings are blacked out due to "Local Market restrictions" as they are supposedly our local teams. I can watch more Washington Nationals games this year than Rangers games. Unless the Nationals play the Astros, of course.

You would think the owners of the Rangers and Astros would have a problem with this. They're losing fans in Austin to other teams. The Red Sox come to mind based on my observations.

 

[ScratchHorn]

This is really, really frustrating. I have yet to see a Rangers game on tv this season. I hate TW-Austin. Is there a way to watch games online other than paying over $100/year?

 

[hookem2102]

Direct TV = Cheaper, more HD channels, Ranger games.

 

[grinder]

I've complained to both TWC and the Rangers about this issue. Here is the latest correspondence between me and the Rangers office:
Angie,

Thank you for the response. However, the response I received from Time Warner conflicts somewhat with the information below. I will forward that to you separately.

Also, I don't really understand why Rangers coverage should be pre-empted when the boring Astros and their boring broadcast crew are on at the same time.

Thank you again,
grinder

-----Original Message-----
From: Swint, Angie <[email protected]>
To: grinder
Sent: Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:29 pm
Subject: RE: tex - Other - None - TV coverage in Austin


Hi grinder-

Time Warner Cable customers living in Austin and San Antonio will only receive a partial schedule of Texas Rangers games this season. Time Warner Cable has decided not to carry all games offered by FOX Sports Southwest, as they had in past seasons.

FOX Sports Southwest makes all 133 of its Rangers games available to distributors in Austin and San Antonio on either FOX Sports Southwest (when they don’t conflict with Houston Astros games) or on its secondary FOX Sports Plus feed, which participating program providers can carry on a separate channel when there are conflicts.

FOX Sports Southwest has offered Time Warner Cable the same Fox Sports Plus package they’ve carried on a local channel in the past, and that all other distributors in the Austin and San Antonio areas have licensed to carry again this season. This year, however, Time Warner Cable has elected not to carry the games available on Fox Sports Plus. You still will see 41 Rangers games this season on FOX Sports Southwest. We encourage you to contact Time Warner Cable and request that all FOX Sports Southwest Rangers games be made available in Austin and San Antonio as they have in the past.

Other distributors in your area, in cluding DirecTV, Dish Network, AT&T U-Verse, Grande Communications, and Suddenlink Cable (Georgetown & Pflugerville), are carrying the full-schedule of Rangers games.

A select package of Rangers games also will be shown this season in Austin on broadcast station KEYE-TV and in San Antonio on KCWX-TV.

We are encouraging you to call your programming provider and tell them you want to see all the Rangers games offered by FOX Sports Southwest this season. We would also like for you to send an email to [email protected]. For more information you can log on toThe Link

It’s also worth noting that our radio affiliate in Austin is KZNX 1260 AM.


Thanks,
Angie


Angie Swint
Director, Broadcasting
Texas Rangers Bas eball Club
1000 Ballpark Way, Suite 400
Arlington, TX 76011
817-273-5860



From: grinder
Sent: Tuesday, April 28, 2009 10:23 PM
To: To Whom It May Concern
Subject: tex - Other - None - TV coverage in Austin

Subject: TV coverage in Austin

Message:
I get Time Warner cable in Austin, and they no longer broadcast Rangers games. Are there alternatives that will allow me to watch the games in the comfort of my own home? Thank you.

 

[Remove Rowdy]

That was a constant sore spot for me. It made me so angry I up and moved to Dallas. I could go on a rant, but I will just say I cannot stand the Astros or Spurs because the cable company forces their stupid games down our throats.

Don't get me started on MLB.tv coverage.