TSN2 debacle continues to fester

The TSN-Rogers standoff over TSN2 is about to enter its eighth month with no solution in sight, which is not only bad news for Toronto Raptors fans but for those who subscribe to Rogers' specialty sports packages.

Those who paid for things like NHL Centre Ice did so in hopes of having every NHL game available to them, either through the specialty package or on channels like CBC, TSN and Sportsnet. But here's the catch: If the game is on another channel, it's not on Centre Ice.

So is a game's on TSN2, it's black out on Centre Ice for Rogers customers. But those suckers can't get TSN2, because Rogers and TSN are still squabbling over it, so they can't watch the game.

``My concern is when the playoffs come," says CI victim Paul Tranetti. ``Why weren't we told that these games wouldn't be available?"

Rogers says basically that it can't do much about the problem because of its contract with the NHL. Of course, it could end this standoff but apparently that's not possible at this time.

Tranetti urges other subscribers to do what he did: Complain to Rogers. He got a month's credit, but as he says, that's not the point. ``I want to watch the games," he says.

Comments

[Mike]

Chris, again I make my point: First, Rogers will not carry TSN2. Second, the "free" tier of their HD channels includes all major networks, plus LeafsTV (In Toronto), the Score and Sportsnet, but NOT TSN (or, obviously TSN2). Customers must shell out an additional $8.99 a month just for the privilege of viewing TSN in high definition, as it is bundled with other useless HD channels. TSN is obviously the anchor of this additional bundle, and although I'm not a conspiracy buff at all, it seems anticompetitive given that Rogers owns Sportsnet. Rogers appears to be trying to stick it to TSN as a whole, especially given that just a few years ago, when HD was first offered TSN HD was on the "free" tier but got replaced by Sportsnet.

[Mark McQueen]

I couldn't agree more. We need folks to sign the TSN2/Rogers petition.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/put-tsn2-on-rogers-cable

[Mike]

Other Mike,

Actually if you look at Rogers' lineup, (http://www.rogers.com/web/content/personal-programming/hdtv) you'll see that they moved Leafs and RaptorsTV over to the speciality pack. They must have done this recently as it wasn't that way when I got HD at Christmas.

And I disagree that they other channels in the package are "useless". You get the western feeds for the american networks, so you get to watch timeshifted shows in hd and most likely another game option whenever regional coverage is used (NFL, MLB etc.). Plus WGN HD is on there, which has an assortment of Blackhawks/Bulls/Cubs/White Sox games.

But back to TSN2, i blame Rogers completely for this. There is no reason why they can't put the channel on somewhere when all the other major carriers have found space for it. Just stick it on a tier-3 package and charge $5/month or whatever TSN wants for it. I bet there will still be 100,000 sports fans who would sign up for it.

[Morgan Wick]

Now see, if this were the United States, you'd have at least two other TV companies, so you could just switch to that other company and get TSN2 and Center Ice and be happy.

[Clarkie 90210]

Strange as to how Rogers-TSN can get into fight to the death over a matter that should be long since settled, but can still get in bed with each other when it comes to a major event like the Olympics.

[Oliver]

Call Rogers. Cancel. Call Bell or Star Choice. Presto! TSN2. Why loyalty to Rogers? What do they provide that the others don't? Nothing. Only the worst customer service department in the whole world.

[realrocket]

the way I see it TSN had to know that Rogers had not signed on to pick up TSN2 before they went to market right? why would they not get their ducks in a row so to speak and get the Rogers deal signed before they launched the channel? they seem to have the opinion that they could bully Rogers with negative pubic opinion but the poor play of the Raptors (a staple on TSN2) has worked against TSN. since I don't know what is holding up the process (and neither do any of you unless you are involved in the negotiations) I have to lay this on TSN since it appears they pushed ahead without the Rogers deal in place.

[Stan Kozinar]

Oliver, sorry. Many have no choice but to be 'loyal' to Rogers because they have no other choice if they live in a condo or apartment that won't allow satellite. TSN, MLSE and ROGERS are all at fault. The biggest villian is ROGERS though, they don't care about the customer at all and force people to pay for terrible channels that many don't watch.
Zelkovich take ROGERS to task, you have the power. Interview their customers who are helpless in the situation.

[Bear]

I've said it before, and I will continue to say it. There is now reason for this, and, by extension, no reason why ESPN should not be available for Canadian viewers.

[JP]

I've always wondered why media coverage of the Rogers-TSN2 dispute has centered on the Raptors, given their tiny fanbase and poor play this year.

When NHL playoff time comes around and that Capitals-Penguins series or whatever isn't on, that's when the real complaints will begin.

[a western voice]

Chris, what about other partnerships that are missing. Doesn't the Score have an HD feed? StarChoice doesn't offer that, and when I contact them they say, "we're still in discussions." There are other HD feeds out there that should be on a satelight feed but aren't. What gives?

[Frank Worrall]

Don't blame Rogers for this problem. The problem is the NHL's dumb rules. TSN2 has nothing to do with it. I always figure that if I subscribe to the NHL network, I should be able to watch all the NHL games. Period. I don't care if they are on some other channels, which I may or may not subscribe to. I also don't care if Ottawa or Toronto is playing at home and I want to watch the Canadien's game. I don't want to see the "this game is not available in your viewing area" nonsense when I'm paying good money to see whatever game I want. I'm paying to watch the NHL on the NHL network.

[Rogers Sucks]

I had the Rogers Super Sports Pack for the last few months and finally cancelled it. I called to complain about not getting the TSN2 games and the customer rep said they couldn't do anything and they don't compensate anyone for this - which we know is not true.

[T i]

Frank, I think your mistaken. The NHL Network does not let you view any game you want. I'm quite sure you need NHL Centre Ice package (not NHL network) to view all the NHL games.

411

[mark b]

Rogers Sucks (Apr 1 - 7:09 PM), ask to get transferred to 'Customer Retention' when you call Rogers, they will give you bonuses and discounts that the regular customer support people can't.

[gary]

rogers is the worst, I cancelled them months ago and went to Bell, best decision I ever made.
I don't blame TSN in this as they've made deals with everyone else. Rogers agenda from the beginning was and still is, to make as much money as possible and care little about customer sertvice.

[Rogers Sucks]

Mark B: I was talking to "Customer Retention", apparently they didn't want to retain me (I get cable, internet, wireless through them now).