(09-10-2026 07:03 AM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  Much less television exposure for the MAC in Week 2. All times Eastern, and all games on ESPN+ unless noted.

Wofford at Kent State, noon.
Holy Cross at Miami, 1 p.m.
Colgate at Central Michigan, 1 p.m.
Stony Brook at Ball State, 2 p.m.
Robert Morris at Akron, 3:30 p.m.
Sacred Heart at Massachusetts, 3:30 p.m.
Central Connecticut at Toledo, 3:30 p.m.
Eastern Michigan at Michigan State, 3:30 p.m., Big Ten Network
Jacksonville State at Ohio, 6 p.m.
Buffalo at Florida International, 6 p.m.
Monmouth at Western Michigan, 6:30 p.m.
Bowling Green at Nebraska, 7 p.m., Fox Sports 1
Sacramento State at Fresno State, 10:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network

For anyone with DirecTV (dish) and the sports pack, you can see a number of ESPN Plus games using their auxiliary channels.

Don't like starting a new thread for this, but coverage has expanded with Western Mass News. I've added them to my subscribe YouTube list with Springfield Channel 22.

Quote:WGGB UMass Game Day(WGGB)
By Western Mass News staff
Published: Sep. 8, 2026 at 5:51 PM EDT
(WGGB/WSHM) -- Western Mass News is a proud sponsor of UMass Athletics and we’re giving you the keys to the game with exclusive team access, interviews with coaches, and inside information.

Tune in to UMass Game Day at the following dates and times:

Saturday, September 12

11:30 a.m. on ABC40
1 p.m. on CBS 3
Saturday, September 19

11:30 a.m. on ABC40
12:30 p.m. on CBS 3
Friday, October 23

6:30 p.m. on FOX 6
Friday, November 6

4:30 p.m. on ABC40, FOX 6, and CBS 3

First show:
https://www.westernmassnews.com/2026/09/...-game-day/

Not to create a new post but Channel 22 in Springfield has lots of coverage, seen things mentioned on Channel 5 Boston and this one from NBC Channel 10 Boston.
Hope this with the ESPN2 games for Western Michigan and Sac State on their future schedule has to be positive towards media negotiations.

Specifically posting this one because it specifically shows the terrace viewing area and the new counter tops, that where added with the Ribbon Video boards and the ADA bump out area, which is scheduled to be finished by the MAC home opener.
https://www.nbcboston.com/video/news/loc...h/4018913/

I'm awaiting week 4 TV. MANY good games hosted by MAC teams.

We just announced our UMass game time along with the rest of the times and channels from the league office:

https://hornetsports.com/news/2026/9/14/...-6-pm.aspx

UNLV @ Akron, 12:00pm ET on ESPN+
Ball State @ Kent State, 12:00pm ET on ESPN+
SDSU @ Toledo, 12 :00pm ET on CBSSN
Lindenwood @ Eastern Michigan, 1 :00pm ET on ESPN+
Robert Morris @ Buffalo, 3:30pm ET on ESPN+ – previously announced
UConn @ Miami, 3:30pm ET on ESPN+
Stonehill @ Ohio, 3:30pm ET on ESPN+ - previously announced
Boise State @ Western Michigan, 3:30pm ET on ESPN2 or 4:00pm ET on ESPNU
South Florida @ Bowling Green, 5:00pm ET on ESPN+
UMass @ Sacramento State, 9:00pm ET/6:00pm PT on ESPN+

(09-14-2026 12:33 PM)SactoHornetAlum Wrote:  We just announced our UMass game time along with the rest of the times and channels from the league office:

https://hornetsports.com/news/2026/9/14/...-6-pm.aspx

UNLV @ Akron, 12:00pm ET on ESPN+
Ball State @ Kent State, 12:00pm ET on ESPN+
SDSU @ Toledo, 12 :00pm ET on CBSSN
Lindenwood @ Eastern Michigan, 1 :00pm ET on ESPN+
Robert Morris @ Buffalo, 3:30pm ET on ESPN+ – previously announced
UConn @ Miami, 3:30pm ET on ESPN+
Stonehill @ Ohio, 3:30pm ET on ESPN+ - previously announced
Boise State @ Western Michigan, 3:30pm ET on ESPN2 or 4:00pm ET on ESPNU
South Florida @ Bowling Green, 5:00pm ET on ESPN+
UMass @ Sacramento State, 9:00pm ET/6:00pm PT on ESPN+

Good we have TWO games on ESPN2/U and CBSSN.

And if I may, ESPN is getting its money's worth. UConn / MIA will get some eyeballs. UMass/Sac State will too.

It seems that ESPN has a model whereby instead of having say 1M viewers for one game they can get 1M by adding up say 4 games such as the two on ESPN/CBSSN plus a few ESPN+ games. And this can apparently be done more easily these days.

" Yes — Nielsen does get viewership data directly from providers like DirecTV, DISH, Comcast, and others. But they do not simply take raw provider numbers as “ratings.” Instead, they integrate anonymized set‑top‑box (STB) and smart‑TV data into their measurement system and calibrate it against their traditional panel." Source: AI

(09-14-2026 12:33 PM)SactoHornetAlum Wrote:  We just announced our UMass game time along with the rest of the times and channels from the league office:

https://hornetsports.com/news/2026/9/14/...-6-pm.aspx

UNLV @ Akron, 12:00pm ET on ESPN+
Ball State @ Kent State, 12:00pm ET on ESPN+
SDSU @ Toledo, 12 :00pm ET on CBSSN
Lindenwood @ Eastern Michigan, 1 :00pm ET on ESPN+
Robert Morris @ Buffalo, 3:30pm ET on ESPN+ – previously announced
UConn @ Miami, 3:30pm ET on ESPN+
Stonehill @ Ohio, 3:30pm ET on ESPN+ - previously announced
Boise State @ Western Michigan, 3:30pm ET on ESPN2 or 4:00pm ET on ESPNU
South Florida @ Bowling Green, 5:00pm ET on ESPN+
UMass @ Sacramento State, 9:00pm ET/6:00pm PT on ESPN+

Ok, I aborted youtube TV. What are different ways to get CBS Sports Net? Its infrequent....maybe I just do some free trial

(09-16-2026 08:09 AM)indianasniff Wrote:  

(09-14-2026 12:33 PM)SactoHornetAlum Wrote:  We just announced our UMass game time along with the rest of the times and channels from the league office:

https://hornetsports.com/news/2026/9/14/...-6-pm.aspx

UNLV @ Akron, 12:00pm ET on ESPN+
Ball State @ Kent State, 12:00pm ET on ESPN+
SDSU @ Toledo, 12 :00pm ET on CBSSN
Lindenwood @ Eastern Michigan, 1 :00pm ET on ESPN+
Robert Morris @ Buffalo, 3:30pm ET on ESPN+ – previously announced
UConn @ Miami, 3:30pm ET on ESPN+
Stonehill @ Ohio, 3:30pm ET on ESPN+ - previously announced
Boise State @ Western Michigan, 3:30pm ET on ESPN2 or 4:00pm ET on ESPNU
South Florida @ Bowling Green, 5:00pm ET on ESPN+
UMass @ Sacramento State, 9:00pm ET/6:00pm PT on ESPN+

Ok, I aborted youtube TV. What are different ways to get CBS Sports Net? Its infrequent....maybe I just do some free trial

You can find a pirated stream. Oddly enough outside of that YouTube TV $44.99/mo sports package would probably be your best option. I suppose you can just go to a local bar to watch as well.

Here is the lineup for this week. All times Eastern. ESPN+ unless noted.

Akron at Minnesota, noon, Big Ten Network.
Bowling Green at Iowa State, noon, ESPNU.
Kent State at Ohio State, noon, Fox.
Buffalo at Penn State, noon, Big Ten Network.
Eastern Michigan at Wisconsin, 12:30 p.m., Peacock.
Wyoming at Central Michigan, 1 p.m.
Temple at Toledo, 3 p.m., CBS Sports Network.
Miami versus Cincinnati, TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, 3:30 p.m.
Stonehill at Massachusetts, 3:30 p.m.
Ball State at Liberty, 4 p.m.
Western Michigan at Rice, 7 p.m.
Ohio at South Alabama, 7 p.m.
North Dakota State at Sacramento State, 10:30 p.m., ESPN

I would guess this is the first time Kent State has ever played a game on Fox. Tough challenge for them, to be sure.

(09-16-2026 09:18 AM)kreed5120 Wrote:  

(09-16-2026 08:09 AM)indianasniff Wrote:  

(09-14-2026 12:33 PM)SactoHornetAlum Wrote:  We just announced our UMass game time along with the rest of the times and channels from the league office:

https://hornetsports.com/news/2026/9/14/...-6-pm.aspx

UNLV @ Akron, 12:00pm ET on ESPN+
Ball State @ Kent State, 12:00pm ET on ESPN+
SDSU @ Toledo, 12 :00pm ET on CBSSN
Lindenwood @ Eastern Michigan, 1 :00pm ET on ESPN+
Robert Morris @ Buffalo, 3:30pm ET on ESPN+ – previously announced
UConn @ Miami, 3:30pm ET on ESPN+
Stonehill @ Ohio, 3:30pm ET on ESPN+ - previously announced
Boise State @ Western Michigan, 3:30pm ET on ESPN2 or 4:00pm ET on ESPNU
South Florida @ Bowling Green, 5:00pm ET on ESPN+
UMass @ Sacramento State, 9:00pm ET/6:00pm PT on ESPN+

Ok, I aborted youtube TV. What are different ways to get CBS Sports Net? Its infrequent....maybe I just do some free trial

You can find a pirated stream. Oddly enough outside of that YouTube TV $44.99/mo sports package would probably be your best option. I suppose you can just go to a local bar to watch as well.

I'm starting to think my DirecTV (satellite) SPORTS PACK s a better and better buy each year.

I seemingly get everything including CBSSN, FS1, ACC, B1G, all of the ESPN networks including the "Plus" games (those are frequently MAC games done in HD). I get NFL Redzone. MLB network, etc. etc.

When I bought my town house 30 years ago, a REQUIREMENT was free line of sight to the south sky and no HOA prohibitions of the satellite dish.

Was a great 'quality of life' decision.

As far as streaming, I don't know anything about it. I don't know, also, if they have packages such as MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, etc.

I have MLB on my dish subscription for I think $150 (???) per season. I think $25 x 6.

Here is week four. All times Eastern. All games on ESPN+ unless noted.

Nevada-Las Vegas at Akron, noon.
San Diego State at Toledo, noon, CBS Sports Network
Ball State at Kent State, noon.
Lindenwood at Eastern Michigan, 1 p.m.
Connecticut at Miami, 3:30 p.m.
Boise State at Western Michigan, 3:30 p.m., ESPN2
Robert Morris at Buffalo, 3:30 p.m.
Stonehill at Ohio, 3:30 p.m.
South Florida at Bowling Green, 5 p.m.
Central Michigan at Miami (Florida), 6:30 p.m., CW
Massachusetts at Sacramento State, 9 p.m.

(09-16-2026 09:34 AM)emu steve Wrote:  

(09-16-2026 09:18 AM)kreed5120 Wrote:  

(09-16-2026 08:09 AM)indianasniff Wrote:  

(09-14-2026 12:33 PM)SactoHornetAlum Wrote:  We just announced our UMass game time along with the rest of the times and channels from the league office:

https://hornetsports.com/news/2026/9/14/...-6-pm.aspx

UNLV @ Akron, 12:00pm ET on ESPN+
Ball State @ Kent State, 12:00pm ET on ESPN+
SDSU @ Toledo, 12 :00pm ET on CBSSN
Lindenwood @ Eastern Michigan, 1 :00pm ET on ESPN+
Robert Morris @ Buffalo, 3:30pm ET on ESPN+ – previously announced
UConn @ Miami, 3:30pm ET on ESPN+
Stonehill @ Ohio, 3:30pm ET on ESPN+ - previously announced
Boise State @ Western Michigan, 3:30pm ET on ESPN2 or 4:00pm ET on ESPNU
South Florida @ Bowling Green, 5:00pm ET on ESPN+
UMass @ Sacramento State, 9:00pm ET/6:00pm PT on ESPN+

Ok, I aborted youtube TV. What are different ways to get CBS Sports Net? Its infrequent....maybe I just do some free trial

You can find a pirated stream. Oddly enough outside of that YouTube TV $44.99/mo sports package would probably be your best option. I suppose you can just go to a local bar to watch as well.

I'm starting to think my DirecTV (satellite) SPORTS PACK s a better and better buy each year.

I seemingly get everything including CBSSN, FS1, ACC, B1G, all of the ESPN networks including the "Plus" games (those are frequently MAC games done in HD). I get NFL Redzone. MLB network, etc. etc.

When I bought my town house 30 years ago, a REQUIREMENT was free line of sight to the south sky and no HOA prohibitions of the satellite dish.

Was a great 'quality of life' decision.

As far as streaming, I don't know anything about it. I don't know, also, if they have packages such as MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, etc.

I have MLB on my dish subscription for I think $150 (???) per season. I think $25 x 6.

Mind if I ask how much your SPORTS PACK is per month? I'm tired of playing the streaming games.

(09-21-2026 01:52 PM)holybovine Wrote:  

(09-16-2026 09:34 AM)emu steve Wrote:  

(09-16-2026 09:18 AM)kreed5120 Wrote:  

(09-16-2026 08:09 AM)indianasniff Wrote:  

(09-14-2026 12:33 PM)SactoHornetAlum Wrote:  We just announced our UMass game time along with the rest of the times and channels from the league office:

https://hornetsports.com/news/2026/9/14/...-6-pm.aspx

UNLV @ Akron, 12:00pm ET on ESPN+
Ball State @ Kent State, 12:00pm ET on ESPN+
SDSU @ Toledo, 12 :00pm ET on CBSSN
Lindenwood @ Eastern Michigan, 1 :00pm ET on ESPN+
Robert Morris @ Buffalo, 3:30pm ET on ESPN+ – previously announced
UConn @ Miami, 3:30pm ET on ESPN+
Stonehill @ Ohio, 3:30pm ET on ESPN+ - previously announced
Boise State @ Western Michigan, 3:30pm ET on ESPN2 or 4:00pm ET on ESPNU
South Florida @ Bowling Green, 5:00pm ET on ESPN+
UMass @ Sacramento State, 9:00pm ET/6:00pm PT on ESPN+

Ok, I aborted youtube TV. What are different ways to get CBS Sports Net? Its infrequent....maybe I just do some free trial

You can find a pirated stream. Oddly enough outside of that YouTube TV $44.99/mo sports package would probably be your best option. I suppose you can just go to a local bar to watch as well.

I'm starting to think my DirecTV (satellite) SPORTS PACK s a better and better buy each year.

I seemingly get everything including CBSSN, FS1, ACC, B1G, all of the ESPN networks including the "Plus" games (those are frequently MAC games done in HD). I get NFL Redzone. MLB network, etc. etc.

When I bought my town house 30 years ago, a REQUIREMENT was free line of sight to the south sky and no HOA prohibitions of the satellite dish.

Was a great 'quality of life' decision.

As far as streaming, I don't know anything about it. I don't know, also, if they have packages such as MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, etc.

I have MLB on my dish subscription for I think $150 (???) per season. I think $25 x 6.

Mind if I ask how much your SPORTS PACK is per month? I'm tired of playing the streaming games.

I went 'all in'. If I'm a fan, I bought. I finally quit buying Sunday Ticket when it moved to YouTube. (MLB is $25 x 6).

DIRECTV Channels
1. TOTAL CHOICE 137.99
2. SPORTS PACK 14.99
3. Regional Sports Fee 15.99
Seasonal Sports Subscriptions
4. MLB EXTRA INNINGS 2026 0.00

Now what do I get with which? IDK.

I assume the regional sports fee is Nationals, O's, Wizards, Caps, etc.

Here is the description of Sports Pack. https://www.directv.com/sports/sports-pack/

I have DirectV Satellite. I love my DVR. I can record. I can scroll back, etc.

E.g., I recorded the last part of WMU / UofM. I could replay it 50 times if I wanted.

(09-21-2026 02:27 PM)emu steve Wrote:  

(09-21-2026 01:52 PM)holybovine Wrote:  

(09-16-2026 09:34 AM)emu steve Wrote:  

(09-16-2026 09:18 AM)kreed5120 Wrote:  

(09-16-2026 08:09 AM)indianasniff Wrote:  Ok, I aborted youtube TV. What are different ways to get CBS Sports Net? Its infrequent....maybe I just do some free trial

You can find a pirated stream. Oddly enough outside of that YouTube TV $44.99/mo sports package would probably be your best option. I suppose you can just go to a local bar to watch as well.

I'm starting to think my DirecTV (satellite) SPORTS PACK s a better and better buy each year.

I seemingly get everything including CBSSN, FS1, ACC, B1G, all of the ESPN networks including the "Plus" games (those are frequently MAC games done in HD). I get NFL Redzone. MLB network, etc. etc.

When I bought my town house 30 years ago, a REQUIREMENT was free line of sight to the south sky and no HOA prohibitions of the satellite dish.

Was a great 'quality of life' decision.

As far as streaming, I don't know anything about it. I don't know, also, if they have packages such as MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, etc.

I have MLB on my dish subscription for I think $150 (???) per season. I think $25 x 6.

Mind if I ask how much your SPORTS PACK is per month? I'm tired of playing the streaming games.

I went 'all in'. If I'm a fan, I bought. I finally quit buying Sunday Ticket when it moved to YouTube. (MLB is $25 x 6).

DIRECTV Channels
1. TOTAL CHOICE 137.99
2. SPORTS PACK 14.99
3. Regional Sports Fee 15.99
Seasonal Sports Subscriptions
4. MLB EXTRA INNINGS 2026 0.00

Now what do I get with which? IDK.

I assume the regional sports fee is Nationals, O's, Wizards, Caps, etc.

Here is the description of Sports Pack. https://www.directv.com/sports/sports-pack/

I have DirectV Satellite. I love my DVR. I can record. I can scroll back, etc.

E.g., I recorded the last part of WMU / UofM. I could replay it 50 times if I wanted.

Have you? : )

Thanks very much for the information. Extremely helpful.

I can only speak for those who have DirecTV satellite.

Each week I have found that they are using ESPNPlus to show some extra ESPN+ games. Yesterday EMU's game was there. Also BG's game.

Certainly better than a computer monitor.

I don't know how many MAC fans have DirecTV Satellite.

(09-27-2026 04:37 AM)emu steve Wrote:  I can only speak for those who have DirecTV satellite.

Each week I have found that they are using ESPNPlus to show some extra ESPN+ games. Yesterday EMU's game was there. Also BG's game.

Certainly better than a computer monitor.

I don't know how many MAC fans have DirecTV Satellite.

I have it !!
Enjoy seeing MAC games (football & basketball) throughout the year…
Especially some of the out of town games I can’t get to like the UT vs Sacramento State later this season …

Cancelled ESPN Select today for ESPN+, since it is now included with YouTube TV.

YoutubeTV is the way to go - already got all the ESPNs (ESPN/2/U/News - not ESPN Unlimited is built in to the guide), CBSSN, FS1, etc.

Two things I thought about this week that the ACC does for TV that the MAC should do:

1) Have a MAC centric type College Game Day. A pregame show before whatever the biggest Saturday game is on that campus focusing on action around the conference.

2) let the TV audience listen to the official’s conversations during official reviews.

(09-27-2026 06:30 PM)MidnightBlueGold Wrote:  YoutubeTV is the way to go - already got all the ESPNs (ESPN/2/U/News - not ESPN Unlimited is built in to the guide), CBSSN, FS1, etc.

There are options.

I made my decision in 1995 when streaming wasn't even a dream. dial-up modem wouldn't support much of anything other than text and images.

Hence, DirecTV satellite gave me the best option over my cable options.

Does YouTube offer ESPNplus telecasts? They are nice but probably not the reason to pick one option over another.

This may seem obvious, thinking about it, is that a game on DirecTV satellite can be recorded. I can't record a stream say ESPN+ on my PC.

(09-28-2026 04:06 AM)emu steve Wrote:  

(09-27-2026 06:30 PM)MidnightBlueGold Wrote:  YoutubeTV is the way to go - already got all the ESPNs (ESPN/2/U/News - not ESPN Unlimited is built in to the guide), CBSSN, FS1, etc.

There are options.

I made my decision in 1995 when streaming wasn't even a dream. dial-up modem wouldn't support much of anything other than text and images.

Hence, DirecTV satellite gave me the best option over my cable options.

Does YouTube offer ESPNplus telecasts? They are nice but probably not the reason to pick one option over another.

This may seem obvious, thinking about it, is that a game on DirecTV satellite can be recorded. I can't record a stream say ESPN+ on my PC.

Yes, ESPN Unlimited is included with YouTube TV. All MAC Football games and Volleyball games.