Diamond One
Footballguy
Unable to get NFLN games down here in Tampa (either Bright House or Knology). 
Anyone know what the latest is on this tic-tac-toe battle?
Anyone know what the latest is on this tic-tac-toe battle?
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NFL Network vs. Cable Companies (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Diamond One
- Start date
Raider Nation
Devil's Advocate
The rhetoric/spin I'm hearing from the BIG 3 cable companies is absolutely hilarious.
"We don't have many customers complaining about not having the NFL Network."
Yeah, I'm sure they aren't getting many calls at all.
"We don't have many customers complaining about not having the NFL Network."
Yeah, I'm sure they aren't getting many calls at all.
Yeah, #### those cable companies for trying to prevent the NFL from squeezing more money out of people. Their just being cheap, and an increase in their operating expenses will in no way increase the amount I pay for cable.The rhetoric/spin I'm hearing from the BIG 3 cable companies is absolutely hilarious.
"We don't have many customers complaining about not having the NFL Network."
Yeah, I'm sure they aren't getting many calls at all.
Bevo
Footballguy
The way that I figure it is that I am already paying for a whole bunch of crappy stuff that I don't and won't watch, I might as well hold their feet to the fire for what I do want to watch. I free myself from the Time Warner albatross Friday afternoon immediately following the departure of the DirectTv installer.Yeah, #### those cable companies for trying to prevent the NFL from squeezing more money out of people. Their just being cheap, and an increase in their operating expenses will in no way increase the amount I pay for cable.The rhetoric/spin I'm hearing from the BIG 3 cable companies is absolutely hilarious.
"We don't have many customers complaining about not having the NFL Network."
Yeah, I'm sure they aren't getting many calls at all.
I hope they fall into bankruptcy never to return. But hey, that's just me!
bentley
Footballguy
So, the market will decide the winner. Sounds like a much better deal than the entire cable-buying population being soaked for the fact that some small percentage would watch the NFL network even though everyone's being forced to bear the cost.The way that I figure it is that I am already paying for a whole bunch of crappy stuff that I don't and won't watch, I might as well hold their feet to the fire for what I do want to watch. I free myself from the Time Warner albatross Friday afternoon immediately following the departure of the DirectTv installer.Yeah, #### those cable companies for trying to prevent the NFL from squeezing more money out of people. Their just being cheap, and an increase in their operating expenses will in no way increase the amount I pay for cable.The rhetoric/spin I'm hearing from the BIG 3 cable companies is absolutely hilarious.
"We don't have many customers complaining about not having the NFL Network."
Yeah, I'm sure they aren't getting many calls at all.
DirectTV has the same amount of "crappy stuff" you won't watch if not more. TV has come along way over the internet in the last year.The way that I figure it is that I am already paying for a whole bunch of crappy stuff that I don't and won't watch, I might as well hold their feet to the fire for what I do want to watch. I free myself from the Time Warner albatross Friday afternoon immediately following the departure of the DirectTv installer.Yeah, #### those cable companies for trying to prevent the NFL from squeezing more money out of people. Their just being cheap, and an increase in their operating expenses will in no way increase the amount I pay for cable.The rhetoric/spin I'm hearing from the BIG 3 cable companies is absolutely hilarious.
"We don't have many customers complaining about not having the NFL Network."
Yeah, I'm sure they aren't getting many calls at all.
With Internet, VOIP companies can now compete with phone companies. VOIP is 20 bucks a month, wayyyy cheaper than a regular phone bill. Phone companies can now compete with cable companies to offer TV. I hope the market forces them to come out with a cheap solution too.
Also satellite companies offer internet like cable companies do and.....I love that it's all coming together and they're competing.
It was part of the digital package with Adelphia. Their higher end package. I think that was OK. I'd agree with ya if it raised the rate of "basic cable".I think they should just go with a website and broadcast it there. CBS and CSTV rocked with their coverage of the NCAAs, why that's being ignored by the sports broadcasting world is beyond me. You'd figure others would copy a huge success or implement their own similar strategy. Anyhow, a huge # 40? 50? million(I can't recall) visit NFL.com in december. If they charged a dollar and got everyone to join NFLN.....One thing NFLN could copy that I love about NFL.com's fantasy league is the video highlights. "Your player" scores a TD, click here for that video. So simple but it's great. I'm certain that will be the norm for FF league sites in years to come.
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bentley
Footballguy
Well, that's a different story. In Bevo's market (which I live in) it would have raised the rate of basic cable. I'm convinced it should be part of the sports package along with Speed, Tennis, NBATV, and the various Fox regional channels that I don't pay for now, but would if they added NFL network to it.
Gottabesweet
Footballguy
Looks like I'll be going out for the game tomorrow
bentley
Footballguy
That's yet another benefit of not having the NFL network. I just told la wifey today that I was going to be forced to search out the confines of a smokey tavern in order to watch Dallas-Atlanta next Saturday since we didn't have it at home.
Bevo
Footballguy
It's not a better deal for me. And I am being soaked with a lot of selections on the basic cable. I'm voting in the marketplace with my pocketbook against Time Warner.So, the market will decide the winner. Sounds like a much better deal than the entire cable-buying population being soaked for the fact that some small percentage would watch the NFL network even though everyone's being forced to bear the cost.The way that I figure it is that I am already paying for a whole bunch of crappy stuff that I don't and won't watch, I might as well hold their feet to the fire for what I do want to watch. I free myself from the Time Warner albatross Friday afternoon immediately following the departure of the DirectTv installer.Yeah, #### those cable companies for trying to prevent the NFL from squeezing more money out of people. Their just being cheap, and an increase in their operating expenses will in no way increase the amount I pay for cable.The rhetoric/spin I'm hearing from the BIG 3 cable companies is absolutely hilarious.
"We don't have many customers complaining about not having the NFL Network."
Yeah, I'm sure they aren't getting many calls at all.
BTW, this is far from my only beef with Time Warner, it is just the one that broke the camel's back.
This is true...you have to stay on hold an hour to get through.The rhetoric/spin I'm hearing from the BIG 3 cable companies is absolutely hilarious.
"We don't have many customers complaining about not having the NFL Network."
Yeah, I'm sure they aren't getting many calls at all.
radballs
Footballguy
Damn Bentley, That's a great point. Even though I have NFLN, I might have to use that one and just not mention to my wife that's it's on the NFL Network. "Sorry honey, just have to go up to the bar. My FF playoffs are on the line and, of course, you get your share of the profits if I win." That might just well work, lmao.
Arm Chair Express
Footballguy
I called the cable company about adding the sports tier which included NFL Network. They told me that Direct TV bought the exclusive rights to the NFL Network and they don't carry it anymore. If this is true it sounds like a dumb move by the NFL Network. They limited their viewing audience.
Osaurus
Footballguy
Fios down?Unable to get NFLN games down here in Tampa (either Bright House or Knology).
Bevo
Footballguy
DirectTV has exclusive rights to NFL Sunday Ticket (the package where you can see all/most of the NFL games every week). I'm reasonably sure they do not have exclusive rights to the NFL Network.
Pipes
Footballguy
That is a flat out lie. Any cable provider can, and many do, provide the NFLN to their consumers as long as they pay the fees the NFL wants. That's the problem....the NFL networks costs more than most if not all cable channels so the cable companies don't want to pay that much for that channel.I have no sympathy for cable companies when Directv & Dish networks can pay the fees and include the NFLN in their base package at a reasonable (in my case cheaper) cost to the consumer than the cable companies do. I pay about $5 less per month for Directv than I did to Charter and I get about 40 more channels including NFLN.
Gargoylez
Footballguy
I was on hold for 20 minutes to cancel my cable or downgrade it to the basic 22.There internet is actually reasonable, like 40 bucks compared to Adelphia if you didnt have a package it was 59.99.This is true...you have to stay on hold an hour to get through.The rhetoric/spin I'm hearing from the BIG 3 cable companies is absolutely hilarious.
"We don't have many customers complaining about not having the NFL Network."
Yeah, I'm sure they aren't getting many calls at all.
BTW, anyone who WAS adelphia, and now Time Warner, call and switch packages. It will save you 10 bucks I beleive. you get the same EXACT stations, but your under their "name" and not under Adelphia's. They wont switch it for you and they will continue to charge you the "adelphia" rate.
My Boss just did it, and they said, the consumer HAS to call and change it to take effect.
Not sure if it is everywhere... but in the WNY area it works.
I am... unfortunately... siding with the Cable COmpanies. For every Football fan there is a grandma and WOman who could care less about it. If it is specialized it SHOULD be in the Sports package and the average consumer doesnt have to pay extra for it. Yeah there is already a bunch of crap on Cable that you don't watch or like, but this is very different and has a very unique niche. Its sports. If they let NFL network outside of the sports package, then all of the sports channels should be allowed to as well. It would only be fair.
JerseyEagles
Footballguy
Here's Patriot Media's "spin" on why they can't show any games, and are also blacking out those of us who have the NFLN through them. (Central NJ) They even provide the NFL's address at the bottom so all of us can complain to the NFL. You #######s are the ones with THE capability to show the games, not them.
Q&A About Games on NFL Network
Q. Why are these NFL games airing on The NFL Network?
A. The NFL has decided to put seven prime-time professional football games on its’ own network – the NFL Network - and charge an additional license fee for these games. In the past, these games would have been shown on local broadcast or national networks without extra fees being paid by cable customers. However, the NFL decided instead to put them on their own network and to charge an additional amount for this programming.
Q. How much in fees does The NFL Network want to air these games?
A. The total added cost of just these seven games is over $700,000 – or $100,000 per game. Although the games air in just late November through December, each year the NFL expects customers to pay this monthly fee every month for several years.
Q. Why can’t Patriot Media Digital Basic customers see these games on The NFL Network?
A. Patriot Media already pays a substantial fee each month to the NFL Network for its’ programming and believes that these games should be included, for a reasonable cost, in addition to that fee. We believe that our Digital Basic customers should be able to watch these games without having to pay significantly more every month. Not every customer is interested in football and it would be unfair to impose an additional fee on all Digital Basic customers.
Q. If I want to watch these games, can’t I just pay an additional fee?
A. As an alternative, we maintain that customers who are willing to pay for these games should have access to them for a set fee per the customer’s request. If the NFL agreed to this, the games would be available on the system. Unfortunately, the NFL will not allow only those who want the service to buy it. Patriot would be required to include the service in Digital Basic to all customers subscribing to that tier. The NFL is unwilling to allow us to offer it to only the people that want it, or to only the people who are willing to pay for it. From the NFL’s viewpoint, it is all or nothing, either all Digital Basic customers must have it or none can.
Q. I saw the game listed on the TV Guide although Patriot Media is not carrying the game. Why?
A. The programming you see listed on TV Guide is provided by each network to TV Guide. Although Patriot Media is not carrying these games and The NFL Network is providing alternate programming during the timeframes that games are being played, The NFL Network has seen fit to have TV Guide still list the games, leading to customer confusion and disappointment. We are following up with the network concerning this practice.
Q. One of the games I’ve seen listed to air on The NFL Network is the New York Giants game on December 30. Will I be able to watch this game?
A. Yes. The New York Giants game is an “in-market” game and will air on a local broadcast channel in this area.
Q. What happens now?
R. We are concerned about the rising costs of cable TV service, especially for sports programming. With this in mind, Patriot seeks to protect and satisfy the interests of all customers, including those who will be asked to pay for something that they do not want. Patriot Media has negotiated in good faith but has not been successful in reaching an agreement. We will continue to talk with the NFL to see if we can find a reasonable solution for all parties involved, including the NFL ownership, our football fans and most importantly, our customers.
Q. How can I contact the NFL and express my opinion?
A. Let your opinion be heard by the NFL and The NFL Network. You can call or write to them at:
National Football League
280 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
212-450-2000 (main number)
Q&A About Games on NFL Network
Q. Why are these NFL games airing on The NFL Network?
A. The NFL has decided to put seven prime-time professional football games on its’ own network – the NFL Network - and charge an additional license fee for these games. In the past, these games would have been shown on local broadcast or national networks without extra fees being paid by cable customers. However, the NFL decided instead to put them on their own network and to charge an additional amount for this programming.
Q. How much in fees does The NFL Network want to air these games?
A. The total added cost of just these seven games is over $700,000 – or $100,000 per game. Although the games air in just late November through December, each year the NFL expects customers to pay this monthly fee every month for several years.
Q. Why can’t Patriot Media Digital Basic customers see these games on The NFL Network?
A. Patriot Media already pays a substantial fee each month to the NFL Network for its’ programming and believes that these games should be included, for a reasonable cost, in addition to that fee. We believe that our Digital Basic customers should be able to watch these games without having to pay significantly more every month. Not every customer is interested in football and it would be unfair to impose an additional fee on all Digital Basic customers.
Q. If I want to watch these games, can’t I just pay an additional fee?
A. As an alternative, we maintain that customers who are willing to pay for these games should have access to them for a set fee per the customer’s request. If the NFL agreed to this, the games would be available on the system. Unfortunately, the NFL will not allow only those who want the service to buy it. Patriot would be required to include the service in Digital Basic to all customers subscribing to that tier. The NFL is unwilling to allow us to offer it to only the people that want it, or to only the people who are willing to pay for it. From the NFL’s viewpoint, it is all or nothing, either all Digital Basic customers must have it or none can.
Q. I saw the game listed on the TV Guide although Patriot Media is not carrying the game. Why?
A. The programming you see listed on TV Guide is provided by each network to TV Guide. Although Patriot Media is not carrying these games and The NFL Network is providing alternate programming during the timeframes that games are being played, The NFL Network has seen fit to have TV Guide still list the games, leading to customer confusion and disappointment. We are following up with the network concerning this practice.
Q. One of the games I’ve seen listed to air on The NFL Network is the New York Giants game on December 30. Will I be able to watch this game?
A. Yes. The New York Giants game is an “in-market” game and will air on a local broadcast channel in this area.
Q. What happens now?
R. We are concerned about the rising costs of cable TV service, especially for sports programming. With this in mind, Patriot seeks to protect and satisfy the interests of all customers, including those who will be asked to pay for something that they do not want. Patriot Media has negotiated in good faith but has not been successful in reaching an agreement. We will continue to talk with the NFL to see if we can find a reasonable solution for all parties involved, including the NFL ownership, our football fans and most importantly, our customers.
Q. How can I contact the NFL and express my opinion?
A. Let your opinion be heard by the NFL and The NFL Network. You can call or write to them at:
National Football League
280 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
212-450-2000 (main number)
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ConstruxBoy
Kate's Daddy
So, the market will decide the winner. Sounds like a much better deal than the entire cable-buying population being soaked for the fact that some small percentage would watch the NFL network even though everyone's being forced to bear the cost.The way that I figure it is that I am already paying for a whole bunch of crappy stuff that I don't and won't watch, I might as well hold their feet to the fire for what I do want to watch. I free myself from the Time Warner albatross Friday afternoon immediately following the departure of the DirectTv installer.Yeah, #### those cable companies for trying to prevent the NFL from squeezing more money out of people. Their just being cheap, and an increase in their operating expenses will in no way increase the amount I pay for cable.The rhetoric/spin I'm hearing from the BIG 3 cable companies is absolutely hilarious.
"We don't have many customers complaining about not having the NFL Network."
Yeah, I'm sure they aren't getting many calls at all.
That's the way things work in America. Let's see what happens. I think that cable companies will be hurt a lot less than people think.I have Insight Cable here in Illinois and last week they announced that they would now begin showing the games.
Claimed they worked out a deal with the NFL that was beneficial to both of them.
Everything as far as I can see has stayed the same with the packages and things like that.
So I don't know the specifics, but that's at least one cable company that has worked out something with the NFL and is now showing the games.
Link here: http://www.insight-com.com/special-message.asp
If you want to show other cable companies that at least someone has made the jump already.
Claimed they worked out a deal with the NFL that was beneficial to both of them.
Everything as far as I can see has stayed the same with the packages and things like that.
So I don't know the specifics, but that's at least one cable company that has worked out something with the NFL and is now showing the games.
Link here: http://www.insight-com.com/special-message.asp
If you want to show other cable companies that at least someone has made the jump already.
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Gold Plated Nails
Footballguy
And in the big pissing contest who loses, the customers, horray for us!
Marc Levin
Hangs out with Oscar Zeta Acosta
Wasd the NFL-N's telephon number link posted here - that's a runnig list of the numbers to call to get NFL-N in your cable system.
If not, I'll go get it, but it's been on the NFL-N's website since T-giving.
If not, I'll go get it, but it's been on the NFL-N's website since T-giving.
Marc Levin
Hangs out with Oscar Zeta Acosta
that's why the fed are getting involved.The problem is that the NFL is now in the business of broadcasting its own games. They will no longer get an anti-trust exemption now that they entered a business controlled by the FCC.They will have to sell their games ala carte to the cable systems that do not want to carry the NFL-N and they can NOT charge an extra premium to the cable cos that agree to carry NFL-N in order for those cable cos to have the right to broadcast the games.
It is the pure definitiion of predatory pricing and monopolistic maneuvers. The NFL right now is acting very similarly to the railroad co.s 120 years ago, which inspiured the Sherman antitrust laws.
Gold Plated Nails
Footballguy
Can Sherman fix this for me in the next 8 minutes. Damn NFL and Time Warner are shafting me.
They will have to sell their games ala carte to the cable systems that do not want to carry the NFL-N and they can NOT charge an extra premium to the cable cos that agree to carry NFL-N in order for those cable cos to have the right to broadcast the games.
It is the pure definitiion of predatory pricing and monopolistic maneuvers. The NFL right now is acting very similarly to the railroad co.s 120 years ago, which inspiured the Sherman antitrust laws.
Wreckincrew
Footballguy
The way I see it the NFL has figured out a way to add more primetime games, and for that I applaud them. The games that have been played/are scheduled are games that in years past would have been played on Sunday afternoons, which would not have been viewable to anyone without DirecTV & Sunday Ticket anyway. It would have been just another Sunday game. The game is still being broadcast in both teams local markets (subject to normal blackout rules) so they aren’t missing out.
If this game was just another Sunday noon game would everyone really be this fired up about not being able to watch?
Just my
.
If this game was just another Sunday noon game would everyone really be this fired up about not being able to watch?
Just my
.
LHUCKS
Footballguy
The way I see it the NFL has figured out a way to add more primetime games, and for that I applaud them. The games that have been played/are scheduled are games that in years past would have been played on Sunday afternoons, which would not have been viewable to anyone without DirecTV & Sunday Ticket anyway. It would have been just another Sunday game. The game is still being broadcast in both teams local markets (subject to normal blackout rules) so they aren’t missing out. If this game was just another Sunday noon game would everyone really be this fired up about not being able to watch?Just my
Marc Levin
Hangs out with Oscar Zeta Acosta
I think the reason it's Th and not SunDAY is that, IIRC, the league's deal with DirecTV allows DirecTV feeds of all early and afternoon Sunday games and only local blackout rules prevent DirecTV from carrying those games.I recall that being the deal when they moved a 'phin game to Sat. b/c a 'cane was coming.
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no DirectTV bid for all games on satellite.The other networks bid per packagesunday afternoon=two packagessun night=1 packagemon night=1 packagethurs night=1 package(obviously this one is up for debate how much NFL paid itself)
Futility
Footballguy
The argument that is taking place in this thread is ludicrous. Everyone makes it sound as if there are only 2 solutions for the NFL network to exist and only one side is greedy. The truth is that there are middle-ground solutions (such as inclusion on basic cable with an opt-out choice - and yes, there is precedent for this) and that BOTH sides are greedy.
TWC thinks they stand to lose more by upping cable rates for everyone and pleasing the hardcore football fanbase than offending that fanbase and keeping prices where they are. They don't care about the NFL, they don't care about the sport, they don't care about customer choices - they care about their bottom line. Greedy. Similarly, the NFL doesn't care about TWC or their customers. They care about exposure and advertiser prices. Greedy.
Time will tell who stands to lose more, at which point you'll see some action on this issue. To me, it just seems moronic that neither side is willing to compromise.
TWC thinks they stand to lose more by upping cable rates for everyone and pleasing the hardcore football fanbase than offending that fanbase and keeping prices where they are. They don't care about the NFL, they don't care about the sport, they don't care about customer choices - they care about their bottom line. Greedy. Similarly, the NFL doesn't care about TWC or their customers. They care about exposure and advertiser prices. Greedy.
Time will tell who stands to lose more, at which point you'll see some action on this issue. To me, it just seems moronic that neither side is willing to compromise.
Marc Levin
Hangs out with Oscar Zeta Acosta
Not sure if you are agreeing, disagreeing, or if we are talking about different things.The end result was the same for DirecTV - they lost one of the games they would have carried on Sunday. Then again, I think Thursday night NFL after the end of the NCAA season had started becoming a regularity over the last few years anyway. ESPN had a few the last couple of years, right?
Marc Levin
Hangs out with Oscar Zeta Acosta
You are absolutely correct - NFL-N's goal, and I think it was a stated goal, is to be offered on the same platform as ESPN.And they are clearly strong-arming cable companies to get there quickly. TW didn't cave, though it made a poor decision when it failed to reach an agreement with the NFL-N before this past summer.The problem I see is NFL-N is dictating some unusual terms regarding the games that it is scheduled to broadcast, and it is dictating some unusual terms regarding carriage of the NFL-N channel.
King of the Wolfies
Footballguy
Eventually the NFL will donate to some politicians and they will get their way. Mark my words :(
Statorama
Footballguy
Let the free market take care of itself. If enough paying customers of TW complain to the company, they will add the NFL-N. If it's not that big of a deal, say if only 300 or so customers complain, then the issue is over. If millions of subscribers are furiously calling in, TW will cave.
Edit: I have the dish, and enjoyed watching the game tonight.
Edit: I have the dish, and enjoyed watching the game tonight.
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Marc Levin
Hangs out with Oscar Zeta Acosta
Does anyone know if ESPN charges an extra surcharge to cable co.s to carry NFL games?
The NFL-N apparently charged an extra fee to carry the games even after the cable co. contracted to carry NFL-N.
The NFL-N apparently charged an extra fee to carry the games even after the cable co. contracted to carry NFL-N.
GregR_2
Footballguy
If you mean, do they have the cost split out separately, not that I'm aware of. If you mean, does their price include their costs in getting the rights to NFL games, yeah, sure it does. ESPN costs $2.90 per subscriber. NFL Network charges 20 cents per subscriber without the NFL games, or 70 cents with them.
GregR_2
Footballguy
It isn't the people who call in that they need to worry about. It's the people who sit there fuming and then change to DirecTV without having called in.
Marc Levin
Hangs out with Oscar Zeta Acosta
Tx, GregR
I don't know.I can't decide how I feel about it but Congress got involved in drug testing/steroids and now TV. They've left well enough alone for years and now seem to be wanting to get their hands into it.
Wreckincrew
Footballguy
The Thursday night game in previous seasons was a replacment for the Sunday night game that ESPN didn't brodcast so as not to compete with the first weekend of the World Series. The only real change is the 2 or 3 weekends of Saturday games that CBS/FOX would broadcast once the NC$$ football regular season was over. They are now on NFL-N.
Marc Levin
Hangs out with Oscar Zeta Acosta
Nothing stated here refutes my assertion that DirecTV's deal with the NFL would prevent the NFL-N from broadcasting a Sunday game.I recall that being the exact reason why DirecTV would not be able to carry that phins game that was moved to Saturday - DirecTV has the right to all feeds for the Sunday morning and afternoon games and no right to any other feeds. While some feeds will obviously end up on their local network channels and not on Sunday Ticket channels, that doesn't change their right to broadcast the feeds.NBC owns the Sunday night game feed.ESPN owns the Monday night game feed.NFL-N has removed a game per week from distribution to those broadcasters and has kept it for a Thurs. night broadcast. Someone said "this wouldn't be an issue if it was one more Sunday afternoon game rather than a prime time game" Well, yeah - it would. NFL has a K with DirecTV allowing them the right to all feeds during the day on Sunday.
Marc Levin
Hangs out with Oscar Zeta Acosta
Nice find videoguy505.
This is getting uglier and uglier - and if TW's claims can be substantiated, they have some viable federal and state law claims against the NFL-N.
This is getting uglier and uglier - and if TW's claims can be substantiated, they have some viable federal and state law claims against the NFL-N.
homebrumiester
Footballguy
This whole argument is a great reason for ala cart cable. Which the cable company are lobbying hard against.
If cable companies would let us buy only the channels that we want there would be no problem, but they want us to receive 20 or so shopping channels and 5 to 10 religious channels (which I don't know about you but I have zero interest in).
The thing is these channels cost the cable companies nothing or in some cases the channels actually pay to be in their lineup.
If cable companies would let us buy only the channels that we want there would be no problem, but they want us to receive 20 or so shopping channels and 5 to 10 religious channels (which I don't know about you but I have zero interest in).
The thing is these channels cost the cable companies nothing or in some cases the channels actually pay to be in their lineup.
Marc Levin
Hangs out with Oscar Zeta Acosta
I think the advertising channels pay the cable co. - similar to the "paid programming" channels that come on after the regular channel signs off.I am unsure why there are so many religious channels, but I do know that cable and satellite co.s are required to broadcast a certain number of public access type channels. Don't know how that fits in, but I imagine that has something to do with why cable co.s and satellite co.s don't offer ala carte programming.I recall during the Dish Network fiasco (when they were trying to get a contract with the NFL) that there was a lot of talk about being able to buy Ticket type access on a per week basis rather than per season.I don't see why DirecTV doesn't/can't offer something like 24.99 per week in addition to 170 per season. I have to imagine it has to do with their ability to turn all those feeds on and off to all those different customers each week, but I don't know enough about the satellite industry to comment.I know the cable co.s can do something like that pretty easily.
Diamond One
Footballguy
I'm starting to think that this fight goes unresolved for the 2006 season. Can't wait until next year when playoff games will be only be seen on NFLN -- with the Super Bowl soon to follow...
MrPhoenix
Ron Paul Soldier
I finally told Charter to go screw themselves and got Dish Network. Great choice since:
A. They have NFL Network....in HD.
B. They have more HD channels than anyone else.
C. Their equipment is more advanced.
D. They're more affordable.
E. They won't have to jack their rates in the coming years because they spent $2 billion to keep Sunday Ticket to themselves.
I love it so far. Don't know why I didn't do this sooner.
A. They have NFL Network....in HD.
B. They have more HD channels than anyone else.
C. Their equipment is more advanced.
D. They're more affordable.
E. They won't have to jack their rates in the coming years because they spent $2 billion to keep Sunday Ticket to themselves.
I love it so far. Don't know why I didn't do this sooner.
