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Sports Blackouts

How Blackouts Work

If a local over-the-air network has the rights to broadcast an NBA game in its local area, customers in that area will be unable to receive that game via their satellite service. However, they may be able to see the game via their local channels.

So, if the Lakers are playing the Rockets and both teams are broadcasting the game locally - KCAL-9 in the Los Angeles area and FSN SOUTHWEST in the Houston area - NBA LEAGUE PASS subscribers living in the Los Angeles area will be blacked out within the Lakers' over-the-air territory. To see the game, they must be able to receive KCAL. Subscribers living outside of the KCAL coverage area will receive the game via NBA LEAGUE PASS unless they live in the Houston area. Subscribers in the Houston area will be blacked out of the game in NBA LEAGUE PASS, but subscribers can view the game on their over-the-air television station or their local regional sports network (RSN) - included with CHOICE programming and Local Channels.

Blackouts can be extremely frustrating, especially when all you want to do is sit down and watch your favorite team play. DIRECTV does everything possible to help you catch the big game.

The following sports subscriptions are subject to blackouts:

NFL SUNDAY TICKET, NBA LEAGUE PASS, ESPN GamePlan, MLB EXTRA INNINGS, MLS DIRECT KICK, ESPN FULL COURT, ESPN College Grand Slam, NHL CENTER ICE, NFL NETWORK

DIRECTV's GameSearch™

Your cure for the blackout blues.

Sports blackouts are unavoidable, but that doesn't make them any less frustrating. As an industry leader and the provider of more sports than any other television company, DIRECTV takes blackouts very seriously. That's why you'll get access to GameSearch™.

When you attempt to tune in to a live local game or set a recording for one using your HD-DVR, GameSearch.recognizes if there is a blackout on that particular station and can adjust accordingly. So while you sit back and relax, GameSearch does the work of searching every other channel to see if the game is available for viewing. When the game is found, you'll get a message telling you where and how to see it. If it is set to record, GameSearch will already make the adjustment.

And best of all, GameSearch is available FREE of charge to HD-DVR subscribers!

Other DIRECTV Sports Features

Sports Pack

Want another way to catch every game whether you are in-market or not? Check out the SPORTS PACK option, which is included in DIRECTV PREMIER Packages and also available a la carte. SPORTS PACK delivers more than thirty-five regional sports networks straight to your living room, many in HD! You can tune in to college sports, professional games, high school tournaments and more! See the most international Soccer games available anywhere! Or explore the excitement of sport fishing, horse racing and more with TVG and the Outdoor Channel.

Most importantly, SPORTS PACK offers regional coverage of every team across every market in the entire U.S.! From coast to coast and covering everything in between, SPORTS PACK provides you with full-time access to the teams you love.

Order Sports Pack and get the most HD sports available anywhere, all from the following networks:

• Altitude
• Comcast
• CBS College Sports
• Fox Soccer
• FSN
• GolTV
• MSG
• MASN
• NBA TV
• The Outdoor Channel
• SportSouth
• SportTime
• NESN
• SNY
• SunSports
• MTN
• TVG
• YES

Local Channels

Local channels are included with all packages, where available, including the following.

• ABC
• CBS
• NBC
• FOX
• CW
• UPN
• PBS

If you are one of the select few who are unable to receive local channels, DIRECTV offers alternative options to get you the coverage you need.

• Off-Air Antenna: This additional antenna can get you local channels in your area for an additional fee.
• DNF-Distant network feed: New York and Los Angeles customers may be able to receive local channels through this feed, for an additional fee per channel.

For More Information

Tune in to the DIRECTV Customer Information Channel. One of many interactive features offered to you through DIRECTV, the customer information channel makes it easy for you to learn new tips and tricks and get the information you need about your account.