Revisited: How to watch OOM Flames games

[jmerkel3d]

Hey everyone, never started a thread before so please let me know if this belongs somewhere else. But there is such a wealth of knowledge on this board and I'm constantly surprised by the generosity and know-how, so I wanted to throw this out there.

I'm a diehard flames fan in BC. I find a way to watch every game - legal or otherwise - but of course prefer watching the SN broadcasts whenever possible. However, my dad recently moved to BC and I'm desperately trying to figure out a way to get him past the blackouts, perhaps with a VPN on his TV. I'm just wondering if anybody has any advice on this process or anything that has worked for them. I know some of the big VPNs don't have Calgary servers, which also poses some problems, but I'm not too familiar with how blackouts work, and it wouldn't surprise me if people in other markets have better access to flames games than people in BC. Many thanks in advance CP!

Sent from my Pixel 6a using Tapatalk

[LokiMotion]

Sportsnet plus premium gives you all oom games. No vpn required. Now its a spotty service and overpriced as heck, but its the only legal option for now.

But there's always iptv (many don't require a box if you have a smart tv). Cheaper and you get all channels. But also grey market and can technically get cut off without warning.

Those two would probably be the easiest for you dad to navigate I imagine.

[bigrangy]

Originally Posted by LokiMotion

Sportsnet plus premium gives you all oom games. No vpn required. Now its a spotty service and overpriced as heck, but its the only legal option for now.

This used to be the case until ####in sportsnet sold out the Monday games to ####ing amazon

So you need prime as well if you want the monday games.

[EldrickOnIce]

If he is considering Sportsnet+ Premium, should buy soon as I believe there is a significant price increase sometime in early/mid September

[SoulOfTheFlame]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

If he is considering Sportsnet+ Premium, should buy soon as I believe there is a significant price increase sometime in early/mid September

If you buy now do you get a cheaper rate for the whole year??

[getbak]

Originally Posted by SoulOfTheFlame

If you buy now do you get a cheaper rate for the whole year??

Yes, the annual price now is $249.99 and goes up by $75 next Tuesday.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

if you have a cable subscription with a normal Sportsnet package you can add on the NHL Center Ice package.

If you're in BC, you will then get all the Flames games that are run nationally on the various SNET channels. When games aren't run nationally, you will then find them on the NHL Center channels.

Been doing this for about 15-16 years and have never not had access to a Flames game.

I'm on Shaw(or Rogers or whatever it's called now), and I purchase their premium sports package which includes NHL Center Ice, the NBA Package and time shift channels(Eastern stations) and it's like $40 per month. I believe you can buy the NHL Center ice on its own, to tune of like $240 for the season or something like that.

As an out of market Flames fan who wants to watch all games, it's a purchase I never think twice about.

[manwiches]

I have cut cable for 12 years. I refuse to give any of those crooks a dime.

MOD EDIT: Removed

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by getbak

Yes, the annual price now is $249.99 and goes up by $75 next Tuesday.

I feel like a complete moron. Why didn't I think of this, just re-subscribe in the next week using my wife's email.

[taxbuster]

I’m in BC, with a satellite package from Bell…registered to a Calgary address. (The satellite has no idea where you are.) I get all Flames games, albeit at a price.

I also use VPN when not at home.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by manwiches

I have cut cable for 12 years. I refuse to give any of those crooks a dime.

MOD EDIT: Removed

Who’s the crook?

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by troutman

Who’s the crook?

Oh the irony

[kermitology]

You could do what I do, and just stop watching hockey all together. It's done wonders for my mental health not following hockey so strictly.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by kermitology

You could do what I do, and just stop watching hockey all together. It's done wonders for my mental health not following hockey so strictly.

If you are happier for that - that's great.
But the alternative is finding a way to enjoy the sport without it causing issues with your mental health.
Otherwise it's a shame to have to give up following the sport altogether.

[manwiches]

Originally Posted by kermitology

You could do what I do, and just stop watching hockey all together. It's done wonders for my mental health not following hockey so strictly.

I say this, but then I look at the calendar on any given day, and if my kid isn't playing hockey, i'm turning it on in favor of Peppa Pig for my toddler. lol

[jmerkel3d]

Thank you everybody for the insights! I think the center ice package might be the best option (and easiest since my dad can't handle anything technical!)

Appreciate you CP!

Sent from my Pixel 6a using Tapatalk

[kermitology]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

If you are happier for that - that's great.
But the alternative is finding a way to enjoy the sport without it causing issues with your mental health.
Otherwise it's a shame to have to give up following the sport altogether.

It's two fold - one is that paying such close attention isn't good for me, but the ultimate reason is that the NHL hates it's fans. Sportsnet+ is a complete rip off for Canadian fans and this is monopolistic and garbage. I looked back at my NHL.tv price versus the upcoming Sportsnet+ price (you have to go premium) and I think it's nearly double what it once was.

All for sub-par production from Sportsnet. I don't see the value in being a fan of the NHL these days.

[Hells Bells]

MOD EDIT: Removed

[cam_calderon]

Originally Posted by kermitology

You could do what I do, and just stop watching hockey all together. It's done wonders for my mental health not following hockey so strictly.

Why are you on a hockey forum bragging about not watching hockey?

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by kermitology

It's two fold - one is that paying such close attention isn't good for me, but the ultimate reason is that the NHL hates it's fans. Sportsnet+ is a complete rip off for Canadian fans and this is monopolistic and garbage. I looked back at my NHL.tv price versus the upcoming Sportsnet+ price (you have to go premium) and I think it's nearly double what it once was.

All for sub-par production from Sportsnet. I don't see the value in being a fan of the NHL these days.

Ultimately if you are happier that's all that matter.
And I don't disagree that there is a lot that could be done to improve the product, and would love to see them invest more in that.
But on the other hand, I remember not being able to watch most of the Flames games. So the fact that we basically can get access to every game, and that if you are a fan of another team, you have options to get those games - is pretty amazing to me. And yes - that comes at a cost. We all decide if it's worth it or not.

To me it is.