Can someone explain NFL broadcasts to me?

[vfrex]

I thought I was going to get to watch my Giants slam the Redskins last night, but low and behold, it is being broadcasted on the NFL network. I can't even choose what game I want to watch, because the local network appears to do so for me. What the hell is wrong with this system? My only option would be to buy a satellite dish and subscribe to direcTV. Then I would have to pay out my ass to get the special NFL Tickets program.

Does this anger anyone else?

[tomato]

Yes, damn blackout broadcasts annoy the hell out of me! :( Half or more of the NHL games that I want to watch are always "blacked out" of my region... And my service only offers an NFL package, no NHL to speak of :(

[PP Mguire]

Its a huge marketing scheme to make you buy w/e you want to watch. Alot of people are falling for it too.

[vfrex]

But thats the thing. YOU CAN'T. You can not buy whatever you want. I might just buy the games I want on PPV if they were available.

[PP Mguire]

I thought that was the purpose of the NFL Network was so that you could watch w/e game you want when you want?

[vfrex]

That might be true, I'm not sure. But the problem is that the NFL Network is exclusive to satellite. I'm saying someone is getting screwed here, because there are far more people that would be willing to buy additional games on cable than direcTV. I'll be honest, I have no real statistics, but I'm willing to bet that cable has at least 60% of the market, and probably closer to 80. Satellite would have a meager 20-40%, and even less for DirecTV as it has competitors in that industry (or it did when I used to follow it).

I don't think NFL Network allows you to watch any game you want. It gives highlights of some, and shows single games like any other cable channel. What I want is pay per view, any game I want. Only DirecTV's package allows for that though, and for the life of me, I can't figure out why the NFL would buy into such a ****ty contract. There are only going to be a few fringe football nuts that actually buy satellite for the sake of football. At least, only a few in comparison to the more rational people "like me". I like the game, and I might just pay for being able to watch more, but I'm not getting a dish, receiver, and all the hell that comes with it. I am willing to bet that there are a lot of people thinking along the same lines as me. I have no idea what kind of cut the NFL is getting from giving DirecTV this monopoly over NFL broadcasts, but I'm willing to bet that it is most of the revenue generated directed from people ordering the package. DirecTV gets market share and revenue from crazies that need their football fix. I just don't see how the NFL couldn't generate more profits from keeping it cheap on cable.

[Schwarz]

The question is why do you pay for satellite ??? :p
No I heard of that crap.
Let's say I would have it here in Canada (expresevue) or something.
I could watcha bunch of hockey games but not be able to watch the Montreal Canadiens because I am in montreal.
I would have to watch it on the basic Cable.
Anyways I wouldn't pay for satellite.

[XJnine]

The NFL network isn't exclusive to sattelite, Comcast and some other cable companies carry it. Time Warner and Cablevision have decided not to carry it.

Even though the games are on the NFL Network, local games are still broadcast on local network TV. Unfortunately for you they decided that your market was not a local market for the Giants or Redskins.

The NFL Network purposely decided to put some games on their network hoping it would cause customers in the areas serviced by Time Warner and Cablevision to demand that they carry the NFL Network. We'll see what happens....

[vfrex]

NFL Network doesn't allow you to watch any game you want. NFL Sunday Ticket on DirecTV does:

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPage.jsp?assetId=900044