I'm still not sure why the NFL figured they needed to start an entire NETWORK to show fans one extra game a week.
Imagine having to pay your cable system an extra $5-$7 dollars a month ALL YEAR LONG just to see that extra ONE game a week during the season.
Well, so far most fans don't do that. And as a result most fans don't get to see that extra one game a week. Not that it matters. Last night's San Diego vs. KC matchup would have been a total time waster to watch even if you did pay extra for the privilege of seeing it.
What I find funny is that SMALLER cable systems across the country often get the NFL Network because the league gives them a deal on programming. It's the larger audience in larger markets that loses out. If you can call missing last night's game "losing out."
IF the rights to the Thursday night NFL game were simply sold to another regularly watched established network like Monday Night Football or Sunday Night Football already are, they could make BILLIONS more in marketing fees over the next decade. As it stands, watching an entire Network devoted to a single NFL game a week makes no sense at all. Even the most devout fans have more to do than just watching football highlights and news.
The NFL is betting that they can eventually make billions more by having their own Network. I'm thinking that viewing habits in America are changing rapidly. Millions of people have cut their ties to cable television and now watch all their shows and movies online. Even the NFL has a service that let's you watch ALL NFL games online. THAT is the trend. More and more traditional networks are going to fail as people simply search out individual SHOWS to watch, not caring which network they came from.
The only thing that will keep real networks relevant longer will be live sports and live events coverage. IF those things go to on-demand and subscription services online, networks will die a quick death. I HAVE cable and I think I watch more shows online than I do traditionally. The convenience of watching a show when you wish to watch it blows away having to take the time to watch it (or even record it) at an inconvenient time.
I have cable primarily for sports. Someday, most likely soon, that will not be the case. ESPECIALLY if the NFL makes it impossible for me to see some of their live games because they have their own unavailable and/or costly network that makes it impossible. Jumping to online viewing will become the next step for many more millions of viewers. The speed of this transition will catch most networks by surprise. And TV, as we now know it, will vanish.
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