Who Needs the NFL Network?
Why bother yourself?
If last night's 27-7 drubbing of the Cleveland Browns at the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers was any indication of things to come, the only thing you might miss out on is some quality dozing-in-front-of-the-television time.
Yes, the game was that exciting. Instead of having fans on the edge of their seats, this contest probably had most on the edge of consciousness, with some actually slipping into a comatose state before the game mercifully came to an end. And looking ahead to the rest of the scheduled Thursday night contests, it just doesn't get much better.
I mean, how many of you are really looking forward to next week's divisional showdown between the 49ers and Seahawks? Sure this game looks exciting... if your only other option is reruns of the 2003 World Series of Poker on ESPN2 (Who in their right mind thinks poker is a sport?). But the 49ers have about as much chance to overtake the Seahawks in the West as Michael Irvin has of getting fired by for saying something stupid.
Leading off the week-16 lineup is a Black and Blue divisional showdown between the Vikings and Packers on the frozen tundra that is Lambeau Field this time of year. What a heart-stopper this should be... right? I mean, the winner of this contest has an outside shot at getting on a roll to finish 8-8, which would probably earn them the right to get blown out in the first round of the playoffs by a team that actually, you know, doesn't suck. If you're not a fan of either of these teams, does it really matter if you miss this game?
So if the lack of the NFL Network in your house still chaps your hide, I say don't give it a second thought for the rest of the year. It's not likely you're going to miss anything of relevance to this year's run for the Super Bowl. Now, next year might be a different story, as the NFL is likely to add even more programming in an effort to pressure the big cable companies to carry their programming. As for now, you should give this about as much of your attention as Terrell Owens gives Bill Parcells during important speeches.
Comments
Hey, it’s an NFL game being played on another week day other than Monday night, so it’s all good by me regardless of whose playing. Granted, some of the matchups coming up could be better, but you can’t win them all. I’ll take some NFL action on a Thursday night regardless, no better way to follow a day of work. Plus, we got to see a young kid (Derek Anderson) who played reasonably well for the second week in a row, if only some of his teammates could catch the ball (must have been like 6-8 drops!). Also, Willie-P got to set the franchise mark for rushing in a game, which is cool, hard to root against him.
In closing however, a change in broadcasters must be made soon. Bryant Gumbel is absolutely painful to listen to, to the point it’s unbelieveably awkward. Is he a high school announcer or what, just the sound of his voice and the things that come out of his mouth frequently make me cringe. I was so close to hitting the mute button on my remote because I just couldn’t take it anymore, no chemistry between the announcers. Top 3 worst commentators: Tony Kornheiser, Bryant Gumbel and Joe Buck. Buck presents himself well, but is so incredibly biased, can’t stand it! Just my two cents.
Hey, What about the Saturday night games? Dallas @ Atlanta…Could be meaningful (or at least fun to watch). Oh, and its the Cowboys which are a big draw anyway. Did you not know that they will also have Saturday night games. Oh wait, maybe you did because Giants are playing the Skins on Sat Dec 30th…even if you though you wrote Thursday night. Also, I believe the score last night (Pit vs Cle) was 27 to 7. You may want to check your facts before putting it up online. Some of us are real NFL fans and watch as many games as we can.
You really must have fallen asleep. The final score was 27-7. I guess About doesn’t have any fact checkers.
Whoops! Sorry guys. Guess the game really put me to sleep.
I think the NFL is taking away games for the common man who does not want to pay for their stupid network. What ever happened to games broadcast on the free networks. It is bad enough that Monday night football with Kornheisher or however you spell his name is on ESPN.
This guys a tool….No one knows what a teams record will be when the schedule is made, so for the Packers and Vikings,,so what,its still an NFL game…Cable should cut the junk already and get the NFL Network !!
Hey football fan…..By The Way , The NFL Network is FREE….If you have Direct TV or Dish Network, its part of the basic package no xtra charge,,I guess you never heard of Cablevision charging extra for the YES Network and all the problems it had..No wonder you see more and more dishes on peoples roofs………
No, Joey, no one knows what a team’s record will be when the schedule is made. That doesn’t change the fact, however, that these are a bunch of crap games being shown on prime time. So why throw a fit about it now? It’s not like you’re missing much.
“contests because your cable company and the NFL Network can’t get their heads out of their rectums?”
Cable companies are merely protecting the industry from money hungry hounds like the NFL Network. Why make hard working Americans pay in total another 1 billion dollars to the already “not bankrupt” NFL, when cable companies already give the NFL some 3.6 billion a year?
As far as your “who cares” attitude about the Packers vs. Vikings? These states are next to each other, IT IS A RIVALRY. Minnesota and Wisconsin could give a crap less if you cared to watch the games. But they do.
I may miss a game and not like it, but your article is so rediculous, I can’t wait to miss your next piece of literature, and the next one, and the next one…..I think I would rather listen to Kornheiser.
“Cable companies are merely protecting the industry from money hungry hounds like the NFL Network. Why make hard working Americans pay in total another 1 billion dollars to the already “not bankrupt” NFL, when cable companies already give the NFL some 3.6 billion a year?
As far as your “who cares” attitude about the Packers vs. Vikings? These states are next to each other, IT IS A RIVALRY. Minnesota and Wisconsin could give a crap less if you cared to watch the games. But they do.
I may miss a game and not like it, but your article is so rediculous, I can’t wait to miss your next piece of literature, and the next one, and the next one…..I think I would rather listen to Kornheiser.”
exactly, the cable company’s are not the problem at all, the NFL network is over charging them for their programming, and anyone who says that you should just get a dish, is out of their mind…
no way am i putting one of those ugly things, that go out when ever their is bad weather, on my roof,
the NFL doesn’t care about consumers, so i wont care about the NFL, they screw us (the consumer) every chance they get, like having these games on the NFL network, having MNF on ESPN, and selling gaming rights to EA sports, and you can say that these games don’t matter, but if you live in Madison WI, you cant watch your team play unless you have the NFL network… what a joke, right now they are the No Fun League, soon maybe they will be the No Fans League…
If you accept this new programming you will be helping the NFL get to their final goal…. you will have to pay for all games!!!! wait and see..
Bryant Gumble need to have his ass beat!!!! what a asshat he is!!!
The NFL is a money hungry corporation. The cable companies are the ones protecting the consumers from greedy executives. Why would I want to pay to watch the 49ers get stomped on by the Seahawks? The NFL network is just as bad as the new celebration rule.
heres the truth about the nfl and the nfl network. the nfl wants cable to carry the nfl network free of charge just like dish and direct tv. the problem is cable wants to put nfl network and a premier sports package so u the customer has to pay to watch. right now the ball is in the you the cable watchers to write and voice ur opinon about y cable wants to charge u more for a channel that is free with satilite so you tell me is cable alittle corrupt??
I am happy to get the NFL network. The worst part about these games is Bryant Gumbel. You can tell he is simply reading the monitor in front of him. He is more boring and monotone than the score.
nfl network sucks!!!! these same games were broadcasted last year free on espn
I DONT GIVE A RATS ASS I WANT NFL
Bull,
If the NFL REALLY wants cable companies to give it to us for free, the best way they can do that is by not charging the cable companies.
Bears! Suck it, muck it, rub it down! Packers suck!
The dissapppointment over looking forward to watching a game and then not being able to has made me change from a fan who used to love every game to one who feels like giving up on the NFL altogether. To me they are acting like “drug pushers”… anyway, I’m sick of how things have dhanged. Even the highlight show on ESPN which used to be great is a big mess this year.
If you have access to Verizon’s new FIOS fiber network, they get the NFL Network. It’s cheaper than cable and their internet service is fast! I’m thinking about switching over…
I am employed in the cable industry as a supervisor so I deal with customers on a daily basis the #1 complaint I hear is rate increases which is caused by channels like the NFL network charging 1.45 per subscriber and then wanting it included on basic cable. I have no issues with it being on a digital sports tier package which would allow customers who want this to channel to recieve it without passing the cost to customers who are not intrested in football. I saw a comment earlier that stated on dish this channel is “free” included on the basic package nothing is free the same cost is calulated into your monthly bill so you are in all actualty paying for this service like it or not. I live in Minnesota and am a football fan and the company I work for does not carry the NFL network which means I will miss the Vikings vs. Packers game which is the one game a year I look foward to and there is not a single thing we can do about it. I just want to let people know the cable companies are standing up for their customers by not letting broadcasters bully them around which has a direct effect on everyones bill.
What is the hell is Bryant Gumble doing broadcasting sports and not just any sport but football, give me a break, they want to charge us to watch the games and then they follow it up with the agony of having to sit and listen to the most monotone and uninteresting voices on televsion….please….please get him off the air.
Since I already have directtv I have been watching and enjoying the games on NFL. But they would be one hell of a lot better if you would PLEASE get rid of gumball and collingsworth and give us some real broadcasters!!!!!
Hey- are you kidding me with Bryant Gumbal – using the word PERSNICKETY when refering to Gore the running back for the 49ers. If anyone knows the back round on Gore – he is anything but PERSNICKETY. DONE WITH THE NETWORK
1. overparticular; fussy.
2. snobbish or having the aloof attitude of a snob.
3. requiring painstaking care.
Don’t whatch NFL, don’t watch footbal. I’m from Europe
If you like me would like to see the NFL network and your cable provider is not carrying the NFL network. Find out the truth rather than your cable Co’s version http://www.iwantthenflnetwork.com.
This is a response to Cable guy!
The truth is that your company like others want to make a killing on the NFL network! The NFL is offering 300 hours of prime advertiseing for the cable company to sell and keep the revenue to offset the cost.
Local stations always buy broadcast rights for local, sold-out games. Will be watching Cowboys-Falcons tonite with the rabbit ears. Making us pay again for broadcast football is ridiculous. I remember several years ago, with the latest $Billion broadcast contract, they indicated about $3 of our cable bill was paying for football. Then Budweiser told us how much the price of a six pack went to the NFL. And if you get out a clicker, start counting how many new car commercials you see during a game — like every other one. And HDTV is another wallet siphoner. First pay hundred or thousands for a tv that broadcasts the same old Sh*t, just more clearly. I have had a three ten foot projection TV for 5 years — it’s really not that big a deal whether its 10 foot or 13″, it’s still just TV.
I mean, how many of you are really looking forward to next week’s divisional showdown between the 49ers and Seahawks? Sure this game looks exciting… if your only other option is reruns of the 2003 World Series of Poker on ESPN2 (Who in their right mind thinks poker is a sport?). But the 49ers have about as much chance to overtake the Seahawks in the West as Michael Irvin has of getting fired by for saying something stupid.
Bet you feel like a horses arse now. Went on a tirade, ended up looking like a jackass.
After realizing that i cannot watch tonight’s game because i have Time Warner Cable instead of an NFL NETWORK approved(blackmailed)cable service, i’ve decided to join a bowling league. To hell with the NFL and their network. I pay enough for cable. I don’t need the NFL forcing another rate hike.
Would i actually quit watching/supporting a professional sport just because they’ve made it impossible for me to watch a game? Over an issue like this? Yes. I’ll put my money in Basketball. Go SPURS!!!!
I think it sucks that i cant watch the all time greatest Dallas Cowboys! I cant believe the NFL.
I agree with the article. For the most part we’re not missing much and football takes up some serious time. However, I was looking forward to tonight’s game and I had no idea it was on nfl and i’m pissed. Isn’t there a way for the cable companies to do a “pay per view” ?
I just tried to get the game audio online, and I guess you have to pay to listen to the game too…unbelievable
I wouldn’t subscribe to the NFL Network at any cost! Why would I pay to watch some over paid crybaby dope heads play anything. When the NFL leaved free to air TV they have lost me and I’ll have more time to do other things. The NFL has become overly impressed with their importances it seems.
nfl network shoul come with cable so we can watch our games
I love the xtra games, but Bryant Gumble needs to have hi contract reniged……he’s terrible, and I’m not quite sure who thought he should ever be a play by play guy….what a terrible call.
This sucks! What a scam! I want to see Dallas and Atlanta. Grrrr….Money grubbing pigs screwing us over. Is it that hard to put a football game on regular TV?
Out with Bryant Gumbel. It’s already been said enough but this guy with his shrill monotone is BORING! And tonights Dallas-Atlanta game (damn good game if I say so myself), he informed us that New Orleans, with a win on Sunday, will win the NFC WEST!! So I guess that puts Seattle in the, ummm, NFC South? And the halftime crew? I’ll take the Superbowl of Poker over any of ‘em.
I want to know the affiliation of “NFL NETWORK” Are they on cable, on dish, on radio? Are they affiliated with networks? Who are they? They made me miss the Dallas-Atlanta game tonight. Those type games were always on TV before. What has changed? Please explain.
Bryant Gumbel is simply annoying. He tries to show his smarts by throwing out more stats than necessary. When it comes to play by play he overreacts in his squeeky voice by screaming “AND WIDE OPEN IS…”
(cont’d)when in fact the guy is double covered. Gumbel, to me, is someone who couldn’t make the high school teams but still hung out by being equipment mgr, waterboy or whatever. He’s a geek. In future I’ll watch on Thur while listening to music.
I love football. But I’ll make it simple. I see enough football on Sunday and Monday. I’m not wasting money to see Thursday night to. Dear NFL and cable carriers: Kiss my ass!
I LOVE THE NFL NETWORK. I love it because I love FOOTBALL, and you can see replays, and news 24/7 365. I ONLY PRAY TO GOD THEY KICK GUMBEL OUT OF LIVE GAMES!!!! 3 MINUTE WARNING??? FOR GOD’S SAKE DOES HE KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT FOOTBALL?????!!!!
GET BRYANT GUMBEL OUT OF LIVE GAMES!.
I haven’t read the whole string, so excuse me if this is a repeat. The NFL Network is a baaaaaad thing. Their intent is to eventually make us pay for ALL games. It’s the only thing that makes financial sense for them. Don’t be sucked in; just say “NO” to the NFL Network! If you support them now, everyone loses in the end; if you don’t subscribe, they will fail and ALL football games will be free again.
i think nfl network sucks…..just another attempt to make people pay for what was free like monday night football and radio and everything else they take away…..besides they dont have a mlb channel because there to many games….and besides the fact that baseball is lame……
Oh Yea, i almost forgot to add the NFL would be easier for me to purchase some of the ticket games if they had a few more of the TEXAS LONGHORNS EX’S like the faboulous VY; Vince Young. I hope that there a lot more of you die hard Cowboy fans out there like me. I would buy season tickets to see them if they could get the InVINCEable one !!!!!
Bryant Gumble, what a joke! Said the Cowboys would make the playoffs with a win, called the play clock the “shot” clock, said punt returners were going to run it back when the guy had already called fair catch, and on and on and on. He stinks, almost as bad as the NFL trying this play to get their own ESPN. I don’t blame them, but they are taking a big risk and I hope they feel the financial heat. Why they insist on such a big fee from the cable companies before they prove themselves is unbelievable!
What happen to the two announcers after
the half time of the dallas/atlanta game
? were they replaced by deon and ?
Coach
Since the NFL Network is a wholly owned subsidiary of the NFL and I am being deprived of access to watching my beloved Packers (and all other Thursday games )
I’ve decided my only option is to not purchase or in any way use any product or service advertised on any NFL broadcast until this has been resolved in a manner that is not ripping off the fans that pay all their salaries.
My cable company carries NFL Network, but does not air the game. They would have to pay extra for games, after having NFL Network for year they more than doubled the cost of the channel. NFL would not let them back out of the deal and my cable company which is small regional company could not afford to up the programming. I did some looking on line they went from .20 per sub on specialty tiers to .90-1.00 and must be on most basic tier per USATODAY. That’s more the 4 times and then when you add the most populated tier which is basic I am assuming it is easy to see why people can’t afford the change. I think the NFL is taking advantage of us. We are a small community I can only imagine the costs for those big guys!
heres the truth about the nfl and the nfl network. the nfl wants cable to carry the nfl network free of charge just like dish and direct tv. the problem is cable wants to put nfl network and a premier sports package so u the customer has to pay to watch. right now the ball is in the you the cable watchers to write and voice ur opinon about y cable wants to charge u more for a channel that is free with satilite so you tell me is cable alittle corrupt??
Hate to tell you, but you did not do your research. Sports Illustrated, as well as many other reputable publications, have printed articles on the dispute between NFL Network and Cable Providers. Dish & DirecTV are also being charged for the NFL network. I work for a small cable provider in the Midwest, who was quoted a rate of $1.28 PER MONTH, PER SUBSCRIBER to carry the NFL Network — and in the contract, it states there is NO CHOICE about where the programming will go — it must be carried to EVERY SUBSCRIBER, or the NFL Network will not allow us to carry its programming. So … who’s being greedy? And the bigger cable companies — ie: Time Warner/Cablevision/Charter — are quoted a rate of .70 cents per subscriber. Do the math … .70 x 2 million subscribers = $1,400,000 PER MONTH to the NFL.
People seem to forget that cable providers have to pay for the programming — usually a channel is around $0.25-0.50 cents per month, per subscriber. Most cable companies provide at least 70 channels on their “expanded basic” package — at $.50/channel, that’s $35.00. My cable package is less than that … and I know what the profit margin is on the monthly fees that most cable providers charge (NOT MUCH!!). That’s why we got into the Internet business, and why more & more are getting into phone lines as well.
In all honesty, the NFL is screwing itself — yes, there are millions of loyal, face & chest painting football fans out there — myself included. But my gramma could care less — so why should her cable rate have to rise to pay for programming she’ll never watch? Think about that … what if your satellite provider or cable provider wanted to carry “Flowers 24/7″ or something very specific in its programming — which would cause your package to rise by $1.00 or more per month — with only that 1 channel being added?
I would propose that the NFL Network would get much more value for its advertisers if it was a “choice” people could add as an upgrade tier or something — ie: people who are actually going to watch their network.
And let me give just one more example of the NFL’s greediness: as a league, they donated $1 million after Hurricane Katrina? Michelle Wie did that by herself.
Let’s see now, you want me to pay for the NFL Network that will show games from August to January? Does my bill go done from February to July? One of the local cable providers has the network, but no games. That’s another $500,000 per weekend!
I am a Chiefs season ticket holder. If it’s a noon game, I don’t get home to see the 2nd afternoon game until at least halftime or later. If it’s the late game, I miss the entire 1st game because I’m already at the stadium tailgaiting. Including tickets, parking, etc., I already pay over $2000+ year to support the NFL. I don’t need to pay for 12 months of NFLN to see Thursday games?
I agree with the cable companies. NFLN should be in the sports tier package that subscribers pay additional fees for, not shoved down everyone’s throat. Believe it or not, there are millions of people that could care less about football. Shocking, huh?
Only about 15-20 % of cable customers care about Pro Football. Why should the rest of us have to watch our cable rates go up so the billionaire owners of the NFL can get richer? It is time to put a stop to this evil organization.
This is really silly to have a NFL network.What are these morons trying to accomplish? more money? I DONT THINK SO! IF YOU CORPORATE BIGWIGS DONT PUT A STOP TO THIS THE FAN BASE FOR THE NFL WONT BE ANYMORE. Wake up dickheads and put the games back on tv!
ok, first it is great to have a game to watch other than monday night as another poster pointed out. But I dojnt watch the game for several reasons, them being the douche bags that announce the games. Dick vermiel, gumbal, collinsworth at halftime? They are the most annoying un-educated idiots I have ever heard talk about football. Like gumbal calling the game clock a shot clock. Last week vermiel had a screwed throat, I had to turn it off in the first quarter because it was so annoying. Man who the hell made that match-up. They should all be fired and let some college kids announce the game.
What a disaster.
I think that all the games should be broadcast on the NFL channel which I do not recieve, so I can learn to get along with life after football. Greed is the name of the game.
As a New York Giant fan…Yes, I know they have stunk things up, but they are going to be in a meaningful game next Saturday Night (last game of regular season) and I will not be able to see it. Because I have Time Warner, I will have to listen on a radio, or go to a sports bar with direct tv to see the last game (most likely) of my teams season. Whether my team is playing great or poorly, I should have the opportunity to see them play. When the NFL network was first announced, I had a strong suspicion this would be a problem. BOOO to both Time Warner and NFL Network. There will be some sad children and at least one adult in my household Saturday Night.
If the goal of the NFL and the NFLN are to get the cable operators to ante up 70 cents a customer for their stupid network, they are going to lose. I’m in a fantasy league with 13 other guys/gals; only 2 get the NFLN, and the others are pissed at the league’s greed, not the cable company. Myself and the others can do without.
No doubt he NFL is using the NFLN as a power play to get the networks to ante up more $$ come contract time (”Hey NBC, if you don’t want to pay up, we’ll put the games on OUR network”). Unfortunately for the NFL, football fans aren’t buying it, nor are the cable companies. For once, I say “right on”. And imagine that, me siding with the cable companies.
The pathetic NFLN might well be the league’s shark jumping moment.
the one comment about having a satellite dish system that goes out in bad weather is priceless. in that case you…duh…read a book, talk to your family, make a baby or partake in some other activity that proves your life doesn’t revolve around a “game” you have no stake in.
i like football as much as the next guy and i have satellite. guess what? it onlt gets interrupted when the skies are fully occupied with thunderstorms; about 4 entire days out of the year. i have no need for the nfl package, that special offer that allows one to watch every game that is played and i have a 20 year old 25″ CRT television, no flat screen, HD or the rest. its tv, not water, food, air or a roof over my head.
cspan is better at most times.
why? you can watch the crooks utter the words from their mouths on the floors of the senate or reps.
Nice resource, very interesting reading. retirements gifts
Thanks NFL for being greedy and allowing the NFL network to deny most of the fans games. May you burn in hell and hope this will be the begining of the end to the popularity of football. Been a fan for 25 years and I’m pissed and know where this is going, I give it five years until the NFL takes this too far and aleinates too many fans. Nice knowing you NFL RIP.
Screw the NFL network. It’s all a ploy, before long we will pay for every game we watch on tv. Think that’s not what is in the future?
The NFL Network is odd at best, but the Cowboys/Packers game coverage was unbearable. The most frustrating part is HAVING to listen to the minor league caliber team of Gumble and Collingsworth because of HD signal delay. The “TV muted/radio play by play” procedure was greatly missed.
Bryant “Kermit” Gumble’s play by play sounded worse than the choir teacher who calls my son’s middle school games. And she actually called a 5th down this season. I’m not kidding! This man is NOT qualified to call a football game.
In addition, Gumble’s counterpart Cris Collingsworth continued his exercise in “unbiased” color commentating. His contempt for all things Cowboys was palpable. I imagined all 75K NFLN viewers yelling “WTF?!” when he called one Cowboy’s player a “tool”. What a piece of work. It sure sounded like Cris-sy wanted to shower with the Packers after the game. He really needed to, considering he had his nose in the Packer’s butt’s all night.
Do broadcasting networks determine the officiating staff for games? Those guys looked lost the entire game. 10-20 seconds to make a PI call is going to be controversial ANYTIME. It’s bad enough that we couldn’t enjoy Buck/Aikman or Michaels/Madden, but the fact that there were no familiar (experienced!) faces on the officiating crew makes the NFL network all the more suspect. Hopeless!
Clarifications:
I am a Cowboys fan born and raised, but I am just as happy to watch a great game regardless of the outcome. Rodger’s stepped up for the Packers. He kept it close, and I was impressed. Hope to see him play again soon.
Did questionable calls hurt the Packers? Yes. But… I truly believe if Favre hadn’t been injured and the Cowboys receivers caught the end zone passes they were supposed to, the score would have been a whopping 51-10 anyway.
NFL League…one more reason not to watch pro football any more! You don’t have the same players on already money hungry teams, whose cities pay tons of money (some of it taxpayer) to keep around. Oh well, at least you can watch college ball for free!
NFL network’s announcers are terrible. I am glad I got to watch the Patriots vs Giants game. I watched a great game spoiled by two idiot announcers. I am glad that I am not forced to purchase this amateur broadcast. The NFL should skip this idea or hire the real good announcers. Brian Gumball(Gumble) and Chris Collingworthless(Collinsworth) need to disappear.
MY CABLE BILL IS $ 80.00 A MONTH NOW, AND IF MY CABLE PROVIDER
GETS IT,GUESS WHAT, THEY WILL WANT MORE MONEY
ALSO, YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO KILL PRO BALL WITH
THIS PAY FOR MORE CRAP, IT KILLED BOXING ,
GO COLLEGE FOOTBALL