JS-Cowboy Owner Pulls for NFL Network

[MJZiggy]

The Golf Channel makes a profit?

[Merlin]

Unfortunately for people like me, Charter is the only real high speed internet provider in our area. So I get by with a cheaper internet and cable with a years old bundle that they don't offer anymore. I pay something lik $85 a month for both. If I switch to Dish, I save a lot on the TV end but then I have to subscribe to a $60 high speed internet. Sure, some can get it for something like $20 for 6 months but I am not a "new" customer. So I will end up shelling out even more. I would love nothing more then to dump Charter all together. AT&T offers DSL in my area but I am on the farthest end of their coverage and I cannot get a connection as fast as the lowest speed Charter offers.

Wisconsin is looking to pass legislation that would allow competition across the state. It passed the Senate yesterday and now has to clear the Legislature. Until that passes and until a company thinks our area is worthy of competition, I am afraid I am SOL. If AT&T can provide "consistent" 1.5 Mbps to my area instead of the normal 768 Kbps that my parents down the block get, I am religated to Charter's 3 Mbps, which to me isn't much different in performance 1.5 Mbps. We have wireless networks available but those are even worse at providing a consistent bandwidth. My parents and I are in the same area and I am 2 blocks farther down then them so my service may be spotty at even 768 Kbps. With a dedicated, consistent 1.5 Mbps DSL, you get better performance then with Charter's 3 Mbps service because it isn't a shared connection with other's in your area.

[swede]

What I don't get is how the freaking Golf Channel is on my non-fancy cable, but the most popular sport in the nation's dedicated channel isn't.

"The most popular sport" part is why. It's why ABC doesn't have Monday night football. ESPN paid a bazillion dollars for the rights and they're STILL making money.

As the media landscape changes and the world's youngsters take over people are going to have to pay for their entertainment--and I don't mean by watching Gillete commercials Grandpa.

ATT came to my door, and at my age I've been ripped off by so many people I usually kick everybody out without even hearing their pitch. But they waved the NFL network and the Big Ten network, high speed internet, and a Digital recorder for 85 bucks a month in front of my nose.

Goodbye Charter. You've been outmarketed by the phone company.

I might regret it later, but I'll let you know if I do.

[mraynrand]

What I don't get is how the freaking Golf Channel is on my non-fancy cable, but the most popular sport in the nation's dedicated channel isn't.

"The most popular sport" part is why. It's why ABC doesn't have Monday night football. ESPN paid a bazillion dollars for the rights and they're STILL making money.

ABC and ESPN are owned by the same parent company, Disney. NBC is the company that paid a bazillion for SNF, so they wouldn't be locked out of the FB market. Shows like Desperate Housewives do better than MNF - or at least the combination of MNF on ESPN and DH on ABC does better than MNF on ABC and ice skating on ESPN.

[LL2]

I have to pay an extra $6 bucks to get the NFL network. I pay it because I want it and want to watch the Packers play. I also pay more to get HD. The NFL can play hard ball because they know they have the most in demand sport.

[Merlin]

I've corresponded with both Charter and the NFL. What it boils down to is that Charter knows it's a big money maker for them and they refuse to carry it on basic cable because the real cost to them per subscriber is about $0.18. Because Charter wants to make a hug profit from it, they want to make up a sports tier, something they don't have now, probably for $20 a month. They know that no on will care if their cable bill goes up $0.80 a month if the NFL network is on there. The big money for them is in the sports package and that is the sticking point. The NFL charges what it charges for it's network and the cable companies want to jack up the price because of the high demand and the NFL won't allow that. So in a backwards way, the NFL is looking out for it's fans albeit in a wierd way having the games on NFLN to begiun with.

[swede]

It's why ABC doesn't have Monday night football. ESPN paid a bazillion dollars for the rights and they're STILL making money.

ABC and ESPN are owned by the same parent company, Disney. NBC is the company that paid a bazillion for SNF, so they wouldn't be locked out of the FB market. Shows like Desperate Housewives do better than MNF - or at least the combination of MNF on ESPN and DH on ABC does better than MNF on ABC and ice skating on ESPN.

I never let facts get in the way of a good rant, Mraynrand, but that is a very interesting nugget of info regarding ABC and ESPN.

So did ABC and ESPN bid against each other, or did Disney make the call?

[Tarlam!]

Guess what game is on German Cable tomorrow night?

[MJZiggy]

Bills v. Dolphins?

[retailguy]

Broadband is also an issue. I'd gladly ditch Charter if I could get DSL, but I can't. I'd much rather live without NFLN than without broadband.

wireless broadband is fairly common and probably available where you live. My father can get it, and he is in the literal "middle of nowhere".

[retailguy]

Unfortunately for people like me, Charter is the only real high speed internet provider in our area.

BULL. You can get wireless broadband in your area for 19.95 to 39.95 per month....

visit this website, then quit your bitching.

http://www.chibardun.net/

here's a second offering:

http://www.skywalkwireless.com/wircoveragearea.asp

The rest of you? See this website, you can probably get it too from a provider in your area. Together, we CAN put Charter, Comcast and Verizon out of business...

http://www.onelasvegas.com/wireless/WI.html

[GBRulz]

Broadband is also an issue. I'd gladly ditch Charter if I could get DSL, but I can't. I'd much rather live without NFLN than without broadband.

wireless broadband is fairly common and probably available where you live. My father can get it, and he is in the literal "middle of nowhere".

Well, isn't wireless broadband kind of aimed at those who are in the middle of nowhere? Towers are usually constructed in outlying areas, where people are simply too far from the CO for DSL. TDS Metrocom launched this in the Appleton area about two years ago and it's been doing fairly well. Then again, most of those people don't have much of a choice for broadband, either.

[retailguy]

Broadband is also an issue. I'd gladly ditch Charter if I could get DSL, but I can't. I'd much rather live without NFLN than without broadband.

wireless broadband is fairly common and probably available where you live. My father can get it, and he is in the literal "middle of nowhere".

Well, isn't wireless broadband kind of aimed at those who are in the middle of nowhere? Towers are usually constructed in outlying areas, where people are simply too far from the CO for DSL. TDS Metrocom launched this in the Appleton area about two years ago and it's been doing fairly well. Then again, most of those people don't have much of a choice for broadband, either.

Not true. Go to the website and check it out. Most of southern wisc is covered and a great deal of the "north". WISP's are growing like weeds in Chicago right now, and working big deals with apartment buildings and home owners associations. Almost every major Metro area is covered, and covered WELL.

[CaliforniaCheez]

My cable rate would go up 350% if I were to get the NFL network.

Yes more than triple because I must buy every other channel before I can get NFL network. Comcast in my area has it as the ultimate channel in the pyramid.

Sattelite internet is DSL speed and expensive.

My brother near Rice Lake WI gets it as part of his basic package and asks me what is the big deal about it.

[retailguy]

My cable rate would go up 350% if I were to get the NFL network.

Yes more than triple because I must buy every other channel before I can get NFL network. Comcast in my area has it as the ultimate channel in the pyramid.

Sattelite internet is DSL speed and expensive.

My brother near Rice Lake WI gets it as part of his basic package and asks me what is the big deal about it.

Having cable today is like owning an edsel. Satellite is a better option and now the broadband concerns are reduced with wireless broadband. My directtv did not switch games in the 3rd or 4th quarter. Had I wanted to watch any other game, I would have, because they were all there for the watching.... I also have NFL network, and it just costs the basic monthly direct tv fee...