DIRECTV unlikely to keep NFL Sunday Ticket

[Bilbo1]

Quite. Millions of people watch NO SPORTS AT ALL.



Sure. Sports are popular. But millions of people WATCH NO SPORTS AT ALL.

There are 100+ channels that millions of people don’t watch on most services that in total cost what the handful of expensive sports channels cost. Most of them can be dropped and the MVPD wouldn’t lose a single customer. If the MVPD dropped ESPN, they would lose a significant number of customers. A number people (hundreds?) left DirecTV when they dropped Versus (later became NBCSN) back when they carried the NHL. How many would leave if they dropped Logo or History or Nat Geo Wild? Maybe they’d lose a couple of customers over Hallmark…

Did I mention women?

We’ll, there was the estrogen soaked thing a sentence before that I gave a separate eye roll emoji. That paragraph basically said women would rather watch Hallmark Channel than ESPN.

Most I know don't. Most found soccer because they have some sort of disdain for American things.

Odd. Most I know are fans of the US National teams. Many play(ed) or referee(d) soccer. Most complain about the local NFL or MLB team’s lack of success and follow the local MLS team’s games. Maybe I just hang with a more sports centric group, but it seems most of the people I run into fit that category. It seems that way everywhere I go.

 

[Juan]

There are 100+ channels that millions of people don’t watch on most services that in total cost what the handful of expensive sports channels cost. Most of them can be dropped and the MVPD wouldn’t lose a single customer. If the MVPD dropped ESPN, they would lose a significant number of customers. A number people (hundreds?) left DirecTV when they dropped Versus (later became NBCSN) back when they carried the NHL. How many would leave if they dropped Logo or History or Nat Geo Wild? Maybe they’d lose a couple of customers over Hallmark…



We’ll, there was the estrogen soaked thing a sentence before that I gave a separate eye roll emoji. That paragraph basically said women would rather watch Hallmark Channel than ESPN.



Odd. Most I know are fans of the US National teams. Many play(ed) or referee(d) soccer. Most complain about the local NFL or MLB team’s lack of success and follow the local MLS team’s games. Maybe I just hang with a more sports centric group, but it seems most of the people I run into fit that category. It seems that way everywhere I go.

You are in quite the bubble with soccer


In 2019 MLS averaged 277,000 viewers for the regular season across ESPN networks per ESPN Press Room Press Release. In 2020 COVID affected season MLS averaged 257,000 viewers across ESPN networks, viewership average for Fox Sports and Univision networks were unvailable for the 2020 season.

 

[Bilbo1]

You are in quite the bubble with soccer


In 2019 MLS averaged 277,000 viewers for the regular season across ESPN networks per ESPN Press Room Press Release. In 2020 COVID affected season MLS averaged 257,000 viewers across ESPN networks, viewership average for Fox Sports and Univision networks were unvailable for the 2020 season.

Some other numbers… MLS is doing a bit better now.


View: https://twitter.com/soccerinsider/status/1546878841771139072?s=21&t=qx1-QRDMKEQU0nti8GuqbA


And, here are last year’s numbers for all cable networks…

All 124 Cable Channels Ranked by Average Viewership in 2021

Finally, mercifully, Comedy.TV is not dead last

www.yahoo.com

 

[Juan]

Some other numbers… MLS is doing a bit better now.


View: https://twitter.com/soccerinsider/status/1546878841771139072?s=21&t=qx1-QRDMKEQU0nti8GuqbA


And, here are last year’s numbers for all cable networks…

All 124 Cable Channels Ranked by Average Viewership in 2021

Finally, mercifully, Comedy.TV is not dead last

www.yahoo.com

Soccer isn't really relevant in America..more people watch the european girls league than MLS

 

[John2021]

Isn't there two sets of contracts for Sunday ticket one for the streaming version and another for the sat version. I don't know why Apple or Amazon would want the sat version unless they plan to resell it to who ever wants it.

 

[Bruce]

Isn't there two sets of contracts for Sunday ticket one for the streaming version and another for the sat version. I don't know why Apple or Amazon would want the sat version unless they plan to resell it to who ever wants it.

The only streaming version right now is the one DirecTV sells to those that cannot put a Dish up ( Apartments for example) and College Students.

 

[John2021]

The only streaming version right now is the one DirecTV sells to those that cannot put a Dish up ( Apartments for example) and College Students.

while i agree. though i thought there was two sets of contracts one for sat and one for streaming???

 

[Bruce]

while i agree. though i thought there was two sets of contracts one for sat and one for streaming???

Nope

 

[slice1900]

Isn't there two sets of contracts for Sunday ticket one for the streaming version and another for the sat version. I don't know why Apple or Amazon would want the sat version unless they plan to resell it to who ever wants it.

No the NFL is just selling one exclusive like always. Previously Directv has always held that exclusive, now all evidence it will be Apple or Amazon with that exclusive.

It would be up whoever gets it to decide if they want to sublicense some of the rights, and if so to whom and under what terms.

 

[Bruce]

It would be up whoever gets it to decide if they want to sublicense some of the rights, and if so to whom and under what terms.

I going to quote this post to make a point about those having hope that DirecTV will keep a piece of NFLST

Amazon has the exclusive rights to TNF, they are not sub licensing to anyone else, if they wanted to make some money back, even in just ad sales based on viewer’s numbers, they would sell off the rights to air.

If the NFL cared about rural customers, they would of, at least, kept some of the rights to air on NFL Network, but then they would be paid $1 Billion dollars a season for it.

But they do not care, NFL is getting their billions no matter what, Amazon does not need to make a little money back, specially since they have about $120 Billion in cash, worth more to them being a exclusive home of NFL TNF.

Same goes for NFLST, Apple does not need to make a little extra back, they have over $200 Billion in cash..

And yes, rural folks are SOL, it sucks, but it is just not that much money made from them, 15% of the population cannot get fast enough broadband, so 1.5 million out of 10 Million DirecTV sat. subs, then if 20% of that 1.5 million pay for ST, that is only 300,000, then times $300 is only $90 million, Apple will be paying $2.5-3 Billion, they will not care about $90 million, it is worth more to them being a Exclusive.

 

[Juan]

I love it when people think they know all the facts before a deal is even completed...its really kind of silly to tell rural people you are SOL..when all you are doing is talking out of your butt on pure speculation

 

[Bruce]

I love it when people think they know all the facts before a deal is even completed...its really kind of silly to tell rural people you are SOL..when all you are doing is talking out of your butt on pure speculation

Those in rural areas have always been SOL, if not, they would not have to drive for hours to get to a hospital or to see a specialist, they would have more schools, they would have more options for shopping, Cell Service and of course Broadband.

Corporations will always care more about the 85% then the 15%, that is where the money is, specially since it costs more to provide services to rural areas, never said it was fair.

 

[Juan]

Those in rural areas have always been SOL, if not, they would not have to drive for hours to get to a hospital or to see a specialist, they would have more schools, they would have more options for shopping, Cell Service and of course Broadband.

Corporations will always care more about the 85% then the 15%, that is where the money is, never said it was fair.

Why dont we wait for facts?...it really depends where the customers are and if they are willing to switch to broadband

 

[AZ.]

Those in rural areas have always been SOL, if not, they would not have to drive for hours to get to a hospital or to see a specialist, they would have more schools, they would have more options for shopping, Cell Service and of course Broadband.

Corporations will always care more about the 85% then the 15%, that is where the money is, specially since it costs more to provide services to rural areas, never said it was fair.

I find it shocking in the world of greed that a corporation would ignore or leave 15% on the table and not go after it?

Michael Jordan once said about selling his Nike shoes...."Republicans buy shoes"....Not going for a whole market is not a smart business model.

 

[Bilbo1]

I find it shocking in the world of greed that a corporation would ignore or leave 15% on the table and not go after it?

Michael Jordan once said about selling his Nike shoes...."Republicans buy shoes"....Not going for a whole market is not a smart business model.

Is anyone surprised that the Pareto principle applies to Satellite TV and NFL football?

 

[Bruce]

I find it shocking in the world of greed that a corporation would ignore or leave 15% on the table and not go after it?

Because it cost a lot more to provide services to rural areas, further away means increased costs

Cell Towers, need to be more of them to cover the vast distance.

Trucking goods and Deliveries.

Hospitals/Specialists-not enough population to cover costs.

Broadband/Cable TV-Wiring Costs to cover the vast distance.

Remember in 1936, the Government passed the Rural Electrification and Telephone Act, set up the Revolving Funds to provide adequate monies for rural electric and telephone, so it could be a lot worse, back then, 90% of farms in Rural Areas did not have Electricity.

 

[Juan]

Because it cost a lot more to provide services to rural areas, further away means increased costs

Cell Towers, need to be more of them to cover the vast distance.

Trucking goods and Deliveries.

Hospitals/Specialists-not enough population to cover costs.

Broadband/Cable TV-Wiring Costs to cover the vast distance.

Remember in 1936, the Government passed the Rural Electrification and Telephone Act, set up the Revolving Funds to provide adequate monies for rural electric and telephone, so it could be a lot worse, back then, 90% of farms in Rural Areas did not have Electricity.

Or you could just use satellite

 

[Yespage]

Most I know don't. Most found soccer because they have some sort of disdain for American things.

Wow!

I remember growing up in the 80s with lots of youth soccer despite there not even being a pro league in the US. Didn't occur to me as a child it wasn't "American". In the Northeast, soccer has been a big deal for quite a while.

 

[AZ.]

Wow!

I remember growing up in the 80s with lots of youth soccer despite there not even being a pro league in the US. Didn't occur to me as a child it wasn't "American". In the Northeast, soccer has been a big deal for quite a while.

I understand what he means....and I do remember thousands of kids playing in the 80s also.....Would have thought by now it would be part of the "big 5"?..Not entertaining to watch? kinda interesting for sure

 

[navychop]

I think the NFL would allow subbing out some rights - IF THEY GOT MORE MONEY OUT OF IT.. If not- not likely.