Advice needed regarding Extra Innings

by DaveinHouston on May 12, 2008 2:03 PM CDT

My small local cable operator started offering Extra Innings today for the balance of the season at $159. My main interest, of course, is getting to watch more Cubs games, especially since my cable operator doesn't carry WGN.

I know that blackouts apply before 7pm on Saturdays for FOX and after 8pm on Sundays because of ESPN, but saw a note in a wikipedia article that WGN games are blacked out as well. Is this true? If so, it would defeat the purpose of getting Extra Innings.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation, Bleed Cubbie Blue, or Al Yellon, editor-in-chief. FanPost opinions are, however, valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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WGN games are blacked out, BUT...

... almost every WGN game is carried by the visitor’s TV outlet (usually a FSN, sometimes a CSN). Almost every Cub game is on EI, so if that’s why you’re wanting to get it, I’d say go for it.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on May 12, 2008 2:21 PM CDT 0 recs

Not a guarantee

but I can see nearly every Cubs game that isn’t blacked out due to FOX or ESPN. For example, yesterday’s game was on via the Arizona feed. My cable also gets WGN so I switched there but EI did have it. The opponents feeds are frequently used but you still get the game.

by rlpete on May 12, 2008 2:22 PM CDT 0 recs

I too have EI

here in OK. I loveeeeeeeeeeee it. best investment in the history of tv if your a baseball fan. since i’m in the houston,st louis,ranger market some of those games are blacked but for the most part my local channels cover them. i would have to say the 159 bux is a steal of a deal IMO.

Go Cubbies Go!!!!!!

by cubsluver22 on May 12, 2008 2:47 PM CDT 0 recs

September is extra

The package only goes through Aug. 31. Sept is another $59. Was that your experience too?

by DaveinHouston on May 12, 2008 2:50 PM CDT up 0 recs

You have to pay before the season to get the entire year.

If you are only being offered through August 31 for $159, then an extra $59 for September, that’s not really much of a deal, since the season is six weeks old.

But if you really want it, go ahead.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on May 12, 2008 2:54 PM CDT up 0 recs

Agreed

I think $159 + $59 is more than I paid for the whole year. That said, I love EI. I enjoy watching other games too.

by rlpete on May 12, 2008 3:07 PM CDT up 0 recs

I know this has been covered before, but

What are the thoughts on EI vs MLBTV?

by Shanghai Badger on May 12, 2008 2:54 PM CDT 0 recs

It's the difference between watching baseball on TV and on your computer screen.

Me, I like the games on TV. But if you have a laptop, you can take the games with you.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on May 12, 2008 2:55 PM CDT up 0 recs

Sorry, I wasn't specific enough

I meant the quality and blackouts - same games available? I recall that there was some dissatisfaction with the new viewer this year - is it watchable on the PC?

by Shanghai Badger on May 12, 2008 3:16 PM CDT up 0 recs

I think it's pretty much the same selection/blackouts.

I have seen the new viewer and people are right, it is inferior to the old one.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on May 12, 2008 3:34 PM CDT up 0 recs

The viewer quality has improved

drastically over the past few weeks. And if you’re able to use the 1.2M feed and the broadcast is in HD, it looks pretty good. Obviously, it’s not as good as tv quality but its pretty darn good. Plus, here in chicago, Comcast doesn’t offer EI in HD so I’m not all that concerned with the drop in quality because watching sports on fuzzy regular tv makes me crazy.

Also, on EI you get 60 games per week. On mlb.tv every game not blacked out by FOX or ESPN. But, honestly the ESPN blackout is not an issue since its the only game being played. Sometimes there might be a double header scheduled at another ballpark due to a rain out and that doesn’t get shown, but that’s a really rare occurance. Also, in regards to FOX, for a few weeks there mlb.tv was showing games that were being played during the FOX blackout. Usually, they were games not being shown by the big FOX channel (this doesn’t inlcude any FOXSports Regional stations).

Formerly Big Red (victim of the SBNation upgrade)

by Tackle Box on May 12, 2008 6:50 PM CDT up 0 recs

I'll have to check out that viewer again.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on May 13, 2008 4:09 AM CDT up 0 recs

mlbtv for free?

I bought the spring training package on mlbtv because i cant get any cubs spring training games in portland. It was $19.95. I still am getting mlbtv and haven’t paid since @mid march.

by nks6911 on May 12, 2008 3:26 PM CDT 0 recs

Did you pay with a credit card?

if so you might want to check your records. mlb.tv does an automatic renewal and might have slipped one past you.

Formerly Big Red (victim of the SBNation upgrade)

by Tackle Box on May 12, 2008 6:52 PM CDT up 0 recs

If you paid with Mastercard, you are probably getting the second month free

cubs = love

by cubs ftw on May 12, 2008 6:59 PM CDT up 0 recs

Run don't walk

EI is the best money I ever spent (except when I got a goldfish for 13 cents and he lasted 5 years).

by madeindetroit on May 12, 2008 3:37 PM CDT 0 recs

EI is a must! I live in Allentown PA and feel as if I never left Chicago! I especially love it when I have the Chicago feed. The Chicago commercials even make me happy. There is no better alternative if you are a true fan…get it done. As for the cost, its still worth $210 or whatever you’ll have to pay. Think of it this way, if you wanted to get 2 great seats for one game on stub hub you would pay at least that amount…instead you have about +90% of the games. I also have the mlb radio package so when the games are blacked out I listen to Pat Hughes & Ronnie on my computer.

by thisisitflyfishing on May 12, 2008 4:08 PM CDT 0 recs

Blackouts Shouldn't Be Much Of A Problem

The Astros are the only NL team claiming your territory. I imagine most of their games are on local broadcast or cable TV anyway, so you can see the Astros-Cubs games without EI barring Saturday afternoon Fox blackouts. For almost all of the other Cubs games, you should get them on EI. If you’ve got the money and time to watch the games, get EI.

by memphiscub on May 12, 2008 4:24 PM CDT 0 recs

I haven't had any problems with blackouts

becuase my EI gets the home and away feed. If the home Cubs game is blacked out and they are playing San Diego I just flip to the San Diego broadcast.

"He's been known to cure narcolepsy just by walking into a room. His organ donation card also lists his beard. He's a lover, not a fighter. But he's also a fighter so don't get any ideas. He is....The Most Interesting Man in the World.

by Keystone80435 on May 12, 2008 7:24 PM CDT 0 recs