So on January 1 those of us cable subscribers to Time Warner are no longer able to receive our Buffalo Sabre game broadcasts due to a contract squabble between Time Warner and Madison Square Garden Productions (MSG Network). In addition, hockey fans in Buffalo and WNY are no longer able to receive NY Ranger, NJ Devils, NY Islander, or NY Knick games either.
First of all with regard to the NYC area teams. I don’t care that I can’t see them because I never did watch them in the first place. I don’t live in NYC, don’t plan to live in NYC, and have never been a fan of those teams as well. OK so the Rangers are having a good year ( it’s still only February blueshirt fans), the Devils are a tease, the Islanders haven’t won anything since Mike Bossy was snapping in 50+ goals every season and Billy Smith was practicing his lumberjack skills on opposing forwards, and the Knicks, well…? Despite Spike Lee sitting courtside (a la Jack Nicholson in LA) they haven’t won since Willis Reed patrolled the paint.
On to the Sabres. Before the NYC people get all over any Buffalo teams (you guys haven’t won anything…. ever) the fans and press made everyone think that the Sabres were going to be a contender this year. Look at all the predictions in the preseason and how high everyone was when they returned from opening the season in Europe. But since Miller got rolled over by Lucic in November (would have like to see him do that to Billy Smith), they are in disarray. The party is over for Lindy and it’s time to tear down and retool the team. As a lifelong Sabre fan from 1970 (and season ticket holder till ’77) I don’t care that I can’t see the games. I stopped watching way before. Now I keep track of their progress on my iPhone. I know when and if they score and how much they lost by without missing something more interesting on TV (although you can get the MSG feed via Sweden on the internet!)
But my real beef with Time Warner is this: how about a discount on my monthly bill? And don’t tell me that you added extra sports packages in lieu of Sabre games. I got Time Warner because you had Sabre coverage. If I would have wanted the other stuff I would have got it. Are you deducting the premium payments of those customers who did sign up for the channels you are giving us for free?? I think no!
So I continue to grumble about no Sabre coverage and the fact that Time Warner and MSG continue to point fingers at each other and act like two 5 year olds. Both of you grow up and get the people what they want.
only in Buffalo….
buffalogrumblings 