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An idea for a new revenue stream for the NFL

In the never-ending quest for "mo' money" by the League, here's a new idea, and one we might like and appreciate as fans.  Stream games for instant viewing on Netflix.  Offer a special package for, say $10 per game, and season packages of say $140 to follow one team the whole season.    I've noticed we don't have many choices for viewing games, either we get the "free" network broadcasts, or we pay for ALL games every week on Sunday Ticket from one satellite provider.

Star-divide

 

They could get the individual networks to perform each streaming game so they can insert the ads and have their usual announcers.  It would be similar to DirecTV's NFL Sunday Ticket, but without some of the bells and whistles, and just pay on a game or team basis (so as to create a different product not competing with Sunday Ticket).

The production quality may not be quite equal (depends on quality of throughput) to what you see on live networks but HD can be streamed on Netflix, so we should be able to get that. 

On the plus side, the NFL would then control online content and actively support it, so that less-than-aboveboard (ahem) sites have an official competition.  It would offer the possibilities of new packages and fans can pick which packages they want to get and watch:  free games on network TV and you take your chances that your favorite team is on; Sunday Ticket package that has ALL games each week for those fans that want everything (or for avid fantasy football fans); and Netflix online streaming packages for viewing individual games not covered by local network or for season packages for individual teams for fans to follow.  Another plus is that NFL Network games should be included for those folks that don't get that channel.

On the negative side, it would possibly (probably) compete with and maybe edge out the more expensive and probably more lucrative Sunday Ticket package as a revenue stream.  I think, however, that most fans would rather follow individual teams that are rarely on networks or supplement a team's games on networks with a few games on Netflix, and I truly believe that that option should be given to the fans.  Netflix does sometimes have issues with captioning/subtitles either not existing or not being synced up for those of us who need it (like me), but that's something the site is still working on. 

Also, I know it has probably not even been brought up in any official circles so it would take some real time to set up and make sure it is feasible, so, not this season, surely.  Maybe a thought for the next TV contract negotiations, though.

If fans got behind it and asked Roger for it, maybe it would happen.

Any ideas, thoughts, etc.?

 

And now for something completely irrelevant yet strangely relevant anyway to my interests.

Cowboys-cheer_medium

via dallascowboystimes.com


Another user-created commentary provided by a BTB reader.

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mmmm cheerleader pic....

that gets a rec…..

AS for your idea? very interesting….

With the 9th Pick Dallas Selects Tyron Smith...Romo Weeps in Joy, and Bennet says"I might get to go out in the Pass Pattern now!"

by I am Ironman!!! on Jun 30, 2011 4:27 AM CDT reply actions  

good ideal but nothing new...

 the problem..direct tv has the contract for the sunday tickect.

many other cable companies want it but its direct tv in sole…they shell out alot of money for it.. until its contract is up other companies is not getn jack..

plus 10 dollars a game? no way buddy they probably want to see like 20+ ..and at least 250+ for the season

by lostar2009 on Jun 30, 2011 9:07 AM CDT via mobile reply actions  

i’ve always found it bizarre that the NFL contracted exclusively with Direct TV.

I think it’s an amazing bargain for Direct TV because that is actually the big driver for their business. That contract literally makes the Direct TV business. I don’t have the figures but some large percentage of Direct TV’s customers are on Direct TV just so they can get the NFL package.

I’ve always thought that it makes no sense for the NFL. I would have thought they could get far more money selling through everyone, cable companies, Dish, Direct TV, and netflix.

by Fan in Thick and Thin on Jun 30, 2011 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions  

The NFL is the only major league I think that is exclusive like that, all others have at least some deal with multiple providers.

It’s ridiculous and the ever-escalating fees for the Ticket for lack of competition are what made me drop that service after just a couple of seasons.

by mdlusk on Jun 30, 2011 12:28 PM CDT up reply actions  

im a victim...

im with them just for the football…

by lostar2009 on Jun 30, 2011 1:16 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions  

I can't see 250 for the season

That’s close to what DirectTV charges for all the games and we’d just be asking for one teams games.

I’m a victim too :(

Roger: Hey, with this mortar launcher, we can get back at the kid who went all Tom Sizemore on your eye!
Steve: Oh, I wish I could get back at him. I'm gonna dress up as a girl and get him to have sex with me and then say "Ha! I'm not a girl! You just had sex with a boy that hates you!"
Roger: Yes, let's leave that plan between you, me, and the string of therapists who won't be able to help you.
American Dad

by Cowboys_Attack on Jun 30, 2011 4:09 PM CDT up reply actions  

plus if im not mistaken nfl.com already got a service similar to this...

u pay and u have access to games that season..im not sure if you can watch them live or not

by lostar2009 on Jun 30, 2011 9:15 AM CDT via mobile reply actions  

isn't that just a radio broadcast?

I could be wrong, though. Is it the same quality as the broadcast (or close enough)? Oh and lack of being live would probably kill it for most fans.

by mdlusk on Jun 30, 2011 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions  

no actual games...

its cheaper in the off season but get cheaper as the season progess..

the knock? u can only watch games online

by lostar2009 on Jun 30, 2011 1:14 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions  

Still can't stream NetFlix overseas...

But, since I would imagine Direct TV only holds U.S. rights, you are prob onto something. I know ESPN shows games at least in Europe, that would be very interesting to look into.

Give me UR calls! Give me highstepping by CBs and PRs entering the endzone! Give me screaming on the sidelines and headbutting! Give me Fortitude, Solidarity and VIOLENCE! Bring me CHAMPIONSHIPS!
Bring me Ridolin LOL! - B'nSB

by BlueNSilverBlood on Jun 30, 2011 10:36 AM CDT reply actions  

It would be awesome because I have netflix on my ps3 so I could watch it still on my TV!

But I can’t see it feasible because the NFL is probably making a ton more money from DirectTV owning the rights to Sunday ticket. So it’d be a step backwards for them

And at FiTaT maybe DirectTV knew it would pull so many customers and be able to lock so many people into long term contracts or has numbers to support that even if people leave that can always entice them back with a SundayTicket, that DirectTV has paid a huge premium to retain exclusive rights. I know I would.

Tony Romo 2011's League's Most Valuable Player

by thebigham on Jun 30, 2011 10:49 AM CDT reply actions  

I have a PS3, too and Netflix on it, so yes, that would be good news.

And yes DirecTV would probably pitch a real stinkfest of a fit. But if people start backing off of paying for Sunday Ticket for the price gouging that’s going on, then perhaps the NFL would explore other options to get fans back, or at least provide competition to create lower prices and more fans watching.

by mdlusk on Jun 30, 2011 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions  

The concept is good

I get NFL Ticket on Direct TV because I live in California and want to see all Cowboy games, but I also love the ability to go from one game to another if things get boring. In addition the red zone is unbelievable if you just want all the action and scoring. I don’t know why the NFL doesn’t create a package with Direct TV, other satellite providers and cable tv operators to have games sold on a pay per view basis for people who don’t want the whole nine yards. I don’t think they’d lose many subscribers to the NFL Ticket, but would pick up the fans who would pay for a single game. The idea is solid though.

by pfloyd1 on Jun 30, 2011 11:12 AM CDT reply actions  

Thanks

That’s the idea. Whether it’s through Netflix or whatever. Give us options, NFL.

by mdlusk on Jun 30, 2011 12:24 PM CDT up reply actions  

well nothing is going to happen until the Direct TV contract expires which isn’t until 2014.

Direct TV has the exclusive until then, unless the NFL pays Malone to terminate the contract.

by Fan in Thick and Thin on Jun 30, 2011 3:14 PM CDT up reply actions  

The whole idea is to give fans a RANGE of options for viewing games.

Right now it’s either network or Sunday Ticket, and for those that don’t want to spend upwards of what $300 for a season to watch the Cowboys only or to watch those few Cowboys games that aren’t broadcast nationally and in their area, this is for us.

Give fans an option and they’ll choose what best fits them. More people would take this I think that wouldn’t otherwise want to pay for the whole shebang from DirecTV, or can’t afford it. But they would jump to get a single game or season if that option were available.

I agree though that it isn’t likely at present because DirecTV would pitch a serious fit. But what they wouldn’t realize is that they would become the cream of the crop, that everyone aspires to like the 60" HDTV in the living room that many of us would wish we could stick in there. Most of us have to settle for less than that, though. What if your options were between a CRT 30" SDTV for a pittance or a 60" HDTV for $5000, and nothing in between? That’s like what is currently the case with Sunday Ticket and network broadcasts.

That doesn’t seem fair to me.

by mdlusk on Jun 30, 2011 12:22 PM CDT reply actions  

It just isn't feasible like that right now.

You can’t sell exclusive rights to one company and then basically get another company selling the same thing in pieces. I get that it would be smarter and give us better options but it just doesn’t work like that.

Semper Fi Do or Die

by Jeremiah_24 on Jun 30, 2011 3:43 PM CDT reply actions  

Thats what I'm saying it isn't feasible right now.

Even in 2014 whoever they want to give independant licensing too would have to make up the money they currently get from D-TV because they surely won’t enter into a non-exclusive contract at the same price. That wouldn’t benefit them in the least.

Semper Fi Do or Die

by Jeremiah_24 on Jul 1, 2011 8:29 AM CDT up reply actions  

I like the idea

I travel a lot and the ability to watch games online would be great. NFL.com only has radio for games in the US but stream games online outside of the US to subscibers.

by Birddog26 on Jun 30, 2011 5:40 PM CDT reply actions  

I would love

to buy just Cowboys games here in Cali …. but I’m not paying $300 for Sunday Ticket. F that noise.

by Dub_TC on Jul 1, 2011 10:11 AM CDT reply actions  

The real people we should be mad at are TimeWarner or Comcast

I want my a la carte programming ! I do not need 5 home garden channels, lifetime, 9 news channels, another 8 shopping channels, or CBS. And that is just on the standard cable package. Its 2011 people, I want the dallas area Fox channel for my football games, I want of course the “local” channels for news and same timezone programming. I want NFLn, Redzone channel and a few others. Let me pay for the channels I want!

Its my TV and I want it NOW!

Tony Romo 2011's League's Most Valuable Player

by thebigham on Jul 1, 2011 10:34 AM CDT reply actions   1 recs

Call 877-TV-NOW

They’ve helped thousands, they’ll help you too.

LOL

Oh and rec

by mdlusk on Jul 1, 2011 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions  

My thought here is that my idea may certainly not be the best

but it can stimulate creative thinking on what we would LIKE to see, that we know is actually technologically even if the usual financial interests continue to hand us crap and call it cake. We all know they can do better. When we actually demand it, we’ll get it, if we scream for it loud enough and make it clear enough.

We wanted more scoring and more exciting games (overall anyway) so the best way to cause that was to make the passing game more powerful and successful. They did that. They thought that it would attract more fans (and revenue, by the way). It did. Give the fans what they want and they will come.

Stop giving us the business, Roger.

by mdlusk on Jul 1, 2011 10:43 AM CDT reply actions  

I just go to a sports bar/restaurant

that shows all the games,
and all I pay is whatever I spend on food and drink.
And, for that, I not only get to see my team every week, but I get the commeradorie that comes with watching them with a host of fellow fans.
Problem solved.

"It's a great day to be great, baby!"

"Here I am, brain the size of a planet,
and they ask me to pick up a piece of paper.
You call that job satisfaction?
'Cause, I don't."

THE BEARS STILL SUCK!

by NorthStarr on Jul 2, 2011 6:40 AM CDT reply actions  

NFL.com already streams games overseas

but service is not available in the US (or Canada or Mexico).

Streams in HD – pretty good quality. Also uses a special player you have to download (pretty sure that is to try to protect the streams from being recorded). Able to pause and I think ff and rew. Also no ads.

Last time I used it it was around $25 for a weekend’s games (all of them) – and around $250 for a full season of games for one team. You couldn’t just buy a single game.

Because the Cowboys are popular and doing ok over the last few years we get around 10 games a season screened here anyway – so I have bought the ocassional game as a filler if they miss an important one. But if you go for someone like KC you may only get 2 games screened down here – then its probably a better deal just to buy the season.

In the last month they have just started streaming NFL Network for $5 a month ($50 a year).

"Where's Woody? - We need another Darren Woodson

by BoyfromOz on Jul 3, 2011 4:38 AM CDT reply actions  

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