What's the Deal with Game Blackouts ?

[Section_25]

Anyone know exactly why some games are blacked out ? I looked around for an answer to this question, but seem to get conflicting answers. Some say it happens when the arena sells out, others say it only happens to games that are played close to your location. What's the deal with it ?

[kehlis]

Neither of those are reasons a game would be blacked out.

Give us an example of a game being blacked out. I have never heard of it happening to a NHL game (or anything other than an NFL game for that matter).

[Sandman42]

Quote: Originally Posted by kehlis

Neither of those are reasons a game would be blacked out. Give us an example of a game being blacked out. I have never heard of it happening to a NHL game (or anything other than an NFL game for that matter).

Well in the MLB they blackout games on ESPN if you are in the local market for that team because its on their regional sports channel.

I can't remember it ever happening in the NHL though. Even with the national games on VS, because they don't show it on the regional networks if its on VS.

[kehlis]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sandman42

Well in the MLB they blackout games on ESPN if you are in the local market for that team because its on their regional sports channel. I can't remember it ever happening in the NHL though. Even with the national games on VS, because they don't show it on the regional networks if its on VS.

Yea, that's a different type of blackout than I assumed he was talking about though.

When a game is blacked out for the MLB, it is because a local network has the rights to the game, I was assuming he meant the game was just straight blacked out from the home market. I wasn't sure though which was why I was asking because like you, I can't ever remember a hockey game being blacked out.

[PORTUGESEPIKACHU]

Yea Rogers sportsnet does this.

[RealmK]

Quote: Originally Posted by kehlis

Neither of those are reasons a game would be blacked out. Give us an example of a game being blacked out. I have never heard of it happening to a NHL game (or anything other than an NFL game for that matter).

Trust me, there's blackouts, I live in Virginia Beach right now, have the Center Ice package as well and EVERY single Washington Capitals game is blackouted no matter if its on Vs., Center Ice, or the NHL network.

I'm not sure if its the Capitals orginization itself who would perfer I drive all the way to DC just to see AO play or some deal their cable carrier has to prevent other area markets to the DC area from being able to broadcast Caps games, but either way its rediculous. Heres one of the best players in the league and god forbid if you're a hockey fan living anywhere near the DC area you can't watch him or his team play.