Rant: On Comcast, ESPN and ESPNU

This is something that is bothering sports fans who are Comcast susbcribers. ESPNU is not available on Comcast in any shape or form, even though they have hundreds of channels available, some having duplicate content even. So why not ESPNU?

Right now there appears to be a stalemate on ESPNU. Comcast wants to put it in the sports tier package ($5 per month extra (currently on sale for $3/month), while ESPN wants ESPNU to be available to all subscribers.

As you can see this is a petty difference where reasonable minds can find a reasonable compromise. Unfortunately stubborn mules are apparently handling this situation thus the stalemate :-)

In protest, ESPNU is not listed in this blog's TV listings until Comcast and ESPN come together and reach a compromise.

If you want ESPNU, call your local cable and satellite provider and demand ESPNU and tell them to stop the diva wars and reach a compromise. Also let ESPN know that you want them to do whatever it takes to reach a compromise and make ESPNU available one way or another on Comcast.

It's a shame that the ESPNU crew is working so hard to produce so many games, documentaries and in-studio programming that subscribers of one of the biggest cable providers cannot watch.

NBA League Pass Free Preview week coming up!

Fans of the NBA, there are some good news for you! The NBA League Pass, NBA's pay per view package will be offering a free one week preview of all its games. This is happening on Comcast for sure, please check with your local cable and satellite providers to double check. The free preview will take place from October 30, 2007 to November 6, 2007. This is loaded with games, at times they may have up to six games running in parallel. The preview will likely include a preview of the NBA-TV channel. This channel may be already available to you depending on what cable/satellite package you subscribed to.

Speaking of which, users of Comcast please note that are running a special promotion where the Sports Tier package is offered for $3/mo instead of the usual price of $5/mo. This is advertised in the little ad-booklet that came in with your cable bill. It is on page 8 in my booklet. You can thank me later for saving you $2/mo :-)

For those not familiar, the Sports Tier includes CSTV, the three Fox College Sports channels, NBA-TV, the NFL Network, SPEED, Fox Soccer, GOL TV, Tennis and a couple of others. Sadly no ESPNU :-(