Week 17 NFL Network game

[pheenix11]

Here is what I emailed to Tim. This has been pissing me off for a long time. I am fed up with my cable company and I'm kicking their money grubbing ass to the curb!

Tim:
I think I am what you are looking for. I grew up in Boston and moved to Tampa when I was 29. I have always been and still am a huge Pats fan. This whole NFL Network thing is driving me nuts. I don't hold it against the NFL however, I am pissed at my local cable provider Brighthouse Networks.

From what I have read the NFL Network wants to charge the cable company like 70-90 cents per subscriber and be on the basic digital tier. Brighthouse on the other hand wants to turn around and charge customers $2.99 (probably closer to $5-$7 in reality) to get the NFL Network. That way I see it, that is pure greed, they want to charge at least a 300% markup and the NFL won't go for that. Cable companies are making money hand over fist and they can't absorb 70 centers per subscriber as opposed to losing them?

And they are going to lose people, including myself. I have waited 3+ years for Brighthouse to get their act together. The only thing that has kept me from switching over to Directv was the scandal over their HD Lite and the fact that you need to hook up a landline to the receiver. My wife and I ditched our landlines 3 years ago and went with our wireless phones. We have no need for a landline yet I now find myself ready to sign up for one because of this.

Well I am waiting no more. What the Patriots are doing this year is historic and while I could go to a sports bar and watch that final game, I hate watching football in bars because you can't hear anything and there are too many distractions. So I have decided to dump Brighthouse Networks. Verizon has FIOS service and they have the NFL Network but they are not quite in my neighborhood yet and Dec 29 is not that far away. So I am finally going to bite the bullet and get Directv. I have to call Verizon first and have them put in 2 landline jacks and then sign up for $16 a month basic service and then I have to go sign up for Directv and do this before Dec 29th.

I can't miss that game though. We will never see this ever again and I'm tired of my stupid cable company screwing me over for their bottom line. I'm calling their bluff and telling them to take a hike. I want the NFL Network and if they won't provide it then its time to move on, even as much hassle as it is.

 

[PatsSteve1]

I plan on watching the game at my girlfriend's parents house. He gets NFLN.

Either I'm not reading this right ot you may want to edit this - I live in Livermore, Ca but happily pay for NFL Ticket with Direct TV and have NFLN.
Frankly I hope NFL Ticket stays where it is. The NFLN story is another matter.

 

[PatsFan#37]

I'm from Portland,Maine nfln is only on direct tv here. I will have to go to a sports bar, (many to choose from), or not watch.

 

[naclone]

I'm in NYC so I should get the Giants broadcast but I think RCN here is carrying the game. they have NFLN but did not pay up for the games last year.

the DirectTV monopoly on Sunday Ticket is a much bigger deal to me than the NFLN games.

 

[Disco Volante]

I live in Connecticut.

I bought the NFL network.

 

[hallfamebrady]

I live in MA and will watch the game. I have Comcast and I pay the fee for NFLN.

My thoughts:
Comcast makes you buy a sports tier that includes something like 15 other channels. I could care less about the Big 10 network or NBA TV.

Why can't cable and the NFLN agree to sell live games on demand? Comcast touts an incredible on demand system. I know the technology exists to do this and a boat load of money could be made for selling individual out of town games at a reasonable price.

It is my understanding from someone in the know that the NFL can bail out of the NFLN deal before the contract ends in 2011. In fact, I was told that several owners want to abandon the NFLN all together. There is a good chance it will happen for the 2008 season if they can not make a deal.

Comcast / Versus wants these rights in a big way. Getting the NFL would give Versus instant credibility.

MBL is struggling with a similar issue with digital rights. A number of teams with cable channels (the Red Sox) want to block live games being shown on the Internet. There is a good article in Business Week.

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_48/b4060054.htm?chan=search

 

[alamo]

It is impossible to talk in absolutes on this topic... there is a business relationship between the NFL and cable companies where neither one is "right" and neither one is "wrong". Both have the right to maximize their revenues, but it looks like both are being greedy and holding their positions even though their customers suffer. Customers want content and are willing to pay as long as it's reasonable.

Comcast speaks out of both sides of their mouth. They say "we shouldn't charge all subscribers for channels they won't watch"... but they then lump the NFLN in with a sports package ($8 a month) which has other channels I would never watch. They pay NFLN 80 cents a month per subscriber, if Comcast charged me $2 a month for just NFLN then I'd have been happy and supportive.

Instead, after being forced to subscribe to the more expensive package for a while, I bolted for Verizon last month the moment it became available in my area. Bye Comcast, you blew it! Verizon has NFLN on its standard package, which is a marketing decision I am sure as they build their subscriber base. Hope by the time they decide it's too expensive to do so they will be forced to offer a la carte channel options.

 

[420jim]

Thank God I live in Vegas. The NFL hates us, but the casinos are too big to ignore, and we get all the games. I won't pay extra for NFL Network, or Sunday Ticket, I can just go to any number of casinos and watch all the games. Most off strip places have nice comfortable sports books with large screen HD tv's, and they'll put the sound on the main game, or the game that most of us want. And if the Pats are going for the sweep, I guarentee it will be the main game.

Its not my livingroom but in Las Vegas everybody is a Pats fan this year because everybody bets the Pats, easy money trumps team loyalty everytime.

Did I mention kocktail service at bargain basement prices?

 

[420jim]

I just wanted to add; the Patriots are 9-1 against the spread and going over. It’s gotten so bad for the books that this week the Patriots are -23.5 to open and the money still going to the pats. If it wasn't for the rest of the league being so erratic they’d be losing a bundle, and now there’s talk of not putting up a line for the Patriots, a no bet, they’re getting beat so bad. Ya, all books are full of Patriot fans.

 

[glutton79]

I didn't realize until I read this thread that I wouldn't be able to watch the game. I live in NC, have time warner, and I don't think NFL network is even an option for us... and even if it were, as a poor grad student, I probably wouldn't be able to afford it.

to say I'm irate about this would be an understatement. I'll probably go to a bar to watch it, but I *hate* watching games in bars. NC won't ban smoking in public places until hell freezes over, and somehow, watching an important game in a crowded, smoky bar surrounded by a bunch of people who hope my entire team gets run over by a bus isn't all that appealing.

as far as who's to blame, I reserve the right to hate the NFL and time warner equally. neither of them is hurting for money, and they're both screwing me over while trying to make more.

 

[friggs]

Here is what I emailed to Tim. This has been pissing me off for a long time. I am fed up with my cable company and I'm kicking their money grubbing ass to the curb!

Tim:
I think I am what you are looking for. I grew up in Boston and moved to Tampa when I was 29. I have always been and still am a huge Pats fan. This whole NFL Network thing is driving me nuts. I don't hold it against the NFL however, I am pissed at my local cable provider Brighthouse Networks.

From what I have read the NFL Network wants to charge the cable company like 70-90 cents per subscriber and be on the basic digital tier. Brighthouse on the other hand wants to turn around and charge customers $2.99 (probably closer to $5-$7 in reality) to get the NFL Network. That way I see it, that is pure greed, they want to charge at least a 300% markup and the NFL won't go for that. Cable companies are making money hand over fist and they can't absorb 70 centers per subscriber as opposed to losing them?

And they are going to lose people, including myself. I have waited 3+ years for Brighthouse to get their act together. The only thing that has kept me from switching over to Directv was the scandal over their HD Lite and the fact that you need to hook up a landline to the receiver. My wife and I ditched our landlines 3 years ago and went with our wireless phones. We have no need for a landline yet I now find myself ready to sign up for one because of this.

Well I am waiting no more. What the Patriots are doing this year is historic and while I could go to a sports bar and watch that final game, I hate watching football in bars because you can't hear anything and there are too many distractions. So I have decided to dump Brighthouse Networks. Verizon has FIOS service and they have the NFL Network but they are not quite in my neighborhood yet and Dec 29 is not that far away. So I am finally going to bite the bullet and get Directv. I have to call Verizon first and have them put in 2 landline jacks and then sign up for $16 a month basic service and then I have to go sign up for Directv and do this before Dec 29th.

I can't miss that game though. We will never see this ever again and I'm tired of my stupid cable company screwing me over for their bottom line. I'm calling their bluff and telling them to take a hike. I want the NFL Network and if they won't provide it then its time to move on, even as much hassle as it is.

I know DirecTV says you have to hook up a land line to the box, but you don't. I've had it for 5 years and never once had a phone line connected to the box. The only thing I can't do is order pay per view with my remote, so if that's a deal breaker don't do it. You can still order ppv on the website if you want. As far as NEEDING a phone line connected to the box, that's false. I've got my Sunday Ticket, my NFLN, and all is good. And for what it's worth I live in Spring Hill and DirecTV goes out way less than Bright House ever did in spite of what the commercials say.

 

[Snake]

I'm in south Orange County, CA...the wife and I will probably join other Orange County NE Patriots Fan Club members at the Fox Sports Grill in the Irvine Spectrum Center.

 

[mgteich]

OK, so NFLN isn't worth $3 a month to you. You'd rather pay for Direct TV.

Here is what I emailed to Tim. This has been pissing me off for a long time. I am fed up with my cable company and I'm kicking their money grubbing ass to the curb!

Tim:
I think I am what you are looking for. I grew up in Boston and moved to Tampa when I was 29. I have always been and still am a huge Pats fan. This whole NFL Network thing is driving me nuts. I don't hold it against the NFL however, I am pissed at my local cable provider Brighthouse Networks.

From what I have read the NFL Network wants to charge the cable company like 70-90 cents per subscriber and be on the basic digital tier. Brighthouse on the other hand wants to turn around and charge customers $2.99 (probably closer to $5-$7 in reality) to get the NFL Network. That way I see it, that is pure greed, they want to charge at least a 300% markup and the NFL won't go for that. Cable companies are making money hand over fist and they can't absorb 70 centers per subscriber as opposed to losing them?

And they are going to lose people, including myself. I have waited 3+ years for Brighthouse to get their act together. The only thing that has kept me from switching over to Directv was the scandal over their HD Lite and the fact that you need to hook up a landline to the receiver. My wife and I ditched our landlines 3 years ago and went with our wireless phones. We have no need for a landline yet I now find myself ready to sign up for one because of this.

Well I am waiting no more. What the Patriots are doing this year is historic and while I could go to a sports bar and watch that final game, I hate watching football in bars because you can't hear anything and there are too many distractions. So I have decided to dump Brighthouse Networks. Verizon has FIOS service and they have the NFL Network but they are not quite in my neighborhood yet and Dec 29 is not that far away. So I am finally going to bite the bullet and get Directv. I have to call Verizon first and have them put in 2 landline jacks and then sign up for $16 a month basic service and then I have to go sign up for Directv and do this before Dec 29th.

I can't miss that game though. We will never see this ever again and I'm tired of my stupid cable company screwing me over for their bottom line. I'm calling their bluff and telling them to take a hike. I want the NFL Network and if they won't provide it then its time to move on, even as much hassle as it is.

 

[OtisCampbell]

I know DirecTV says you have to hook up a land line to the box, but you don't. I've had it for 5 years and never once had a phone line connected to the box. The only thing I can't do is order pay per view with my remote, so if that's a deal breaker don't do it. You can still order ppv on the website if you want. As far as NEEDING a phone line connected to the box, that's false. I've got my Sunday Ticket, my NFLN, and all is good. And for what it's worth I live in Spring Hill and DirecTV goes out way less than Bright House ever did in spite of what the commercials say.

I don't know why they aren't clear on that - I almost didn't get satellite because of the landline issue. All the literature and marketing materials said landline required, and it is not true.

I would recommend satellite to anyone - it is cheaper and the picture is better. NFLN comes with a $29 package. Only downside is no internet.

 

[wahwho]

FWIW, and I didn't read this entire thread so it may have already been mentioned, I got some spam today from Verizon telling me that I'll be able to watch all the NFL Network games on their site because I have a DSL account with them. Looks like it will be a typical small streamed video, and I wouldn't bet against the site crashing when the time comes, but it's the only option I'm going to have to see it.

 

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

Here's the article:

NFL-cable grudge match sacks viewers

Regards,
Chris

 

[JoeSixPat]

My understanding is that the NFL Network agreement allows local affiliates to carry the Game.

I've heard folks say that this means Ch. 5 in Boston - but remember, this is the NEW ENGLAND Patriots so that doesn't truly fulfill their obligation in my opinion... most subscribers in RI, CT, NH, VT and ME have other ABC affiliates on their cable and won't be able to see Ch. 5.

So they need to go a step further to ensure that all fans in the New England area have access to meet their obligation in my opinion.

In one respect I recognize that NFL Networks "owns" the rights and is within their rights to make people subscribe to watch it - that's the way capitalism works - but in this case I think they'd do well to give ALL cable households the ability to get a "free weekend preview" of the NFL network (Digital or Basic cable included) and I think that will be as good if not a better marketing ploy.

For now they're being coy - but I hope and expect that should the Pats be 15-0 before the Jets game they announce such an agreement.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Hi there,

this is Tim Lemke and I am a sports business reporter with The Washington Times in D.C.

If you want to weigh in, I can be reached directly today at 202/636-3150 or tlemke [at] washingtontimes.com

Thanks for your time.
-Tim

I live in NYC, so I'll get the game even though I don't get NFLN or have a dish. I think there's a bigger audience for the issue you raise, viz., the millions of viewers in football-crazy markets like Texas, Philly, Chitown, Pittsburg AND MIAMI, who won't be able to see the game amd possibly watch history be made if they don't have a dish. Right now, the only people who'll see the game on NFLN are Bryant Gumbel's relatives and the 25 other NFLN subscribers around the country.

 

[Michigan Dave]

Ann Arbor, MI
NFL Network on DirecTV/Sunday Ticket.

There is absolutely no reason for any sports fan not to have DirecTV. It is the greatest thing in the world. SuperFan=awesome.

 

[DrLev]

There is absolutely no reason for any sports fan not to have DirecTV. It is the greatest thing in the world. SuperFan=awesome.

The problem is that a lot of sports fans, myself included, can not get DirecTV. Many people live in areas or in apartments/condos with orientations that do not lend to installing a satellite dish (e.g. northern instead of southern exposure). I happen to live in an apartment building that does not allow tenants to install satellite dishes (the legality of this is questionable; check out what the FCC has to say). Basically, there are many, many reasons that sports fans can't get DirecTV. Additionally, the NFL only allows a specific number of subscriptions to the Sunday Ticket.