Bills fans have their antennas out

[Shoey]

A different strain of Buffalo Bills fever gripped the region Saturday.

Fans scrambled for ways to watch today’s big game, which apparently will not be carried by a major cable system serving most of the region.

Thousands of fans spent part of their Saturday waiting in long lines to pick up free “rabbit ears” antennas that Time Warner Cable was giving to customers, and many others purchased antennas at electronics stores.

Other fans went into their attics or basements to retrieve old television sets they hadn’t used in years. Some begged to be invited to the homes of friends and family members who have satellite TV dishes and aren’t affected by the blackout.

Still others made plans to watch today’s game between the Bills and the Arizona Cardinals in sports bars with satellite hookups.

Time Warner said the blackout affects about 330,000 customers in Western New York.

“This is the Bills. They are winning. People love it, and they will do anything to get the game on television,” Mike Hill, a 20-year-old college student from North Tonawanda, said as he waited in line at the cable company’s office on Maple Road in Amherst.

Barring a last-minute agreement, Time Warner Cable customers will not receive the game from their cable service because of a dispute between Time Warner and WIVB-TV, which is broadcasting the game on Channel 4.

As of Saturday evening, each side still blamed the other, but also said negotiations were continuing in hopes of reaching an agreement before the game starts at 4:15 p. m.

Bills fans have their antennas out : Home : The Buffalo News

330,000 people affected by a game that isn't blacked out... what an oddity...

I heard the line at one location was over a quarter mile long, it's all anyone is talking about around here.

so yeah, I'm making the switch to DirectTV sooner rather than later if a deal doesn't get done... it's the freaking Bills we're talking about here... I expect to be able to watch them on TV in freaking Buffalo.