NFL Network vs Cable dispute

[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.

 

[Joemonkey]

I don't pay any extra for it with Dish, it surprises me how many people DON'T have it

 

[chuckywang]

There is exactly the same debate between the Big Ten Network and cable companies (especially those in Big Ten states). The Big Ten Network wants to be on BASIC cable in those Big Ten states, at a cost of well over $1 per subscriber.

 

[LittleEnglish]

All I know is that I have Cablevision which don't offer the NFL Network and I'm pissed that I can't see the Cowboys vs. Packers game.

 

[KK]

what does the NFL charge the dish services per subscriber?

 

[BigJ]

FiOS > *

::hugs STB::

 

[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.

 

[spidey07]

NFL network is being greedy. There really isn't as high a demand for that channel as they think. Besides the few NFL games the rest of the content is about as good as the outdoor channel at 3:00 AM.

I've got it in HD and don't pay any extra for that channel alone. Let's keep it that way because I sure as heck wouldn't pay for it. They surely can't even attempt to be on the same level as ESPN.

 

[Alistar7]

Originally posted by: LittleEnglish
All I know is that I have Cablevision which don't offer the NFL Network and I'm pissed that I can't see the Cowboys vs. Packers game.

sopcast or myp2p

While they may only broadcast 8 games a year, they also run abbreviated (snap to whistle) games the week after they are played. I enjoyed being able to quickly watch games that were not broadcast in my area, or overlapped another game I wanted to watch in full.

Ultimately the consumer will be the ones to decide. If the demand is there it will be provided in the basic package, if not those who must have it will pay a bit more for the extra programming. I understand the point of the NFL, and at seventy whopping cents a subscriber it seems like a good deal for the cable companies.

 

[slsmnaz]

Originally posted by: BigJ
FiOS > *

::hugs STB::

me too!

 

[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).

 

[chuckywang]

Originally posted by: spidey07
NFL network is being greedy. There really isn't as high a demand for that channel as they think. Besides the few NFL games the rest of the content is about as good as the outdoor channel at 3:00 AM.

I've got it in HD and don't pay any extra for that channel alone. Let's keep it that way because I sure as heck wouldn't pay for it. They surely can't even attempt to be on the same level as ESPN.

If you have the channel, you're paying for it. Don't kid yourself.

 

[anxi80]

on thanksgiving i was visiting relatives and they have time warner cable (doesnt carry). i wanted to watch the indy game so i rushed home (25-30 minute drive) so i could watch it on cox cable.

 

[Pabster]

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.

Yeah, but it adds up. $0.70 here, $1.00 there, $0.50 over there...and people piss and moan every time the package price goes up a couple bucks.

The bean counters are always doing a risk vs reward comparison. What will it cost them in $ if they DON'T add it (in lost subscribers and revenues) versus what they stand to earn if they DO add it. I do know that the local cable provider here has seen steep losses in cable subscribers, particularly after the BTN fiasco.

 

[Slick5150]

Originally posted by: anxi80
on thanksgiving i was visiting relatives and they have time warner cable (doesnt carry). i wanted to watch the indy game so i rushed home (25-30 minute drive) so i could watch it on cox cable. luckily i had a few beers and a couple glasses of wine because my bladder was part of the reason i got home so quickly.

Its lucky you had a few beers and a couple glasses of wine before you took a 25-30 minute drive? I'm sure the other people on the road appreciate your luck too!

 

[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.

 

[anxi80]

Originally posted by: Slick5150

Originally posted by: anxi80
on thanksgiving i was visiting relatives and they have time warner cable (doesnt carry). i wanted to watch the indy game so i rushed home (25-30 minute drive) so i could watch it on cox cable. luckily i had a few beers and a couple glasses of wine because my bladder was part of the reason i got home so quickly.

Its lucky you had a few beers and a couple glasses of wine before you took a 25-30 minute drive? I'm sure the other people on the road appreciate your luck too!

the wink was a nod to the dui checkpoint thread, but then i realized that it may offend some and it was in poor taste... edited my original post and i offer my apologies.

edit: and not to threadjack, cox does carry it but at the price im paying im sure its included somewhere in there.

 

[Alistar7]

You should be able to watch any game you want, for a fee, online. I would gladly pay to watch every one of my team's games.

 

[Pabster]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
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.

Yep. It's a great business, too. Look how many have fallen for it!

Big Ten Network is a total joke. NFL Network is better, but not by much.

If you could get away with extorting a few hundred million here and there, wouldn't you? :laugh:

 

[BeauJangles]

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.

 

[Linflas]

Nobody is wrong. The NFL owns a product and they can set the price at whatever they want. Cable companies decide what the effect on their bottom line is when they determine whether or not to purchase the product. If the NFL has overestimated the worth of their product then they will be forced to lower the price, if not then cable providers will either pay the money or decide that the number of subscribers that actually care about this is low enough that they can deal with that better than the cost of carrying the channel.

 

[waggy]

only reason i watch nfl channeL IS monday night football. if i had to pay for the channel i would tell them to take ahike!

 

[Deeko]

Originally posted by: Linflas
Nobody is wrong. The NFL owns a product and they can set the price at whatever they want. Cable companies decide what the effect on their bottom line is when they determine whether or not to purchase the product. If the NFL has overestimated the worth of their product then they will be forced to lower the price, if not then cable providers will either pay the money or decide that the number of subscribers that actually care about this is low enough that they can deal with that better than the cost of carrying the channel.

Agreed, however, you don't think the NFL is wrong to try to get congress to FORCE the cable providers into offering it for "free"? That's what I really have an issue with.

 

[torpid]

I guess the NFL network is wrong. That's hard to admit, considering how much I hate Charter (my local cable company).

 

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: Deeko

Originally posted by: Linflas
Nobody is wrong. The NFL owns a product and they can set the price at whatever they want. Cable companies decide what the effect on their bottom line is when they determine whether or not to purchase the product. If the NFL has overestimated the worth of their product then they will be forced to lower the price, if not then cable providers will either pay the money or decide that the number of subscribers that actually care about this is low enough that they can deal with that better than the cost of carrying the channel.

Agreed, however, you don't think the NFL is wrong to try to get congress to FORCE the cable providers into offering it for "free"? That's what I really have an issue with.

Yes that is most definitely wrong but it is inevitable the moment that people think that congress and the FCC have any business whatsoever in regulating cable and broadcasts for anything other than technical concerns. I believe that DirecTV should be allowed to provide me with the East and West network feeds but the NAB and congress feel it is more important that I be subjected to Eastern Motors cheesy assed commercials than it is for me to be able to have options when watching nationally televised programming.