Sunday Ticket Negotiations

[97bills]

On 7/23/2022 at 10:53 PM, Maybe Someday said:

I don’t disagree re DIRECTV but the quality of the feeds for the streaming games last year were horrible. Plus, as crazy as it sounds in 2022, not everyone has access to great internet. I have only 1 option in my area and that’s the local cable company. Sometimes I have no issues with streaming, other times it’s choppy. 

 

Unfortunately this is true. 

 

Did they make you sign a contract when you did?  In the past whenever they offered this you had to sign up for 2 more years.  

Believe it or not they didn’t ask I figured they would too because my contract is up. And I’m not resigning because ST will be streaming next year. 

[97bills]

On 7/24/2022 at 9:23 PM, newcam2012 said:

I called them today. I'm already getting $50 off a month for 12 months due to me threatening to go to dish. Today, the loyalty rep told me the standard NFL ticket was I believe $293. She said I could pay that in 4 monthly installments and she would take additional $20 a month off my bill for 12 months. Thus, off setting most of the NFL ticket price. I refused the offer and politely asked if I was under contract. I knew I wasn't. She said no I wasn't and I replied ok I'm going to look at my choices. Thank you. She responded by giving me the $20 off for 12 months with no NFL ticket. Good and bad I guess. 

 

Maybe I'll just have to go to the bar to watch the Bills games. Good thing is they have 4 or 5 nationally televised games. 

 

Any advice? Maybe try again in a few weeks? I doubt I will get it now. Maybe a couple of weeks into the season? 

I don’t no man I’m getting 50$ off for a year my self and still got it free. Maybe it’s just who you talk to , because the guy I talked to was more then happy to give it to me for free he even gave me the max ST. But I do believe he said you needed to be at least a 3 year customer. I would just keep calling that’s what I was going to do 😂 - but like I said the first time I called the guy told me he couldn’t do nothing for me. 

[newcam2012]

1 hour ago, 97bills said:

I don’t no man I’m getting 50$ off for a year my self and still got it free. Maybe it’s just who you talk to , because the guy I talked to was more then happy to give it to me for free he even gave me the max ST. But I do believe he said you needed to be at least a 3 year customer. I would just keep calling that’s what I was going to do 😂 - but like I said the first time I called the guy told me he couldn’t do nothing for me. 

Ok thanks. I'll call back in a few weeks. 

[Matt_In_NH]

On 7/23/2022 at 5:18 PM, Maybe Someday said:

I hope the Thursday night football rating on Amazon are so low this year that the NFL realizes that steaming only options are not a good idea. 

Yeah, this technology will never work just like flat screen TV's and high definition.  Lets go back to the black and white TV's built into furniture.

[nucci]

22 minutes ago, 13 Second Prevent Defense said:

Yeah, this technology will never work just like flat screen TV's and high definition.  Lets go back to the black and white TV's built into furniture.

I also don't think the internets will be around and these smartphone things will be gone soon

[chongli]

Apple and Disney/ESPN have now bowed out on NFL Sunday Ticket negotiations for 2023, leaving only Amazon and Google. This means no more yearly negotiations with DirecTV!

 

 

From the article:

 

"Here’s the key quote, from Byer: “I’m now told that Apple, once seen as a frontrunner for the rights, has also backed out of those negotiations — not because they can’t afford it, but because they don’t see the logic. So it’s down to Amazon and Google, and there’s certainly a logic there for both companies: Amazon can use it to drive Prime subscriptions; Google can use it to fuel its YouTube TV business.”

 

This also means the Disney/ESPN has exited the bidding, too.  

 

Apple’s decision to take a pass is a stunner, since Apple had emerged as the clear frontrunner for the package that DirecTV has held since its inception in 1994. Between, however, the extreme asking price and the strict limitations imposed on the product, there’s a point at which one corporate behemoth tells the other to get lost."

Edited December 17, 2022 by chongli

[Chugga]

That’s awesome news.  I’ve been “in college” these last 6 years after cutting the cord and dropping Directv.  But I’ve never been a fan of their lack of options.

 

Always felt like there should be multiple entry points into Sunday ticket.  $100 a year for 1 team.  $250 a year for all games.  Or go a la carte and pick your games weekly.  I only want Bills games so $300-$330 felt excessive when I ignore 90% of the games.

 

I’ll definitely miss the college student $99 steaming deal.

[djp14150]

Amazon or Google….if they are exclusive in this such as it blocks cable broadcasts…..thry will not ga8n from this investment.

 

satelitte with direct TV was limited where people who wanted it couldn’t access it. Same applies to streaming.

[Xwnyer]

3 hours ago, djp14150 said:

Amazon or Google….if they are exclusive in this such as it blocks cable broadcasts…..thry will not ga8n from this investment.

 

satelitte with direct TV was limited where people who wanted it couldn’t access it. Same applies to streaming.

That’s why I believe there will be a streaming option and directv customers will be also able to utilize on legacy dishes.  

[nucci]

I'm about to drop directv and go to Hulu live tv..was hoping this would have been settled by now.

16 minutes ago, Xwnyer said:

That’s why I believe there will be a streaming option and directv customers will be also able to utilize on legacy dishes.  

From what I've read directv doesn't want Sunday ticket and are not negotiating to keep it

[BobbyC81]

I’m glad no ESPN+.  I’ve been watching Sabres games on there and it sucks.  I pause the game and go to the bathroom or to get something to eat and come back, unpause and it takes me back to the beginning.  

Even worse, if you’re watching the Live version, for some reason they put an hour block of time with their ads before the game, so you have to fast forward thru all that.

 

[Xwnyer]

25 minutes ago, nucci said:

I'm about to drop directv and go to Hulu live tv..was hoping this would have been settled by now.

From what I've read directv doesn't want Sunday ticket and are not negotiating to keep it

I believe the statement was they weren’t bidding for exclusive rights.  I still think they will work a deal out to provide the option only reason I haven’t canceled yet waiting to see what happens.  Prefer sat solution versus streaming since it’s easier to sync the radio feed.

[Giuseppe Tognarelli]

I think this is great news. YouTube and Prime are excellent, reliable platforms, and if Google wins out, it should integrate extremely well with YouTube TV

[eball]

As a YouTube TV and Amazon Prime subscriber, this is nothing but good news for me.

 

[Buffalo Boy]

1 hour ago, Xwnyer said:

I believe the statement was they weren’t bidding for exclusive rights.  I still think they will work a deal out to provide the option only reason I haven’t canceled yet waiting to see what happens.  Prefer sat solution versus streaming since it’s easier to sync the radio feed.

    I’m super leery of streaming. When the stream dies ( as an out of towner) I have no other recourse.

    Having said that, I have dreamed of the day I can dump DTV so it’s a nervous decision for me.

[The Wiz]

2 minutes ago, eball said:

As a YouTube TV and Amazon Prime subscriber, this is nothing but good news for me.

 

Assuming that Prime doesn't make it an "add-on" package.  I'm not sure how youtubeTV works but for what you need to pay out the gate it should be included.

 

I can see Prime membership going up if they get NFLN though or, like I said, it becomes an add-on for another $10-20/month.

[eball]

2 minutes ago, The Wiz said:

Assuming that Prime doesn't make it an "add-on" package.  I'm not sure how youtubeTV works but for what you need to pay out the gate it should be included.

 

I can see Prime membership going up if they get NFLN though or, like I said, it becomes an add-on for another $10-20/month.

 

Oh I assume it will be an add-on cost…I just like the platforms and already use them so it will be an easy transition.  I already dumped DTV a year ago and am on the “college” ST subscription this year.

 

[Brianmoorman4jesus]

As an out of town die hard, I have had direct for 13+years (only for Sunday ticket) There’s a tree I’m not allowed to remove that blocks my signal and in the summer when leaves are full I have an error message and ***** signal. I actually love the programming of DT but I can’t deal with the signal and it’s very expensive. I can’t get rid of it because I won’t not watch the Bills….I’m good with Amazon. I have liked the TNF broadcast. I just wish something would get announced soon here because I’d like to figure out my next move. As soon as I know it’s absolutely off direct, I’m out. But I have an internal struggle here thinking I’ll believe it when I see it. Google idk how I feel about. I was cool with ESPN+ because I like that for hockey and college football. I guess we’ll see. It’s Kinda getting late early here.

[nucci]

53 minutes ago, eball said:

As a YouTube TV and Amazon Prime subscriber, this is nothing but good news for me.

 

I'm considering hulu live but now this with google involved. was hoping it would be resolved by now

[Xwnyer]

30 minutes ago, Brianmoorman4jesus said:

As an out of town die hard, I have had direct for 13+years (only for Sunday ticket) There’s a tree I’m not allowed to remove that blocks my signal and in the summer when leaves are full I have an error message and ***** signal. I actually love the programming of DT but I can’t deal with the signal and it’s very expensive. I can’t get rid of it because I won’t not watch the Bills….I’m good with Amazon. I have liked the TNF broadcast. I just wish something would get announced soon here because I’d like to figure out my next move. As soon as I know it’s absolutely off direct, I’m out. But I have an internal struggle here thinking I’ll believe it when I see it. Google idk how I feel about. I was cool with ESPN+ because I like that for hockey and college football. I guess we’ll see. It’s Kinda getting late early here.

You are in same boat as me I moved in oct so using the app to watch ST right now still paying for a receiver on cheapest plan possible till I hear final decision.  As I said earlier the NFL would be stupid to not provide a non stream solution there are a lot of folks with Sat TV because of lack of bandwidth to support streaming or even any connection for TV service.  Was really hoping something was announced soon tired of wasting 83 a month and using the service except for ST app.  My new home has Spectrum for free it sucks but don’t need to deal with HOA etc on install of DTV a plus only reason I stayed with DTV is for football and will remain if they offer a package because it’s easy to sync the sirius radio feed with the DTV OTA a broadcast been doing this for 17 years now.

 

[ArtVandalay]

10 hours ago, chongli said:

Apple and Disney/ESPN have now bowed out on NFL Sunday Ticket negotiations for 2023, leaving only Amazon and Google. This means no more yearly negotiations with DirecTV!

 

 

From the article:

 

"Here’s the key quote, from Byer: “I’m now told that Apple, once seen as a frontrunner for the rights, has also backed out of those negotiations — not because they can’t afford it, but because they don’t see the logic. So it’s down to Amazon and Google, and there’s certainly a logic there for both companies: Amazon can use it to drive Prime subscriptions; Google can use it to fuel its YouTube TV business.”

 

This also means the Disney/ESPN has exited the bidding, too.  

 

Apple’s decision to take a pass is a stunner, since Apple had emerged as the clear frontrunner for the package that DirecTV has held since its inception in 1994. Between, however, the extreme asking price and the strict limitations imposed on the product, there’s a point at which one corporate behemoth tells the other to get lost."

Please don't be youtube. They don't have enough sports to be a main tv provider. Live sports in YouTube stream have been so so in deliverability in the past

 

Already have prime, can pair that with Fubo and drop DTV.

 

I really think Amazon brings it home and Thursday nights were a trial run for deliverability which they passed with flying colors. 

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

At this point, I am rooting for prime. I kinda hope DTV comes in at the last second, but that seems like it will never happen. 
 

my biggest concern with a streaming-only service is the DVR capabilities. 
 

the other issue is the ease of flipping between Sunday ticket and local channels that carry local games.

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

'Sunday Ticket Negotiations':

*
HOUSE with a weekly excuse as to why he'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a Bills game ticket today.

*
😁

Edited December 17, 2022 by Ridgewaycynic2013

[southtampacane]

39 minutes ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

At this point, I am rooting for prime. I kinda hope DTV comes in at the last second, but that seems like it will never happen. 
 

my biggest concern with a streaming-only service is the DVR capabilities. 
 

the other issue is the ease of flipping between Sunday ticket and local channels that carry local games.

I'm surprised more of the streaming fans haven't chimed in on this.  Besides watching the Bills game every week, I record redzone on 703 and sometimes another game I'm interested in.   I can catch up on a lot during commercial breaks and halftime so it's an entire experience.  Living in Tampa, I also record the Bucs game although I don't ever give it preference over the Bills.

 

TNF is dreadful, and I can't imagine how one switches back and forth between games given how difficult it is to get in and out of streaming channels (compared to just using my DTV remote which is a second or two)

 

Hopefully some streaming fans can explain how they watch NFL on Sunday.

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

11 minutes ago, southtampacane said:

I'm surprised more of the streaming fans haven't chimed in on this.  Besides watching the Bills game every week, I record redzone on 703 and sometimes another game I'm interested in.   I can catch up on a lot during commercial breaks and halftime so it's an entire experience.  Living in Tampa, I also record the Bucs game although I don't ever give it preference over the Bills.

 

TNF is dreadful, and I can't imagine how one switches back and forth between games given how difficult it is to get in and out of streaming channels (compared to just using my DTV remote which is a second or two)

 

Hopefully some streaming fans can explain how they watch NFL on Sunday.

Agreed! 
 

I suspect that the NFL and these streaming providers haven’t thought through these issues because, unlike many of us, they don’t have like 20 years of experience under our belts. 
 

As with you, I have found TNF to be pretty bad. I have figured out the “DVR” option, which is to basically start at the beginning. But you can’t really switch to other channels during the game. I get that they want you to watch commercials. But that is not an option during Sundays. you ruin a major benefit of Sunday ticket if you can’t move easily between games. 
 

One suggestion would be to stop with the blackout nonsense, and just have ticket channels carry all games. But it Seems like the NFL is wedded to the blackout rules.

[Beast]

6 hours ago, Xwnyer said:

I believe the statement was they weren’t bidding for exclusive rights.  I still think they will work a deal out to provide the option only reason I haven’t canceled yet waiting to see what happens.  Prefer sat solution versus streaming since it’s easier to sync the radio feed.

That’s what I’m waiting on. I wish the NFL would settle this because I’m itching to ditch DirecTv but don’t want to pull the trigger before I know for sure they are out.

[WhoTom]

1 hour ago, southtampacane said:

I can't imagine how one switches back and forth between games given how difficult it is to get in and out of streaming channels

 

The Firestick plugs into the TV's HDMI input and the antenna connects to the antenna input. To switch back and forth between Sunday Ticket (streaming) and local broadcast, I use my TV remote to change the source from one to the other. Takes about 2 seconds.

[davefan66]

9 minutes ago, Beast said:

That’s what I’m waiting on. I wish the NFL would settle this because I’m itching to ditch DirecTv but don’t want to pull the trigger before I know for sure they are out.

 

Got me free ST this year, only reason I stayed.  If I didn’t get it free, would have dumped them and just watched NFLN version of Redzone. 

 

 

2 hours ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

At this point, I am rooting for prime. I kinda hope DTV comes in at the last second, but that seems like it will never happen. 
 

I don’t care who gets ST next year as long as it is not DTV.  What I really want is Redzone only option with Andrew Siciliano.  I’d pay $100 no problem for it. 

 

[Ned Flanders]

1 hour ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

One suggestion would be to stop with the blackout nonsense, and just have ticket channels carry all games. But it Seems like the NFL is wedded to the blackout rules.

Sadly, this will never happen.  Even though the NFL makes billions off ST, they'd rather have you watch the game broadcast OTA in your area and, due to pressure from network affiliates, for you to consume the local commercials.  The NFL turns a blind eye toward ST, they don't have to do anything but cash Amazon's or Google's checks each season, smile and say "Have a nice day."

[nucci]

Apparently Apple wanted to offer the Ticket free with Apple TV subscription. NFL didn't like that

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

1 hour ago, Ned Flanders said:

Sadly, this will never happen.  Even though the NFL makes billions off ST, they'd rather have you watch the game broadcast OTA in your area and, due to pressure from network affiliates, for you to consume the local commercials.  The NFL turns a blind eye toward ST, they don't have to do anything but cash Amazon's or Google's checks each season, smile and say "Have a nice day."

Re the blackout rules, someone needs to explain this scenario to me. If I live in Tennessee and go to the Titans game (on locally), the NFL blacks you out from watching any other games on Sunday ticket while in the stadium. So you can’t stream the bills game on your phone from inside the stadium. 
 

this happened to a friend of mine, who had to go to the local game when his girlfriend scored free tickets. 

[Punching Bag]

I am surprised Ticket Shyster did not try to get involved so they could shyst them either way.

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

4 hours ago, southtampacane said:

I'm surprised more of the streaming fans haven't chimed in on this.  Besides watching the Bills game every week, I record redzone on 703 and sometimes another game I'm interested in.   I can catch up on a lot during commercial breaks and halftime so it's an entire experience.  Living in Tampa, I also record the Bucs game although I don't ever give it preference over the Bills.

 

TNF is dreadful, and I can't imagine how one switches back and forth between games given how difficult it is to get in and out of streaming channels (compared to just using my DTV remote which is a second or two)

 

Hopefully some streaming fans can explain how they watch NFL on Sunday.

Lol tnf has been GREAT except for the matchups. Hope Amazon gets the full rights because ***** DirecTV. Crooks

[Low Positive]

4 hours ago, southtampacane said:

I'm surprised more of the streaming fans haven't chimed in on this.  Besides watching the Bills game every week, I record redzone on 703 and sometimes another game I'm interested in.   I can catch up on a lot during commercial breaks and halftime so it's an entire experience.  Living in Tampa, I also record the Bucs game although I don't ever give it preference over the Bills.

 

TNF is dreadful, and I can't imagine how one switches back and forth between games given how difficult it is to get in and out of streaming channels (compared to just using my DTV remote which is a second or two)

 

Hopefully some streaming fans can explain how they watch NFL on Sunday.

I have Sunday Ticket streaming this year because I was able to use my son’s college email address. I mostly use an app on my Xbox. It works great. All I have to do to change games is push right on the game pad, scroll down to select a new game and press the “A” button. Really easy and the change happens almost instantly. I really hope that if Amazon get it that they develop a separate app for the games.

[RyanC883]

6 hours ago, ArtVandalay said:

Please don't be youtube. They don't have enough sports to be a main tv provider. Live sports in YouTube stream have been so so in deliverability in the past

 

Already have prime, can pair that with Fubo and drop DTV.

 

I really think Amazon brings it home and Thursday nights were a trial run for deliverability which they passed with flying colors. 

 

no Amazon. No more annoying Next Gen stats every 10 seconds and AWS ads.  

[JimBob2232]

Still boggles my mind I can watch nearly every major college football team every week - yet I only get to watch 2 or 3 NFL games a week.  Doesn't make any sense to me.  Put them all on TV.  Bid for first pick.  maybe it works out as ABC gets first pick, FOX gets 2nd pick, AMZN, GOOG, AAPL, NBC, CBS all get next picks.  You can get every game on TV.  I would love to see the business case for Sunday ticket.  If it's so good - why isn't college using the same model?  

[ArtVandalay]

3 hours ago, RyanC883 said:

 

no Amazon. No more annoying Next Gen stats every 10 seconds and AWS ads.  

Amazon won't be doing the production for the games, it's to carry access to the out of market CBS and Fox games, just like the ticket is now,  DTV doesn't produce it. 

Edited December 18, 2022 by ArtVandalay

[Pirate Angel]

7 hours ago, Beast said:

That’s what I’m waiting on. I wish the NFL would settle this because I’m itching to ditch DirecTv but don’t want to pull the trigger before I know for sure they are out.

Ive "suspended" mine before, meaning you keep all the equipment and temporarily cancel your subscription and not pay the monthly bill until the following season or until the contract is settled and you could just cancel at that point.

[Xwnyer]

4 minutes ago, Pirate Angel said:

Ive "suspended" mine before, meaning you keep all the equipment and temporarily cancel your subscription and not pay the monthly bill until the following season or until the contract is settled and you could just cancel at that point.

Interesting I need to try this I currently have the lowest price service but no dish installed at current house basically waiting till final,y get a message on ST 

[The Dean]

On 12/17/2022 at 7:39 AM, Giuseppe Tognarelli said:

I think this is great news. YouTube and Prime are excellent, reliable platforms, and if Google wins out, it should integrate extremely well with YouTube TV

 

I hope Amazon gets it, as then I won't have to subscribe to another service. But my bet is on Google, to drive their YouTube TV operation.  I don't get the NFL Network, so signed up for the YouTube TV trial. Stream was flawless!

 

 

20 hours ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

Re the blackout rules, someone needs to explain this scenario to me. If I live in Tennessee and go to the Titans game (on locally), the NFL blacks you out from watching any other games on Sunday ticket while in the stadium. So you can’t stream the bills game on your phone from inside the stadium. 
 

this happened to a friend of mine, who had to go to the local game when his girlfriend scored free tickets. 

 

The blackout rules are no longer. NO local games are blacked out from their local market. (That's what the blackout rules were.)  If the game is on the NFL Network how is it "blacked out"? It's available to 100% of the country.  Now if you don't have the NFL Network, you can't see it. Just like if you live in a rural area, don't have cable, and can't get the over the air signal from the broadcast station that carries the game. The game IS available to you, but you may have to do some work, and spend some money, as well.

 

Any game on the NFL Network or ESPN is also broadcast on the local station that bids the highest. So I'm sure the game was on a local broadcast station in Buffalo in Miami. But not all the markets that typically get those teams are the "local market".