NBC determined to broadcast Saturday’s wild card matchup that includes Kansas Metropolis and Miami solely on their streaming channel Peacock. This was the primary time an NFL playoff recreation was televised in such a method and, in case you’re like most folk, you weren’t too thrilled about it. It sucked for hundreds of thousands, however you would possibly as nicely get used to it. Saturday evening’s recreation, which may solely be seen on Peacock, was just the start of networks gouging followers for entry to huge video games.
Now, luckily for Saturday’s recreation, the primary quarter was additionally proven partly on NBC. However in case you hadn’t signed up for Peacock by 8:30pm ET, you had been S.O.L. For those who consider that the saying about any publicity being good publicity is true, then these in cost at Peacock needs to be joyful, as a result of that’s what everybody was speaking about earlier than and after the sport.
The NFL and NBC pushed this recreation — and its exclusivity to the colourful chook model — onerous. Don’t anticipate it to cease there. Whereas this was the one recreation scheduled to be unique to Peacock this postseason, don’t assume it received’t occur once more. This felt like a take a look at run to see how folks react. Whereas many complained about it, most discovered a method to watch and certainly forked over their $5.99.
We’ve already been “primed” for this transition having Thursday Night time Soccer solely on Amazon Prime. Common season video games are one factor, however forcing folks to pay additional to observe choose postseason video games is grasping — particularly whenever you’re a significant community and already broadcasts video games. They’re operating a enterprise, comprehensible, however this was a cash seize.
Many streaming channels will provide a free trial of some days up to a couple weeks earlier than you really must pay something. Not this time. For those who didn’t have already got Peacock or know anyone (amongst different methods that can stay unnamed) who did you had to enroll or miss out. Don’t be stunned if subsequent yr we see a number of video games solely broadcast on a community’s streaming service.
That is the world we stay in, and it’s solely going to worsen. Soccer typically, however particularly the NFL, is just too ingrained in our society for folks to only say “no.” Whether or not it’s sheer fandom, fantasy soccer, or betting functions, the NFL means an excessive amount of and generates a lot income it’ll be unattainable to cease this subsequent growth. As a result of that’s what that is all about. The league is increasing to the place we’re ultimately okay with paying for particular person video games every week. Most of you’ll chortle at this, however it’s coming, simply maintain watching.
