New Member
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5 Messages
New NHL deal - teams still not available.
I was so excited to see that DirecTV added my local NHL teams (https://www.directv.com/insider/news/nhl-regional-channels-added.) However I'm still not able to see the games. I live in Iowa and the entire state is NHL-designated home territory for the Minnesota Wild and the St. Louis Blues, yet I still don't get these channels. I've never had any problems watching any other local teams like the Twins, Timberwolves, and Cardinals, and I was able to watch both the Wild and the Blues last season. It has been a nightmare trying to explain this to customer service reps. Some have told me to watch the games on ESPN Unlimited (I can't because ESPN Unlimited blacks out local teams) or to just try watching the Twins instead!! My ZIP is 52402 and according to https://www.nhl.com/wild/info/broadcast I should be able to watch Wild hockey on DirecTV, but I can't get through to anyone who understands what's going on. Why does DirecTV have to make this so difficult?
DIRECTVhelp
Community Support
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256.5K Messages
12 hours ago
Hi, @jonsamuels. The game tonight is only available on ESPN Unlimited—since Iowa is inside the home broadcast territory for the Wild, strict blackout restrictions apply to that feed, making it completely unavailable to watch there.
These broadcast limitations are not controlled by DIRECTV. The leagues, associations, and networks purchase exclusive distribution rights for specific matchups and enforce regional restrictions that we must follow. This means certain events will be blocked in your local market when a network holds exclusive rights. You can find more detailed information on distribution policies here: Why are channels or games blacked out on DIRECTV? | DIRECTV Support Kenneth, DIRECTV Community Team
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jonsamuels
New Member
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5 Messages
12 hours ago
@DIRECTVhelp Thank you for your post, but your information is simply incorrect. You say "The game tonight is only available on ESPN Unlimited" and that is simply not true. According to https://www.nhl.com/wild/schedule, the game is available on Wild+.
According to the press release I referenced above at https://www.directv.com/insider/news/nhl-regional-channels-added, Wild+ is supposed to be available on channel 668 for streaming customers like myself who live in Wild territory with Choice or higher, but that channel simply does not exist in my lineup.
It really feels like I'm getting the runaround.
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jonsamuels
New Member
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5 Messages
11 hours ago
@DIRECTVhelp One other thought - even if tonight's game was only on ESPN Unlimited (which it isn't), shouldn't the Wild+ channel on 668 show up in my channel guide anyway? I do seem to meet all the qualifications mentioned in the press release.
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DIRECTVhelp
Community Support
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256.5K Messages
11 hours ago
If you have the qualifying package to get Wild+, your device may require a quick restart to ensure that the guide refreshes. If you're using the DIRECTV App, please try uninstalling and then reinstalling it. Melchisedec, DIRECTV Community Team
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jonsamuels
New Member
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5 Messages
10 hours ago
I have a Gemini, three Rokus, one Amazon Fire stick, as well as the web browser. I have restarted each, logged out, reinstalled the apps on the streaming devices, and cleared the cache and cookies on my web browser, yet none of them show the channel in the guide. Any other ideas?
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DIRECTVhelp
Community Support
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256.5K Messages
10 hours ago
Let's have our technical specialist take another look at this. Sending you a DM now. Melchisedec, DIRECTV Community Team
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jonsamuels
New Member
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5 Messages
8 hours ago
Thank you Melchisedec. The specialist was able to provide me with a reasonable answer to my question. It wasn't quite what I was hoping for, but at least the answer she provided made sense.
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