Time Warner and NFL network still unresolved

[BacktoBasics]

You mean other channels like NBA TV, Bevo, etc., that are already on the sports tier? I have also heard the when MLB start their channel they have already agreed to place that on the sports tier.

I see nobody has mentioned the Jerry Jones is personally advertising for Dish Network. I say conflict of interest here. I have a feeling he has some monetary interest in that provider, why else would he advertise for them and not Direct TV, Comcast, etc?

No actually, I think with the huge market of football I have no problems comparing their asking price with likes of other channels on regular cable, such as specialty channels or news channels. They are considerably less than ESPN and some of the more lucrative stations but are right in line with mid to low level channels.

See how little of a growth we see from the NBA channel. They can't get advertising for on their station, they can't get for worthwhile content. The programming is bland and the growth is stunted because of it. The NFL network within 10 years could easily be as large as The Food Network, there is no sense in ing themselves from the beginning as well as ing their client base by making it into some type of pay to see channel. Why can't TW treat them just like any other channel? Answer- because there isn't anything left to turn to that would put as much value into their sports tier, which would make them an absolute killing. They are holding the channel hostage because of its value, value that only TW will see if its in the tier.

This channel wasn't created to be a tier or semi viewed station. Its built with the intent to become a huge channel with tons of content and great programming aimed at a sport that has basically become a year round marketing cow. With the right advertising this channel could be huge and has the potential to be one of the most view channels around.

[leemajors]

the NFL network is worthless outside of football season, and only has worth since they put cowboy games on there. the NFL wants to charge more than ESPN for a very limited service.

[BacktoBasics]

the NFL network is worthless outside of football season, and only has worth since they put cowboy games on there. the NFL wants to charge more than ESPN for a very limited service.

The charge is nearly three times less than ESPN. I don't know where you get your figures but its not anywhere near the cost of ESPN. Its worthless because they can't bring in the kind of advertising that would grow the channel into something as successful as an ESPN or like station. If TW and Comcast put this channel on regular cable the advertising would grow leaps and bounds and the programming and content would be 10 times what it is right now. The channel could be huge if they are available to the masses at no extra charge. Advertising would increase tenfold with that many customers available to click on the channel.

It takes advertising to drive a channel like this. The last thing the NFL network wants to have is games at a cost with little to no revenue to support the growth of the channel. They actually want the games to be secondary to the programming but you can't get there on a tier or on a ppv basis, no one advertising on channels like that. NFL network has what 5 maybe 6 of the same commercials over and over....because they don't have the audience to command the big bucks in advertising which in turn limits monies that could be spent on growing the channel and creating solid programming.

Its quite simple. TW doesn't care if it grows because the existing audience that will pay for the content only to see the games which would make them millions upon millions at our expense, leaving us with a channel with no future but making them a ton.

[cherylsteele]

The charge is nearly three times less than ESPN. I don't know where you get your figures but its not anywhere near the cost of ESPN.

ESPN has more then just football, it shows all types of sports. NFL network is football, just football, hence the higher price of ESPN, like it or not. On top of that they have 2 CHANNELS on the basic package, which both show live sporting events year 'round.

The NFL network within 10 years could easily be as large as The Food Network

I remember the same thing was said about NBA TV too. If by chance NFL Network becomes that big as you claim it will be then it would be worth putting on basic.

NFL network has what 5 maybe 6 of the same commercials over and over....because they don't have the audience to command the big bucks in advertising which in turn limits monies that could be spent on growing the channel and creating solid programming.

Or maybe it is because the NFL Network product is so piss poor that it can't draw more diverse advertising?

[Mr Dio]

You don't need cable for free over the airwaves, just a TV, and a decent pair of rabbit ears.

Whatever happened to those free games?
Where did all this start?
Who caused them to have to be paid for?
Oh yeah, definitely not the NFL's greed. They are innocent above all & had no part & definitely not the biggest part in making a free game have to be paid for.

[BacktoBasics]

ESPN has more then just football, it shows all types of sports. NFL network is football, just football, hence the higher price of ESPN, like it or not. On top of that they have 2 CHANNELS on the basic package, which both show live sporting events year 'round.

I agree

I remember the same thing was said about NBA TV too. If by chance NFL Network becomes that big as you claim it will be then it would be worth putting on basic.

No you apparantly have no idea how marketing works, your statement makes no sense. The network has a huge audience that is easily reached by the masses = heavy highend advertising. No company does advertising based on the potential of the channel they do it based on who they can reach right then and there. Without the advertising you don't have enough revenue to create better programming. The advertising comes first based on market size then the better content comes as a result of that. The Food Network is a perfect example, larger market....better advertising.....better programming.

If NBA TV were on basic cable you'd have better programming. They did exactly what the NFL network is trying to avoid and thats pigeonholing themselves into a place that isn't indicative of growth. The NFL is also far more marketable than the NBA.

Or maybe it is because the NFL Network product is so piss poor that it can't draw more diverse advertising?

No...typically the content isn't the first thing considered, market size is and available audience is. Of which they have next to none....which makes it impossible to demand higher prices for advertising, let alone even drawn a company in to pay for commercials. Widen your audience and make your channel available to more people , this will easily create the demand for time and space on your channel. That will in turn bring money that can be used to create more shows and better content.

Coke could see an audience size of 1 million people and pay a price condusive of what that size of audience is worth to them. If the available number of homes is 10 million Coke pays more for the advertising. How does that not make sense to you? Its about people and how a company can reach those people and how many.

[BacktoBasics]

Whatever happened to those free games?
Where did all this start?
Who caused them to have to be paid for?
Oh yeah, definitely not the NFL's greed. They are innocent above all & had no part & definitely not the biggest part in making a free game have to be paid for.

You can still see most games with rabbit ears but lets face it, free air wave TV is a thing of the past, the technology is far beyond that. Lots of things change over time. That had nothing to do with the NFL. Cable and then digital and so forth. The NFL didn't create either of those.

[BacktoBasics]

Above and beyond all of this. The very moment The NFL Network offered to let the dispute go to 3rd party arbitration they proved once and for all that it is in fact TW thats holding this up, it shifted the blame 100% off of the NFL. The very moment they offered arbitration it was obvious that the move was the ultimate trump card for the NFL network because they were willing to let someone other than themselves decided what is fair and what isn't. They know their demands are consistant with the going rates and the demands were reasonable.

You simply can't call someone greedy when they're willing to let a 3rd party sort it out. You can't call someone greedy when they take all leverage away from themselves to once and for all have resolution here. They were willing to strip themselves of power to end the dispute. Great move and now the blame solely rests on TW.

If the NFL was so wrong and so much to blame for keeping the channel off the airwaves and if the demand in price was so out of line TW would have taken the arbitration and been done with it. The didn't because TW's knows they'd be ed.

Not to mention that the channel would be free to all of us during the arbitration process. Further proof that the whole "TW wants you to see the games and TW wants whats fair for our customers" is total garbage. They refused to seek resolution because they know it would work in their favor.

[mikejones99]

the NBA channel is far better than the nfl channel and has more games. get cabe and pay for it you cheap bas cowboy s.

[DaHorns]

It sucks because we won't be able to see the match up between NYG & NE. I guess I will have to go to Plucker's to see the game. Time Warner & The NFL Network blow!!!