Okay,

For those in the know, Comcast SportsNet Philly has been a problem for a LONG, LONG time. It's delivered via microwave so it managed to loophole its way out of the must-carry rules and that keeps it off satellite.

However, I just recently noticed that Verizon's FiOS TV has this, including the HD version, in the Philly/South Jersey market.

If they have it, clearly it can be had outside a cable market.

Anyone have any idea how this came about and if there's a new way to make a push to get it? In this area the Philly teams are huge and not having Comcast SportsNet keeps a shocking number of people from getting DirecTV.

I used to work for TV Guide and when we produced their guide I had access to some of their demographic data. When you looked at DirecTV's ability to convert customers there was this HUGE whole in the Philly market and this is why. I worry that DirecTV has forgotten about this one. They used to be aware of how important it was but it was out of reach to them. Clearly something has changed.

Verizon takes a fiber feed right into their system. D* can't do that and relies on sat distribution, therefore a no go for Directv. Without an act of Congress or a total change by Comcast, you will NOT see CSN or CSN-HD on Directv for a LONG time.

Here's the question there. Why can't DirecTV get the signal the same way they're processing the local broadcast networks? Get the feed from Comcast as does Verizon and then send it up as they do with the locals?

Here's the question there. Why can't DirecTV get the signal the same way they're processing the local broadcast networks? Get the feed from Comcast as does Verizon and then send it up as they do with the locals?

I'm sure D* would have no problem taking a fiber feed of CSN Philly. The problem is that the law does not require CSN Philly to allow D* to broadcast their channel. As long as this loophole exists Comcast is not going to allow CSN Philly on either of the Sat companies.