Home Teams, FOX Attitude--unless...

The "Basketball for Thought" is a commentary by Kris Gardner.

February 1999

I am one of the dwindling few people who own a big satellite dish. The small dishes are taking over because they're cheaper and offer digital quality. Enough with the promos, FOX Sports has decided to remove their regional sports channels from the C-band (big dish) solely to the small dish. This is where my story begins.

Dec. 29th I received notification from my satellite program provider that FOX Sports, effective Jan. 1st, were combining channels (Southwest, Detroit, Rocky Mountain, Arizona, Pittsburgh) into 2 channels.

The reason FOX provided for the change was to "avoid duplicate programming". To make matters worse, the letter stated FOX would air the "best matchups" on these 2 channels. (Gee, it sure is nice of FOX to decide what games I can watch.)

FOX Sports Direct is planning to gradually move all their regional sports channels to the digital and smaller satellite dishes. The move should be completed by the start of next year.

FOX, can make any business decision(s) they see fit; however, I don't appreciate the short notice nor the inability to voice my complaint.

Next, the Spurs and Rockets pre - season matchup at Compaq Center was aired locally on FOX Sports Southwest; unfortunately, I could not watch it because, I suppose, it was not the "best matchup" that evening.

Jan. 29th, as I tuned to watch the Cleveland Cavaliers pre - game show, I noticed it wasn't on the tv. I don't just mean the show, I mean the channel (Ohio) was gone. An on - screen message stated as of Jan. 29th, Ohio and Bay Area were combining to form one channel. How great: instead of 2 days notice, I received a few hours. Once again, thanks for the notice, FOX.

I placed some calls to inquire and complain. I talked with a woman named Polly at FOX Sports Net. The receptionist transferred me to Polly saying Polly "will answer all your questions". Not even close.

Polly gave me the run around first telling me the decision to switch to digital wasn't FOX's decision but my satellite programmer's decision. I tried to tell her I would just like an explanation on the lack of notice to all the C-band users and how we were, for lack of a better word, being screwed. Polly told me it was a business decision and it didn't do me any good to complain. I realize I'm fighting a losing battle; but, I believe I should have a choice in how I spend my money.

Polly then told me FOX "wasn't going to send out notices to millions of customers" informing them of FOX's decision. Now, that's what I call poor customer relations! She put me on hold. When she returned, I asked for her name and the name of her supervisor. She refused to give me her name. (I obtained her name from another employee). She asked me why I wanted her name. I informed her I wanted to have it in case I needed to contact her again. She refused citing her "personal privacy".

I can purchase a small dish; however, other people who live in rural areas where the small dish may not be effective will be out of luck in the future if they want to watch sports.

Way to go FOX. Way to snub your customers.

One more thing, for all you Rockets' fans who own small dishes -- they don't offer Rockets pay-per-view.