Preseaon Games ARE Important to the NFL... (1 Viewer)

[DoubleG]

So, I'm out of town this past weekend. But it's all good - my cousin has NFL Network and the NFL Season Ticket package through DirectTV (or whatever it's called - he get's all the games). So it's about fifteen minutes to game time...and...nothing. "Check Local Listings" - WHAT?!

So let me get this straight - season ticket holders have to pay full price for these games - but the NFL wont televise them?

Ummm....why? I mean there were games on - 2 of them, but not all of them. I felt like I was back in 1984.

 

[TakiToki]

nfl.com/preseasonlive

 

[DoubleG]

nfl.com/preseasonlive

Oh, we get to pay extra for preseason......to watch on a laptop. Great. Ironically, this is more annoying - thanks for the tip though.

 

[GregR]

Your ire at the NFL is misplaced, I think. I'm sure the NFL would LOVE to have every preseason game broadcast in a national sense like regular season games are.

I don't think national networks are willing to pay money to broadcast all the games when they know most people not from that region are going to tune out as soon as the starters are pulled. ESPN still does MNF, as I guess MNF is enough of a spectacle it still outdraws baseball and soccer, and they can pick an intriguing matchup.

But beyond that, there's only solid interest in the regions of the teams being played, so they sell the broadcasts to local stations there.

 

[az_prof]

Your ire at the NFL is misplaced, I think. I'm sure the NFL would LOVE to have every preseason game broadcast in a national sense like regular season games are.I don't think national networks are willing to pay money to broadcast all the games when they know most people not from that region are going to tune out as soon as the starters are pulled. ESPN still does MNF, as I guess MNF is enough of a spectacle it still outdraws baseball and soccer, and they can pick an intriguing matchup.But beyond that, there's only solid interest in the regions of the teams being played, so they sell the broadcasts to local stations there.

Why don't they stagger the games by quarters--one game starts, the second starts as the first hits the second quarter and so on. Then broadcast the first quarter of each game nationally. We don't care about the third and fourth string, but we do want to see the first string. I think we would watch that if broadcast nationally.

 

[lloyd christmas]

Your ire at the NFL is misplaced, I think. I'm sure the NFL would LOVE to have every preseason game broadcast in a national sense like regular season games are.I don't think national networks are willing to pay money to broadcast all the games when they know most people not from that region are going to tune out as soon as the starters are pulled. ESPN still does MNF, as I guess MNF is enough of a spectacle it still outdraws baseball and soccer, and they can pick an intriguing matchup.But beyond that, there's only solid interest in the regions of the teams being played, so they sell the broadcasts to local stations there.

Why don't they stagger the games by quarters--one game starts, the second starts as the first hits the second quarter and so on. Then broadcast the first quarter of each game nationally. We don't care about the third and fourth string, but we do want to see the first string. I think we would watch that if broadcast nationally.

Love this idea. I avoid watching preseason but could easily watch 4+ hours of this. It would be fantasy must see TV.

 

[Novice2]

nfl.com/preseasonlive

$$$$$

 

[Bri]

Your ire at the NFL is misplaced, I think. I'm sure the NFL would LOVE to have every preseason game broadcast in a national sense like regular season games are.I don't think national networks are willing to pay money to broadcast all the games when they know most people not from that region are going to tune out as soon as the starters are pulled. ESPN still does MNF, as I guess MNF is enough of a spectacle it still outdraws baseball and soccer, and they can pick an intriguing matchup.But beyond that, there's only solid interest in the regions of the teams being played, so they sell the broadcasts to local stations there.

they don't play the best and IMO that starts the issues the networks have. It's an inferior product that moms of some UDFA would like to see, but the 4th Qs can be somewhat painful for ordinary fans that aren't looking for their 12th WR on a dynasty team.I think the NFL likes to test things out too in preseason.I don't think they're 100% on how to use the web to broadcast games most effectively as they seem to switch from yahoo(for foreigners) to nfl.com to nflnetwork with segments etc.The $ the networks pay for the games is an enormous amount that is so integral to the league's success. I don't think they want to be the only broadcaster of games, but to have the ability to must improve their stance in negotiations. Money from TV packages increase every year and especially so since NFLN.

 

[Bri]

Your ire at the NFL is misplaced, I think. I'm sure the NFL would LOVE to have every preseason game broadcast in a national sense like regular season games are.I don't think national networks are willing to pay money to broadcast all the games when they know most people not from that region are going to tune out as soon as the starters are pulled. ESPN still does MNF, as I guess MNF is enough of a spectacle it still outdraws baseball and soccer, and they can pick an intriguing matchup.But beyond that, there's only solid interest in the regions of the teams being played, so they sell the broadcasts to local stations there.

Why don't they stagger the games by quarters--one game starts, the second starts as the first hits the second quarter and so on. Then broadcast the first quarter of each game nationally. We don't care about the third and fourth string, but we do want to see the first string. I think we would watch that if broadcast nationally.

I wonder if that is improper according to the union and a pretend all players are equal mindset

 

[DoubleG]

Your ire at the NFL is misplaced, I think. I'm sure the NFL would LOVE to have every preseason game broadcast in a national sense like regular season games are.

I don't think national networks are willing to pay money to broadcast all the games when they know most people not from that region are going to tune out as soon as the starters are pulled. ESPN still does MNF, as I guess MNF is enough of a spectacle it still outdraws baseball and soccer, and they can pick an intriguing matchup.

But beyond that, there's only solid interest in the regions of the teams being played, so they sell the broadcasts to local stations there.

I'm not talking about the national stations though - as I said, I'm talking about for those people that have the cable/satellite packages that give them all the games in the regular season. I certainly understand that every preseason game wouldn't be profitable on ESPN (even if they staggered times/days).

It just seems odd to me that football fans who pay for evey regular season game, have to either pay extra for preseason games or can't watch them at all.

If I am a season ticket holder and can't make a regular season game - and I have an NFL cable package - I can at least watch the game I paid full price for. During the preseason, I can't (even though I paid full price for that ticket as well...and don't get me started on that) - or I have to pay again to do so.

It just seems off.

 

[3C's]

every game is on nfln just not live.

 

[GregR]

Your ire at the NFL is misplaced, I think. I'm sure the NFL would LOVE to have every preseason game broadcast in a national sense like regular season games are.

I don't think national networks are willing to pay money to broadcast all the games when they know most people not from that region are going to tune out as soon as the starters are pulled. ESPN still does MNF, as I guess MNF is enough of a spectacle it still outdraws baseball and soccer, and they can pick an intriguing matchup.

But beyond that, there's only solid interest in the regions of the teams being played, so they sell the broadcasts to local stations there.

I'm not talking about the national stations though - as I said, I'm talking about for those people that have the cable/satellite packages that give them all the games in the regular season. I certainly understand that every preseason game wouldn't be profitable on ESPN (even if they staggered times/days).

It just seems odd to me that football fans who pay for evey regular season game, have to either pay extra for preseason games or can't watch them at all.

If I am a season ticket holder and can't make a regular season game - and I have an NFL cable package - I can at least watch the game I paid full price for. During the preseason, I can't (even though I paid full price for that ticket as well...and don't get me started on that) - or I have to pay again to do so.

It just seems off.

But you are talking about a national network. You're talking about DirecTV.Why does DirecTV shell out huge bucks to the NFL for Sunday Ticket? It isn't because of advertising revenue like CBS/Fox. It's because it's a benny that gets people to subscribe who might not have otherwise and lets them rake in cash from regular subscriptions and pay per views, on top of what they pay for the Ticket.

How many more people would having the preseason draw to DirecTV that aren't already drawn there by the existing regular season only Sunday Ticket? Probably a miniscule number.

And as mentioned, the games are all re-broadcast on NFL Network after. It's probably a better deal for subscribers for DTV to not pay out to the NFL for preseason and pass the costs on to them, as you can only really watch 1 game at a time anyway and the rest you'd have to DVR and watch later anyway.

 

[DoubleG]

every game is on nfln just not live.

No, I get that. The point of the thread is not to complain about not being able to watch 1 game - the point of the thread is that the NFL has been shoving preseason games down consumers' (read "season ticket holders that HAVE to buy preseason tickets at regular ticket prices") throats with the ridiculous implication that they are just as important and valid as regular season games...until it comes to the NFL having to spend money itself to allow said consumers to watch it, as they do a regular season game.I realize that it is not necessarily cost effective for the NFL to televise preseason games. That's kind of the point of the thread. If the NFL realizes the interest isn't there for preseason games (which apparently they do, by virtue of the fact they dont/can't get advertising revenue to put them on live TV, save for local channels) then why do they charge season ticket holders full price for preseason? And require them to buy them to maintain their seats? I was just pointing out the NFL's double standard when it comes to preseason games. The owners are basically forcing consumers (season ticket holders) to pay money for a product the owners know is inferior (to regular season games). They do this by forcing season ticket holders to buy preseason tickets or forfeit their regular season tickets - bait and switch. That'd be the same as me saying "Well, if you want to buy this new computer, you also have to buy this black and white 15" monitor to go with it...for full price. Whats that? You don't want the 15" black and white monitor? Oh, sorry, I'll sell the computer to someone else then."Just a strange situation.

 

[TobiasFunke]

every game is on nfln just not live.

No, I get that. The point of the thread is not to complain about not being able to watch 1 game - the point of the thread is that the NFL has been shoving preseason games down consumers' (read "season ticket holders that HAVE to buy preseason tickets at regular ticket prices") throats with the ridiculous implication that they are just as important and valid as regular season games...until it comes to the NFL having to spend money itself to allow said consumers to watch it, as they do a regular season game.

I realize that it is not necessarily cost effective for the NFL to televise preseason games. That's kind of the point of the thread. If the NFL realizes the interest isn't there for preseason games (which apparently they do, by virtue of the fact they dont/can't get advertising revenue to put them on live TV, save for local channels) then why do they charge season ticket holders full price for preseason? And require them to buy them to maintain their seats?

I was just pointing out the NFL's double standard when it comes to preseason games. The owners are basically forcing consumers (season ticket holders) to pay money for a product the owners know is inferior (to regular season games). They do this by forcing season ticket holders to buy preseason tickets or forfeit their regular season tickets - bait and switch.

That'd be the same as me saying "Well, if you want to buy this new computer, you also have to buy this black and white 15" monitor to go with it...for full price. Whats that? You don't want the 15" black and white monitor? Oh, sorry, I'll sell the computer to someone else then."

Just a strange situation.

Well first of all, it's the individual owners that charge that to their local fans, not "the NFL." And local fans can always see every down of preseason on TV too if they want. So I really don't understand your logic. Ticket charges are local in nature. Everyone who's local can see the game. What's the problem there? They're not charging a guy in Chicago for Chargers preseason tickets, so why should they feel some moral obligation to allow a Chicago fan to see a Chargers preseason game?Ultimately, the answer to the question in bold is "because they can." Everyone knows preseason games aren't as good as regular games. So they essentially act as a fee for regular season tickets. If you don't like it, you don't have to pay it.

I really don't understand your problem here at all.