Q. I read your article about DIRECTV not carrying SportsNet LA which has the Los Angeles Dodgers games. If DIRECTV doesn’t carry it, can I still watch the Dodgers on my DIRECTV MLB Extra Innings package? — John, Miami.
John, first, you are right. DIRECTV and SportsNet LA have been involved in a dispute over carriage fees and, consequently, about
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So, if DIRECTV doesn’t have the rights to SportsNet LA, does that mean it can’t offer the channel’s broadcasts in its MLB Extra Innings package as well?
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If you live in the LA market, which includes not only the Los Angeles area, but Las Vegas and Hawaii as well, the answer is yes. You can’t watch them. The Dodgers games on both SportsNet LA, and the channel that covers the team the Dodgers are playing, will be blacked out on Extra Innings.
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That’s a long-standing policy of Major League Baseball and the other professional sports leagues. They have negotiated lucrative deals with the TV providers — and the regional sports channels — and if suddenly you could bypass those to watch your local team via an online pay package, those deals would be worth nothing.
But let’s jump to a question that will affect even more people.
Could you watch the SportsNet LA broadcasts (or other broadcasts involving the Dodgers) in DIRECTV’s Extra Innings package if you live outside those blacked out markets?
The answer is yes again. The Extra Innings package of out-of-market games, which costs $173.99 this season on DIRECTV, is regarded as separate from the satcaster’s dispute with Charter, which has the management rights to SportsNet LA.
So John, a DIRECTV subscriber in Miami, which is not in the Dodgers market, will get SportsNet LA games in Extra Innings.
Happy Viewing!
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Is for sure that I could see all the dodgers games in extra inning living in San Bernardino county
No, blacked out in LA market.
This is honestly the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard or seen with a sports team. I live in LOS ANGELES, I don’t care what kind of TV company package deal I have , they should be shown to everyone FREE. I understand these teams are trying to make money but it’s amazing how I’m able to watch every single game on MLB TV , except dodgers and Angels since their considered LOCAL and MLB blacks that out based on your location. So it’s outrageous how I can’t watch a single dodger game having Direct TV and MLB.TV. I don’t want to pay $200 and get the whole dodgers season because I probably won’t even watch half and I’m already paying for MLB. They seriously need to change this..
I just can’t believe whats happening with this LA Sport.net crap !! A lot of L.A. are left with little to no choices in watching the Dodger games,its very sad to see an 89yr. old man ( like my dad )not being able to watch the team that he has followed, and a loyal fan for the most part of his life !!! someone’s got to do something PLEASE !!!! If there’s anything we could do ( us little nobodies,because this is what we’re thought of by all these wealthy people )let us know,and we will do what we can.
Thanks,Maria
I have have Direct Tv live in Indiana will SNLA ever be available in the Regional Sports package like the Lakers in the package