dish network Hockey not available

[Lord Stanely 39]

I have Dish Network with the sports package- no center ice. I live in Iowa 3 hours south of Minneapolis. I can't get hardly any game at all- wings or any other team. Just about every game that is "scheduled" is "not available" when I go to view it from the guide. Why can't I watch any games in the NHL?

I can't even figure out what channel the wild are on to catch those games- seems like I never even see them listed as playing on any channel- let alone "not available".

Of course would prefer wings games, but wouldn't mind picking up another team that might just be playing the wings. The sports package is really a joke.

[Krystal 41]

I have Dish Network with the sports package- no center ice. I live in Iowa 3 hours south of Minneapolis. I can't get hardly any game at all- wings or any other team. Just about every game that is "scheduled" is "not available" when I go to view it from the guide. Why can't I watch any games in the NHL?

I can't even figure out what channel the wild are on to catch those games- seems like I never even see them listed as playing on any channel- let alone "not available".

Of course would prefer wings games, but wouldn't mind picking up another team that might just be playing the wings. The sports package is really a joke.

That sounds like a question for your provider. I had to do a hard reset on my box one day because the weather had gotten trippy on me and all of a sudden I went to turn on NHL Network to catch a Wings game and it told me it was unavailable. I called them, gave 'em my address to confirm I'd paid for the service and they had to reset the signal for me but it picked up fine afterwards.

Unfortunately, it sounds like you're in one of those hockey "dead zones" where there's no team "close enough" to warrant it being a 'local' team (Though I'm on the opposite side of Missouri and the Blues games are always blacked out on CI) and the question then is if your provider will even carry the NHL Network or Center Ice at all.

But I'd start with your local Dish Network provider. I believe they do NOT carry Versus due to some money issues between them and the parent cable network Comcast, but elsewise you should still be eligible for Center Ice or NHL Network. You may need to take a closer look at your so-called 'sports package'. Time Warner here in Kansas City offers a 'Sports Package' but it ONLY includes NHL Network.. along with some of the out-of-area Fox Sports spinoffs. It doesn't cover over premium packages like Center Ice, NFL Sunday Ticket, etc.

[auxlepli 17]

If you want more hockey coverage, move to Canada.

[Lord Stanely 39]

I too have DISH Network, but didn't bother getting any special "Sports package" that they offer since it'll show no NHL games whatsoever...If you want NHL games you'll need to have the gold package for VS, then there's the extra charge for the NHL Network, and of course you really should spend the extra $$$ for Center Ice if you want to catch any Red Wing games on a reg basis.

Outta curiosity what part of Iowa are ya from - Decorah, Protivin, Ossian, Calmar, New Hampton, Postville, etc area?...My better half is from that neck of the woods.

I have the gold package with VS and NHL Network (didn't pay extra for it- told the guy on the phone my package sucked and I should have gone with Directv). Is there anyway to get a discount on Center Ice?

We live near Fort Dodge. I moved here from NW Indiana (Chicago) and moved there from Adrian, MI- born and raised in Warren and Adrian areas in MI.

[Lord Stanely 39]

If you want more hockey coverage, move to Canada.

That's funny because my wife is from Canada. I moved out of Michigan in 94 and out of Chicago this year- always during the seasons that the local teams are hot and coverage is great. Go figure.

[Guest Blackhawkdown]

There was the "early bird" rate on Center Ice (approx $10 off the reg price) back in late September/early October, and then there's the usual mid season pricing (half the season for around $100 - not exactly the best deal IMHO), and then in past years there was a late seaon/playoffs special ($???, but again not a great deal).

I have a question. I live in North Carolina, and I have Dish Network. How is the coverage on NHL Center Ice. Do they show all the games, or at least 90% of them?

I just wanted to know if I order it will I be able to watch at least most of my teams games.

[Chairman Maouth 97]

You guys are true hockey fans and deserve a pat on the back. I can't imagine following the NHL without adequate coverage of my team (Canucks), the Northwest Division, etc. I'd go crazy if I were forced to miss a single game.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

I have Dish Network with the sports package- no center ice. I live in Iowa 3 hours south of Minneapolis. I can't get hardly any game at all- wings or any other team. Just about every game that is "scheduled" is "not available" when I go to view it from the guide. Why can't I watch any games in the NHL?

I can't even figure out what channel the wild are on to catch those games- seems like I never even see them listed as playing on any channel- let alone "not available".

Of course would prefer wings games, but wouldn't mind picking up another team that might just be playing the wings. The sports package is really a joke.

Gotta purchase NHL CEnter Ice to watch it on TV.

If your TV has a computer hook up, you could find online streams of games and hook your computer up to your TV and you're set. Not as good as TV quality, but you still get the gist of the game.

atdhe.net and www.channelsurfing.net usually have streams of game where quality is respectable, and they are free. Those sites are great, they show broadcasts of pretty much any sport you can think of. Hockeystreams.com is another alternative that you pay for, like Center Ice. I use that primarily for archived games if I miss a game that night/day. Much cheaper than Center Ice.

[TheWestWing 71]

Gotta purchase NHL CEnter Ice to watch it on TV.

Correcto Mundo!

It doesn't matter if you have the REGIONAL sports package - FSNs, MSG, Comcats's etc. For the subscription packages DISH offers - CI, MLB, NBA, you cannot get ANY games outside of your 'home market' (you're on your own there) on the regionals (the dreaded 'Not Available In Your Area'). Period. Gotta pay to play. You'll still get the stuff on the majors - NBC,

ESPN (ha!), WGN, FOX, TBS, etc. but VS is it's own animal.

Since its my reply box, couple other points:

Kanadian hockey coverage just based on its sheer volume is the best in the English speaking world (I dont know how coverage is in Quebec and the rest of the world becuase I don't understand the language). Because of said volume, some are informative (and entertaining), and some not so much. Since I no longer get the feed from the North, it's greatly missed. I'll try and tune in any TSN game on CI at intermissions just to get news from the panel.

I couldn't imagine not being able to see every Wings game. That being said I wish I would have missed a few this year (tho I did miss last years 0-8 catastrophe that included the Loss of Pylon). I've noticed that there seems to be a ton of teams showing fewer games on their respective regionals this year (Kings, Dux, Yotes - hmmmm, is there a pattern there or is it just cause I'm the LeftCoast?). And to the Nucks fan, how many of your games (if you're in their home market), do you have to PPV for? At like 12.95? Don't believe we have PPV here down south. Then again, not many would pay such for the aforementioned named teams). And does STL still have some contractual issue where some of their local games are televised but not available through the local cable\sat transmissions (as well as on CI at times)?

Edited December 26, 2009 by TheWestWing

[Guest Blackhawkdown]

I want to order it, but unfortunately right now its still at the full season price. And since it is real close to mid season they should be offering the mid season half price discount soon. I would hate to pay full price when it will be $100 cheaper in a couple weeks or so.

I am so close to ordering it right now though, damn.

Edited December 26, 2009 by Blackhawkdown

[Guest Blackhawkdown]

Alright, the price for me to order it right now is $171.00. Does anyone know about what the mid season discount will be? Or maybe its already at a discount, Im not sure.

If the discount is like $50 or something like that I will probably just go ahead and order it now.

[TheWestWing 71]

Well I would normally say just order it because 'every game counts'. But some of our latter games better count more than some of more recent games, so maybe waiting would give you a better ROI vs TPA%.

Oh, discount previously has gone down to $99 - think the timing was mid to late Jan but not exactly sure.

Edited December 26, 2009 by TheWestWing

[Guest Blackhawkdown]

I just went ahead and ordered it. I'm just tired of having to find online streams all the time, never knowing if they will be decent quality or not. This way I can watch my team and any other game I choose.

I didnt even have NHL Network, so now I have that as well.

[Lord Stanely 39]

I just went ahead and ordered it. I'm just tired of having to find online streams all the time, never knowing if they will be decent quality or not. This way I can watch my team and any other game I choose.

I didnt even have NHL Network, so now I have that as well.

Let us know how happy you are with it? I think I will wait till mid-season pricing.

[Donaldjr2448 43]

I too have Dish Network and I have never been happier. I also have Center Ice and the Sports Package. I love watching RedWings Live before and after the games, not to mention if you have Center Ice you get the replays of the games later that night on the Fox Sports Regionals just incase you have to work late!!

I only paid $160 for CI at the beginning of the season and the sports package was only an extra 6 bucks a month, so I couldnt pass it up.

To watch the games live you have to purchase Center Ice or get a cheat card for your dish box, if you purchase Center Ice on dish, the channels for the games are on 626-639. If the game is on NHL Network and you have Center Ice the channel is 625. If you want to watch the local teams games, and its on FS Whatever you can find the games in the Sports Alternate channels which range from channel 444-477

I have had dish for 2 years and I love it!! Direct Tv is only good for Football ( at least it use to be) now with the NFL Network doing NFL Redzone, who needs the NFL Ticket! I think that Direct Tv cut out Versus, so unless you have CI you could not even get versus coverage for games.

Hope this helps! Let me know if you have anymore questions, by all means email if you like more info!

[Guest Blackhawkdown]

Same here ^^

I used to have one of those cards when I had Directv (and it was sweet), but I havent heard of them being around anymore.

I love Dish Network, LOVE it. It is so much better (and cheaper) than cable.

And to answer you Lord Stanley, after one night I can tell you that I am happy as hell about my purchase of Center Ice. The only time I could ever watch my team play was if they played on Versus, or I would have to watch some stream that was anywhere from decent to unwatchable. Last night I was able to watch both the Blackhawks and Red Wings games, in HD, it was great. I reccomend for any Hockey fan to purchase this if the package is offered in your area. I think its a must for any Hockey fan and I am just pissed I didnt order it sooner.

[Guest Blackhawkdown]

Can someone please answer me a question?

I ordered NHL Center Ice last month, and everything has been fine, I love it. However, the other night I recorded a game with my DVR and it shows that it recorded, but it wont play. I thought something just f***ed up with the recording and didnt think much else about it. Well, last night I tried to record another game and it did the same thing, recorded but wouldnt play. So now I tried again to record one of the channels and its doing the same thing. These are all on the HD channels.

I havent read anywhere about not being able to record NHL Center Ice games, and since I work second shift recording the games is the only way I will get to see them. Can someone please tell me what is up? Do they really not allow you to DVR the games? If so then I am f***ed, any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

p.s., this has nothing to do with any blackouts.

Edited January 13, 2010 by Blackhawkdown