Locally Televised sporting events uplink

[Chicago2008 22]

Good afternoon,

I would like to know if locally televised sporting events such as those on CSN,WGN, ETC are microwaved or satellited back? I ask this because the United Center,Wrigley Field, and Comiskey park (now called Cellular Field) have fixed Microwaves. Thank's.

[Viper550 292]

I know for a fact that CSN Philly does not use any satellite uplinks at all. That's how they were able to prevent competing providers from carrying it through that terrestrial loophole.

[ToriElectra 292]

Yeah, they inherited that from PRISM, and then decided to use it to try and keep DBS away from their Philly stronghold (though FiOS has moved in).

[Bars-n-tone 39]

 

I know for a fact that CSN Philly does not use any satellite uplinks at all. That's how they were able to prevent competing providers from carrying it through that terrestrial loophole.

 

The away games are sent back to CSN via satellite.

[Chicago2008 22]

 

The away games are sent back to CSN via satellite.

 

Of course they would for away games, but what about home games?

[ProButtonPusher 230]

This is a tough one to answer, unless you're very specific about which team and/or stadium -- it could be microwave, satellite or fiber. It is probably dependent on the relationship with the team/broadcaster, the technology that the head engineers prefer, distance from the stadium to the studio/broadcaster, the terrain of the surrounding area, and possibly countless other variables.

[caliwxdude 254]

For San Francisco Giants games, Comcast has a fiber link between AT&T Park and CSN master control. During the FSN Bay Area days, they would use a mix of satellite and fiber backhaul for the HD feed, which meant that some games were not available in HD on DirecTV or Dish Network thanks to that terrestrial loophole thing. I think that went away when CSN Bay Area moved into their current broadcast facility and they went full-time HD.

[Bars-n-tone 39]

CSN Philly has a fiber link to Citizen's Bank Park (and Lincoln Financial Field, even though CSN does not broadcast NFL games). As for hockey and basketball home games, well, they are right in the building.

[Chicago2008 22]

I don't know what CSN and WGN do in Chicago for home games, I imagine the away games are satellited back. I also know that the United Center,Cellular field, and Wrigley field have fixed microwaves so they might use those?