NFL Redzone Network

[panerd]

Let me see if I have this straight... I was watching preseason on the NFL Network and they will have an HD Red-zone channel this season. So DirecTV just charged me $99 for the same package (and games in HD which they should offer at no cost since it's 2009 not 2003) that NFL network is giving away for free. Am I wrong here? Is there any reason to shell out $350+ anymore for this package?

[kcchief19]

Unclear. The NFL says the new Red Zone channel will be different from the DirecTV channel, but in what way who knows. I haven't seen anything indicates whether DirecTV will offer the new channel for free or not. I think it's only available to other providers.

But, Comcast is the only company to sign on so far and they are putting it on the sports upgrade tier, which only has about 2 million subscribers. The NFL requires you carry NFLN to get the RedZone channel, so you can count TWC and others out. I don't know that very many people will carry it.

I can't imagine DirecTV putting it on a free tier because. I imagine they will only include it with Sunday Ticket.

[Julio Riddols]

The price of the Sunday Ticket has gone up FAR too much for me to continue buying it. That shit used to be 99, then 199, then 250, now 350-plus?

Just last season it was 20 dollars less per month than it is this year. Eff that. Its depressing knowing I can't watch the Bengals unless I starve to death.

[sooner333]

At 350+ I would either need friends to pitch in or I would just start going to a bar where at least I could get lunch for the cost of the package.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by Julio Riddols

The price of the Sunday Ticket has gone up FAR too much for me to continue buying it. That shit used to be 99, then 199, then 250, now 350-plus?

Just last season it was 20 dollars less per month than it is this year. Eff that. Its depressing knowing I can't watch the Bengals unless I starve to death.

When we moved to Seattle last year we debated direct TV or cable. We went cable because we could bundle. The only reason we considered direct TV is so we could watch Giants game. I figured it would actually be cheaper to go out for the games to a bar every week they weren't on a network then it would be to get the package.

[panerd]

Believe me I am not happy about the price, part of the reason I started the thread. But here is my situation. I am a huge Bengals fan and I have a 100 inch projection screen in my basement. If I go to a sports bar and ask them to put the Bengals game on I am at best getting a 20" tv in the back while the Rams or Patriots or other popular team's game's sound is blasting on the main tv. Plus I can pause, rewind to watch plays, and flip around to all the other games around the league. I do agree the $25-$30 a week is getting steep but I am not sure going to a bar is that simple a solution.

I do think that they could cut me a little slack since I have had Sunday Ticket since probably like 1998. (Not totally clear on the exact dates but I think I have been around since almost the beginning) And it is a complete travesty that they act like HD is still a novelty worthy of charging an additional $99 for when they boast that like 150 of their channels are HD, including the Weather Channel and Cartoon Network. I could probably get the $99 taken off but that would require an hour or so of going from operator to operator. I really think I might do it though if KC Chief is correct about this new channel being basically the same thing I am paying $99 for.

[albionmoonlight]

I understand that DirecTV drives a big dump truck of money to NFL headquarters every few years. And that keeping Sunday Ticket exclusive to DirecTV is in the NFL's and DirecTV's best financial interest.

But, man, if the right to show all NFL games is ever opened up to all content providers, it will be so awesome for consumers. All of a sudden, every cable and dish company in the country will be competiting for NFL fan eyeballs. Things like the $100 surcharge for HD will be out of the window.

And, in my perfect perfect world, a cable company would come around and allow you to buy games a la carte for like $7/game. I would sign up for that cable company before the commercial ended.

[Galaril]

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

I understand that DirecTV drives a big dump truck of money to NFL headquarters every few years. And that keeping Sunday Ticket exclusive to DirecTV is in the NFL's and DirecTV's best financial interest.

But, man, if the right to show all NFL games is ever opened up to all content providers, it will be so awesome for consumers. All of a sudden, every cable and dish company in the country will be competiting for NFL fan eyeballs. Things like the $100 surcharge for HD will be out of the window.

And, in my perfect perfect world, a cable company would come around and allow you to buy games a la carte for like $7/game. I would sign up for that cable company before the commercial ended.

I agree. I asked my wife what she thought about getting NFL Sunday Ticket and told her the price. She said go ahead right after I let her know the name of my divorce lawyer. And being able to afford it is not the issue believe me it is solely the price gorging the NFL/DirectTV is exhibiting lately with the price goping up by 100 bucks in the worst recession since the the 1930s. Now those be some big balls there. Screw it I will save my money and get the NBA package for 30% the price.

[Flasch186]

hence my lack of purchase last year and this year. I have a friend who'll give me their directtv login to watch on the interwebz.

[Kodos]

I'm considering dropping Sunday Ticket too. I really take offense to getting blatantly ripped off.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Galaril

I agree. I asked my wife what she thought about getting NFL Sunday Ticket and told her the price. She said go ahead right after I let her know the name of my divorce lawyer. And being able to afford it is not the issue believe me it is solely the price gorging the NFL/DirectTV is exhibiting lately with the price goping up by 100 bucks in the worst recession since the the 1930s. Now those be some big balls there. Screw it I will save my money and get the NBA package for 30% the price.

LOL - awesome!

[Kodos]

FWIW. I just called DirecTV to cancel Sunday Ticket, and they gave me some "Save offer" that knocks it down to $24.99 a month for 6 months. So basically knocked $120 off of the original $44.99 X 6 months. $150 is easier to justify to myself than $270.

[kcchief19]

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

I understand that DirecTV drives a big dump truck of money to NFL headquarters every few years. And that keeping Sunday Ticket exclusive to DirecTV is in the NFL's and DirecTV's best financial interest.

But, man, if the right to show all NFL games is ever opened up to all content providers, it will be so awesome for consumers. All of a sudden, every cable and dish company in the country will be competiting for NFL fan eyeballs. Things like the $100 surcharge for HD will be out of the window.

And, in my perfect perfect world, a cable company would come around and allow you to buy games a la carte for like $7/game. I would sign up for that cable company before the commercial ended.

I don't know if the NFL would ever let it get that cheap. Your model is NFL Game Plan, and have you seen what ESPN charges for pay-per-view college football? I'm not going to pay $39.95 to watch Missouri play Southeast Missouri on TV.

I imagine the bean counters have figured out that the NFL audience on DirecTV is diehard enough that even if people drop out over the price, they still get more money back at $350+ than more subscribers at $99 since I don't believe they sell any advertising on the package. I'd hazard to guess that 95%+ of their market are bars and restaurants who will pay any price for the package. DirecTV is probably fine if no household subscribes.

The NFL relationship with DirecTV is an interesting one. The NFL is a loss leader for them -- the exclusive deal means they have something the competition doesn't and there is no way that recoup what the package costs them. But if cable/satellite provider had Sunday Ticket, DirecTV would probably have one foot in the grave.

Yet while the NFL loves the money, they don't really want all their games on TV at too low of a price. They don't want people in NFL markets staying home instead of going to the stadium. The networks pay a ton of money for the rights but they have an obligation to their local stations -- CBS and Fox aren't going to pay as much to the NFL if too many people are watching national broadcasts and skipping the local affiliates.

The NFL has no motivation to change the relationship. It's almost perfect for them -- they protect their network TV deals and have a satellite distribution for bars and restaurants that is getting out of price for the household consumer.

I'd bet that if the NFL ever want to an ala carte programming, you'd see per game prices at least $40 a pop or more.

[albionmoonlight]

Originally Posted by Kodos

FWIW. I just called DirecTV to cancel Sunday Ticket, and they gave me some "Save offer" that knocks it down to $24.99 a month for 6 months. So basically knocked $120 off of the original $44.99 X 6 months. $150 is easier to justify to myself than $270.

Had your auto-rebilling already started?

[Kodos]

Yes.

[albionmoonlight]

Originally Posted by Kodos

Yes.

Made the call.

They tried to offer me $5.00/month and then $10.00/month. Knowing that they could offer $20.00/month was nice. I might have given in at $10.00 otherwise.

[Galaril]

Originally Posted by kcchief19

I don't know if the NFL would ever let it get that cheap. Your model is NFL Game Plan, and have you seen what ESPN charges for pay-per-view college football? I'm not going to pay $39.95 to watch Missouri play Southeast Missouri on TV.

I imagine the bean counters have figured out that the NFL audience on DirecTV is die hard enough that even if people drop out over the price, they still get more money back at $350+ than more subscribers at $99 since I don't believe they sell any advertising on the package. I'd hazard to guess that 95%+ of their market are bars and restaurants who will pay any price for the package. DirecTV is probably fine if no household subscribes.

The NFL relationship with DirecTV is an interesting one. The NFL is a loss leader for them -- the exclusive deal means they have something the competition doesn't and there is no way that recoup what the package costs them. But if cable/satellite provider had Sunday Ticket, DirecTV would probably have one foot in the grave.

Yet while the NFL loves the money, they don't really want all their games on TV at too low of a price. They don't want people in NFL markets staying home instead of going to the stadium. The networks pay a ton of money for the rights but they have an obligation to their local stations -- CBS and Fox aren't going to pay as much to the NFL if too many people are watching national broadcasts and skipping the local affiliates.

The NFL has no motivation to change the relationship. It's almost perfect for them -- they protect their network TV deals and have a satellite distribution for bars and restaurants that is getting out of price for the household consumer.

I'd bet that if the NFL ever want to an ala carte programming, you'd see per game prices at least $40 a pop or more.

Good analysis I would say.

I keep hearing this sports bar scenario, which I am sure is true that they get 95% of their money from bars. But, I never considered this to be as some have argued a good option for someone to compare getting the NFL season ticket to. I live in the Denver area and any time I went to a sports bar they were always playing the Broncos games. Good luck asking the bar tender to change the TV to the Titans game even in a soft market like Denver. Ju imagine someone asking to change a game from the Steelers-Ravens game so they could watch the 49ers-Seahawks game. So, I think most bars get the Sunday package just to air a few regionally relevant or local games which makes perfect sense. So, for most of us it is either spend $450 or not watch you favorite team if it is not the local team. Also, the way I look at it is if DirectTV is getting 955 or more (probably) of their money from bars why not cut the price for fans at home a little to say $200-250?.............. Because DIRECTtv IS TRYING TO SCREW US ALL THE WAY TO THE GRAVE!

[albionmoonlight]

Originally Posted by Galaril

Just imagine someone asking to change a game from the Steelers-Ravens game so they could watch the 49ers-Seahawks game. So, I think most bars get the Sunday package just to air a few regionally relevant or local games which makes perfect sense.

One year, I went to a bar with 1 less TV than it needed to show all the games. As a Saints fan, every week was a gamble as to whether we were going to be the team bounced. If we were playing the Steelers or Cowboys, then it was fine. But if you are a bar looking for a game to cut, and you see Saints/Jaguars on the schedule, you probably don't need to look any farther

[Kodos]

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

Made the call.

They tried to offer me $5.00/month and then $10.00/month. Knowing that they could offer $20.00/month was nice. I might have given in at $10.00 otherwise.

You can send me a check for $10.

[Apathetic Lurker]

Back in the 80's I was what some might call an idiot football savant. I had no "favorite" team. Just a football junkie. I could name the third string's benchwarmer for any team.I saturated my life with football. But....... Spending this much money(200+) on football is just ludicrous.......


Edit: Back when me and the wife had DirectTV, she wanted to splurge and buy me the Sunday Ticket. I looked at her as if she was a blithering idiot. Needless to say we found better uses for our money.

[panerd]

Originally Posted by Kodos

FWIW. I just called DirecTV to cancel Sunday Ticket, and they gave me some "Save offer" that knocks it down to $24.99 a month for 6 months. So basically knocked $120 off of the original $44.99 X 6 months. $150 is easier to justify to myself than $270.

Dammit I gave in earlier this morning at $10 a month. And I am the one who started this thread! Should I call back and tell the guy to take $10 more off or just eat the $60?

[lungs]

I just got done negotiating the HD package for free and $30 off the regular package.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by Galaril

I keep hearing this sports bar scenario, which I am sure is true that they get 95% of their money from bars. But, I never considered this to be as some have argued a good option for someone to compare getting the NFL season ticket to. I live in the Denver area and any time I went to a sports bar they were always playing the Broncos games. Good luck asking the bar tender to change the TV to the Titans game even in a soft market like Denver. Ju imagine someone asking to change a game from the Steelers-Ravens game so they could watch the 49ers-Seahawks game. So, I think most bars get the Sunday package just to air a few regionally relevant or local games which makes perfect sense. :

This is incorrect in my vast experience. There are plenty of bars out there, buffalo wild wings for example, that have many, many TV's. They usually put the local team on about half the TV's then label the others and the game that is on that particular TV stays that way. That way there is no chaos.

I have lived in Dallas, Cincinnati, and Seattle and have yet to miss a Giants game.

[sooner333]

Sometimes its nice being in a market where there's no home team. Dallas might get on a few more TV's, but you can pretty much usually get all the games on.

[Galaril]

Originally Posted by Lathum

This is incorrect in my vast experience. There are plenty of bars out there, buffalo wild wings for example, that have many, many TV's. They usually put the local team on about half the TV's then label the others and the game that is on that particular TV stays that way. That way there is no chaos.

I have lived in Dallas, Cincinnati, and Seattle and have yet to miss a Giants game.

Sorry Lathum but in my vast experience ( ) there are not a ton of bars that play all the games. The NY Giants being a NY team and being somewhat media darlings will get on most TVs especially in Dallas where they are a rival team to the Cowboys. Now if you said you had no trouble getting the Bengals games each week that would mean something.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by Galaril

Sorry Lathum but in my vast experience ( ) there are not a ton of bars that play all the games. The NY Giants being a NY team and being somewhat media darlings will get on most TVs especially in Dallas where they are a rival team to the Cowboys. Now if you said you had no trouble getting the Bengals games each week that would mean something.

My point is the team has nothing to do with it, and you really only need to find 1 bar. I can think of 4 bars I can walk to that you can get any game. Same for the other cities I lived in, or when I lived home. You just need to find a bar that has good management.

It really isn't that hard, just my opinion.

[Arles]

Yeah, I made the call earlier too. I said I had a buddy sign up and he got the $25 a month offer, so I was just going to cancel and watch it at his house.

They offered me $25 a month with the free red zone and I grudgingly accepted

[Logan]

Sunday Ticket is very expensive for bars to get, depending on the size...if they're only showing mostly the home games that's just dumb from a financial standpoint.

The bars in NYC that have the package will have Giants/Jets on the biggest TV, plus on a few strategically placed, and the rest will carry all other games.

[Galaril]

Originally Posted by Arles

Yeah, I made the call earlier too. I said I had a buddy sign up and he got the $25 a month offer, so I was just going to cancel and watch it at his house.

They offered me $25 a month with the free red zone and I grudgingly accepted

Too bad they never offer deals to existing DTV customers but new season ticket customers.

[lungs]

Originally Posted by Arles

Yeah, I made the call earlier too. I said I had a buddy sign up and he got the $25 a month offer, so I was just going to cancel and watch it at his house.

They offered me $25 a month with the free red zone and I grudgingly accepted

Free red zone as in free Super Fan package?

If so, I guess I should've held out for more.

[Arles]

Yeah, I've had DirectTV (and the ticket) for 3 years. I was currently paying $44.95 + $15 per month for 6 months for the Ticket+Super Fan ($360).

I called, asked to cancel because someone I referred was going to get it for $25 (they could see I just referred them for the credit). Faced with me canceling, they knocked it down to just $25 a month for 6 months ($150).

So, I'm getting the exact same package I was getting 2 weeks ago for less than half the price.

[Kodos]

Super Fan is the HD version, right?

[Arles]

Originally Posted by Kodos

Super Fan is the HD version, right?

Yeah, and it also gets the red zone channel too.

[Julio Riddols]

Thanks to these revelations, I may get to watch the Bengals this year anyway. Awesome!

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Lathum

My point is the team has nothing to do with it, and you really only need to find 1 bar. I can think of 4 bars I can walk to that you can get any game. Same for the other cities I lived in, or when I lived home. You just need to find a bar that has good management.

It really isn't that hard, just my opinion.

this is true. you just need to find 1. might take a little work and actually calling them up or going there and having a drink and finding out.

[Capital]

I heard that Comcast is going to offer the redzone channel this year. As a fantasy football fan, this channel was great as it changed the game for you to the one closest to the goal line. This channel doesn't work if you want to watch the game but does a great job for someone who wants to watch scoring and NO commericals.

However, I called Comcast yesterday (here in Atlanta) and they had no information on pricing or availability. They knew that they were going to offer the channel but that's it.

[primelord]

Originally Posted by Galaril

Sorry Lathum but in my vast experience ( ) there are not a ton of bars that play all the games. The NY Giants being a NY team and being somewhat media darlings will get on most TVs especially in Dallas where they are a rival team to the Cowboys. Now if you said you had no trouble getting the Bengals games each week that would mean something.

If you can't find a bar that shows all the NFL games you seriously are not looking anywhere near hard enough.

[Galaril]

Originally Posted by primelord

If you can't find a bar that shows all the NFL games you seriously are not looking anywhere near hard enough.

Yup though I am a Titans fan in Broncos country so..

[Lathum]

Buffalo Wild Wings : Locations


10 locations within 30 miles of Denver

[Alan T]

I actually had the same problem that Galaril is describing when I moved to Massachusetts. I was born and raised in Atlanta and a big Falcons fan, and my years living in Dallas, I never had any problem finding a sports bar to watch Falcons games at, while I had some beers, wings, played pool, etc.. No issue Dallas had really nice big sports bars and it was good.

Living in Massachusetts for the past decade now, I don't really have many sports bars in the area where I live. Mostly all they like up here is pubs where they seem to have less tvs (but really nice, big ones), and they insist on every single one of them being on Patriots/Red Sox no matter what, that is all that matters to these people.

I ended up finding only a few bars in the area that did otherwise and usually they were a pain to get to from Central Mass, so I ended up getting Dish Network and paid $5 more a month to get the Atlanta FOX station added to my dish, which meant in turn I got roughly 75% of the Falcons games at home for very small money.


These days it doesn't seem as big a problem to find Falcons games on however. I don't know if that is because the Falcons were better last year or because many people here are following Matt Ryan, but I at least usually found one tv turned to the Falcons games in each place.



Another thought: Perhaps another difference was back in Dallas, the games were usually 4pm ET while Falcons games were 1pm ET. In Massachusetts, both teams play at 1pm ET most of the time.

[Alan T]

Originally Posted by Lathum

Buffalo Wild Wings : Locations


10 locations within 30 miles of Denver

Boo.. 0 locations within 30 miles of me!

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Alan T

I actually had the same problem that Galaril is describing when I moved to Massachusetts. I was born and raised in Atlanta and a big Falcons fan, and my years living in Dallas, I never had any problem finding a sports bar to watch Falcons games at, while I had some beers, wings, played pool, etc.. No issue Dallas had really nice big sports bars and it was good.

Living in Massachusetts for the past decade now, I don't really have many sports bars in the area where I live. Mostly all they like up here is pubs where they seem to have less tvs (but really nice, big ones), and they insist on every single one of them being on Patriots/Red Sox no matter what, that is all that matters to these people.

I ended up finding only a few bars in the area that did otherwise and usually they were a pain to get to from Central Mass, so I ended up getting Dish Network and paid $5 more a month to get the Atlanta FOX station added to my dish, which meant in turn I got roughly 75% of the Falcons games at home for very small money.


These days it doesn't seem as big a problem to find Falcons games on however. I don't know if that is because the Falcons were better last year or because many people here are following Matt Ryan, but I at least usually found one tv turned to the Falcons games in each place.



Another thought: Perhaps another difference was back in Dallas, the games were usually 4pm ET while Falcons games were 1pm ET. In Massachusetts, both teams play at 1pm ET most of the time.

MATT RYAN IS A BEAST!!!!

MATTY "ROY" RYAN FOR MVP!!!!

[Galaril]

Originally Posted by Lathum

Buffalo Wild Wings : Locations


10 locations within 30 miles of Denver

Gee thanks. I had not heard of that one. I guess now that am married I don't get out that much

[Galaril]

Originally Posted by Alan T

I actually had the same problem that Galaril is describing when I moved to Massachusetts. I was born and raised in Atlanta and a big Falcons fan, and my years living in Dallas, I never had any problem finding a sports bar to watch Falcons games at, while I had some beers, wings, played pool, etc.. No issue Dallas had really nice big sports bars and it was good.

Living in Massachusetts for the past decade now, I don't really have many sports bars in the area where I live. Mostly all they like up here is pubs where they seem to have less tvs (but really nice, big ones), and they insist on every single one of them being on Patriots/Red Sox no matter what, that is all that matters to these people.

I ended up finding only a few bars in the area that did otherwise and usually they were a pain to get to from Central Mass, so I ended up getting Dish Network and paid $5 more a month to get the Atlanta FOX station added to my dish, which meant in turn I got roughly 75% of the Falcons games at home for very small money.


These days it doesn't seem as big a problem to find Falcons games on however. I don't know if that is because the Falcons were better last year or because many people here are following Matt Ryan, but I at least usually found one tv turned to the Falcons games in each place.



Another thought: Perhaps another difference was back in Dallas, the games were usually 4pm ET while Falcons games were 1pm ET. In Massachusetts, both teams play at 1pm ET most of the time.

I am wondering I can pay Direct TV and get the local Nashville channel to get the Titans games? I am guesing Direct TV blocks the NFL games from the non- NFL Season Ticket so you have no choice. I will be sure to check out DISH Network when my two year commitment to Direct TV ends next May and see if I can get the Titans game through the local channel.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by Galaril

Gee thanks. I had not heard of that one. I guess now that am married I don't get out that much

No prob. It's a great place to watch games. I am also married but very lucky my wife is a football fan.

When we lived in Cincinnati we would go around an hour before the game, get a table, ask them to put the game on that TV, eat and guard it. Never once had a problem.

[Galaril]

Originally Posted by Lathum

No prob. It's a great place to watch games. I am also married but very lucky my wife is a football fan.

When we lived in Cincinnati we would go around an hour before the game, get a table, ask them to put the game on that TV, eat and guard it. Never once had a problem.

Yeah actually I should clarify before my wife sees this. It is not so much I am now married (8 years actually) but the fact I got two little ankle biters taking up alot of my drinking time and money

[Passacaglia]

Good wings, too.

[Passacaglia]

Originally Posted by Galaril

Yeah actually I should clarify before my wife sees this. It is not so much I am now married (98 years actually) but the fact I got two little ankle biters taking up alot of my drinking time and money

Well whatever you're doing, it can't be that bad, having the marriage last for 98 years!

[Galaril]

Originally Posted by Passacaglia

Well whatever you're doing, it can't be that bad, having the marriage last for 98 years!

lol........And if it was true shoot me(just kidding honey)

[Samdari]

Originally Posted by Galaril

I am wondering I can pay Direct TV and get the local Nashville channel

Umm, no. FCC rules prevent them from giving you other local affiliates for networks that you already get.

The only things they have available are if you (a) get poor reception of your local station (note: THEIR definition of poor, not yours) AND (b) DirectTV does not have your local. IF both of those are true, you can be eligible to get the NY or LA feeds.