Gamecenter Live 2016 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Chonger · 09-20-2016, 01:41 PM

Its that time of the year again where I gotta figure out where im gonna watch all my Flames games this season. I am leaning towards rogers gamecenter live but have trouble finding any definitive answers on there site and even reddit.
I see there is still in-market blackouts and live in Saskatchewan. So that means blackouts for Flames/Oilers and Jets games I believe unless someone can correct me on that.
I also read that you can no longer use a vpn for getting around blackouts. You lose your subscription and get fined $100. Is this true? Or is it just an empty threat? Cause there is no point in me getting it if this is the case.
Do they leave me no other options to watch Flames games legally without cable? Please help me out. PM me if you cant post an answer on this forum.

Thanks in advance

Ps also posted this in tech thread but imagine ill get more answers from here

Superflyer · 09-20-2016, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chonger

I also read that you can no longer use a vpn for getting around blackouts. You lose your subscription and get fined $100. Is this true? Or is it just an empty threat? Cause there is no point in me getting it if this is the case.

How would they fine you? I would like to know how they would make that stand up.

DownhillGoat · 09-20-2016, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chonger

I see there is still in-market blackouts and live in Saskatchewan. So that means blackouts for Flames/Oilers and Jets games I believe unless someone can correct me on that.

It should mean TO games are blacked out, not CGY/EDM. Lots of Jets will be blacked out due to their regional broadcast contract as far as I know.

CliffFletcher · 09-20-2016, 02:15 PM

To piggback on this thread, if I get Gamecentre are all Flames broadcasts blacked out, or only some?

puckedoff · 09-20-2016, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

To piggback on this thread, if I get Gamecentre are all Flames broadcasts blacked out, or only some?

Most. (Assuming you live in Calgary). I had it last year, and honestly IMO without a VPN its not worth it if you are looking to watch the local team.

I don't know the price for GCL this year, but I went instead with 'SportsnetNow' which is $25/month and lets me watch Blue Jays as well (at least until they are eliminated from playoffs. But thats another thread). Can watch Flames and Oilers games on SportsnetNow apparently (without VPN).

Chonger · 09-20-2016, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

It should mean TO games are blacked out, not CGY/EDM. Lots of Jets will be blacked out due to their regional broadcast contract as far as I know.

I dont think you live in Sask. CGY/EDM/JETS are all blacked out

DownhillGoat · 09-20-2016, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chonger

I dont think you live in Sask. CGY/EDM/JETS are all blacked out

Sure don't but most of my family does, one of which is a huge Leafs fan. And every season he complains that he's in the TO blackout region for Gamecenter. Maybe he's doing something wrong, or its split in different regions in Sask.

Doesn't help you at all but you just made him happy.

FlamingHomer · 09-20-2016, 04:56 PM

Will it run well if internet speed is around 30mbps download and 5 upload? Am I even going to be able to get access in a foreign country?

iggy_oi · 09-20-2016, 06:16 PM

Sportsnet Now has no blackouts and you'll get all games covered by sportsnet

Edit: what puckedoff said

Chonger · 09-20-2016, 07:01 PM

Sportsnet Now only lets you watch 58 regular season flames games for about the same cost as a year of GCL for the season. Except you wont be able to watch all playoff games like GCL.
So the NHL gives you no reasonably priced and legal option to watch all your teams games in a season. This is ridiculous. This drives me nuts. Trying to figure out how you can watch hockey for the season without cable shouldnt be this hard. Will they ever give the people the complete product they want?

iggy_oi · 09-21-2016, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chonger

Sportsnet Now only lets you watch 58 regular season flames games for about the same cost as a year of GCL for the season. Except you wont be able to watch all playoff games like GCL.
So the NHL gives you no reasonably priced and legal option to watch all your teams games in a season. This is ridiculous. This drives me nuts. Trying to figure out how you can watch hockey for the season without cable shouldnt be this hard. Will they ever give the people the complete product they want?

I believe all the games not shown on sportsnet now are the Cbc HNIC games, which are available to stream through the Cbc sports app

Chonger · 09-21-2016, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iggy_oi

I believe all the games not shown on sportsnet now are the Cbc HNIC games, which are available to stream through the Cbc sports app

I guess that makes sportnet now the best legal option then if true. Id do GCL with vpn if I wasnt scared of getting my account terminated. Sucks CBC doesnt stream from website anymore. With no tablet I can only watch on my phone which sucks.

iggy_oi · 09-21-2016, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chonger

I guess that makes sportnet now the best legal option then if true. Id do GCL with vpn if I wasnt scared of getting my account terminated. Sucks CBC doesnt stream from website anymore. With no tablet I can only watch on my phone which sucks.

Do you have an AppleTV? If so just mirror off your iPhone. Some smart tvs might be able to do this aswell. I have a dumb tv but the mirroring quality on it through the Apple TV is great.

EldrickOnIce · 09-22-2016, 06:24 AM

I can only speak for last year, but the NHL.tv addon for Kodi allowed you to watch all games, without blackout, with your NHL.tv/Gamecenter Live subscription, and includes archives games in full, condensed and 10 minute highlight package - all in as good quality as you will ever get streamed.
Obviously, there is no way to know if blackouts will be in effect this year, until the season begins.
Good luck with whatever you choose, and you are 100% correct - it's garbage that no package is offered to stream the games you actually want.

nfotiu · 09-23-2016, 09:26 AM

How was GCL late last year quality wise after MLBAM took over and I assume worked out some bugs.. Every year, I try it, but have never been satisfied. It never had a smooth enough frame rate to watch hockey for my eyes. Is it improved enough that it makes for a satisfying experience on a 50 inch tv yet?

billybob123 · 09-23-2016, 11:29 AM

I found it got better and more stable - I was enraged during the changeover because nothing worked. It was unwatchable on computer and on tablet. Once March hit, it seemed to work unless the internet was slow, and it seemed to switch to the best quality quickly once speed returned.

I'm still debating buying this year, though. I had been using the paid overseas version; it became such a hassle since the native rogers app had no way to login with NHL.com password. If I do it again this year, I think I'll bite the bullet and buy the Rogers version; it's way more expensive, though.