Comcast has revealed on its Xfinity subscriber forum that it will offer all MLB Extra Innings games in 2017 in High-Definition for the first time ever. That is, if you have an X1 set-top.
In response to a comment from a unhappy Comcast subscriber who was complaining about the cable op still offering Extra Innings games in SD, ‘ComcastTeds,’ a Comcast employee/moderator who answers questions in the forum, said yesterday:
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“I can tell you that every single NHL Center Ice game is now available in HD in all Comcast households that have X1 (and also subscribe to NHL Center Ice). We expect to offer the same experience for MLB Extra Innings this season. More information to come very soon. Thank you for your patience.”
For the first time this year, Comcast also switched to an all-HD lineup for the NHL Center Ice package of out-of-market games.
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Comcast has yet to reveal pricing details for the 2017 MLB Extra Innings plan, which offers up to 100 out-of-market games every week. I have contacted Comcast’s public relations department for more information on its 2017 MLB package, but have yet to get a response.
The cable operator last year offered the MLB package for $165. Under the terms of a settlement of a lawsuit brought by fans, Comcast and DIRECTV are required this year to offer the MLB plan at a 12.5 percent discount over its regular price of $197. (DIRECTV this year is charging $172.74 for the plan.)
Considering that HDTV has been in consumer homes for nearly two decades, the switch to all high-def for the Extra Innings plan is something barely worth crowing about. By comparison, DIRECTV has aired every MLB Extra Innings game in high-def for several years.
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But for Comcast, which last year sometimes broadcast two or three Extra Innings games each day in standard-definition, the switch to all-HD will be a welcome one in Comcast homes which have the X1 set-top.
Update: ‘ComcastTeds’ notes in his posts that the HD games on the NHL Center Ice plan currently do not include pause, rewind or fast-forward, and that the HD ‘channel’ for the MLB Extra Innings plan will have the same omissions at launch.
That suggests the MLB HD games are likely to be delivered using Comcast’s X1 “platform,” which is the company’s terminology for IPTV (Internet Television Protocol).
IPTV is the delivery of programming to the set-top using streaming instead of a traditional cable or satellite signal.
I will have more details on Comcast’s MLB Extra Innings plan when they become available.
— Phillip Swann
If’s its bases on the indemand some games maybe JIP and limited dual feeds
You can stream MLB in HD including a single team option for a lot less money by going thru MLB. You need Xbox, PS3 or 4 etc. Devices supporting this are listed on MLB’s web site.
do not include pause, rewind or fast-forward and cable card?? nice way to half ass it. And it’s likely just the game 1-15 feeds in hd that have some games that are JIP and way less dual feeds.
Just got info from Comcast about the package today. They’re charging $38.75 a month for four months this year.
Do you get a choice between the home broadcast or the visiting broadcast? Also, in the xfiniti add it says they have “up to 80 games per week.” but on directv it says you get almost 100 out of market games per week. I don’t want to pay for something that doesn’t include all the out of market games that are available. Is this a typo? Does xfiniti have all the out of market games? They say ‘up to 80″ I have a fantasy team. I am worried that the games I want to see are not going to be available on xfiniti. Can anyone answer these two questions?
I’m watching the Yankees-Rays opening day game right now. Both feeds are in SD.
From Comcast:
How do I watch HD games?
Access MLB EXTRA INNINGS HD using the XFINITY X1 On-Screen Guide. Select the “channel” (which is located above the SD MLB EXTRA INNINGS channels in the guide grid) and choose your team. The HD game will begin playing once verification of package subscription and blackout conditions are complete. An X1 voice remote can also be used by saying, “MLB EXTRA INNINGS HD” and selecting a team.
Thanks. I couldn’t quite figure out the first part. Unfortunately, using the voice remote, it says”it;s not working right now, try later.” A Comcast rep told me MLB is only transmitting SD to Comcast for this game. Huh?
Per Comcast customer service rep I just spoke to, MLB Extra Innings from Comcast does not offer all games in HD in every market. For instance in my market in Ft. Wayne, Indiana you only get 2 games at a time in HD, the rest is SD. Guess I should be happy it is in color at least.
From Comcast:
How do I watch HD games?
Access MLB EXTRA INNINGS HD using the XFINITY X1 On-Screen Guide. Select the “channel” (which is located above the SD MLB EXTRA INNINGS channels in the guide grid) and choose your team. The HD game will begin playing once verification of package subscription and blackout conditions are complete. An X1 voice remote can also be used by saying, “MLB EXTRA INNINGS HD” and selecting a team.
Comcast Extra Innings is not HD I order it and there is only one feed and all in SD!!!!!!