MLB Extra Innings

by doowop on Apr 3, 2009 3:55 PM EDT Comment 43 comments

After being a life long Cleveland resident, my wife and I moved to the Chicago area last year. We've been mulling over the MLB Extra Innings package from (grr.) Comcast here.

My question: Is this a good product? I feel we should be able to see all Tribe games not played in Chicago. Is that true?

The MLB.tv stuff looks interesting but I don't want to watch games huddled in front of my computer.

I found a similar thread from the beginning of last season but it wasn't very helpful.

If you've bought this package before, let me know if you liked it.

Thank you.

Go Tribe!

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I got it last season through Time Warner, and it was a godsend for the first half of the season. Then I made the mistake of moving, and Time Warner didn’t transfer the service to my new residence. After a week of customer support issues (and no baseball), they finally turned it on at my new place… and then charged me full price a second time. That turned into a nightmare as I tried to get the costs taken away (at one point, they credited me for half the season, so I was still paying 1.5 times the correct price), and I eventually got it within $20 of what I should have been paying and decided that was good enough.

Granted, that was all Time Warner nonsense. I loved the service itself (though it wasn’t in HD), so as long as you’re planning on staying in one place, I’d recommend it. I won’t be buying the package again, though.

by Chemo on Apr 3, 2009 4:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I’m a big fan, had it last year and will again. I think the HD is worth it, but I don’t know how Comcast works. I believe there were 2 or 3 non-blackout games that were missing, that’s it. And Cleveland has been on the leading edge of HD broadcasts, so almost all were available in HD. I’ve had the mlb.tv package, and can understand its appeal, but I just prefer the big pic and to not have to worry about my internet connection.

by dgcambridge on Apr 3, 2009 4:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

MLB Extra Innings has been at least OK to date. My main quibble is the nearly total lack of HD content on Seattle’s flavor of Comcast digital cable. Last season they would broadcast a game or two in HD per day.

That said, almost every Indian’s game was available in SD and it offers a simple, low-tech source for MLB video.

by Seattle Tribe Fan on Apr 3, 2009 4:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I had it a few years ago, and I enjoyed it.

I switched to XM Radio when it was going to go exclusively to DirecTV. Since I am usually out most of the evening at one of my kids baseball games until mid-July, that seems to work better for me.

I looked into it again this year, and was dumbfounded by the price increase. As I recall, I got it for $129 when I ordered it during the first week of the season, and the “regular” price was $149. This year, the early bird price is $169 and the price thereafter is $199. I also fail to understand why that price stays the same as the season goes on. I don’t see why they wouldn’t cut the price by say 1/3 if you pick it up during the week after the All Star break or offer something around 1/2 price during the pennant races.

As much as I am tempted to order it, I’ve got better places to spend that money.

"It's hard to win when you don't score." Cliff Lee, 9/28/05.

by Harry Doyle on Apr 3, 2009 5:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

169? my price is still 129 here i think.

even still. t’s all a matter of how many games you’ll watch. with DVR, i don’t miss any, and at a less than a buck a game, it’s worth every penny. and that’s if you only watch tribe games.

by Brick. on Apr 3, 2009 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

They generally offer a “stretch run” package after the break. If it’s $199 for the whole year, it’ll probably be $119 for the stretch run.

I did make a decision a few years back to use MLB.tv at the start of the season and upgrade to MLB-EI if the Indians were in the hunt. I think this was 2005. I was pretty unsatisfied with the experience of watching on my computer — and this was before Game Threads. I can’t imagine watching on the computer while also on the Game Thread. At a desk with two monitors (and computers?) sure, but not on my couch.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Apr 3, 2009 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Clearly, the media marketers in Chicago and Philly are much more savvy than those in the NY-NJ Metro area. I’ve never seen the price on Cablevision go down. I was most upset a few years ago when they didn’t get the rights to the package until May because of the dispute with Direct TV. I thought a 20% discount would be in order, what with 1/5th of the season being played and what not, but no, I was told that I would pay the full season price (without even the earlybird discount) and like it, so I turned up XM even louder.

"It's hard to win when you don't score." Cliff Lee, 9/28/05.

by Harry Doyle on Apr 7, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It’s great. You have to worry about Fox blackout games on Saturday, but the same goes for MLBTV.

I finally gave in and bought the MLB audio for $15 along with the Extra Innings so that I could listen to Saturday games.

Time Warner unfortunately did not have any HD Extra Innings last year

by Roger Dorn on Apr 3, 2009 5:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

the first two lines are /manning/ exactly right.

by Brick. on Apr 3, 2009 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Gameday Audio also is nice when you aren’t at home.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Apr 3, 2009 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’ve had it the past 3 (4?) years and have for the most part loved it. With the exception of Saturday games starting before 4:00 pm (and it is a bummer to not get those), almost every other game during the regular season is aired unless otherwise blacked out for regional restrictions, and those are typically aired on one of your local affiliates. I finally bought an HDTV a few months ago and anxiously await real HD baseball content on the Extra Innings package.

I think you can get an “early bird” special until after the first week of the season for around $169.00 after which it goes up to $199.99.

by JimmyAB on Apr 3, 2009 5:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I would also add that if you enjoy baseball in general it is great to be able to flip around to other games during commercials or watch other good team matchups or players.

by JimmyAB on Apr 3, 2009 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i use vin scully to lull me to sleep.

by Brick. on Apr 3, 2009 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes.

by dgcambridge on Apr 3, 2009 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My big concern: Incredibly infrequent HD Broadcasts. If it can’t be HD, I’d rather watch on my computer.

by NickFantana on Apr 3, 2009 5:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

InDemand Extra Innings states they will have up to 10 HD broadcasts a week included with the package. I checked with Time Warner here in Manhattan and they expect that it will be delivered as indicated. Last year I noticed about that many games available in HD according to the daily schedules.

by JimmyAB on Apr 3, 2009 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This seems like an opportune place to ask—does anyone know if EI is doing their free preview the first week of the season?

Though I look right at home, I still feel like an exile

by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Apr 3, 2009 5:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes. The 6th -12th.

by JimmyAB on Apr 3, 2009 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is very good.

Though I look right at home, I still feel like an exile

by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Apr 3, 2009 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It’s actually about 30 bucks cheaper for the season if you order in the next 3 days according to a friend of mine in Manhattan

by Roger Dorn on Apr 3, 2009 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

In my current situation, even this is not currently feasible. But thanks.

Though I look right at home, I still feel like an exile

by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Apr 3, 2009 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, it’s exactly $6.50 per week, so that’s what you have to weigh.

If money is extremely tight, I have to say that the standard MLB.tv is a very good deal at $14.95 billed monthly.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Apr 3, 2009 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks. I did MLB.tv last year. I’ve switched back to Audio this year… 81 games of UnderManning plus all the Blyleven/Hawk & DJ fun was often frustrating. The video wasn’t worth dishing out nearly ten times the price of 162 games of Hammy. Plus, I often worked or stayed out late last summer and I doubt I even watched 100 games.

Now, it turns out I’ll be moving back to the STO market in August anyway, so it really turned into a good decision, probably the only good financial decision I’ve made all year.

Though I look right at home, I still feel like an exile

by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Apr 3, 2009 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

it turns out I’ll be moving back to the STO market in August anyway

Congrats?!?

by NickFantana on Apr 4, 2009 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nope, go with your instincts on this one.

Though I look right at home, I still feel like an exile

by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Apr 4, 2009 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It could be worse, you could be moving to the Comcast market.

by fwembt on Apr 5, 2009 2:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’ve had it via DirecTV for 10 years, and it is excellent. The Tribe broadcast is blacked out when they are playing the team in your local area, so you will be forced to watch Hawk when they play the White Sox.

by TribeJay on Apr 3, 2009 6:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

They started dabbling in home-and-away options last year, if I recall. Not during blackouts, but for other games.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Apr 3, 2009 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, that was nice. It is sometimes interesting hearing other announcers, but you get tired of the same stories out of the notes or media guide whenever they started a new series.

by TribeJay on Apr 3, 2009 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

DirecTV had both home and away broadcasts last year, but you had to pay extra for the SuperFan package to get the games in HD. Couldn’t talk the wife into that, but thankfully, STO’s HD broadcasts made the regular def picture look better than normal.

by lilkeysdad on Apr 4, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, sports in HD is best on DirecTV. I believe they carried every Tribe game in HD last year.

by NickFantana on Apr 4, 2009 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is that right?

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Apr 6, 2009 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can’t tell if this is sarcasm but yes, they do better than everyone else.

by NickFantana on Apr 6, 2009 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I assume he’s asking about your latter statement. And I recall that there were a handful that were not HD, but that’s it. The vast majority were.

by dgcambridge on Apr 6, 2009 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hell. Next year, definitely.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Apr 6, 2009 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks everyone. This is what I was looking for.
I’m probably going to go for it.
Re: living in Chicago… I am already sick of hearing about Jay Cutler.

by doowop on Apr 4, 2009 12:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Just re-upped for this year. Same price as last year for mine with Comcast – $169.

My issue in Indy is that I get blacked out of the White Sox, Cubs and Reds. At least the Reds started showing up on local TV last year, but the only Cubs and Sox we get is on WGN. So its not like I can watch the Indians and Sox on the “local” TV when they play – guess it keeps me from Hawk, but that’s small consolation.

At least I can pick up WTAM in the evenings and night.

It is going to be interesting to see how they handle EI and the NHL Center Ice package for the next week. I have both and they are both marked as appearing on the same set of stations by Comcast

by IndyDave on Apr 4, 2009 9:31 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Comcast did that last year, but there ends up not being a huge amount of overlap in the timing of games so I think it was ok for the most part. At least, I never remember having an Indians game preempted by hockey.

DISCLAIMER: I may be bitter.

by zempf on Apr 6, 2009 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just ordered it yesterday, have a question, probably specifically for the Comcast viewers. Does it ever tell you ahead of time which channel your game is going to be on? I have to be in Denver for the week for a work training, and wanted to at least DVR the opener. My plan for most the season was to record most of them and watch them later that night.

But right now when you go to the guide, all the channels just say, “Extra Innings” and there’s no specifics as to which game on which channel. Anyone have any idea?

Il faut d'abord durer.

by CU Adam on Apr 4, 2009 3:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

yes. On the actual DVR the games can usually be seen 2 weeks ahead of time, if you go on the extra innings website, they will also soon have monthly schedules, saying the game is on game 4, game 5, etc etc. I assume the DVR will be updated by Monday with the upcoming days’ schedule.

by ASP on Apr 4, 2009 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cool, thanks.

Il faut d'abord durer.

by CU Adam on Apr 4, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also, and I don’t know if it works this way on Comcast because I’ve got DirecTV, but there will be two listings for each game. Usually, the first listing has the away team’s feed and the second one has the home team’s.

"Lotta heart in Cleveland." - Ian Hunter

by Denver Tribe Fan on Apr 6, 2009 1:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not all the time, at least for Comcast. There’s only 14 channels for them to broadcast on here, so if there’s a full slate of games that night we don’t get to pick and choose what broadcast we want every time.

by ASP on Apr 6, 2009 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs