PFT: DirecTV could pull plug on NFL Sunday Ticket

[WoodysGirl]

Posted by Mike Florio on March 6, 2013, 4:41 PM EST

DirecTV CFO Pat Doyle said at a Wednesday investors conference that, if the price goes up too high when the current NFL Sunday Ticket deal expires after the 2014 season, DirecTV would consider “striking a non-exclusive deal with the NFL or possibly even dropping the popular package,” writes the Hollywood Reporter, via SportsBusiness Daily.

The fact that there’s no new deal only two seasons away from expiration of the current contract isn’t a good sign, given that the NFL usually extends these things years in advance. Complicating matters is the fact that the popularity of the RedZone channel, now available via cable, has made the Sunday Ticket package less important to many fans. Also, the availability of every game on NFL Rewind after the fact reduces the attractiveness of features that previously were exclusive to DirecTV.

Read more: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/06/directv-could-pull-plug-on-nfl-sunday-ticket/

 

[MichaelWinicki]

It will be very interesting on how this ends up.

 

[kmp77]

I wish it was on every provider and wound up costly only $99 for the season. If it was on every provider I think it could be that low. That would be amazing.

 

[Deep_South]

I've had it with Sunday Ticket. I bought it to see the Seattle game last year (year before last 5 or 6 games weren't on locally which was the first time ALL of them weren't on since I've lived in Tennessee, and I have Directv everything package), and that was the only game that wasn't on here the entire season. They have lost a customer forever.

 

[windward]

Directv dropping Sunday ticket is the day I drop Directv.

 

[HanD]

I've had it with Sunday Ticket. I bought it to see the Seattle game last year (year before last 5 or 6 games weren't on locally which was the first time ALL of them weren't on since I've lived in Tennessee, and I have Directv everything package), and that was the only game that wasn't on here the entire season. They have lost a customer forever.

i must have missed it. what did directv do to lose you? they didn't show the seattle game?

 

[Teague31]

Directv dropping Sunday ticket is the day I drop Directv.

This.

 

[Questfor6]

Directv dropping Sunday ticket is the day I drop Directv.

I switched to Dish in February and they gave me RedZone for next year free (alongwith an IPad). Directv ticks me off with there threats of dropping channels all the time, this last time it was my local Fox channel and I'm not gonna NOT have Fox for sports purposes only (NASCAR, NFL)

 

[juck]

This will never happen. Directv would die without it.

 

[Bizwah]

I'm about ready to drop it.

It's getting too expensive to justify.

 

[windward]

This will never happen. Directv would die without it.

I suspect this is a negotiating tactic. The NFL knows they can make more revenue by signing non exclusive deals and Directv is scared.

 

[windward]

I'm about ready to drop it.

It's getting too expensive to justify.

If you are willing to haggle you can usually get a good deal.

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

This will impact Dallas Cowboys fans the most as most of the team's fans live out of Texas and out of the SW zone where Cowboys games are broadcast on regular TV.

Personally, I can say I am one of those fans since I live in Chicago, IL and Cowboys games are not shown here. This is why I have DIRECTV, to get the NFL Sunday ticket - to get my Cowboys games. And if DIRECTV drops the NF Sunday Ticket, that's the dt

 

[Sandman]

Directv dropping Sunday ticket is the day I drop Directv.

AMEN...

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

this!

 

[windward]

I'd also add that if Time Warner were to get the Ticket, I'd be tempted to switch anyway since they have Pac12 network and the local channel that covers local college and high school sports.

 

[KJJ]

NFL Redzone and being able to access games for free online hasn't helped Directv any.

 

[Deep_South]

i must have missed it. what did directv do to lose you? they didn't show the seattle game?

No they did show the Seattle game. It wasn't their fault it was one of the worst games the Cowboys have ever played. But, I paid 200 dollars to see it. The only choice you have with Directv is all of the games or none. So, from now on, I choose none. Paying $200.00 to see that one game is simply one of those things I have to ensure never happens again. The score was 27-7, but it wasn't nearly as close as the 20 point differential would make it appear.

 

[sonnyboy]

Back in 07 the Rams game was dropped in multiple markets in the 2nd half after the score got out of hand. Well I was watching on the NFL Ticket and lost my feed. Call them immediately to complain and they could do nothing and after speaking to 2-3 different people I could not get any type of Cash credit since they failed to deliver the promised product.

Needless to say they haven't seen one dime from me and never will. I'll do sports bars, internet feeds or god forbid even miss a game before they ever get my biz.

 

[Vanilla2]

If directv drops the Sunday ticket.

The other providers would be there to pick it up.

It'd be a bad move for them IMO and this sounds like posturing for the upcoming negotiations anyway.

Either way in lucky enough to have all cowboy games broadcasted locally.