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Me on the Mets: "Regional Coverage" says FOX? (update at end)

May 24, 2010 - Richard Rosentreter

OK, the Mets took two out of three in the Subway Series — it was nice to win those games against the local rival Yankees, but there’s still a lot of season to go, and the Mets are still not a playoff-bound team.
    What was most upsetting during the series though was this thing the major networks call “regional coverage.” On Saturday, FOX aired the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies game rather than the NEW YORK METS versus the NEW YORK YANKEES (caps for impact).
    No offense to Boston fans, as there are many in the North Country who were giddy their team was on TV, but am I the only one who is baffled by the network’s logic of not airing a game in New York featuring two New York teams?
    I’m not going to try to explain nor investigate how this happened — and I’m sure the network executives have a “good” PR-type answer. Maybe there’s no technical way to have had NY vs. NY in our region and have Boston aired ONLY in the “actual” New England region.
    I understand that parts of upstate New York are actually considered New England and the Mets and Yankees were certainly aired downstate. But where is that "regional" cutoff line exactly according to the network?
    Perhaps the next time these two teams play, FOX will consider having REAL regional coverage in the state of New York by airing its two teams.
    I’m sure there were many Mets and Yankees fans — including myself — who turned off their televisions or changed the channel when they saw FOX’s take on “regional coverage.” But hey, at least I was able to “watch” an update every minute on my computer.
    The issue will not end here though, as I am contacting FOX to inquire as to how New York vs. New York did not air in all of New York state. I’m just curious now — and need to know in advance as the Mets meet the Yankees again in June.
    For those who are equally curious, visit FOX’s feedback site at http://msn.foxsports.com/ ... there’s a part that says “message subject.” Hit that, then below it, find under the section TV a subject “MLB on FOX.”
    Below that, it reads “To better address your concerns, please include the zip code and station/channel from where the program you are commenting on was viewed.”
    Then go ahead and say that you would rather watch the Mets versus Yankees than the Boston Red Sox. Maybe if enough complaints come in, New York will see New York.

UPDATE:

   On Monday, I sent FOX a comment on the aforementioned site in regard to regional coverage. I received an e-mailed verification that my question had been received. As of Thursday, I have yet to receive an answer...

Here is the text of my question to FOX:

    I live in upstate New York (Lake Placid, Essex County) and was deeply upset when I saw FOX's MLB game of the week was the Boston Red Sox vs. Phila. Phillies rather than the New York Mets vs. New York Yankees. I realize upstate NY is considered "New England" and the network subscribes to the regional coverage philosophy, BUT I live in New York. and there are mainly NEW YORK fans in NY. Could you further explain the technical end of regional coverage. Perhaps the network is not capable of a more defined breakdown in coverage areas? The same problem occurs during hockey season when the Boston Bruins are given preference over the New York Rangers... that I didn't get as upset over... with baseball it's NY vs. NY.I live in NY, and I most of the baseball fans in this area are either Mets or Yankees fans. The two teams play again in June. Not sure if FOX has the rights.. but will the same thing happen, so I don;t plan on watching baseball on FOX that particular day? Thanks for your help!

 

 
 

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