Tech Friday: WSJ review of sports streaming options
Posted By RichC on March 22, 2024
Although at this point I’m still sticking with cable for my Internet and television entertainment, the difficulty in watching certain sporting events is increasing. I’m not happy about Amazon locking up Thursday Night Football and did not like having to plan ahead for the NFL playoff game in January, but for the most part … sports channels are bundled in my “still pricey” cable TV package. It is just a matter of time before we’re looking at “pay per view” for big events and games
… or at least having to “stream” certain games on dedicated platforms; 🎶 the times they are a changin’ 🎶.
Bob Dylan – The Times They Are A-Changin’
There was a Wall Street Journal article last week detailing a media giants “bundled sports deal“ in the works and how consumers may soon be able to “package” their streaming for sports with a single subscription .. with some events missing (I especially like the graphic below). I suspect most over-the-air viewers and cable subscribers can see the “writing on the wall.”
The new service’s lack of access to regional sports networks, which carry local-market telecasts for major professional teams, is a turnoff for some prospective customers. Several of these networks have launched their own direct-to-consumer streaming platforms in recent years, but many others are limited to pricier internet-TV or traditional pay-TV bundles. Amazon is also inching into that market.
The importance of local games—and the convenience of having most content on a single platform—has some sports fans sticking with cable TV.
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