Apple might get Sunday Ticket

[Buffalo Boy]

https://news.google.com/articles/CBMiOmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnJldXRlcnMuY29tL2FydGljbGUvdXMtYXBwbGUtbmZsLWlkVVNLQ04yRUYxV0TSATRodHRwczovL21vYmlsZS5yZXV0ZXJzLmNvbS9hcnRpY2xlL2FtcC9pZFVTS0NOMkVGMVdE?hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US%3Aen
 

   This seems like a pretty big and good deal for those of us stuck with DTV.

   The ability to stream games on a dedicated site would be a godsend for many NFL fans and seems like such a no brainer. 
   I would like to see the ability to stream individual games as opposed to signing up for a whole season.
    

[Chandler#81]

19 minutes ago, Buffalo Boy said:

https://news.google.com/articles/CBMiOmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnJldXRlcnMuY29tL2FydGljbGUvdXMtYXBwbGUtbmZsLWlkVVNLQ04yRUYxV0TSATRodHRwczovL21vYmlsZS5yZXV0ZXJzLmNvbS9hcnRpY2xlL2FtcC9pZFVTS0NOMkVGMVdE?hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US%3Aen
 

   This seems like a pretty big and good deal for those of us stuck with DTV.

   The ability to stream games on a dedicated site would be a godsend for many NFL fans and seems like such a no brainer. 
   I would like to see the ability to stream individual games as opposed to signing up for a whole season.
    

I’d like to see team specific packages as I’m only interested in the Bills. Everyone else is background noise. 

 

btw, this topic has been addressed in the ‘ ..easiest and cheapest way to watch Bills games on tv’ thread. All speculation currently as DTV has the rights through the ‘22 season.

[Motorin']

You can stream Sunday ticket on any device now....

Edited July 10, 2021 by Motorin'

[msw2112]

I'm not an Apple guy.  I use all Android devices and I'm a Directv subscriber.  I think this would be bad for me.  At least with Directv, you can negotiate a good price (or even free) most years - with a little work.  Once it goes to Apple or another streaming service, those negotations and discounts are likely over.  The upshot is that I am no longer tied to Directv for my primary television service....If it goes to a streaming service, I would perfer Amazon Prime, which I already subscribe to.  I could also live with Disney/ESPN+.  Although I don't currently subscribe, they do have enough content that my family and I are interested in.

[Augie]

13 minutes ago, Chandler#81 said:

 I’d like to see team specific packages as I’m only interested in the Bills. Everyone else is background noise. 

 

btw, this topic has been addressed in the ‘ ..easiest and cheapest way to watch Bills games on tv’ thread. All speculation currently as DTV has the rights through the ‘22 season.

 

The best of the other games is probably already available on cable. I’d probably keep the whole package because we are not very thrifty and my wife LOVES her work, so it would be a shame to see her ever retire.   BUT, that would be an attractive option for MANY people! 

[JoPoy88]

11 minutes ago, Motorin' said:

You can stream Sunday ticket on any device to the now. 

 

“To the now”?

[Buffalo Boy]

29 minutes ago, Chandler#81 said:

I’d like to see team specific packages as I’m only interested in the Bills. Everyone else is background noise. 

 

btw, this topic has been addressed in the ‘ ..easiest and cheapest way to watch Bills games on tv’ thread. All speculation currently as DTV has the rights through the ‘22 season.

Sorry Chandler, didn’t see it.

19 minutes ago, msw2112 said:

I'm not an Apple guy.  I use all Android devices and I'm a Directv subscriber.  I think this would be bad for me.  At least with Directv, you can negotiate a good price (or even free) most years - with a little work.  Once it goes to Apple or another streaming service, those negotations and discounts are likely over.  The upshot is that I am no longer tied to Directv for my primary television service....If it goes to a streaming service, I would perfer Amazon Prime, which I already subscribe to.  I could also live with Disney/ESPN+.  Although I don't currently subscribe, they do have enough content that my family and I are interested in.

    The ONLY reason I still have DTV is the Sunday Ticket. 

[Motorin']

30 minutes ago, JoPoy88 said:

 

“To the now”?

Now. You can stream Sunday ticket on any device now. 

[Augie]

21 minutes ago, Buffalo Boy said:

 

    The ONLY reason I still have DTV is the Sunday Ticket. 

 

The same with me, until the VERY rare occurrence that cable goes out for a while. Then I convince myself that having some redundancy of service is worthwhile.  

[Buffalo Boy]

6 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

The same with me, until the VERY rare occurrence that cable goes out for a while. Then I convince myself that having some redundancy of service is worthwhile.  

    I live in a rural area with DSL the only other thing coming in my house through the phone line…..which is the only reason we have a land line phone.

    Someday, when we retire we will live somewhere with modern conveniences.

[Putin]

22 minutes ago, Buffalo Boy said:

    I live in a rural area with DSL the only other thing coming in my house through the phone line…..which is the only reason we have a land line phone.

    Someday, when we retire we will live somewhere with modern conveniences.

Maybe internet will still be around 

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

An article like this has popped up every year for the last 20 years.  I don’t think DTV is going to be giving up Sunday ticket. 

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

2 hours ago, Chandler#81 said:

I’d like to see team specific packages as I’m only interested in the Bills. Everyone else is background noise. 

 

btw, this topic has been addressed in the ‘ ..easiest and cheapest way to watch Bills games on tv’ thread. All speculation currently as DTV has the rights through the ‘22 season.

 

If it's like MLB, you save about $30 for a team specific package compared to the entire thing.  It's priced so hardly worth it.

 

36 minutes ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

An article like this has popped up every year for the last 20 years.  I don’t think DTV is going to be giving up Sunday ticket. 

 

Yeah but this time pretty sure it's different.  The last time ST package was renewed was about a year prior to AT&T buying DTV.  Ever since DTV has got much tighter with discounts, giving away ST, etc. as AT&T told them you can't keep losing money.   Read articles in past few months stating AT&T isn't even all that interested in it anymore.  They are more pushing their own streaming packages themselves.

[Doc]

Just an FYI, if you have/know a kid in college, you can use his/her email address to get ST for $100.

[Augie]

I went with my wife tonight to meet our son at a nice place to have drinks and a couple appetizers. Nice place where it’s usually on expense reports, but we like it. A couple drinks each, a couple appetizers, tip and valet ran almost half of Sunday ticket for a year, I’m guessing. 

 

I’m not one for wasting money, but a LOT of people spend more at Starbucks than they would seeing Bills games. Some methods are more affordable than others, but it’s good that almost all of us can find a way. 

[Buffalo Boy]

24 minutes ago, Augie said:

I went with my wife tonight to meet our son at a nice place to have drinks and a couple appetizers. Nice place where it’s usually on expense reports, but we like it. A couple drinks each, a couple appetizers, tip and valet ran almost half of Sunday ticket for a year, I’m guessing. 

 

I’m not one for wasting money, but a LOT of people spend more at Starbucks than they would seeing Bills games. Some methods are more affordable than others, but it’s good that almost all of us can find a way. 

   It’s not the expense. I just don’t use DTV for anything.

   Everything is Netflix or Hulu or Prime or Vudu. Paying for something I don’t use rubs the “ Cheap Pollock” in me the wrong way.

    I’ve been looking forward to canceling DTV and I believe when this contract is up the Ticket moves elsewhere. As I type this on my iPhone Apple sounds good to me.

[Augie]

7 minutes ago, Buffalo Boy said:

   It’s not the expense. I just don’t use DTV for anything.

   Everything is Netflix or Hulu or Prime or Vudu. Paying for something I don’t use rubs the “ Cheap Pollock” in me the wrong way.

    I’ve been looking forward to canceling DTV and I believe when this contract is up the Ticket moves elsewhere. As I type this on my iPhone Apple sounds good to me.

 

I get it, but as previously mentioned, I use DTV almost exclusively for Bills games and when cable goes out. That is indeed rare, and I certainly pay too much for TV, if you ask my wife. What can I tell you?   🤷‍♂️

Edited July 10, 2021 by Augie

[davefan66]

Would love another/different option for ST.  Have had DTV since 2004 and only keep it for the ticket.  Would love to explore cord cutting options for TV instead of DTV.

 

Usually get ST for free or a nominal charge.  Would pay 100 bucks for the season for just the RZ channel.  Actually had RZ free last year, but it had Scott Hanson from NFLN not Andrew Siciliano.  Siciliano makes RZ what it is.  

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

1 hour ago, Ed_Formerly_of_Roch said:

 

Yeah but this time pretty sure it's different.  The last time ST package was renewed was about a year prior to AT&T buying DTV.  Ever since DTV has got much tighter with discounts, giving away ST, etc. as AT&T told them you can't keep losing money.   Read articles in past few months stating AT&T isn't even all that interested in it anymore.  They are more pushing their own streaming packages themselves.

I hear what you are saying. But these articles always pop up around negotiating time and I believe they are more about generating some leverage for both sides. 
 

I think the NFL probably benefits from the longevity of a very profitable partnership with DTV. And it seems like this is the one major asset that DTV brings to the table for AT&T, despite the bellyaching by AT&T. 

 

I have read articles throughout the years (mostly around negotiating time) about ESPN+, Disney, Amazon, Yahoo, dish network, some random streaming sports entity, and now Apple all interested in buying it. Maybe it will be true one day. But I guess I will believe it when I see it. 

[That's No Moon]

Wouldn't be thrilled about this, mostly because I don't care for Apple.  You can watch Apple TV on some non-Apple devices, some smart TVs, Roku, Firestick, etc.  However they obviously don't play nicely with Android at all so that's a potential issue down the line. You can watch Apple+ through a browser on your PC or on an Android device for now, but that doesn't need to continue if they don't want it to.

 

It makes a lot of sense for Apple though. They have the capital and they need some sort of content to drive their subscriber base. Ted Lasso is a nice show and all but it's not enough to make me want to sign up for yet another streaming service. 

[That's No Moon]

10 minutes ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

I think the NFL probably benefits from the longevity of a very profitable partnership with DTV. And it seems like this is the one major asset that DTV brings to the table for AT&T, despite the bellyaching by AT&T. 

AT&T treats it like they don't want it and their customer service is garbage.  They are in the process of spinning DTV off into a stand-alone company (that AT&T owns most of the shares for) but you do things like that to prep something for sale and/or for accounting reasons because it's a place to stash debt and losses from that division so they don't pollute the rest of your balance sheet.  DTV has been a giant turd burger for AT&T as a whole and it wouldn't shock me at all if they refused to get into a bidding war over the NFL and just let the new shell company eat it.  The valuation of DTV has dropped from about 45B when they bought it in 2015 to like 16B now.  That's catastrophically bad.

[BobbyC81]

1 hour ago, Augie said:

I went with my wife tonight to meet our son at a nice place to have drinks and a couple appetizers. Nice place where it’s usually on expense reports, but we like it. A couple drinks each, a couple appetizers, tip and valet ran almost half of Sunday ticket for a year, I’m guessing. 

 

I’m not one for wasting money, but a LOT of people spend more at Starbucks than they would seeing Bills games. Some methods are more affordable than others, but it’s good that almost all of us can find a way. 

Exactly.  When the Bills had no prime time games, I looked at it as 16 games for about $300 is less than $20 per game.  I used to go to a Bills Backers location in San Jose.  Between having to drive 30 miles to get there,  most of the Bills games starting at 10 AM out here, and paying for food and drinks, I prefer ST.

[Maybe Someday]

Do any of the streaming services offer a dvr type option? I record all the games and every once in a while I need to start a little late. I also really like the option to rewind to watch a play over or the occasional pause when life comes up. 
 

That’s one of my main fears when it’s no longer on dtv. 

[JoPoy88]

4 hours ago, Motorin' said:

Now. You can stream Sunday ticket on any device now. 

Ah I got you now sorry and yes you’re absolutely right sunday ticket is available on just about everything and everywhere.

[Motorin']

Just now, JoPoy88 said:

Ah I got you now sorry and yes you’re absolutely right sunday ticket is available on just about everything and everywhere.

 

I have big thumbs, little phone syndrome

23 minutes ago, Maybe Someday said:

Do any of the streaming services offer a dvr type option? I record all the games and every once in a while I need to start a little late. I also really like the option to rewind to watch a play over or the occasional pause when life comes up. 
 

That’s one of my main fears when it’s no longer on dtv. 

 

Youtube TV has unlimited dvr space. And it's location based, so you can get the Buffalo area broadcasts. 

[Utah John]

2 hours ago, Doc said:

Just an FYI, if you have/know a kid in college, you can use his/her email address to get ST for $100.

I did that for a few years when my daughter was in college.  The service is not as good as the full-scale ST, but if you only want to watch one team's games it does work.

[nucci]

7 hours ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

An article like this has popped up every year for the last 20 years.  I don’t think DTV is going to be giving up Sunday ticket. 

Agree but I don't think it will be exclusive anymore. 

[BuffaloBill]

I refused to pay Directv / AT&T their absurd fees last year for Sunday ticket. They looked to face you into a bundled deal with their cable where I now live. I assume it will be the same for this season. I just paid for game pass and tried to not see the score until after I was able to see the game delayed.

[Matt_In_NH]

10 hours ago, Chandler#81 said:

I’d like to see team specific packages as I’m only interested in the Bills. Everyone else is background noise. 

 

btw, this topic has been addressed in the ‘ ..easiest and cheapest way to watch Bills games on tv’ thread. All speculation currently as DTV has the rights through the ‘22 season.

Pretty much any nfl fan who gets the ticket is in the same boat.  As evidence.  Show me the list of people who live within their teams market but are still willing to pay for Sunday ticket to get the other games.  Because it is apple it will be different.  And because it’s the nfl it will be more expensive.  I predict it will be more for your one game than the whole thing costs now.  Again the one game is what draws people in and direct had the infrastructure to provide all games simultaneously so that was an obvious implementation.  Below is a quote from the article.   You will pay more not less.  
 

 

The NFL will likely look for a substantial price increase for any new arrangement, according to the report.

 

[Chandler#81]

5 hours ago, Motorin' said:

 

I have big thumbs, little phone syndrome

 

Youtube TV has unlimited dvr space. And it's location based, so you can get the Buffalo area broadcasts. 

YouTube TV has ST??? We just switched to it. This would be fantastic!

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

11 hours ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

An article like this has popped up every year for the last 20 years.  I don’t think DTV is going to be giving up Sunday ticket. 

I think it might have more to do with the nfl. Dtv’s exclusivity is hurting their distribution.

 

im positive there are millions upon millions of subscribers that don’t want to commit to dtv but would gladly pay to stream nfl over their internet. And their subscriber base continues to contract. 

 

Somehow my account got grandfathered into I can’t have dtv so I can Sunday ticket stream with out dtv like a decade ago. so I’ve kept doing it. 
 

I’m sure there are many more who’d do this but their address algorithm seems to have gotten more stringent. 

8 hours ago, Maybe Someday said:

Do any of the streaming services offer a dvr type option? I record all the games and every once in a while I need to start a little late. I also really like the option to rewind to watch a play over or the occasional pause when life comes up. 
 

That’s one of my main fears when it’s no longer on dtv. 

Game pass is made for you! Watch the post recorded game without commercials. Rewind as much as you like. I think they improved it to where you can replay within 30 minutes of game conclusion.

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

'Apple might get Sunday Ticket'

*
They should slow down and observe all vehicle and traffic laws.

[Giuseppe Tognarelli]

If anyone thinks this is going to be available on the regular $4.99 Apple TV subscription, you're kidding yourselves. It'll be an additional charge on top of it, like Disney+ does for premium events.

[Maybe Someday]

1 hour ago, Over 29 years of fanhood said:

 

Game pass is made for you! Watch the post recorded game without commercials. Rewind as much as you like. I think they improved it to where you can replay within 30 minutes of game conclusion.

Thanks for the reply but waiting for the game to be over is not what I’m wanting at all. I just love the wiggle room I get with the dvr so I can step away for a minute and never miss a play.
 

I hope whoever gets the rights incorporates a similar feature. 

[Royale with Cheese]

19 minutes ago, Giuseppe Tognarelli said:

If anyone thinks this is going to be available on the regular $4.99 Apple TV subscription, you're kidding yourselves. It'll be an additional charge on top of it, like Disney+ does for premium events.

Im pretty sure this is understood.

[Doc]

9 hours ago, Utah John said:

I did that for a few years when my daughter was in college.  The service is not as good as the full-scale ST, but if you only want to watch one team's games it does work.

 

My son's been doing it for the past 2 years (i.e. since he entered college).  You can watch any game you want. 

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

11 hours ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

I hear what you are saying. But these articles always pop up around negotiating time and I believe they are more about generating some leverage for both sides. 
 

I think the NFL probably benefits from the longevity of a very profitable partnership with DTV. And it seems like this is the one major asset that DTV brings to the table for AT&T, despite the bellyaching by AT&T. 

 

I have read articles throughout the years (mostly around negotiating time) about ESPN+, Disney, Amazon, Yahoo, dish network, some random streaming sports entity, and now Apple all interested in buying it. Maybe it will be true one day. But I guess I will believe it when I see it. 

 

But I don't think it's making much of any money for AT&T so can't see them bidding very high for it.  They may bid, but at a lower price.  The one thing that could change would be if AT&T bids it also as a stand alone package, no need at all for DTV (and yes in theory can do that today, but only if you have an address that can't get a signal).  But that wouldn't help DTV at all then.   The one big difference this time is this is the first negotiation between the NFL and AT&T, prior was always with DTV and they seem to be more hard line and may not care much about DTV.  Believe recently they even just spun it off?

 

I do wonder if the NFL wants to get into another situation where you need a certain package to view it, i.e. Apple TV, U-Tube, AT&T or would they rather give it to someone like an ESPN or Fox Sports and then up to whatever providers wish to carry it.   Or a Yahoo or Prime where no additional packages required.  I 'd think if they wish to stop all the illegal viewing sites may be best to go that way as people would be more willing to pay an amount of money strictly for ST and not 100 other channels they don't wish to view.

 

I do agree 100% with your statement in bold, but I'll take the other side as would be shocked if it's back on DTV

[Mark Vader]

11 hours ago, That's No Moon said:

AT&T treats it like they don't want it and their customer service is garbage.  They are in the process of spinning DTV off into a stand-alone company (that AT&T owns most of the shares for) but you do things like that to prep something for sale and/or for accounting reasons because it's a place to stash debt and losses from that division so they don't pollute the rest of your balance sheet.  DTV has been a giant turd burger for AT&T as a whole and it wouldn't shock me at all if they refused to get into a bidding war over the NFL and just let the new shell company eat it.  The valuation of DTV has dropped from about 45B when they bought it in 2015 to like 16B now.  That's catastrophically bad.

There's a reason why their logo is the Death Star.

[rayray808]

15 hours ago, Doc said:

Just an FYI, if you have/know a kid in college, you can use his/her email address to get ST for $100.

 

20% off code should come out soon too. Once it does, I'll buy

[Doc]

25 minutes ago, rayray808 said:

20% off code should come out soon too. Once it does, I'll buy

 

Can you apply that towards the college deal?