Why doesn't NFL Network (1 Viewer)

[Jous]

NFL Network was bragging and advertising all year of how they finally have the rights to show a game once a week (on the thursday night) and then that one game on Thanksgiving. My question is how do they not have the rights to ALL the games? I never understoof this... they're the NFL network, and aren't they a station that was formed by the NFL? If so, how the hell don't they have broadcast rights to their own games?

EDIT: and the NFL Replay thing too... they were so proud of the fact that they could actually show a a rerun NFL game.

 

[cobalt_27]

NFL Network was bragging and advertising all year of how they finally have the rights to show a game once a week (on the thursday night) and then that one game on Thanksgiving. My question is how do they not have the rights to ALL the games? I never understoof this... they're the NFL network, and aren't they a station that was formed by the NFL? If so, how the hell don't they have broadcast rights to their own games?EDIT: and the NFL Replay thing too... they were so proud of the fact that they could actually show a a rerun NFL game.

Let's see here. What would be better? Have your network, be the sole distributor of the games and collect advertising revenue or..Have your network, be the distributor of some of the games and collect advertising revenue + sell off more games to FOX for hundreds of millions of dollars + sell off more games to CBS for more hundreds of millions of dollars.I think it's pretty clear. They don't want to broadcast all the games. NFLN just gives them an added revenue stream over and above the gobs of money they're already getting.

 

[Jous]

Why can't they also show some of the games that other stations are showing at the same time?

 

[Mystery Achiever]

Why can't they also show some of the games that other stations are showing at the same time?

Why would a broadcast network agree to that?

 

[Tick]

Why can't they also show some of the games that other stations are showing at the same time?

If I were FOX, there's no way I'd pay them the same amount of money and allow them to lure viewers to their own network.

 

[coolnerd]

Once the NFL thinks that say 20 millions homes will be willing to pay $29.95 every week to watch football games, the NFL network will be the exclusive carrier of all NFL action.

 

[Tackling Dummies]

The NFL's TV revenues are bigger than MLB/NASCAR/NHL and whatever else combined, so there's some serious numbers to crunch to get that much $ outside of the networks offering billions to get a part of the games.

 

[Autumn Wind]

Once the NFL thinks that say 20 millions homes will be willing to pay $29.95 every week to watch football games, the NFL network will be the exclusive carrier of all NFL action.

That's the day I start watching more hockey.

 

[softball]

Once the NFL thinks that say 20 millions homes will be willing to pay $29.95 every week to watch football games, the NFL network will be the exclusive carrier of all NFL action.

That's the day I start watching more hockey.

Not true. If the NFL tries this they would lose their exemption from the laws of Monopoly. It would be pulled and they could be sued as such. And they would lose.It was a hotly debated issue when they announce that Reg Season games would be on their network, because it isn't available to all.

 

[BroadwayG]

I'm pretty sure they have contracts with the networks, which are a bit more difficult to tear up than the ones they have with the players.

 

[trader jake]

Once the NFL thinks that say 20 millions homes will be willing to pay $29.95 every week to watch football games, the NFL network will be the exclusive carrier of all NFL action.

That's the day I start watching more hockey.

Not true. If the NFL tries this they would lose their exemption from the laws of Monopoly. It would be pulled and they could be sued as such. And they would lose.It was a hotly debated issue when they announce that Reg Season games would be on their network, because it isn't available to all.

Yep. Technically the USFL won their lawsuit back in the days. The NFL will always have to be mindful of crossing the rulings involving monopolies and their anti-trust exemptions.

 

[softball]

Once the NFL thinks that say 20 millions homes will be willing to pay $29.95 every week to watch football games, the NFL network will be the exclusive carrier of all NFL action.

That's the day I start watching more hockey.

Not true. If the NFL tries this they would lose their exemption from the laws of Monopoly. It would be pulled and they could be sued as such. And they would lose.It was a hotly debated issue when they announce that Reg Season games would be on their network, because it isn't available to all.

Yep. Technically the USFL won their lawsuit back in the days. The NFL will always have to be mindful of crossing the rulings involving monopolies and their anti-trust exemptions.

Ah, another USFL veteran! Remember that? They won the ruling but were only given $1. I recall the lawyers line "The jury only gave us a 1/2 a lof, they said you win and gave us a $1"

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

Once the NFL thinks that say 20 millions homes will be willing to pay $29.95 every week to watch football games, the NFL network will be the exclusive carrier of all NFL action.

...and have market penetration far and beyond what they have now.They're at ESPN circa 1985 (is that right? 83? 79??) - they have a few programs (which are good) but aren't at full-fledged major network level - yet. But they have done a ton in about a year's time.

 

[coolnerd]

Once the NFL thinks that say 20 millions homes will be willing to pay $29.95 every week to watch football games, the NFL network will be the exclusive carrier of all NFL action.

That's the day I start watching more hockey.

Not true. If the NFL tries this they would lose their exemption from the laws of Monopoly. It would be pulled and they could be sued as such. And they would lose.It was a hotly debated issue when they announce that Reg Season games would be on their network, because it isn't available to all.

Yep. Technically the USFL won their lawsuit back in the days. The NFL will always have to be mindful of crossing the rulings involving monopolies and their anti-trust exemptions.

Ah, another USFL veteran! Remember that? They won the ruling but were only given $1. I recall the lawyers line "The jury only gave us a 1/2 a lof, they said you win and gave us a $1"

yeah, I was probably being more flippant than anything, but I do think that the NFL will find away to have pay-per-view beyond the Sunday ticket. Pretty sure Congress won't let another sport have an anti-trust exemption, but given the joke the penalties were in 85 is there really anything stopping the NFL from pushing the limits as far as possible?

 

[PMENFAN]

Once the NFL thinks that say 20 millions homes will be willing to pay $29.95 every week to watch football games, the NFL network will be the exclusive carrier of all NFL action.

It'll never happen. They get far more in revenue from the Superbowl contract on broadcast TV than they would as a PPV event. People know it, they know it, everybody knows it. It killed boxint. Put it this way. If that was the goal, do you think NFLN would be holding out to be on basic cable instead of the more profitable, but less accessable digital tier? They're going with making $.10 100mm times vw $1 100m times. It's the same amount of money, but one is more sustainable.

 

[PMENFAN]

Once the NFL thinks that say 20 millions homes will be willing to pay $29.95 every week to watch football games, the NFL network will be the exclusive carrier of all NFL action.

...and have market penetration far and beyond what they have now.They're at ESPN circa 1985 (is that right? 83? 79??) - they have a few programs (which are good) but aren't at full-fledged major network level - yet. But they have done a ton in about a year's time.

NOt to mention there is a business dynamic involved of having two outlets vs. one. I can see them having only one other Sunday contract, and they carry the other Sunday games. Or, even the NFLN carrying the Saturday and Thursday and Monday games, after they have better penetration. It's evolving, the direction is still wide open. PPV is absolutely off the table. Hockey tried it a few years ago with the playoffs, and it was a disaster.

 

[Slum Lord]

NFL Network was bragging and advertising all year of how they finally have the rights to show a game once a week (on the thursday night) and then that one game on Thanksgiving. My question is how do they not have the rights to ALL the games? I never understoof this... they're the NFL network, and aren't they a station that was formed by the NFL? If so, how the hell don't they have broadcast rights to their own games?

Easy. The NFL network isnt going to pay itself 8 BILLION dollars a year to broadcast the games.

 

[rick6668]

NFL Network was bragging and advertising all year of how they finally have the rights to show a game once a week (on the thursday night) and then that one game on Thanksgiving. My question is how do they not have the rights to ALL the games? I never understoof this... they're the NFL network, and aren't they a station that was formed by the NFL? If so, how the hell don't they have broadcast rights to their own games?

Easy. The NFL network isnt going to pay itself 8 BILLION dollars a year to broadcast the games.

Do the Networks lose money by broadcasting the games, or do they make that much and more from advertising?

 

[GregR_2]

NFL Network was bragging and advertising all year of how they finally have the rights to show a game once a week (on the thursday night) and then that one game on Thanksgiving. My question is how do they not have the rights to ALL the games? I never understoof this... they're the NFL network, and aren't they a station that was formed by the NFL? If so, how the hell don't they have broadcast rights to their own games?

Easy. The NFL network isnt going to pay itself 8 BILLION dollars a year to broadcast the games.

Do the Networks lose money by broadcasting the games, or do they make that much and more from advertising?

The TV deals are only about $3 billion, the rest of that $8 billion is merchandise, ticket sales, licensing, etc. Having the goal of making money, their stock holders should hope the networks get that much value from them.But that doesn't necessarily mean they get $3+ billion just from commercials aired during NFL games. The NFL is an enabler. Look at how many people have DirecTV at all just so they can get Sunday ticket. If an extra million people tune into watch 24 because they saw it hyped on the NFL broadcasts, then the NFL contract has resulted in higher rates that can be charged for 24's advertising as well.You'd have to hope the networks have a decent handle on what it's worth to them and are paying at least in the ballpark of something that turns a profit for them.

 

[cobalt_27]

PPV is absolutely off the table. Hockey tried it a few years ago with the playoffs, and it was a disaster.

Please link to when the NHL did this. I don't remember it, and I doubt this actually happened.But, even if it did...NHL <> NFLHockey's failed experiments have absolutely no bearing on whether it would work in the NFL. I think the Ticket on DTV is a good example that PPV (although modified some) absolutely makes a killing for the NFL. I wouldn't bet a dime that it's off the table. They'll likely attempt it before too long. And, I don't think one person responsible for the decisions will be--or should be--concerned with hockey.But, please link me to when the NHL did this. I must've been in a coma when that happened.

 

[Tom Servo]

PPV is absolutely off the table. Hockey tried it a few years ago with the playoffs, and it was a disaster.

Please link to when the NHL did this. I don't remember it, and I doubt this actually happened.... But, please link me to when the NHL did this. I must've been in a coma when that happened.

I don't have a link, but I can tell you it was about 3-4 years ago. You were guaranteed every game in the first two rounds of the playoffs. It was sold to people much like the NFLST was: being able to see your favorite team if you lived outside of your area. IIRC, you didn't even have to be a Center Ice subscriber to get it.