NFL Network vs Cable dispute

[mrSHEiK124]

Originally posted by: Deeko

Originally posted by: KK
what does the NFL charge the dish services per subscriber?

I'm not sure, that's a good question - but I know the president of Cablevision said he would happily offer the NFL Network at the NFL's asking price, if they would allow them to offer Sunday Ticket (at the same $700 million/year rate DirecTV gets).

Haha, pres of Cablevision sounds like a badass. The Sunday Ticket and Madden exclusivity deals are examples of what the NFL really gives a shit about, the almighty $.

 

[Alistar7]

College football is minor league, don't even bother to watch. No desire to see 1-2 players of NFL caliber dominate a bunch of other inferior players.

As far as watching online I can see where that might not be all that great. They need to come up with some way to transfer the image from your monitor onto your TV, oh well maybe someday that will happen....

I have a hard time believing CNN brings in more ad revenue compared to the NFL, or that more cable viewers watch CNN compared to the NFL.

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: PlatinumGold

Originally posted by: SlowSpyder
How come I get it with Directv? Did Directv cave and decide to pay the $.70? If so, I would think cable companies would do the same to keep people away from satilite.

it probably has something to do with the NFL Ticket contract that DirectTV has with the NFL network. DirectTV will do absolutely nothing to jeopordize that contract.

the cable companies are way way pissed that they don't have a shot at that. probably figures into this debate as well.

btw, someone mentioned fios earlier, but verizon got away with it by offering it as part of the sports and movie package. i don't think they offer it as part of basic, but verizons basic lineup is way way smaller than that of most cable companies.

Huh? I get as many if not more channels with FiOS basic than I do Cablevision basic. Which includes NFL Network.

Correction: with Cablevision it was called "Family" with Verizon it's called "Premier"

 

[akshatp]

Pres of Cablevision is an idiot, and even though I am a CV subscriber I have no love for them. However in this case, I have to side with the cable companies. NFL is just being greedy... after stating they wouldnt air games exclusively through NFLN, they went back on their word.

Im bitter since I will have to drive 40 minutes to my friends house to watch the Cowboys Packers game this Thursday..

 

[w3stfa11]

I think both are evil and greedy.

One quote from a USA Today article

Comcast includes its own Versus and Golf Channel among its basic channel offerings, while relegating NFL Network to an extra-pay sports tier.

Good thing I got Verizon FiOS which carries NFL Network. I'll be enjoying Thursday's game in HD!

 

[austin316]

Originally posted by: Deeko
If you're a football fan, you've probably heard of the dispute between the NFL and cable companies over the NFL Network. If not, here are some details...

The NFL wants to offer the NFL Network on cable, but is asking for roughly 70 cents/subscriber.

The cable companies balk at this, because the price is very high - higher than most cable channels, with the exception of ESPN. They argue that the cost is not worth it considering there are so few games per year, especially when compared to the NBA and NHL network, who charge considerably less, but offer a lot more games on their network.

The NFL counters by saying the cost is worth it, as the NFL is the most popular sport in America. They say that by not offering the NFL Network on basic cable, they are denying their subscribers the programming they really want, while innundating them with channels about which they couldn't care less.

Comcast is offering the NFL Network, but as a part of their sports tier, which includes NBA TV, NHL TV, and Fox Sports Regional networks. Time Warner and Cablevision do not offer the NFL Network at all.

Who do you think is in the wrong here?

Me, I think the NFL is just being greedy. It pains me to say that, because I love the NFL, and I hate Comcast (my provider obviously...and I can't get DirecTV in my apartment). However, considering there are so few actual games on the NFL Network, how can they justify the cost? There are only 8 games per year broadcast on the NFL Network. Plus, the NFL refuses to compromise. They demand that cable offer it in their basic lineup, cable says no...rather than negotiating, perhaps a smaller price or more content, they are going to congress/the FCC to try to force the cable providers to do what they want!

Personally, I think the NFL is being terribly greedy here, and while I'd love to get the NFL Network for free, there is no way the cable providers should be forced to do so.

Maybe they are being greedy, but its their network and they deserve the right to charge WHATEVER they want. If its not making money, they will be forced to lower their price or continue to lose money.

 

[austin316]

Originally posted by: BlinderBomber
The NFL network in general is a terrible idea. Football right now is the most popular sport in America, why are they messing around trying to squeeze more money from people to watch games on their exclusive network? They should sell the rights to broadcast Thursday night games so that football fans everywhere can actually enjoy them.

oops, forget my above reply. This is what I meant to say.

NFL has the right to charge whatever they want.

COMCAST has the right to decide whether or not to carry the channel.

I for one, cannot WAIT until cable channels are offered ala carte, so I don't have to pay for E!, Food Network, Oxygen, Lifetime, HGTV, etc.......

 

[austin316]

Originally posted by: BlinderBomber
The NFL network in general is a terrible idea. Football right now is the most popular sport in America, why are they messing around trying to squeeze more money from people to watch games on their exclusive network? They should sell the rights to broadcast Thursday night games so that football fans everywhere can actually enjoy them.

The problem with that lies in advertising. They want to ensure that advertisers are happy, so that when you are watching the game, you get local advertisements, not ones for the home cities.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

Originally posted by: Alistar7
I have a hard time believing CNN brings in more ad revenue compared to the NFL, or that more cable viewers watch CNN compared to the NFL.

lol smoke another one

 

[slpaulson]

The NFL Network and the Big Ten Network can both kiss my ass.

I'm not a fan of Charter cable, but I understand why they will not carry either network.

 

[Kelemvor]

Originally posted by: slpaulson
The NFL Network and the Big Ten Network can both kiss my ass.

I'm not a fan of Charter cable, but I understand why they will not carry either network.

Exactly. THe BTN sucks even worse. I can always watch my local NFL games even if they are on the NFL network because the local stations still carry it.

The BTN just takes the games and screws over everyone. I can't even watch my local team play if the BTN has the game. it's just F'd up.

 

[hdeck]

i can understand if you're an alum and just have to see every game from your school, but from what i saw this season the big 10 network didn't even show good games. all the good big 10 games were on espn, espn2, or abc.

 

[Pabster]

Originally posted by: austin316
I for one, cannot WAIT until cable channels are offered ala carte, so I don't have to pay for E!, Food Network, Oxygen, Lifetime, HGTV, etc.......

Yeah, paying $10 to $15 per channel is gonna be great. 5 channels for your $50 a month instead of 70! :laugh:

 

[Chryso]

I don't have the NFL network and I don't want the NFL network.
I will stop watching football completely before I pay extra for the privilege of watching their commercials with some plays thrown in.

 

[fustercluck]

NFL network is pretty bad. They've been around for 2+ years and still have only shown like 3 live games in total. Plus for some reason I don't get it in HD, when it says it's an HD channel (on DTV). Commentators/Analysts seem pretty bad also. I like the guy on the left and the Mariuchi but that's about it.

 

[PokerGuy]

As much as I like the NFL and college football, and as much as I dislike the cable monopolies, this is clearly a case where the NFL and BTN are raking the fans over the coals. They are taking games that we were able to watch on OTA or local channels for free (ad supported), and moving them to channels where you have to pay. Then, they want to force the cable companies to put their crappy networks on the basic package so EVERY cable subscriber has to pay for it, not just the ones who want to watch the games. A complete ripoff. Then, when the cable companies resist, they whine to congress that they need laws to force the cable companies to do what the nfl and btn want them to do. Sheeesh. No thanks NFL, no thanks BTN, I hope the cable companies hold firm.....

 

[Scarpozzi]

I have the NFL network because I've got a satellite dish. (Direct)

My take on the whole thing is that the average Joe viewer only picks up 2 games at a time depending on where they live. (this year it's usually CBS or Fox on Sunday)

I think having some games on the NFL network isn't a bad thing. On Thanksgiving, the NFL added a game this year to the lineup, and reserved the rights to play it on their network. I'm happy with 2 games on Thanksgiving. I didn't need to watch the last game...especially because it was pretty certain to be a victory for the Colts.

So....I don't see a problem with the NFL network being there. What I do see a problem with is them charging a lot for it since it's only a seasonal sport. They should definitely negotiate the price down some since the Networks are already paying top dollar to host the games. The people watching football shouldn't have to pay a premium to watch at home. There's no guarantee that any game is worth watching until you get in the last 2 minutes of play anyhow.

 

[wyvrn]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
The NFL is being a bitch. The NFL network is a joke. 4 games a year with horrible broadcasting and lame filler in between. You want me to pay extra for that?

The advertising and grandstanding and everything else is getting so over the top that I'm getting tired of even watching. I think it was the Thursday night game intro that had Perry Ferrell dancing around like an idiot amongst some no name hip hop "singers" all the while being bombarded with Pontiac logos pictures of their cars.

In fact all of the "XXX Sport Network" stations are pissing me off. All they are doing is stripping out games that would otherwise be on regular free OTA stations and charging people for it.

At least Comcast bundles it in with a sports pack and doesn't charge the rest of the subscribers more if they don't want it. If there's any path to take, that's the way to do it.

I don't pay for cable or satellite. I have good old fashioned OTA HD reception. I can rent DVDs if there is a series I really want to watch, and save money doing it. If sports goes to premium content, I will just stop watching sports. I refuse to pay a lot of money to watch when I can go to amateur events in the area and get enjoyment, or choose other alternatives. I am not a big fan of the way sports are marketing themselves now.

Part of the problem is Jerry Jones. He is now representing the NFL Network. He also has a mammoth stadium project undwerway in which he has to pay for. Part of his revenue will be from people PAYING to see his Cowboys on the TV. So as football has gotten bigger and more expensive, the consumer is the one having to pay for it. A lot of us don't want to pay this and would rather see humbler stadiums and ticket prices to follow our teams (and we hate the invasive advertising of pop culture that comes with pro sports). Also, Jones recently release his season ticket prices for the new Cowboys stadium. 50,000 for the option to purchase a PCL (seat license) on the 50 yard line, and that doesn't count the inflated price of the season tickets each year to go with it. For a family of 4, it would cost up front $140,000 to have the best season tickets. Obviously those will not go to Joe Schmoe dedicated blue blood fan, but to the corporate punks who don't seriously follow football anyway. The rest of the season ticket prices are expected to follow suit and price most people out of attending a game. Add to this the NFL Network charges which will boost cable rates, and the NFL is becoming an exclusive consumer pay product.

 

[jiggahertz]

Originally posted by: PokerGuy
As much as I like the NFL and college football, and as much as I dislike the cable monopolies, this is clearly a case where the NFL and BTN are raking the fans over the coals. They are taking games that we were able to watch on OTA or local channels for free (ad supported), and moving them to channels where you have to pay. Then, they want to force the cable companies to put their crappy networks on the basic package so EVERY cable subscriber has to pay for it, not just the ones who want to watch the games. A complete ripoff. Then, when the cable companies resist, they whine to congress that they need laws to force the cable companies to do what the nfl and btn want them to do. Sheeesh. No thanks NFL, no thanks BTN, I hope the cable companies hold firm.....

As a big ten fan living in New England I think BTN is an awesome idea. 90% of the time the ABC regional games will not feature a big ten team out here so it gives those displaced big ten fans a way to see these games. At least comcast subscribers have the choice to get the NFL network through the sports package for ($3?) a month. I'd happily get the sports package if BTN was included.

 

[tfinch2]

I guess I'll watch the Cowboys/Packers on my phone. 😛

 

[akshatp]

Is it true that the game will be shown for free on nfl.com?

 

[Jaxidian]

My humble opinions:

• NFL has the right to charge $0.70/mo per subscriber.

• NFL has no right to force cable/satellite/alternative providers to bundle it in their "basic" packages.

• Cable/etc. companies have the right to bundle NFLN into a "sports" package for an add'l charge. Ultimately, I think this is the "best" solution that the Cable/etc. companies have the power to put into effect. Also, I as an NFL fan, would be very happy to pay an extra $3-5/mo during the NFL season for this.

• Cable/etc. companies have the right to offer NFLN in the "basic" packages and force all subscribers to pay for it.

• The NFL should "reward" a cable company who offers NFLN in their "basic" packages by only charging $0.35/mo per subscriber (I think this would increase NFL profits, appease cable/etc. companies, and make more fans happier).

• Cable company chanels (Versus seems to be the populare example) are probably in a calculated loss phase of a longer-term investment and the end subscriber is probably not currently paying extra for those channels (though I bet in the future they will be).

• Congress should stay the hell out of this.

• I typically hage cable/satellite companies.

• I typically love the NFL.

• I think the NFL are being very greedy with this

• NFL has the right to air certain games on NFL Network only (as much as I hate it).

• Fox should be PISSED.

• Sunday Ticket policies are a crock (mostly the foreign market part).

That's about it. I have DirecTV so I get NFLN for "free" so I'm able to watch the games, but overall I think NFL is more in the wrong with all of this.

Jax out...

 

[ElFenix]

Cable/etc. companies have the right to bundle NFLN into a "sports" package for an add'l charge. Ultimately, I think this is the "best" solution that the Cable/etc. companies have the power to put into effect. Also, I as an NFL fan, would be very happy to pay an extra $3-5/mo during the NFL season for this.

i think most people would find that to be reasonable. however, the NFL doesn't want it because they are afraid that everyone will only keep the sports package for 4 months a year. though, i bet most people wouldn't bother cancelling because dealing with the cable company is about the most nightmarish thing on the planet (and people are lazy).

 

[buck]

I called comcast earlier today and ordered it for $5.99. Worth it for the HD-NFL channel.

 

[Deeko]

I pay 1.99 for the full sports package for 6 months 😛 by the time my promotion is up, basketball/hockey will be over, there will be no need for the sports package anyway.