Any DirecTV/ESPN Gameplan experts???

[drail14me]

I've been getting the ESPN Gameplan promotions via email from DirecTV. I'm trying to decide if it's worth it or not. I understand that all the SEC games will be televised with the first three games being on ESPNU, ESPN and ESPNU respectively. All is good as long as the games I want to see are broadcast on ESPN and ESPNU. The problem arises when games are broadcast on the major networks, CBS, ABC, etc..... When this happens, the games on the networks are not broadcast in HD to me as DirecTV does not rebroadcast my local channels in HD in Starkville yet. They claim the HD feed should be up in the next few months but they've been telling me that for 4 years now.

So, what I'm wondering is, if you get ESPN Gameplan, are the games that are broadcast by the networks, ABC, CBS, etc available on another ESPNU channel that is actually broadcast from DirecTV in HD? Or are CBS games only available on a CBS channel and not part of the ESPN plan?

 

[TXDawg.sixpack]

About the only thing that Gameplan does for you is give you access to "out of market" games that would not normally be shown in your geographic region. If it's a nationally televised ESPN/CBS game, it will only be available on that channel and will not be part of Gameplan. If it's a JP (SEC Network) game and you live in an area that has a JP affiliate, you'll get to see it on that channel and it will be blacked-out on Gameplan for you.

Where Gameplan helps is if, like me, you live outside of the SEC regional broadcast area. Living in Houston, the only way I can see most JP games is through Gameplan. Fortunately, with the new ESPN deal, there are fewer and fewer JP games. Several years ago, I would order Gameplan at the beginning of the season for about $120 and it was worth it. Now, I just wait and see what network the game is going to be on and order Gameplan on a weekly basis for about $20/wk if I need it to see a game.

 

[JimC1097]

I get to see most all SEC games, especially Dogs that are local to those in MS market. The drawback is here on Comcast they are not in HD.

 

[Optimus Prime 4]

but with Gameplan you get to watch all of those, albeit in craptastic standard definition.

 

[Oxford Godfrey]

Trust me, you won't miss much.

 

[drail14me]

Thanks for the advice. I'm in Starkville so I should get all the games anyway. I just wanted to avoid that CBS SD feed if possible as I'm sure they will pick up some of our games. SD looks like crap on a 150" screen after watching a game in HD!! Hopefully, DirecTV will get on the ball and get the Starkville market locals in HD soon, or, maybe I should buy an HD off air tuner for my TV. Doing that would be a sure way of getting DirecTV to finally add HD service here.

 

[vhdawg]

....that you would not have been able to see on CBS or one of the ESPNs:

<span style="text-decoration:underline">PPV games (blacked out ONLY in the areas offering the game as a pay-per-view):</span>
Missouri State at Arkansas
Florida International at Alabama
Florida Atlantic at South Carolina
Ohio at Tennessee
Tulane at LSU
Tennessee Tech at Georgia
Eastern Kentucky at Kentucky
Furman at Auburn
Florida International at Florida

<span style="text-decoration:underline">CSS games (not normally available if you don't have Comcast....these are NEVER blacked out on Gameplan):</span>
Western Carolina at Vanderbilt
Southeastern Louisiana at Ole Miss
Georgia Tech at Mississippi State
Georgia Tech at Vanderbilt
Northern Arizona at Ole Miss
Troy at Arkansas

<span style="text-decoration:underline">FSN South games (which you probably would be able to see anyway...can't remember if these are blacked out or not):</span>
Charleston Southern at Florida
Mississippi State at Auburn
Mississippi State at Vanderbilt
Ball State at Auburn
Kentucky at South Carolina
UAB at Ole Miss
Louisiana-Monroe at Kentucky
Mississippi State at Kentucky

<span style="text-decoration:underline">SEC Network games (which are blacked out if you have a syndicated affilliate like WJTV, unless it's the half of a split-broadcast that your affilliate is not carrying):</span>
Western Kentucky at Tennessee
Troy at Florida
North Texas at Alabama
LSU at Mississippi State
Alabama at Kentucky
Georgia at Tennessee
Georgia at Vanderbilt
Arkansas at Ole Miss
Ole Miss at Auburn
South Carolina at Arkansas
Kentucky at Vanderbilt
Chattanooga at Alabama (split-telecast)
Mississippi State at Arkansas (split-telecast)
Ole Miss at Mississippi State

You can look at the games you would've missed last year and assume that it would be similar fare that you'd miss out on this year as well, and base your decision on that. Remember you can always do Gameplan on a single-weekend basis as well if you're only concerned about that one MSU CSS game per season.

 

[tupelotim]

I live in Tupelo and have an antenna hooked up to my Directv box. Get all the networks OTA thought the Directv box in HD. You need an AM-21 box from directv if you want to have the local HD Channels show up in the on screen guide and record to your DVR or you can just hook the antenna up to your tv and get the locals in HD.

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

The only time you get screwed here in Texas is if it is a regional CBS game.

BTW OP4, send me a pm if you are ever up Austin way. I live out here on the west side near Lake Travis.