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The NC State fans guide to never having a televised Wolfpack game ‘blacked out’

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When we started Pack Insider, we figured we’d have a lot of fan interaction. We figured we’d get messages asking us to ask players and coaches certain questions, and while that happens from time to time, the most asked question BY FAR is…

“What channel is the NC State game on?”

This question is one that is usually asked in a moment of urgency. It’s usually something the fans don’t think about until they click the television on to sit down and watch the game. And that’s when the mood goes from excitement and anticipation to pure panic.

So we’ve decided to dedicate this article to help you understand how to stay ahead of the curve and not be caught off guard this season.

Televsion & Streaming

1. Nationally Televised Games (Major Cable Networks)
Things are easy when the game is nationally televised. If a game is on ESPN, ABC, CBS, or some national channel, then as long as you have that channel in your cable or streaming package, you’re good.

2. Streaming on ACC Network (or ACCNX)
Things are almost as simple when the game is simply not televised on cable at all and is only streaming on the ACC Network Stream on the WatchESPN app. Again, you’ll still need an ESPN subscription to watch these games, but there won’t be any potential blackouts.

3. Televised on RSN (Regional Sports Network)
The real problem comes when games are airing on regional channels. This is where people get confused and frustrated.

Let’s look at an example: NC State’s second game of the season is against Charleston Southern. It’s a game that GoPack.com is saying will air on RSN.

Most State fans will go to their cable guide or their streaming guide and look for a channel called RSN. However, no channel of that name exists.

So what is RSN?

RSN stands for Regional Sports Network. Here is how GoPack.com describes RSN.

“RSN, which reaches in excess of 51.4 million homes, includes Bally Sports South, Bally Sports Florida, Bally Sports Sun, Bally Sports Midwest, Bally Sports Kansas City, Bally Sports Indiana, Bally Sports Ohio, Bally Sports Great Lakes, Bally Sports Detroit, Bally Sports North, Bally Sports Wisconsin, Bally Sports Southwest, Bally Sports New Orleans, Bally Sports Oklahoma, Bally Sports Arizona, Bally Sports West, Bally Sports SoCal, Bally Sports San Diego, Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN), New England Sports Network (NESN), the YES Network and the Marquee Sports Network,. All ACC games produced as part of the RSN package will be available via WatchESPN, but are subject to regional blackout.”

Since it’s NC State, you’re very likely looking at it being on Bally Sports South, but there is the off chance that NC State is playing another team in one of these regions and the game is only airing on THEIR RSN, which could be any of the others listed above.

So be vigilant. If you want to watch all of NC State’s games, then you’ll need to get Bally Sports South for (almost) all of the RSN games.



How to get NC State’s RSN (Bally Sports South)

To get Bally Sports South you’ll need to subscribe to Direct TV Stream, as they are the only steaming cable package that offers them according to CordCutterNews.com. Otherwise, you’ll have to go the traditional cable or satellite route and get Direct TV or Spectrum (formally Time Warner Cable). If you’re not in the Triangle area, then you’ll have to check with your local cable provider to see if you can get it.

But what if it says it’s airing on ACC Network and RSN?
Now, here is another caveat to RSN. As stated above, all RSN games are going to also seem available via the WatchESPN app. HOWEVER, if you live in a region of any of the channels listed above, you will be blacked out of the Watch ESPN ACC Network stream. So don’t get fooled! If it’s RSN, you’ll need the RSN channel if you’re in that region or you’re out of luck.

It’s complicated, and it’s unfortunate where it’s gotten to. Only 15  years ago we were all subscribed to basic cable, and dreaming of a utopia where we could go through our cable guide and pick and choose the package we wanted, lowering our monthly price and opting us into only the stations we were interested in.

Instead, we got thousands of streaming options, fighting with cable providers over rights, and we’re all paying as much or more than we were before, only it’s 1000 times more complicated to navigate.

That’s why we thought this write-up was necessary.

If I can’t get it, how do I listen on the radio?

If there is literally no way for you to watch the game, or if you’re driving, or just don’t feel like dishing out the money to subscribe to these platforms, then you can listen to games on the radio. But what station is it on? Well, it depends on where you’re at.

If you’re out of state, you’re going to need to just subscribe to GoPack.com’s All-Access plan. You can get a 24-hour pass, a monthly subscription or an annual subscription.

But if you’re in North Carolina, you can listen for free. You just need to know these stations.

Raleigh
WRAL 101.5 (Games) / WCMC 99.9 (Shows)

Albemarle
WZKY 1580AM & 103.3FM

Asheville
WWNC 570AM

Charlotte
WXRC 95.7

Fayetteville
WMRV 1450AM/106.5FM

Greensboro/Triad
WVBZ 105.7FM

Greenville
WECU 1570

Jacksonville
WJCV 1290AM/98.3FM

Laurinburg
WLNC 1300AM/95.1FM

New Bern
WNBB 97.9FM

Sanford
WWGP 1050AM & WFJA 105.5FM

Wilmington
WRMR 98.7FM

Winterville
WECU 107.5FM

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Papajohn
Papajohn
1 year ago

This is great, thank you

NC State Football

Former NC State Running Back Jordan Houston Signs with Marshall

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Former NC State Running Back Jordan Houston has officially transferred to Marshall for his final year of eligibility. NC State played Marshall this past season, but Houston didn’t play against the Thundering Herd, because he had already opted to redshirt the remainder of the season.

After playing in three games this past season, Houston opted to redshirt the remainder of the season (despite the fact that he was the starter at the time), giving him the ability to transfer with one year of eligibility remaining.

Houston played in 51 games for NC State over 5 years on the field, rushing for 1,392 yards (4.3 yards per carry) and 6 touchdowns. He also caught 60 passes for 398 yards and 1 touchdown.

Houston was a 3-Star prospect in NC State’s 2019 recruiting class out of Flint High School in Oakton, Virginia.

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NC State Football

Philip Rivers will Finally be Enshrined in the NC State Hall of Fame in April

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Wolfpack legend Philip Rivers will finally be inducted into the NC State Hall of Fame on April 20th!

Rivers was elected into the Hall of Fame back in 2013 (2nd year of the NC State Hall of Fame), but he has deferred his enshrinement over the years due to time constraints.

 

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Rivers pretty much owns every NC State record for Quarterbacks, and still has the most Career Passing Yards and Passes Completed in ACC history, and he ranks 3rd in Touchdown Passes. Rivers was the ACC Rookie of the Year in 2000, and the ACC Player of the Year in 2003.

You can buy your tickets here.

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NC State Football

DJ Burns Had a Word for Wolfpack Fans After Winning the ACC Championship

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When NC State’s DJ Burns was giving his acceptance speech after receiving the 2024 ACC Tournament MVP Award, Burns had the following quote to say when asked what he wanted to say to the fans.

“I’m going to keep it real simple. Thank you to the ones who’ve been consistent throughout the ride, and welcome back everybody else.”

Burns’ words struck a chord.

Throughout much of this season, it was embarrassing to see all the empty seats in PNC Arena.

As the Wolfpack lost 7 of their final 9 regular season games, it was clear that this team wasn’t just losing games, but they were also losing much of the fanbase.

It’s clear from Burns’ words that the empty seats were noticed, and so were the words of fans online.

NC State finished the regular season 10th, and much of the fanbase was frustrated, and rightfully so.

But, frustrated doesn’t have to mean giving up.

‘Never giving up’ is kind of supposed to be NC State’s thing.

The words of Jimmy V reverberate throughout the history of NC State basketball.

This team didn’t always put W’s in the Win column this season, and it wasn’t always an easy watch, but never for a moment were these players not playing as hard as they could for their school, one another, and their coach.

They never gave up.

Fans have a right to be frustrated, but you can still show up for a team, even when they struggle, because that’s what loyal fans do. When players wear a jersey with NC State across the chest, and they don’t give up, their fans shouldn’t either.

NC State fans aren’t known to be fair weather fans. Let’s not get in the business of leading our players to think we are.

But, like Burns said, whether you’ve been along for the ride all season or not, it’s time to hop on.

 

 

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NC State Football

WATCH: PackInsider’s 2023 Sean Brown Highlight Reel

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This past season was a breakout season for Junior Safety, now turned Linebacker, Sean Brown.

This past season, Brown started in 11 of the 13 games that he played in, and ranked 3rd on the team in tackles (66) and pass breakups (5). He also had 5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions and 1 forced fumble. Brown’s PFF Grade of 63.7 ranked 13th on the team. His Tackling Grade of 86.6 ranked 2nd on the team behind Payton Wilson.

As you will notice in our Highlight Reel ABOVE, Brown lived in the box, and is a very ferocious tackler. He will fit right in at Linebacker next year for the Wolfpack.

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