Directv fans in Sacramento. Please help!

[sacvalley530]

Hi fellow King's fans,

I can not for the life of me figure out how to watch the Kings games on Directv in the Sacramento market (and Directv cannot either). I have the sports package and get channel 698 (csn California), but the Kings game come on channel 698-1 (csn California-alternate), and that channel said I could not watch yesterday's game. Can anyone else in the Sacramento market with Directv help? Thanks!

 

[KingsFanSince85]

I've had DTV for many years and I have not and do not have any issues receiving 698-1, also known as 698+.

My first question is, does the channel tell you that the program is blacked out or do you simply get a 771 error (or something like that)?

Since you've stated that you are in the Sacramento area, you shouldn't be subjected to blackout. But perhaps you are in a fringe area between Sacramento and the Bay area (where it would be blacked out)? I've seen situations like that. It's all dependent upon your zip code.

Do you have the HD package? Are you able to view the 698 HD channel or is it the 698 SD channel? 698-1 is strictly an HD channel with no SD alternative so if they don't have you set up for HD programming, you won't be able to view it.

Also, I don't know if you just had it installed or not, but it could be an alignment thing too (e.g. error 771). There are several different satellites involved and if you are just a bit out of alignment, you can have situations where some channels won't work while many others do. Typically you see issues with the HD channels first.

Give me some further detail and I'll try to help.

 

[sacvalley530]

Thanks for the reply!

I get a 721 error and am told to call to upgrade to receive the channel (not the blackout information screen). I do have HD programming, and I get 698 and in HD. I did just get it installed in the last 6 months but this is the first issue.

Also, I am currently on the fringe of of Sacramento and the Bay Area, so maybe that is the problem? Although, I only get local Sacramento channels and not Bay Area.

 

[Hoovtrain]

You will need to upgrade your package...I had to in order to ensure I would get Kings game. Cable/Direct TV is such a racket

 

[Section 101]

You will need to upgrade your package...I had to in order to ensure I would get Kings game. Cable/Direct TV is such a racket

Yep what package are you subbed? 698-1 requires HD

 

[KingsFanSince85]

I think Hoovtrain is on the right track. If you're not getting the blackout notification, then it's something with your programming.While you seem to have HD, it might not be the right HD package.

If I were you I'd call back and ask to be escalated to a SR. Tech rep or someone that really knows what they are dealing with/talking about. Unfortunately, you've got to get through the wave of tier 1 reps that read from a script and will have you rebooting your unit -- again. Tell them no thanks and please transfer me to a SR. tech immediately because you've been dealing with this issue for a while.

And I'd also ask for some type of compensation for all your time and trouble spent calling in for something you should already have access to. Press them on it and they'll do something for you. You probably already have the NFL package for free, see if they'll do something with the NBA package so you can watch other games for little to nothing. Worst case, get them to credit your bill.

 

[Hoovtrain]

Yep what package are you subbed? 698-1 requires HD

I have the Choice package . I believe that should cover 698-1 for the OP. But when you call in make sure you specify you want the package that will include Kings games...and as section mentioned above make sure you have HD lol