Out-of-Market Sports Package
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An Out-of-Market Sports Package is a form of Pay Per View that broadcasts sporting events to areas who are unavailable to see them because the games are not broadcast in their local market.
Blackouts prevent most people from viewing any team's game except the one that occupies their market. The leagues enforce these rules extensively therefore creates the opportunity for the out-of market package.
[edit] Rationale for Sports Packages
While such a thing may not appear necessary to the average fan who lives in the market of their team, many circumstances may by in place that generate the desire to view teams out of market. Some include:
- Moving from the market of their favorite team
- Simply being a fan of another team
- Better competition, such as in the case of college football and basketball. For example, wanting to watch a few of the most competitive or most interesting national games each week, in addition to one's home team's games.
- More opportunity to watch one sport, such as when a home team may not have a game to play, or creating one's own doubleheader; watching an early game, then a late game. Also, the desire to watch a rival team's games, or games of teams in the same conference or division as one's favorite teams, which may not be regularly available in one's market.
- Living in an area without an in-market team at the highest level in a sport, which usually means availability only of nationally televised games. Though these will often show a regional game, it may be the "most interesting" regional game, resulting in many missed games even when following the geographically closest team.
- Involvement in a Fantasy baseball league. A baseball fan who is "managing" a fantasy team may have the desire to watch the performance of players in several games that are beng played simultaneously and thus has the ability to switch back and forth between games.
[edit] Packages
- MLB Extra Innings- As of 2007, this package will be exclusive to DirecTV subscribers.
- MLS Direct Kick- Available to DirecTV, Dish Network, and most Digital cable subscribers.
- NBA League Pass- Available to DirecTV, Dish Network, and most Digital cable subscribers.
- NFL Sunday Ticket- Exclusive to DirecTV with the option of the Superfan package.
- NHL Center Ice- Available to DirecTV, Dish Network, and most Digital cable subscribers.
- ESPN Gameplan- Available to DirecTV, Dish Network, and most Digital cable subscribers.
- ESPN Full Court- Available to DirecTV, Dish Network, and most Digital cable subscribers.
