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Teacher

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17 Messages

Tuesday, November 23rd, 2021 4:40 PM

NBA League pass blackout of Pacers/Bulls in St. Louis, MO?

Hello,

Subject says it all.

Here in St. Louis, MO I tried to watch Bulls/Pacers last night with my NBA League Pass but it was blacked out. Bally Sports Midwest  shows Cardinals games in the summer and, inexplicably, Pacers games in the winter. 

So, here in The Lou, it looks like I'm subject to Pacers blackout rules?!?

This makes no sense at all.

Please tell me this is an easy programming fix.

Thx.

omlooper

ACE - Expert

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36.9K Messages

3 years ago

Because you are in the Pacers RSN home area, theoretically there is some provider that can sell you that RSN (Bally Sports Midwest, Indiana or Kansas City), whether you actually subscriber or not.  As a result, it won't be on League Pass.

NBA's rules.  See https://support.watch.nba.com/hc/en-us/articles/115002481154-Blackouts

Thus, there is no "easy programming fix" because this is as the NBA intends it to work.  You didn't say whether you tried to watch it on Bally Sports Midwest.

    (edited)

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    Teacher

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    17 Messages

    3 years ago

    Thx. Don’t have Bally MW. Not a Cardinals fan. I get that it’s works as designed but, c’mon. Pacers? STL? Funny. 

    Community Support

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    254.9K Messages

    3 years ago

    Thanks@JefferMC for the prompt and accurate response.

     

    Hi @omlooper!

    There are some restrictions when you try to watch a game that is in your same area.

     

    You can get further information about DIRECTV NBA LEAGUE PASS

     

    We hope this helps!

     

    Camilo, DIRECTV Community Specialist

     

     

     

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    Teacher

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    17 Messages

    3 years ago

    Well... I'm paying a LOT of money for League Pass. This should supersede Bally Midwest Pacers rules for, specifically, St. Louis. Keep the rules for Indy folk, not St. Louis folk. Life is full of exceptions.

    ACE - Expert

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    36.9K Messages

    3 years ago

    @omlooper , the NBA League Pass is for people who are not in their team's home area according to the NBA boundaries.  Since you are in the Pacers' home territory, it's a waste of money for you for watching Pacers games.  While getting your money back is likely impossible at this juncture, you can ask.

    There is some justification for the assignment of St. Louis to the Pacers:

    https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/7zgvns/map_of_the_us_showing_the_closest_nba_teams_by/

    (edited)

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    Community Support

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    254.9K Messages

    3 years ago

    Hi @omlooper.

    We totally understand where you're coming, we're always working to improve our services and appreciate your feedback, however the blackout rules are set by the respective leagues and networks that control viewing rights.


    EdgarP, DIRECTV Community Specialist

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    ACE - Expert

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    2K Messages

    3 years ago

    This should supersede Bally Midwest Pacers rules for, specifically, St. Louis.

    It’s not a Bally Midwest Pacer rule, it’s an NBA rule. I don’t subscribe to the league pass but discovered this during first week free preview. I had the Bucks/Pacers game scheduled to record on the Bucks rsn channel which turned out to be blacked out. Thankfully the dvr automatically recorded it on the Bally Sports Midwest channel which is my rsn. Until then I had no idea they carried the Pacers. It wasn’t even on the main channel since the Blues were playing that night, it was on an alternate channel.

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    Teacher

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    17 Messages

    3 years ago

    Revisiting my own thread. 

    Bulls fan in St. Louis, MO. 

    Paid for NBA League Pass.

    Have never paid for Bally Sports Midwest because I associate it with the Cardinals, of which I'm not a fan.

    Tomorrow 12/31 Bulls play the Pacers.

    Just want to reiterate that I'm (Edited per community guidelines), right? That Bally rights supersede NBA League pass.

    Some way to watch game short of ponying up $14 for BSM would be great.

    Thx.

    P.S. Bulls played Pacers last week and it was on the NBA channel. That was also blacked out for me.

    (edited)

    ACE - Expert

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    2K Messages

    3 years ago

    Some way to watch game short of ponying up $14 for BSM would be great.

    Find a sports bar? You could always upgrade your programming package to one that includes your rsn, then drop it back later.

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