NFL Network vs. Other Media (1 Viewer)

[Joe Bryant]

is the NFL Draft coverge.

Regular readers know I'm fascinated by the dynamics of how the NFL Network is putting the squeeze on traditional media.

It's a classic case of the little T-Rex that Television and print media helped grow up now is starting to hit adolescence. TV made the league. Now the league might do it's own TV. ESPN's SportsCenter put the league in every household. Now Total Access takes them much further.

Athletes that don't have time to give the local beat writer the time of day now fight over how much face time they get with Rich Eisen on Total Access.

The latest "battle" has been on draft coverage.

Those of you that read between the lines have seen it with Mel Kiper. Jay Cutler has been the flashpoint here.

Watch Kiper when he talks about Cutler. You can see his blood pressure rising. He goes way out of his way to rip the credibilty of "those guys" who want to pump up Cutler based on "things that just did not happen".

"Other Guys" is code word for Mike Mayock at NFL Network. Kiper interprets having a different opinion of the combine and Senior Bowl than Mayock as Mayock being wrong. He gets visibly rattled on it.

Which tells the NFL Network their plan is most definitely working.

For those of you like me who like to watch this stuff, pay particular attention to the draft coverage.

I'm not the only one noticing it. Good article today in USA Today by Michael McCarthy

Link to USA Today article by Michael McCarthy

The 2006 NFL draft April 29 and 30 will have two all-sports TV networks offering live, gavel-to-gavel coverage for the first time. ESPN will televise the draft for the 27th consecutive year, with 17 hours of live coverage featuring draft guru Mel Kiper Jr., Sunday NFL Countdown's Chris Berman, Tom Jackson, Chris Mortensen, Michael Irvin and Steve Young and reporter Suzy Kolber.

The NFL Network will have its own set at the draft's headquarters for the first time. The league's cable channel, now in 36 million homes, has its own draft picker to counter Kiper: Mike Maycock. Former ESPN anchor Rich Eisen will anchor 16 hours of live coverage, backed by, among others, former coaches Butch Davis and Dan Reeves and reporter Kara Henderson.

ESPN will pay the NFL an average of $1.1 billion a year to carry Monday Night Football over the next eight seasons. But ESPN and the NFL Network are starting to warily circle each other, even though ESPN is in nearly three times as many households as the NFL Network is in and ESPN is on the basic programming tier of cable systems while the NFL Network generally is on a digital tier that costs extra. They're talking the kind of smack you usually hear from entertainment suits.

"Mel Kiper Jr. may have better hair — but Mike Maycock has better information," NFL Network spokesman Seth Palansky says. ESPN has beefed up its coverage of events such as the draft and the release of the NFL schedule as a direct response to the NFL Network's aggressive coverage, he says. Are they rivals? "How others perceive us is up to them. We'd love to have the success ESPN has had," Palansky says.

ESPN spokesman Bill Hofheimer acknowledges a "friendly competition" between the two networks. Yes, ESPN is introducing new wrinkles such as Kiper and Jackson's daily "On the Clock" segment on SportsCenter, analyzing needs of all 32 teams. Plus, during its live draft coverage, a new draft ticker will run continuously during commercials breaks.

But those innovations are due to the "insatiable" desire of fans for year-round NFL information, not growing competition from the NFL Network, Hofheimer says. "ESPN is the only place you're going to see Mel Kiper Jr., Chris Mortensen and our collection of experts," Hofheimer says.

Stay tuned.

Stay tuned indeed.J

 

[Quez]

Brighthouse Networks, Tampa company under Time Warner does not offer NFL Network

 

[Joe Bryant]

Brighthouse Networks, Tampa company under Time Warner does not offer NFL Network

Hi Quez,They will....

J

 

[Joe Bryant]

Brighthouse Networks, Tampa company under Time Warner does not offer NFL Network      

Hi Quez,They will....

J

Or on second though, DirecTV is the answer.I seriously couldn't do without NFL Network or Sunday Ticket. My biggest fear is someday that they realize how much some of us would pay.

J

 

[perry147]

Interesting read Joe thanks.

The NFL network will have better coverage I think because the owners; who incidentally own all the teams and the NFL network will see to it. And they have former NFL coaches doing their analysis and not sports commentators, the NFL coaches know what is it like in the team war rooms and will give great insight.

 

[JaxBill]

Is the NFL Network the reason why the league is suddenly barring the local news media from the sidelines?

 

[Boston]

Another spinoff here is the NFL not allowing local media outlets to use their own footage. It will have to go thru the NFL. There's no doubt the NFL has monster plans for their network. The big question is how far they take things because at the end of the day those TV revenues are their bread and butter.

 

[Boston]

Brighthouse Networks, Tampa company under Time Warner does not offer NFL Network      

Hi Quez,They will....

J

Or on second though, DirecTV is the answer.I seriously couldn't do without NFL Network or Sunday Ticket. My biggest fear is someday that they realize how much some of us would pay.

J

Trust me Joe...they know...and they also see big dollar signs somewhere down the road due to this.

 

[Red Apples]

personally im not too concerned about some huge price increase, yes there are a few of us who would pay a lot for the service, but we are clearly in the minority.

to price it based on fanatics is the equivelnt of hiking up movie ticket prices to lets say $20 to see superman returns, yes fanboys would pay any price, but the majority of the public would stay at home.

thr price will stay the same(ish) to entice as many people as they can to buy.

as far as the nfl network, love it.

espn is great but i dont want to sit through some barry bonds story to get to their nfl coverage.

 

[Jason Wood]

I agree with Joe that NFL Network is, long-term, a tremendous threat to other networks with a lot invested in their NFL coverage.

That said, whether you like Mike Mayock or not, he was Plan B for the 'net, only after a deal to bring Kiper over fell through when ESPN caved to Kiper's game of chicken and gave him a new deal.

 

[Boston]

I agree with Joe that NFL Network is, long-term, a tremendous threat to other networks with a lot invested in their NFL coverage.

That said, whether you like Mike Mayock or not, he was Plan B for the 'net, only after a deal to bring Kiper over fell through when ESPN caved to Kiper's game of chicken and gave him a new deal.

A big winner in all of this will be the so-called experts. The demand is growing and due to that so will the desire to obtain their services. At the end of the day as more content is needed you will see more media stars created and the big names will cash in very nicely.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Brighthouse Networks, Tampa company under Time Warner does not offer NFL Network

Hi Quez,They will....

J

Or on second though, DirecTV is the answer.I seriously couldn't do without NFL Network or Sunday Ticket. My biggest fear is someday that they realize how much some of us would pay.

J

I disagree to a point, Joe. As great as Sunday Ticket sounds, I don't really need it. And I certainly know that I do not want a dish. So I think the pressure is on the big digital cable companies to include NFL Network. I have Time Warner in Charlotte and I already get the Digital Sports package. I have already emailed them once and will again to get them to add the NFL Network to that specialized pricing tier. I believe that Comcast already carries it. So if we can get the cable companies to carry NFL Network, then those of us without a desire to have the dish will be all set. I'm interested to see the uproar when people realize that you can only see a certain NFL game on the NFL Network and that channel is only 36 million homes. I think it would reflect worse on the league than on the cable companies, to be honest.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

I agree with Joe that NFL Network is, long-term, a tremendous threat to other networks with a lot invested in their NFL coverage.

That said, whether you like Mike Mayock or not, he was Plan B for the 'net, only after a deal to bring Kiper over fell through when ESPN caved to Kiper's game of chicken and gave him a new deal.

A big winner in all of this will be the so-called experts. The demand is growing and due to that so will the desire to obtain their services. At the end of the day as more content is needed you will see more media stars created and the big names will cash in very nicely.

So how much will Joe and David have to pay Bloom to keep him away from the NFL Network2 in 3 years?

 

[Jason Wood]

Brighthouse Networks, Tampa company under Time Warner does not offer NFL Network      

Hi Quez,They will....

J

Or on second though, DirecTV is the answer.I seriously couldn't do without NFL Network or Sunday Ticket. My biggest fear is someday that they realize how much some of us would pay.

J

I disagree to a point, Joe. As great as Sunday Ticket sounds, I don't really need it. And I certainly know that I do not want a dish. So I think the pressure is on the big digital cable companies to include NFL Network. I have Time Warner in Charlotte and I already get the Digital Sports package. I have already emailed them once and will again to get them to add the NFL Network to that specialized pricing tier. I believe that Comcast already carries it. So if we can get the cable companies to carry NFL Network, then those of us without a desire to have the dish will be all set. I'm interested to see the uproar when people realize that you can only see a certain NFL game on the NFL Network and that channel is only 36 million homes. I think it would reflect worse on the league than on the cable companies, to be honest.

I agree. The NFL wouldn't have made an earlier-than-expected move to carry games on its own network if they plan on rolling out the Net to a majority of cable households in short order.The NFL is already such a profit machine it can give the cable companies very favorable initial terms; so much so that nary a cable carrier will be able to turn the offer away without significant pushback from its constituency.

 

[radballs.]

And the NFL has FF to thank for this explosion in so many rabid fans wanting this continual football information. Yet, many of the experts continue to downplay or ridicule those who participate in FF. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

And the NFL has FF to thank for this explosion in so many rabid fans wanting this continual football information. Yet, many of the experts continue to downplay or ridicule those who participate in FF. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you.

The "bigger hand" that feeds them resides in Las Vegas (amongst other places), yet they don't want to address that avenue very much either.Hence you see these "eliminator" contests where the personalities pick winners, but only Hammerin' Hank or Berman uses a line.

The elephant in the room for the NFL is gambling far more than fantasy football.

They already cater to the gambler (and also fantasy fanatics, as a result) with the Injury Report each Wednesday and enforcing its accuracy. There's little reason for such a device aside from the wagers.

 

[Jason Wood]

And the NFL has FF to thank for this explosion in so many rabid fans wanting this continual football information. Yet, many of the experts continue to downplay or ridicule those who participate in FF. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you.

Hey radballs...I agree that some pundits downplay fantasy, but I would contend that it's the NFL's embrace of fantasy football which has helped the hobby's popularity.The NFL, compared to the other major U.S. sports, has far and away been kinder to fantasy gaming. ESPN is a big-time fantasy supporter, their talking heads are largely in favor of it too (Clayton presents at fantasy conventions, Salisbury, Golic, Stink, etc...are in leagues, ESPN Fantasy Games is the largest revenue share in the business). The NFL Network has, from day one, been supportive of fantasy...Sunday Ticket has fantasy stats running during the games, Fox & CBS have fantasy players of the game and fantasy stats updates throughout.

 

[djcolts]

Is the NFL Network coverage going to have an HD feed? If not, I'm watching ESPN.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

Brighthouse Networks, Tampa company under Time Warner does not offer NFL Network

Hi Quez,They will....

J

Or on second though, DirecTV is the answer.I seriously couldn't do without NFL Network or Sunday Ticket. My biggest fear is someday that they realize how much some of us would pay.

J

I disagree to a point, Joe. As great as Sunday Ticket sounds, I don't really need it. And I certainly know that I do not want a dish. So I think the pressure is on the big digital cable companies to include NFL Network. I have Time Warner in Charlotte and I already get the Digital Sports package. I have already emailed them once and will again to get them to add the NFL Network to that specialized pricing tier. I believe that Comcast already carries it. So if we can get the cable companies to carry NFL Network, then those of us without a desire to have the dish will be all set. I'm interested to see the uproar when people realize that you can only see a certain NFL game on the NFL Network and that channel is only 36 million homes. I think it would reflect worse on the league than on the cable companies, to be honest.

NFL Sunday Ticket is pretty much the main reason DirecTV is what it is today. "The Package" separates them from other satellite TV providers like Dish Network. Adding the NFL Network to cable and phone/TV providers has to scare the devil out of DirecTV. I know that I likely wouldn't be sticking with DirecTV if it were not for the NFL Ticket.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

Is the NFL Network coverage going to have an HD feed? If not, I'm watching ESPN.

Will ESPN draft coverage be in HD?Moreover, do you really want to see Berman or Kiper's hair with such clarity? :X

 

[Yah_Shoor_Yoobetchya]

I agree with Joe that NFL Network is, long-term, a tremendous threat to other networks with a lot invested in their NFL coverage.

That said, whether you like Mike Mayock or not, he was Plan B for the 'net, only after a deal to bring Kiper over fell through when ESPN caved to Kiper's game of chicken and gave him a new deal.

Oh the irony (considering that Mayock is light-years better than The Doo-boy)

 

[radballs.]

And the NFL has FF to thank for this explosion in so many rabid fans wanting this continual football information. Yet, many of the experts continue to downplay or ridicule those who participate in FF. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you.

Hey radballs...I agree that some pundits downplay fantasy, but I would contend that it's the NFL's embrace of fantasy football which has helped the hobby's popularity.The NFL, compared to the other major U.S. sports, has far and away been kinder to fantasy gaming. ESPN is a big-time fantasy supporter, their talking heads are largely in favor of it too (Clayton presents at fantasy conventions, Salisbury, Golic, Stink, etc...are in leagues, ESPN Fantasy Games is the largest revenue share in the business). The NFL Network has, from day one, been supportive of fantasy...Sunday Ticket has fantasy stats running during the games, Fox & CBS have fantasy players of the game and fantasy stats updates throughout.

I guess I should have clarified my opinion. I agree with you regarding the NFL embracing FF, but a majority of the old school talking heads have not. Example: Bryant Gumbel did a story on the WCOFF a year ago and the point of emphasis on the story made it seem like we were all a bunch of computer nerds and/or Trekkie-like geeks. I guess anyone can slant a story however they like when it's an opinion piece, but some of these sportscasters do not even come close to giving FF its rightful place in the growth of their own industry.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Brighthouse Networks, Tampa company under Time Warner does not offer NFL Network

Hi Quez,They will....

J

Or on second though, DirecTV is the answer.I seriously couldn't do without NFL Network or Sunday Ticket. My biggest fear is someday that they realize how much some of us would pay.

J

I disagree to a point, Joe. As great as Sunday Ticket sounds, I don't really need it. And I certainly know that I do not want a dish. So I think the pressure is on the big digital cable companies to include NFL Network. I have Time Warner in Charlotte and I already get the Digital Sports package. I have already emailed them once and will again to get them to add the NFL Network to that specialized pricing tier. I believe that Comcast already carries it. So if we can get the cable companies to carry NFL Network, then those of us without a desire to have the dish will be all set. I'm interested to see the uproar when people realize that you can only see a certain NFL game on the NFL Network and that channel is only 36 million homes. I think it would reflect worse on the league than on the cable companies, to be honest.

NFL Sunday Ticket is pretty much the main reason DirecTV is what it is today. "The Package" separates them from other satellite TV providers like Dish Network. Adding the NFL Network to cable and phone/TV providers has to scare the devil out of DirecTV. I know that I likely wouldn't be sticking with DirecTV if it were not for the NFL Ticket.

And that's sort of my fear Jeff. That Direct TV says to the NFL that you have to make it diffcult and costly for cable companies to offer NFL Network because it will weaken us. If it convinces the NFL that Sunday Ticket and the NFL Network are sort of a "package" then I could see the NFL making it more difficult for cable compaies to carry the NFL Network. Heck, maybe they offer Direct TV an exclusion deal on the Network like they did on the Ticket?

 

[Jason Wood]

And the NFL has FF to thank for this explosion in so many rabid fans wanting this continual football information. Yet, many of the experts continue to downplay or ridicule those who participate in FF. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you.

Hey radballs...I agree that some pundits downplay fantasy, but I would contend that it's the NFL's embrace of fantasy football which has helped the hobby's popularity.The NFL, compared to the other major U.S. sports, has far and away been kinder to fantasy gaming. ESPN is a big-time fantasy supporter, their talking heads are largely in favor of it too (Clayton presents at fantasy conventions, Salisbury, Golic, Stink, etc...are in leagues, ESPN Fantasy Games is the largest revenue share in the business). The NFL Network has, from day one, been supportive of fantasy...Sunday Ticket has fantasy stats running during the games, Fox & CBS have fantasy players of the game and fantasy stats updates throughout.

I guess I should have clarified my opinion. I agree with you regarding the NFL embracing FF, but a majority of the old school talking heads have not. Example: Bryant Gumbel dida story on the WCOFF a year ago and the point of emphasis on the story made it seem like we were all a bunch of computer nerds and/or Trekkie-like geeks. I guess anyone can slant a story however they like when it's an opinion piece, but some of these sportscasters do not even come close to giving FF its rightful place in the growth of their own industry.

Well, I guess I shudder to think of Bryant Gumbel as the poster boy for sports talking heads. But I see your point. I would still contend that the NFL's talking heads are more supportive of fantasy gaming than the other major U.S. sports punditry many times over.

 

[Jason Wood]

Brighthouse Networks, Tampa company under Time Warner does not offer NFL Network      

Hi Quez,They will....

J

Or on second though, DirecTV is the answer.I seriously couldn't do without NFL Network or Sunday Ticket. My biggest fear is someday that they realize how much some of us would pay.

J

I disagree to a point, Joe. As great as Sunday Ticket sounds, I don't really need it. And I certainly know that I do not want a dish. So I think the pressure is on the big digital cable companies to include NFL Network. I have Time Warner in Charlotte and I already get the Digital Sports package. I have already emailed them once and will again to get them to add the NFL Network to that specialized pricing tier. I believe that Comcast already carries it. So if we can get the cable companies to carry NFL Network, then those of us without a desire to have the dish will be all set. I'm interested to see the uproar when people realize that you can only see a certain NFL game on the NFL Network and that channel is only 36 million homes. I think it would reflect worse on the league than on the cable companies, to be honest.

NFL Sunday Ticket is pretty much the main reason DirecTV is what it is today. "The Package" separates them from other satellite TV providers like Dish Network. Adding the NFL Network to cable and phone/TV providers has to scare the devil out of DirecTV. I know that I likely wouldn't be sticking with DirecTV if it were not for the NFL Ticket.

And that's sort of my fear Jeff. That Direct TV says to the NFL that you have to make it diffcult and costly for cable companies to offer NFL Network because it will weaken us. If it convinces the NFL that Sunday Ticket and the NFL Network are sort of a "package" then I could see the NFL making it more difficult for cable compaies to carry the NFL Network. Heck, maybe they offer Direct TV an exclusion deal on the Network like they did on the Ticket?

I wouldn't worry about that Construx, your theory implies DirecTV has the leverage, and they certainly do not. They absolutely need Sunday Ticket to remain exclusive, the NFL would be more than happy I'm sure to open up Sunday Ticket to other avenues of distribution.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Brighthouse Networks, Tampa company under Time Warner does not offer NFL Network

Hi Quez,They will....

J

Or on second though, DirecTV is the answer.I seriously couldn't do without NFL Network or Sunday Ticket. My biggest fear is someday that they realize how much some of us would pay.

J

I disagree to a point, Joe. As great as Sunday Ticket sounds, I don't really need it. And I certainly know that I do not want a dish. So I think the pressure is on the big digital cable companies to include NFL Network. I have Time Warner in Charlotte and I already get the Digital Sports package. I have already emailed them once and will again to get them to add the NFL Network to that specialized pricing tier. I believe that Comcast already carries it. So if we can get the cable companies to carry NFL Network, then those of us without a desire to have the dish will be all set. I'm interested to see the uproar when people realize that you can only see a certain NFL game on the NFL Network and that channel is only 36 million homes. I think it would reflect worse on the league than on the cable companies, to be honest.

NFL Sunday Ticket is pretty much the main reason DirecTV is what it is today. "The Package" separates them from other satellite TV providers like Dish Network. Adding the NFL Network to cable and phone/TV providers has to scare the devil out of DirecTV. I know that I likely wouldn't be sticking with DirecTV if it were not for the NFL Ticket.

And that's sort of my fear Jeff. That Direct TV says to the NFL that you have to make it diffcult and costly for cable companies to offer NFL Network because it will weaken us. If it convinces the NFL that Sunday Ticket and the NFL Network are sort of a "package" then I could see the NFL making it more difficult for cable compaies to carry the NFL Network. Heck, maybe they offer Direct TV an exclusion deal on the Network like they did on the Ticket?

I wouldn't worry about that Construx, your theory implies DirecTV has the leverage, and they certainly do not. They absolutely need Sunday Ticket to remain exclusive, the NFL would be more than happy I'm sure to open up Sunday Ticket to other avenues of distribution.

You're probably correct, but the NFL is prone to taking gobs of money if it is offered. I picture Austin Powers as the Direct TV CEO:"One Billion Dollars!"

 

[Quez]

Brighthouse Networks, Tampa company under Time Warner does not offer NFL Network      

Hi Quez,They will....

J

Or on second though, DirecTV is the answer.I seriously couldn't do without NFL Network or Sunday Ticket. My biggest fear is someday that they realize how much some of us would pay.

J

I have already mentioned this in other topics, but my situation is I moved in a condo that has a package deal with Brighthouse. They have negotiated basic in with our dues. I can't put up a dish either since we don't own the outside of the building. I could however put a dish on my porch just for games, but they don't offer a stand alone package anymore apparently I am in negotiations with another FBG (Osaurus), who I work with that moved to an area that offers FIOS, which is basically Direct TV thru fiber. We are probably going figure out some kind of deal involving sling box.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

Brighthouse Networks, Tampa company under Time Warner does not offer NFL Network

Hi Quez,They will....

J

Or on second though, DirecTV is the answer.I seriously couldn't do without NFL Network or Sunday Ticket. My biggest fear is someday that they realize how much some of us would pay.

J

I disagree to a point, Joe. As great as Sunday Ticket sounds, I don't really need it. And I certainly know that I do not want a dish. So I think the pressure is on the big digital cable companies to include NFL Network. I have Time Warner in Charlotte and I already get the Digital Sports package. I have already emailed them once and will again to get them to add the NFL Network to that specialized pricing tier. I believe that Comcast already carries it. So if we can get the cable companies to carry NFL Network, then those of us without a desire to have the dish will be all set. I'm interested to see the uproar when people realize that you can only see a certain NFL game on the NFL Network and that channel is only 36 million homes. I think it would reflect worse on the league than on the cable companies, to be honest.

NFL Sunday Ticket is pretty much the main reason DirecTV is what it is today. "The Package" separates them from other satellite TV providers like Dish Network. Adding the NFL Network to cable and phone/TV providers has to scare the devil out of DirecTV. I know that I likely wouldn't be sticking with DirecTV if it were not for the NFL Ticket.

And that's sort of my fear Jeff. That Direct TV says to the NFL that you have to make it diffcult and costly for cable companies to offer NFL Network because it will weaken us. If it convinces the NFL that Sunday Ticket and the NFL Network are sort of a "package" then I could see the NFL making it more difficult for cable compaies to carry the NFL Network. Heck, maybe they offer Direct TV an exclusion deal on the Network like they did on the Ticket?

I wouldn't worry about that Construx, your theory implies DirecTV has the leverage, and they certainly do not. They absolutely need Sunday Ticket to remain exclusive, the NFL would be more than happy I'm sure to open up Sunday Ticket to other avenues of distribution.

You're probably correct, but the NFL is prone to taking gobs of money if it is offered. I picture Austin Powers as the Direct TV CEO:"One Billion Dollars!"

DirecTV knows the score and has overpaid, even too soon (IIRC they re-upped before the last contract for this was even due to expire).

 

[Barry]

I don't understand all the love for the NFL network. Other than the Playbook show with Butch Davis, the programming is all fluff. Woodson, Davis, Emmitt and most of the player personalities offer nothing in terms of speculation and insight. Lincoln Kennedy being the exception.

If you enjoy the breaking news, it takes a matter of minutes before it appears on the internet.

 

[Joe Bryant]

I don't understand all the love for the NFL network. Other than the Playbook show with Butch Davis, the programming is all fluff. Woodson, Davis, Emmitt and most of the player personalities offer nothing in terms of speculation and insight. Lincoln Kennedy being the exception.

If you enjoy the breaking news, it takes a matter of minutes before it appears on the internet.

Hi Barry,Total Access is not fluff in my book. Sure, some segments are better than others. But most all of it is better than SportsCenter.

And anything Steve Sabol is involved with is worth watching IMO.

J

 

[Joe Bryant]

Brighthouse Networks, Tampa company under Time Warner does not offer NFL Network      

Hi Quez,They will....

J

Or on second though, DirecTV is the answer.I seriously couldn't do without NFL Network or Sunday Ticket. My biggest fear is someday that they realize how much some of us would pay.

J

I disagree to a point, Joe. As great as Sunday Ticket sounds, I don't really need it. And I certainly know that I do not want a dish.

Hi cb,Just curious, why don't you think you need Sunday Ticket?

I don't need a lot. But Sunday Ticket is one thing I really do need.

J

 

[GroveDiesel]

Is the NFL Network the reason why the league is suddenly barring the local news media from the sidelines?

That's exactly the case. I think it's rather ominous actually. I'm honestly not a big fan of where this looks like it's heading.

 

[Joe Bryant]

I agree with Joe that NFL Network is, long-term, a tremendous threat to other networks with a lot invested in their NFL coverage.

That said, whether you like Mike Mayock or not, he was Plan B for the 'net, only after a deal to bring Kiper over fell through when ESPN caved to Kiper's game of chicken and gave him a new deal.

Hi Jason,I'm sure we'll never know but I wonder what Kiper thinks about how that went down?

I can see why he'd stay at ESPN. But the envy in his eyes when NFL Network is brought up is easy to see. You know he's going to be tripping a little this year with the NFL Network going full blown coverage. I'll be VERY interested to see how the set up with stages and access goes. Any perceived preferential treatment towards Mayock and Eisen will set things off I bet. I'd love to be around before hand as they're setting up the stages and sets.

J

 

[Borat]

I both Rich Eisen and the NFL Network.

I can't stand Berman or Tom Jackson, and I'm not impressed with Mel Kiper Jr. Obviously, Kiper knows his stuff, but I'm not convinced that he's any more well-informed than any of his peers.

It's NFL Network all the way for me.

 

[Joe Bryant]

Is the NFL Network the reason why the league is suddenly barring the local news media from the sidelines?

That's exactly the case. I think it's rather ominous actually. I'm honestly not a big fan of where this looks like it's heading.

Hi Grove,It's basically state controlled media.

It's the old USSR Pravda (truth) newspaper. NFL Network will be showing John Lynch reading to underpriveliged kids while ESPN is hyping Randy Moss dope smoking allegations. Different agendas.

That's one reason this is so interesting to me.

J

 

[JayMan]

Brighthouse Networks, Tampa company under Time Warner does not offer NFL Network      

Hi Quez,They will....

J

Or on second though, DirecTV is the answer.I seriously couldn't do without NFL Network or Sunday Ticket. My biggest fear is someday that they realize how much some of us would pay.

J

Let's just hope that FBG doesn't realize the same thing about us looking at the pages here... (This coming from a non-paying guy that has just been hooked on the forums!... definitely the best [DYNASTY] information on the net - I've looked at a few sites in the past)

You guys actualy have me thinking about becoming a contributing member!... never thought I would do this... always thought I could find "freely" all the FF information I wanted on the net...

I have to say that the staff - Bloom, Jeff, Bob and others (also other helping members: -OZ-, Tick, CC, to name a few) quick, polite and precise responses to us, less knowlegable fans - is money in the bank...

Very good job!

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

Is the NFL Network the reason why the league is suddenly barring the local news media from the sidelines?

That's exactly the case. I think it's rather ominous actually. I'm honestly not a big fan of where this looks like it's heading.

Hi Grove,It's basically state controlled media.

It's the old USSR Pravda (truth) newspaper. NFL Network will be showing John Lynch reading to underpriveliged kids while ESPN is hyping Randy Moss dope smoking allegations. Different agendas.

That's one reason this is so interesting to me.

J

In fairness, Rich Eisen does go after the officials on Total Access. Not all of his questions are biased.But I agree in general it is like a PR channel for the NFL.

 

[Joe Bryant]

Brighthouse Networks, Tampa company under Time Warner does not offer NFL Network      

Hi Quez,They will....

J

Or on second though, DirecTV is the answer.I seriously couldn't do without NFL Network or Sunday Ticket. My biggest fear is someday that they realize how much some of us would pay.

J

Let's just hope that FBG doesn't realize the same thing about us looking at the pages here... (This coming from a non-paying guy that has just been hooked on the forums!... definitely the best [DYNASTY] information on the net - I've looked at a few sites in the past)

You guys actualy have me thinking about becoming a contributing member!... never thought I would do this... always thought I could find "freely" all the FF information I wanted on the net...

I have to say that the staff - Bloom, Jeff, Bob and others (also other helping members: -OZ-, Tick, CC, to name a few) quick, polite and precise responses to us, less knowlegable fans - is money in the bank...

Very good job!

Thanks Jayman,Makes my day to hear folks are enjoying what we do.

J

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Brighthouse Networks, Tampa company under Time Warner does not offer NFL Network

Hi Quez,They will....

J

Or on second though, DirecTV is the answer.I seriously couldn't do without NFL Network or Sunday Ticket. My biggest fear is someday that they realize how much some of us would pay.

J

I disagree to a point, Joe. As great as Sunday Ticket sounds, I don't really need it. And I certainly know that I do not want a dish.

Hi cb,Just curious, why don't you think you need Sunday Ticket?

I don't need a lot. But Sunday Ticket is one thing I really do need.

J

Hey Joe,Well long story short, a Bills fan living in Charlotte married to a Panthers fan. We go to 3-4 games a year here, probably miss 5 weekends for holidays or weddings or such and spend 4-5 weekends at a great Bills bar here downtown. I find it alot of fun to watch the game with a bunch of other Bills fans and they have a great wings and Canadian beer specials. So basically, that only leaves about 5 weekends a year of watching football at home and my wife would generally rather watch the Panthers so I don't mind it too much. Better than having her not like football. Especially since I get the ESPN Gameplan and watch most Penn State games at home on Saturdays.

Ok, long story. But basically I think that having an all NFL channel that I can watch at nights or during the offseason is much higher on my list than watching every Bills game at home.

 

[nightshift]

Here's the point, Joe.

NFL Network is boring.. football geek city. Dry as book of stats. Fine if all you want is the latest stats, but for watching a game, sorry, No Madden quotes, no cute sideline reporters, etc.

It will not win over the FOX crew on Sundays, not even the lame CBS crews or God forbid, Thiesman. Why? Guys & Gals like FOX network are entertaining, which is the real reason most people watch TV.

 

[Borat]

Here's the point, Joe.

NFL Network is boring.. football geek city. Dry as book of stats. Fine if all you want is the latest stats, but for watching a game, sorry, No Madden quotes, no cute sideline reporters, etc.

It will not win over the FOX crew on Sundays, not even the lame CBS crews or God forbid, Thiesman. Why? Guys & Gals like FOX network are entertaining, which is the real reason most people watch TV.

Maybe you just run with a different crowd than I do, but that's the complete opposite of what everyone I watch the games with thinks.

It's a football game; let us watch a football game. We didn't tune in for all the nonsense the networks throw in with it. The game is entertainment enough for me.

 

[Bri]

Is the NFL Network the reason why the league is suddenly barring the local news media from the sidelines?

Some cincy station is suing the NFL about this

 

[FFFIEND]

I too will be interested in seeing how this plays out. I knew from the first moment I saw the NFL network that my prayers had been answered. I get so tired of all the excess crap that ESPN feeds us. (As a side note, I would like an MLBtv during the Baseball season - then I wouldn't ever have to watch ESPN). I cannot tell you how much I would cringe when Sportscenter kept trying to get people to watch the women's NCAA tourney!! For heaven's sake! I don't care AT ALL. NFL network is a breath if fresh air and the only thing keeping ESPN a float are Mel Kiper, Mort, and Pasquarelli (sp?). One they slide, kiss the NFL goodbye for good ESPN!

 

[Raider Nation]

I agree with Joe that NFL Network is, long-term, a tremendous threat to other networks with a lot invested in their NFL coverage.

That said, whether you like Mike Mayock or not, he was Plan B for the 'net, only after a deal to bring Kiper over fell through when ESPN caved to Kiper's game of chicken and gave him a new deal.

Oh the irony (considering that Mayock is light-years better than The Doo-boy)

Perhaps his information is better, but personally, I cannot stomach his acute lisp for more than 60 seconds. The guy is a really tough listen.

 

[The Jerk]

Is the NFL Network the reason why the league is suddenly barring the local news media from the sidelines?

That's exactly the case. I think it's rather ominous actually. I'm honestly not a big fan of where this looks like it's heading.

Hi Grove,It's basically state controlled media.

It's the old USSR Pravda (truth) newspaper. NFL Network will be showing John Lynch reading to underpriveliged kids while ESPN is hyping Randy Moss dope smoking allegations. Different agendas.

That's one reason this is so interesting to me.

J

Joe,If the NFL Network becomes more powerful and gains exclusivity on more football games and access to information, then eventually we could see the government get involved with antitrust legislation. Certainly that's nowhere in sight now, but in a decade or so, I don't think you can rule it out. If AT&T can be broken up in the name of competition, surely a huge sports league could be forced to separate from a major media presence that supposedly reports on it.

Personally, I have an increasingly uneasy feeling about the NFL Network. There is no inherent motivation for objectivity in the organization concerning the NFL. I don't think most people can continually avoid taking the "company line" over the long haul.

On the other hand, ESPN long ago crossed over from being about sports coverage to be involved in endless cross-promotion, self-referential hipness and "original entertainment" leaving me reluctantly watching (albeit far less) because there's nowhere else to get the same information.

Perhaps the best outcome of the NFL Network could be that eventually it forces ESPN to refocus on sports content and news rather than "entertainment". However, the worst outcome(s) could be the reduction or elimination of NFL games on free television and/or greater restriction on information that the NFL does not wish to be made available to the public.

 

[belljr]

A little off topic --- but does anyone know when the NFL Network is to go to Hi-Def?

I love the NFL Network but have a new TV and would like to use it to it's fullest

 

[C & C]

A little off topic --- but does anyone know when the NFL Network is to go to Hi-Def?

I love the NFL Network but have a new TV and would like to use it to it's fullest

You'll have to check with your cable/satellite provider. I believe some already carry it in HD.

 

[Rozelle]

Brighthouse Networks, Tampa company under Time Warner does not offer NFL Network      

Hi Quez,They will....

J

Or on second though, DirecTV is the answer.I seriously couldn't do without NFL Network or Sunday Ticket. My biggest fear is someday that they realize how much some of us would pay.

J

You got that right!

 

[Quez]

Is the NFL Network the reason why the league is suddenly barring the local news media from the sidelines?

That's exactly the case. I think it's rather ominous actually. I'm honestly not a big fan of where this looks like it's heading.

Hi Grove,It's basically state controlled media.

It's the old USSR Pravda (truth) newspaper. NFL Network will be showing John Lynch reading to underpriveliged kids while ESPN is hyping Randy Moss dope smoking allegations. Different agendas.

That's one reason this is so interesting to me.

J

Joe,If the NFL Network becomes more powerful and gains exclusivity on more football games and access to information, then eventually we could see the government get involved with antitrust legislation. Certainly that's nowhere in sight now, but in a decade or so, I don't think you can rule it out. If AT&T can be broken up in the name of competition, surely a huge sports league could be forced to separate from a major media presence that supposedly reports on it.

Personally, I have an increasingly uneasy feeling about the NFL Network. There is no inherent motivation for objectivity in the organization concerning the NFL. I don't think most people can continually avoid taking the "company line" over the long haul.

On the other hand, ESPN long ago crossed over from being about sports coverage to be involved in endless cross-promotion, self-referential hipness and "original entertainment" leaving me reluctantly watching (albeit far less) because there's nowhere else to get the same information.

Perhaps the best outcome of the NFL Network could be that eventually it forces ESPN to refocus on sports content and news rather than "entertainment". However, the worst outcome(s) could be the reduction or elimination of NFL games on free television and/or greater restriction on information that the NFL does not wish to be made available to the public.

This would be very interesting if the government got involved, and could go either way. If you thought Microsoft walks thin line on anti-trust/ monopolization issues, the NFL should be right up there. In the NFL's defense, they created it, why shouldn't they be the ones to make all the money? Because they have let the networks make money off of them up until now?

In the governments defense, many tax payers are paying sales tax for new stadiums

 

[Tackling Dummies]

The NFL Network is beating ESPN like a rented mule.

Apart from the draft coverage, their content is simply untouchable. Not even two years old and they're going to cover the draft from front to back is impressive.

Introducing their 8 initial games on nights apart from the networks is yet another sharp move. There was a very small window, if any, of the break-in period for the network and they're going to be an unstoppable force.

Much sooner than later.