In an about face from the NFL, the Patriots-Giants game will be televised on NBC and CBS. Is there that much interest in this game? Why did the NFL cave in on this demand?
I read an article on CBS Marketwatch by Jon Friedman that suggested that the NFL did it because it was afraid of Congress. We don't want to rouse the sleeping giant of Congress, do we? Are you kidding me? Shouldn't Congress be concentrating on other things rather than worrying if some football fans are going to miss a game that will look like week two of the exhibition season. And do we really want the government to "fix" this so called problem? Why don't we just vote for communism and let the government run our lives? How ridiculous.
While the NFL Network will get some exposure, it did step on some toes of the companies that already support the NFL Network. It also has set a precedent that will only serve to heat up an argument on how the big bad NFL is cheating it's fans the next time a big game is televised only on the NFL Network.
We don't need Congress to have our backs. Fans have a choice on TV providers. This is a free market economy and it needs to stay that way. If fans want the NFL Network that bad, then they should change to a provider that has the station.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Monday, December 24, 2007
NFL Network: Satellite vs Cable
As the Patriots inch closer to perfection, the battle between cable TV and satellite will intensify this week. But should you really blame NFL and the NFL Network for giving you the opportunity to see the game?
The last time I checked, this is a free market economy. As a customer, you are free to choose cable or satellite. Yet, the media and fans want to blame the NFL and the NFL Network for not giving them a chance to watch the game. Of course cable blames the NFL Network (and the Big Ten Network) for wanting too much money for the station to be included on their basic package. Besides, they don't want to "subject" all their customers to paying a higher cost for the basic package. But, it is OK to include (take your pick) other stations that many have little to no interest in watching, but that is another story.
What is interesting is that the satellite companies can offer competitive package prices that includes the NFL Network and Big Ten Network and cable companies like Time Warner can't. It is hard to understand why more people haven't made the switch. Perhaps they are fearful that their TV will go out on them every time it rains or snows. Cable companies can only hope that their customers hold on to these false beliefs.
For sports fans, satellite TV, like DIRECTV is far and away a better choice than cable. Offering the NFL Network is only part of the overall sports menu. As the NFL Network continues to grow, you can expect more live games to be offered. You can also bet that the TV providers that do offer the NFL Network will continue to hammer the airwaves to get people to make the switch. If the cable companies continue to be arrogant and not give customers want they want, cable prices will continue to increase in order for them to absorb their lost in market share.
Regardless of what side of the argument you are on. The fact is this. You have a choice. You do not have to whine and blame the NFL and the NFL Network for being greedy. They are running a business. If it is something you want, it IS available to you. You just need to change your provider.
The last time I checked, this is a free market economy. As a customer, you are free to choose cable or satellite. Yet, the media and fans want to blame the NFL and the NFL Network for not giving them a chance to watch the game. Of course cable blames the NFL Network (and the Big Ten Network) for wanting too much money for the station to be included on their basic package. Besides, they don't want to "subject" all their customers to paying a higher cost for the basic package. But, it is OK to include (take your pick) other stations that many have little to no interest in watching, but that is another story.
What is interesting is that the satellite companies can offer competitive package prices that includes the NFL Network and Big Ten Network and cable companies like Time Warner can't. It is hard to understand why more people haven't made the switch. Perhaps they are fearful that their TV will go out on them every time it rains or snows. Cable companies can only hope that their customers hold on to these false beliefs.
For sports fans, satellite TV, like DIRECTV is far and away a better choice than cable. Offering the NFL Network is only part of the overall sports menu. As the NFL Network continues to grow, you can expect more live games to be offered. You can also bet that the TV providers that do offer the NFL Network will continue to hammer the airwaves to get people to make the switch. If the cable companies continue to be arrogant and not give customers want they want, cable prices will continue to increase in order for them to absorb their lost in market share.
Regardless of what side of the argument you are on. The fact is this. You have a choice. You do not have to whine and blame the NFL and the NFL Network for being greedy. They are running a business. If it is something you want, it IS available to you. You just need to change your provider.
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