Another Thanksgiving, another day of Holiday Blowouts is now in the books. NFL fans got to see a trio of proffessional beatdowns today. Well, SOME NFL fans got to see all three games. Those of us who can only afford regular cable were spared the sight of the Colts/Falcons fiasco, which was available only to subscribers of the NFL network. Its just as well, since my eyes were burning after having to watch the collapse of the Lions defense, then watching the Cowboys use Kellen Clemens as a tackling dummy for 60 minutes.But even though the game was a blowout, I still would have liked to have the OPTION of watching it if I wanted. I can't afford to go to live games because the prices are rediculously high. I can barely afford to pay for cable, just so I can watch the EPSN game each Monday. There is just now way I could work the NFL network into my budget. So I simply don't get to see the games shown on NFL Network.
Out of curiousity... and part desperation... I visited the NFL Network website, just to see what it would cost me. MY local cable carrier does not offer the NFL Network at all ( More on that outrageous detail later.. keep reading!) Time Warner Cable does not offer the channel to its customers, so I checked the other cable services in the area.
Comcast it the only other cable provider in my region, so I clicked the link to see what they would charge for the NFL Network. THIS IS THE MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE SCREEN WHEN I CLICKED THE LINK:
NFL Network is carried by your area's cable provider, Comcast. Unfortunately, Comcast, is overcharging you to watch football 24:7 on NFL Network. Other video providers include NFL Network in their basic package for no additional cost. Make the switch now to AT&T U-Verse, DirecTV, DISH Network, or Verizon.
WTF? The NFL is actively trying to direct customers AWAY from one of their network carriers, and is encouraging customers to use an alternative provider??? Thats does not seem very ethical to me. While it may be true that Comcast is overcharging for the service, the NFL should not be try to discourage customers from purchasing it.
After seeing how the NFL is treating Comcast in this instance, it makes me wonder just how many other cable providers the NFL is trying to strongarm. It also makes me wonder if this type of thing is the reason that TimeWarner does not offer the channel.
The Cowboys' owner has been VERY outspoken recently about the NFL Network broadcast of live games and the lack of availability in many markets (like where I currently reside.) Jerry Jones has been urging fans to drop their cable subscriptions!
The NFL Network has been in a dispute with large cable providers who don't carry the network on a basic tier. The network is available in about 35 million of the nation's more than 111 million homes with televisions.
"I am frustrated that we've got literally several million fans that won't get to see that game because Time Warner won't be carrying it," Jones said, referring to next week's Cowboys/Packer matchup. "I'm hot about that. I hope those fans will go to AT&T satellite or go over to a competing cable company."
Jones is the outspoken chairman of the league's NFL Network committee. His comments came just three days after Comcast, the nation's largest cable company, sent a cease-and-desist letter to the NFL Network demanding the channel's representatives stop encouraging fans to leave the cable provider.
"I know I have been given a cease and desist to quit saying that, but that is a fact," Jones said. "It's frustrating to think millions of Cowboys and Packers fans won't be able to see it."
At this point I have to wonder what the hell is really going on now. If the NFL is truley concerned about protecting the fans and providing everyone with the opportunity to see thier favorite teams, then why not just make the NFL network a regular channel (much like the GOLF Channel and FOOD channel, which are part of almost every basic cable package these days.) Instead, the NFL is complaining that cable providers charge too much for thier premium service, and THAT is what causes fans to miss games?
I never knew GREED could be so hypocrytical. We have one group of greedy bastards fighting with another group of greedy bastards over how much we should be forced to pay in order to see a 31-13 ass kicking.
And for those of you keep track at home, the total score for today's games was 102-42.
1 comment:
If the NFL would stop paying players millions of dollars to play football we would not have this problem. Romo is a good quarterbaxck but come on $67,000,000 to play football for 5 years is out of sight. I would have to work 180 years to make that much money. yes, I want to see the packers-cowboys game but I am not using the rent and food money to do it. Nuff said !!
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