Dish says it's interested in NFL Sunday Ticket

[Marshall Henry]

Probably not the worst thing for the company. I have got to think the future of pay TV hinges on live events (mainly sports). Honestly I don't know why someone tech-savvy with a good internet connection that doesn't have an interest in sports would pay for a tv subscription.

 

[Scherrman]

I no longer have either provider but I have had both over the years. From what I have seen in comparing packages between the two of them Directv isn't $10 more than Dish. It looks like the first year would actually be slightly cheaper for me with Directv and after that dish would be but the prices are pretty comparable.

Edit: Regular price for AT200 on Dish is $69.99. The regular price for Xtra on Directv is $73.99. Dish programing is cheaper by $4 after promos wear off. Yes Dish is cheaper but I would say that's comparable.

Are we going with just a one TV solution or two TV solution?

 

[king3pj]

Are we going with just a one TV solution or two TV solution?

I didn't look at equipment because there are too many combinations that can effect the price. Those are just base prices for programing. Again, I'm not trying to say that Dish isn't cheaper in general but from my experience they are comparable. I certainly don't see the $10 difference Mike is saying this will make.

 

[ChetK]

Edit: Regular price for AT200 on Dish is $69.99. The regular price for Xtra on Directv is $73.99. Dish programing is cheaper by $4 after promos wear off. Yes Dish is cheaper but I would say that's comparable.

But then you have to factor in all of the fees. Equipment Leasing fees (per Hopper and per Joey) and access fees (DVR fees, Local Channels fees, etc.). It's all dependent upon what your setup and viewing habits are.

 

[Scherrman]

When customers come in and ask me which is better and why they should get Dish through me I just them that they are very similar but Dish is generally a little less expensive. Dish also has the option for the dual tuner which can save some money. The biggest benefit that I think Dish has is the local presence. This is not as prevalent as it use to be but Dish has always had a larger retailer base than DirecTV. I feel that Dish offers better service overall and equipment.

 

[king3pj]

When customers come in and ask me which is better and why they should get Dish through me I just them that they are very similar but Dish is generally a little less expensive. Dish also has the option for the dual tuner which can save some money. The biggest benefit that I think Dish has is the local presence. This is not as prevalent as it use to be but Dish has always had a larger retailer base than DirecTV. I feel that Dish offers better service overall and equipment.

And I'm not saying any of that is wrong. I have used both providers to get better promo pricing but I certainly preferred Dish and spent more time as Dish customer. I just think the NFL deal would be good for Dish and I don't beleive it would automatically add $10 to everyone's base programing package. The only reason I made the comparison in the first place was to show that Directv isn't $10 more than Dish.

 

[whitewolf8214]

More here

Dish Networks in the mix for NFL Sunday Ticket contract
Jun 18 2014, 15:57 ET

Dish Network (DISH) is reportedly interested in bidding for the NFL Sunday Ticket package if DirecTV (DTV) fails to nail down a contract renewal with the league.
The NFL has some leverage in its negotiation with DirecTV with AT&T saying it's a deal killer if the NFL Sunday package isn't part of its acquisition of the company.

http://seekingalpha.com/news/1807163-dish-networks-in-the-mix-for-nfl-sunday-ticket-contract imo I would love to see DirecTV keep NFLST but if it means it killing the deal between DirecTV and AT&T I am all for it I just hate AT&T!! imo

 

[mike123abc]

Well the NFL owners are going to be happier either way...

 

[satjay]

I thought I had read somewhere that a deal was pretty much wrapped up with Direct, I guess never say never but Sunday Ticket is Directv's bread and butter


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[Yespage]

I didn't look at equipment because there are too many combinations that can effect the price. Those are just base prices for programing. Again, I'm not trying to say that Dish isn't cheaper in general but from my experience they are comparable. I certainly don't see the $10 difference Mike is saying this will make.

I think equipment wise they are more expensive for a single receiver and become much more competitive with multiple receivers. They also have other exclusive content like Super Rugby (darn Directv!).

 

[Hall]

Knowing how Ergen plays, he's only doing this to drive up the amount that D* will pay

 

[Scherrman]

Knowing how Ergen plays, he's only doing this to drive up the amount that D* will pay

He's a smart man.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

I thought I had read somewhere that a deal was pretty much wrapped up with Direct, I guess never say never but Sunday Ticket is Directv's bread and butter

DIRECTV's CEO has been saying that for awhile now... but its not a done deal yet. If DISH were to offer them more money I would think the NFL would have to take it.

 

[Scherrman]

It would be absolutely huge for Dish sales, especially in the commercial department.

 

[navychop]

Let's see- 2 million customers added the first year- or 3 million?

2M is the # of paid ST subs today. How many are out of contract by the 2015 season, or nearly so?


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[harshness]

I thought I had read somewhere that a deal was pretty much wrapped up with Direct, I guess never say never but Sunday Ticket is Directv's bread and butter

While DIRECTV makes a big deal about their exclusive arrangement, the price is reportedly going up 40% for the next cycle. That's a whole lot more money for something that around 10% of the subscribers buy.

Given the investment in college sports that DISH has been pounding down and DIRECTV's arguable stagnation, there's an opportunity to put the hurt on DIRECTV either way.

 

[Yespage]

There is one problem with NFL ST... NFL RZ. As a football fan (not commercial fan), RZ is much better, if not requiring a short attention span. The later afternoon games get good overall coverage as well. Too many games are given away for "free", OTA and then ESPN, NFL Network. The value of NFL ST is diminishing.

 

[Scherrman]

There is one problem with NFL ST... NFL RZ. As a football fan (not commercial fan), RZ is much better, if not requiring a short attention span. The later afternoon games get good overall coverage as well. Too many games are given away for "free", OTA and then ESPN, NFL Network. The value of NFL ST is diminishing.

I agree. If Dish did offer Sunday Ticket I still wouldn't get it. My favorite is usually on TV or I go to the Pub to watch it. When watching football at home on Sunday I prefer to watch the Redzone.

What's odd is the fact that the value is going down yet the price is going up. That's hard to pull off. It's main draw now is really just for commercial accounts.

 

[king3pj]

There is one problem with NFL ST... NFL RZ. As a football fan (not commercial fan), RZ is much better, if not requiring a short attention span. The later afternoon games get good overall coverage as well. Too many games are given away for "free", OTA and then ESPN, NFL Network. The value of NFL ST is diminishing.

I agree. If Dish did offer Sunday Ticket I still wouldn't get it. My favorite is usually on TV or I go to the Pub to watch it. When watching football at home on Sunday I prefer to watch the Redzone.

What's odd is the fact that the value is going down yet the price is going up. That's hard to pull off. It's main draw now is really just for commercial accounts.

I totally agree with this. For the last several years I was always able to get free or half off multisport so I could have Redzone for the NFL season. If I still had pay TV I would much rather have standalone Redzone than have to pay for the full Season Ticket package to be able to get it. The reason Directv doesn't offer it standalone(without playing CSR roulette) is because it would cut into their Season Ticket numbers way to much.

I'm already in the home market for my team so I get those games free OTA. My Lions always got priority but when they weren't on or during commercial breaks/halftime of their games I was always on Redzone. I'm a huge fantasy sports geek so seeing the biggest moments from all the games live is more appealing to me than seeing every play from any one out of market game. Redzone might be the thing I miss most by not having pay TV this season.

 

[Scherrman]

I'm a huge fantasy sports geek too, my wife even loves fantasy football. The Redzone channel is perfect for fantasy football. The other reason I love it is because there are no commercials. At least a quarter of a televised football game is commercials.