It all depends on what you hope to get out of it. I want to see the NESN pregame show, and then I get the actual Red Sox game on Extra Innings (which may not be the NESN feed, if they are on the road). If the game goes over three hours (and a lot do these days), I can go back to NESN for the balance of the game. The blackout period is precalculated and not tied to the actual game. Another thing I want, and don't get on Fox Sports Arizona (my RSN) is the college coach shows from the SEC in the fall. There are also quite a few college football games that don't get blacked out, but not from the power conferences. If you are a fan of far away teams, the sports package is better than nothing, but certainly far from ideal. - Go Sox and Roll Tide