3 ms·

The NFL is as large as it is because of Free TV (Network) broadcasts. While cable tv is largely thought of as ubiquitous, it's still the ONLY sport where I can

by rjohnk 13y ago

The NFL is as large as it is because of Free TV (Network) broadcasts. While cable tv is largely thought of as ubiquitous, it's still the ONLY sport where I can watch 80-90% of local team regular season games and all of the playoffs OTA. It's a TV sport. EDIT: local team

mosburger 13y ago
I'm a Patriots fan and their game is on ESPN tonight - this is one of the 10%-20% weeks for me. :( The NFL network Thursday night game earlier this season against the Jets was another (fortunately I was in the actual stadium for that one). Red Sox games are only available on cable (NESN). Because I "cut the cord" this year I basically missed the Red Sox season (although, quite honestly, my interest in baseball has waned over the years anyway). It's felt like the tide has been going against OTA broadcast of sports for a while now, and that 10%-20% is growing instead of shrinking, so this story is a bit disconcerting. :-/ And, like almost everyone else here, I'd be willing to fork over cash for NFL Sunday Ticket and/or MLB.tv if it weren't for the archaic blackout restrictions... grr...
- kgermino 13y ago
  Check your local listings. If you're in a "Primary Market" for an NFL team the game should be on broadcast. I'm not sure if/how it works for NFLN games but ESPN usually simulcasts on ABC in primary markets.
  - greg5green 13y ago
    The primary markets can get it OTA, but the secondary markets are out of luck, which makes zero sense since the games can be blacked out in secondary markets. Eg. Rochester and Syracuse are secondary markets of the Bills. If the Ralph doesn't sell out, Rochester and Syracuse get blacked out along with Buffalo, but only Buffalo can get NFLN/ESPN games OTA. Rochester and Syracuse fans without cable cannot see the game. In the parent's case, if they lived in Providence or Worcester or Portland, which are definitely Patriots markets, it wouldn't be on OTA :s
    - mosburger 13y ago
      Yep, Portland here. Found a crappy stream for now. :-/

by rjohnk 13y ago

mosburger 13y ago

I'm a Patriots fan and their game is on ESPN tonight - this is one of the 10%-20% weeks for me. :( The NFL network Thursday night game earlier this season against the Jets was another (fortunately I was in the actual stadium for that one). Red Sox games are only available on cable (NESN). Because I "cut the cord" this year I basically missed the Red Sox season (although, quite honestly, my interest in baseball has waned over the years anyway). It's felt like the tide has been going against OTA broadcast of sports for a while now, and that 10%-20% is growing instead of shrinking, so this story is a bit disconcerting. :-/ And, like almost everyone else here, I'd be willing to fork over cash for NFL Sunday Ticket and/or MLB.tv if it weren't for the archaic blackout restrictions... grr...

kgermino 13y ago
Check your local listings. If you're in a "Primary Market" for an NFL team the game should be on broadcast. I'm not sure if/how it works for NFLN games but ESPN usually simulcasts on ABC in primary markets.
- greg5green 13y ago
  The primary markets can get it OTA, but the secondary markets are out of luck, which makes zero sense since the games can be blacked out in secondary markets. Eg. Rochester and Syracuse are secondary markets of the Bills. If the Ralph doesn't sell out, Rochester and Syracuse get blacked out along with Buffalo, but only Buffalo can get NFLN/ESPN games OTA. Rochester and Syracuse fans without cable cannot see the game. In the parent's case, if they lived in Providence or Worcester or Portland, which are definitely Patriots markets, it wouldn't be on OTA :s
  - mosburger 13y ago
    Yep, Portland here. Found a crappy stream for now. :-/