Speaking of the NFL Network vs. Big Cable saga, about which I wrote an obnoxious item late in today's newspaper column . . .
For those of you interested in the Cowboys-Panthers tilt Saturday night who do not get the NFL Network, the free "look-ins" on NFL.com are a much-better-than-nothing alternative.
You'll have to put up with a couple of NFL Net ads and some idle studio chatter, but the site offers significant chunks of important game action in addition to real time stats and drive charts.
That's it for me for now. I have to write a Sunday newspaper column. Enjoy "Inside Villanova Basketball" with Jay Wright at 4:30 p.m. on SNY.
Comments (5)
In all of this NFL Network v Cable dispute has there been any talk as to a seasonal subscription fee. The NFL seems stuck to 70 cents a subscriber while the cable companies will not move stating it is niche programming only relevant for half of the year. Would it be possible for the NFL Network to seek a 85 cents subscriber fee from August 1 - January 31 or August 15 - February 15 (start of preseason to Super Bowl) and 30 cents the remaining months of the year. This seems like a decent compromise if viable.
Interesting. I'll ask! Thanks. Neil
Or what about offering it "a la carte" if you want NFL Network only for the games you'll be missing?
For example, if I want the NFL Network (only for the games I'll be missing and the "in-season" football shows and analysis) charge me (example)) $2.99 a month from (example) August until February (Super Bowl). Or, charge a "one time fee" for the whole thing, let's say $15.99. Then, give the customer the chance to cancel it or make it a "partial year package" where it kicks in on August 1 and goes "dark" the week after the Super Bowl.
With all the new technology out there, I find it hard to believe that this is not possible. I remember buying PPV movies when we first got cable in 1989 via the remote when I was 11 years old. If they say this can't be done, I find it hard to believe.
Part of the reasoning of the NFL Network shutout is due to the fact that In Demand wanted to get the NFL Sunday Ticket package that is now on DirecTV. According to the In Demand people, they had written a letter expressing interest, but the day the league received the letter, the NFL announced the DirecTV renewal.
Some feel the shunning of the NFL Network by Comcast, Time Warner, Cablevision, Suddenlink, Charter and other major cable companies is payback for the NFL Sunday Ticket decision.
Thanks Neil. Look forward to their response.