Getting to First Base

I just got off the phone with a customer service representative from mlb.com who probably hates his job, and his life, right now. A friend texted me this morning to remind me that there are TWENTY Major League Baseball games today, because of a number of double-headers (including my Royals). I’ve written here before about how much I despise the site’s blackout policy, but I went against my better judgment today and bought a one-day subscription. I mean, twenty baseball games on the computer, with college football all day on the TV…that sounds like heaven to me.

I was pretty mad when I wrote the first post. But that was when I didn’t get to watch games as part of a free trial. Today, I paid to watch games that are not being televised. And I’ve never been angry enough to actually swear at the customer service rep; usually I think I’m mad, but by the time I get through to a person I’ve cooled down and I can’t bring myself to take out my ire on a person.

So here’s the situation today: It’s Saturday, so college football is king on TV. None of the 20 MLB games are on TV because of all the football. I guess that’s fine, but I’d really like to watch some baseball. HOWEVER, pretty much all the baseball games this afternoon are blacked out because the TV networks have the rights to televise them. But, you all are a smart bunch; I think you have already picked up on the fact that no TV networks are exercising their rights to broadcast baseball. It’s a football day.

So what the hell was the point of me paying anything to watch games that aren’t on?? I tried logic with this rep. I didn’t just ask what the blackout policy was; I already knew of their money-grubbing ways (born, no doubt, from being tucked so far in bed with TV networks that neither will ever come out from other the covers). I just wanted to know WHY.

Me: Yes, I understand that the TV networks have the rights to broadcast baseball games today. But none of them are exercising that right!

Rep: Yes.

Me: So…they get money from their advertisers for having those exclusive rights while they also make bank by showing football games instead. And you get money from mlb.tv subscribers, whether or not they can watch the games. Is there any way for the customers to win here?

Rep: …

Me: What the [beefy] is the point? Why did I buy a subscription for 20 [beefy] games I can’t even watch?

Rep: The policy says that — well you can listen to the games that are blacked out. There is no blackout policy for audio feeds.

Me: I already have an audio subscription. I don’t want to listen*; I WANT TO [beefy] WATCH.

Rep, showing that he’s never been a sports fan in his life: You can watch games 45 minutes after their conclusion.

Me: …

Rep: It’s not our policy; it’s the TV networks’.

Then the rep hit me with this gem:

Rep: Did you check the blackout policy for your ZIP code before you signed up? You should have checked that fir–

Me: So it’s either the TV networks’ fault or it’s MINE? And you are blameless. Really? Do you know ANYTHING about dealing with customers? I want my [beefy] money back.

Rep: I can’t do that, because you didn’t check the blackout policy.

Me: [beefy] [beefy] [beefy] [beefy]?!?!? You’re not helpful at all. Your greed-driven industry makes me want to [beefy] some [beefy] up. Have a nice [beefy] day.

[hangs up]

*I already have an audio account anyway. If I just wanted to listen, I would have done it with that account.

At one point I mentioned that someone I know got a blackout-free account because he was using his considerable media exposure to talk about what crap the blackout policy is. When I brought this up, the rep put me on hold (for the first and only time in the call, oddly enough), but then came back and denied to within an inch of his life that such an account can exist. (But I just confirmed it with the guy I know who has it - it definitely exists.)

Games that are being played right now:

KC @ CLE (double-header)

ATL @ NYM

DET @ CWS

MIN @ BAL

Games on that list I can watch on mlb.tv (the rest are blacked out due to TV restrictions)

MIN @ BAL

Games that are actually on TV

….none.

I’m not trying to dissuade anyone from subscribing to mlb.tv. I’m just saying…well, you don’t exactly get what’s promised to you. And if you’re not satisfied with your subscription purchase, it is your fault.

This entry was posted on Saturday, September 13th, 2008 at 4:29 pm and is filed under Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minda's Take. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.