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Topic: No More ESPN3 for Cable Cutters

Topic: No More ESPN3 for Cable Cutters

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The Pessimist
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Member Since: 3/12/2005
Location: Allentown, PA
Post Count: 145

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No More ESPN3 for Cable Cutters

Posted: 8/29/2013 10:24:13 PM

Kickoff day and I launch ESPN3.com for the first time in several months... and those greedy bastards at ESPN have revoked (well... not renewed) access for internet-only customers of ATT Uverse. In fact, it looks like all internet-only customers are now locked out of ESPN3.

I used to think I'd pay the $5+/mo to get the ESPN plus the $3 or so for the other ESPNs if it was offered a la carte.. but, no longer. ESPN, you're dead to me.

Neither my salary nor my consumption of ESPN content has increased at 10% per year over the course of a decade. The only time I might have seen double digits in my raises is if it was expressed in roman numerals.

But wait... the silver lining: soon it will be cheaper to attend Ohio's football games in person than to watch them on ESPN.

Sic semper tyrannis and bring on stadium expansion!

anorris
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Member Since: 7/6/2010
Location: Bristol, CT
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RE: No More ESPN3 for Cable Cutters

Posted: 8/29/2013 10:52:35 PM

Curious what you were trying to watch and what errors you are getting, because ESPN3 is still listed everywhere I can find for AT&T high speed internet only subscribers (here and here). I'm wondering if you are perhaps confused between WatchESPN and ESPN3?

Also, if you ever thought those networks would be $5 a month a la carte because that's what you pay bundled, you're living in a dream world. If the family of networks were offered on their own (which would be highly unlikely any time soon), I'd guess you'd see a charge of $15-$25 a month, just like premium movie channels. This is why a la carte, regardless of how many people purport to want it, hasn't happened. You'd buy the five channels you watch and pay just as much as you do now, and dozens of smaller networks would simply disappear (we can argue whether that is a bad thing or not another day).

(Personal opinions my own, not my employers, etc.). I really would like to know what you were trying to watch though, and to figure out if something is wrong or simply misunderstood, or if something has truly changed. Let me know.

Beat Michigan
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Member Since: 8/15/2013
Location: Almost Heaven
Post Count: 245

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RE: No More ESPN3 for Cable Cutters

Posted: 8/29/2013 11:12:21 PM

I get ESPN3 from my internet provider Frontier Communications not my TV provider Directv.

Matt Noonan
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Member Since: 7/6/2010
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Post Count: 59

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RE: No More ESPN3 for Cable Cutters

Posted: 8/30/2013 3:04:59 AM

Some estimates predict ESPN would cost about $20-$30 a month without the bundling of channels. And that's before you even start to include ESPN2, ESPNU, etc.

http://outkickthecoverage.com/is-a-la-carte-cable-good-or-bad-for-sports-fans.php

UpSan Bobcat
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Location: Upper Sandusky, OH
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RE: No More ESPN3 for Cable Cutters

Posted: 8/30/2013 9:23:59 AM

The Pessimist wrote:

ESPN3 no longer is offering most broadcasts of games that actually are on ESPN TV networks. It offers basically just exclusive broadcasts. I would think you still get ESPN3 but less content is offered. Actual TV broadcasts now are on Watch ESPN. In order to get that, you have to be a subscriber through an affiliated cable company.

anorris
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Location: Bristol, CT
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RE: No More ESPN3 for Cable Cutters

Posted: 8/30/2013 12:39:55 PM

UpSan Bobcat wrote:

The Pessimist wrote:

UpSan is correct, that's why I wonder if you might have confused the services (and believe me, they're easy to confuse) -- but those changes took effect prior to last football season.

Bobcatbob
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Member Since: 12/21/2004
Location: Coolville, OH
Post Count: 1,347

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RE: No More ESPN3 for Cable Cutters

Posted: 8/30/2013 1:35:50 PM

Try getting up on the roof and turning your antenna towards Bristol. That's how we used to do it in Coolville.

Brian Smith (No, not that one)
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Member Since: 2/3/2005
Post Count: 3,016

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RE: No More ESPN3 for Cable Cutters

Posted: 8/30/2013 1:49:05 PM

When I first cut TW cable, my WatchESPN app kept working on my IPad for about a month. Alas, it finally realized I wasn't a subscriber any more.

The Pessimist
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Member Since: 3/12/2005
Location: Allentown, PA
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RE: No More ESPN3 for Cable Cutters

Posted: 8/30/2013 4:52:48 PM

Maybe last year was a fluke for me, as I was able to watch ESPN simulcasts through espn3.com, which redirected me to watchespn. I figured it was just a rebranding. I haven't had Uverse TV since April 2012.

So now I go to espn3.com and it still redirects me immediately to espn.go.com/watchespn/ just like last year.

I verify myself with my ATT U-verse username and password, and then I get something to the effect of "User is not authorized."

So I don't have access to WatchESPN. And the real ESPN3 is somewhere out there, inaccessible through ESPN3.com (because that would be... logical and easy and consistent with years' past).

Still. ESPN. Dead to me.

anorris
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Member Since: 7/6/2010
Location: Bristol, CT
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RE: No More ESPN3 for Cable Cutters

Posted: 8/31/2013 1:57:17 PM

ESPN3 is viewed through WatchESPN, verification should happen on a per-game basis. I see you're west, so you actually would have been able to watch simulcasts of some games on ESPN3 (those that started before noon local on Saturday, or 7 local on weekdays I believe) last year. That no longer appears to be the case. Perhaps that's what you're running into. Again, I ask, where does the error come up, is it before you select an event, or after, and if so, what event(s) don't work?

Last Edited: 8/31/2013 1:58:09 PM by anorris

Pataskala
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RE: No More ESPN3 for Cable Cutters

Posted: 8/31/2013 3:02:25 PM

There's always the first row sports website.

We will get by.
We will get by.
We will get by.
We will survive.

The Pessimist
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Member Since: 3/12/2005
Location: Allentown, PA
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RE: No More ESPN3 for Cable Cutters

Posted: 8/31/2013 3:33:05 PM

Error occurs after I selected an event.

Today I am able to watch Toledo vs Florida. So I just didn't understand what they have blacked out.... but last year it clearly indicated "blacked out" and gave a map. This year it just said not authorized and gave no reason.

anorris
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Location: Bristol, CT
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RE: No More ESPN3 for Cable Cutters

Posted: 8/31/2013 4:10:05 PM

So it appears you do have ESPN3 access, but ESPN3 is no longer simulcasting anything on linear networks. For most, that was largely phased out last year, but your time zone would've helped you last season (as the blackout maps you saw last year probably showed you).

Effectively, you'll have access to all the exclusive games, and anything available through GamePlan not on E1, 2, U, or News (like the Toledo game, MAC game of the week package, the Time Warner games, and ESPN3 exclusives like our game with North Texas).

I absolutely agree it is confusing and should've/could've been explained better and communicate more widely. I found out that all simulcasts are gone and not just in prime windows as a result of searching FAQs because of your issues. If I have to do that kind of digging, how is a lay person to know what's going on?

UpSan Bobcat
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Location: Upper Sandusky, OH
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RE: No More ESPN3 for Cable Cutters

Posted: 8/31/2013 8:22:47 PM

Any suggestions for me for tomorrow? I may be somewhere without espn and don't have watch espn access as a DirecTV subscriber.

L.C.
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RE: No More ESPN3 for Cable Cutters

Posted: 9/1/2013 10:52:52 PM

Well, I discovered today that I no longer have access to Watch ESPN. The ISP that I used to get access through, Windstream, apparently has stopped including it, and my new home ISP, Time Warner also does not include it since I don't have cable TV service. This seems a bit strange since if I had Cable, why would I want to watch it on the internet?

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

UpSan Bobcat
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Location: Upper Sandusky, OH
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RE: No More ESPN3 for Cable Cutters

Posted: 9/2/2013 10:57:57 AM

L.C. wrote:

L.C., WatchESPN is accessible based on your cable provider, so if you don't have cable at all, you won't get it anymore. ESPN3 is based on your Internet provider but it is basically just exclusive broadcasts (things not shown on ESPN TV networks). Time Warner Cable does give you access to ESPN3 and you should be able to watch this week's game with it but not next week's against North Texas.

L.C.
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RE: No More ESPN3 for Cable Cutters

Posted: 9/2/2013 2:17:41 PM

UpSan Bobcat wrote:

L.C., WatchESPN is accessible based on your cable provider, so if you don't have cable at all, you won't get it anymore. ESPN3 is based on your Internet provider ...

I have never had cable, but my other ISP did give me access to ESPN, however they seem to have dropped it this year. I will have to check and see if I can get ESPN3.

Last Edited: 9/2/2013 2:18:35 PM by L.C.

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

anorris
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Location: Bristol, CT
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RE: No More ESPN3 for Cable Cutters

Posted: 9/6/2013 9:40:08 PM

L.C. wrote:

UpSan Bobcat wrote:

L.C., WatchESPN is accessible based on your cable provider, so if you don't have cable at all, you won't get it anymore. ESPN3 is based on your Internet provider ...

I have never had cable, but my other ISP did give me access to ESPN, however they seem to have dropped it this year. I will have to check and see if I can get ESPN3.

LC, knowing you're a couple time zones west as well, I wonder if you aren't experiencing the same issue regarding simulcasting, which has ended this year.

L.C.
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Location: United States
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RE: No More ESPN3 for Cable Cutters

Posted: 9/6/2013 11:57:43 PM

No, it''s not a time zone problem. In years past Windstream, which I have at the office, gave me access to ESPN3, but this year they no longer do. I have Time Warner at home, but for internet and phone only, and they only provide access to people with cable service.

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

UpSan Bobcat
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Location: Upper Sandusky, OH
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RE: No More ESPN3 for Cable Cutters

Posted: 9/7/2013 1:41:09 AM

L.C. wrote:

Based on the information you provide, I think it might just be the change in ESPN policies as far as what is broadcast on ESPN3. ESPN3 doesn't give people access to games that actually are on TV anymore, only to games that exclusively are on ESPN3. If you have Time Warner Cable Internet, you should get ESPN3, but what is shown on ESPN 3 is much more limited than it used to be. TV games now are on Watch ESPN only. Getting Watch ESPN is based on your TV provider.

anorris
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Location: Bristol, CT
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RE: No More ESPN3 for Cable Cutters

Posted: 9/7/2013 1:25:00 PM

Time Warner is actually the only ISP that imposes that restriction requiring TV service for ESPN3 access. Between that and their blackouts of networks at every other negotiation, how is anybody on their side over such disputes (as with CBS recently).

perimeterpost
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Member Since: 7/6/2010
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RE: No More ESPN3 for Cable Cutters

Posted: 9/7/2013 2:02:25 PM

A couple of years ago when we played Rutgers a fan on one of their boards was angry at Comcast for something to do with ESPN3 so he was openly sharing his log in info on the board and on his facebook page. Apparently there is no limit to how many times an account can be used.

I got on his email list and he would send out updated usernames and passwords when he changed them. I had free ESPN3 for a year.

Find a friend or family member who has the right combo and see if they will let you borrow their username and password.

MY STATE. MY TEAM.

Brian Smith (No, not that one)
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Member Since: 2/3/2005
Post Count: 3,016

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RE: No More ESPN3 for Cable Cutters

Posted: 9/7/2013 3:29:34 PM

anorris wrote:

They are the Walter White of cable companies. But like Mr. White, their actual product is superior to my other options, so I keep buying their reliable high speed internet and snorting it into my brain.

Bobcat110
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Location: Mount Gilead, OH
Post Count: 706

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RE: No More ESPN3 for Cable Cutters

Posted: 9/7/2013 3:49:18 PM

perimeterpost wrote:

Find a friend or family member who has the right combo and see if they will let you borrow their username and password.

Anyone?

The Pessimist
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Member Since: 3/12/2005
Location: Allentown, PA
Post Count: 145

Status: Offline

RE: No More ESPN3 for Cable Cutters

Posted: 9/7/2013 10:32:12 PM

As much as we dislike TWC, Comcast, Cox, ATT, Verizon, etc... please do not pirate their work.

There are a number of ways to watch ESPN content legally. Sports bar. Friend's house. Your office (yeah, boss, I'm that dedicated!). Or a gym.

The wife watches more ESPN at the gym these days than I ever did at home, and it only costs $10/mo.

$30 for ESPN a la carte, my (still out of shape) ass.

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