Packers/Dallas

[LuckySe7ens]

I'm predicting the day when the NFL Network becomes like HBO/Showtime and becomes a full pay network. They will no longer sell the broadcast rights to local TV networks, but instead require fans to subscribe to the NFL Network to see any and all NFL games. I see this happening in the next 5-10 years.

The owners would never let that happen.  It's the TV access to the games that actually builds the fan base and gets attendance to the games.  It's the very same reason why the NFL has a rule that games airing exclusively on cable television must be offered OTA in both teams' home markets.

The reason why cable companies are avoiding dealing with the NFL is simple... they're still ****ed that the NFL has an exclusive deal for Sunday Ticket with Directv.  They realize (correctly) that they could have a much bigger market share if not for that deal, and it's all sour-grapes.

[mattg]

is anyone actually getting it in full surround sound??

I'm only getting stereo.  

[klwillis45]

No DD here either, just stuck with PL

[PaulKTF]

I'm predicting the day when the NFL Network becomes like HBO/Showtime and becomes a full pay network. They will no longer sell the broadcast rights to local TV networks, but instead require fans to subscribe to the NFL Network to see any and all NFL games. I see this happening in the next 5-10 years.

This will be a fantastic day in my book.

Let the people who want to watch Packers games pay for it and watch it on their own special channel on Pay-Per-View or NFL Network so the rest of us can watch our broadcast schedules uninterupted.

[Mikey]

One thing about NFL Network...

Bryant Gumbel is the WORST play-by-play guy I've ever had the displeasure to listen to in my 33 years on this Earth.

That is all.

[brewtownska]

Yeah, Gumbel sucked!  I know a lot of people hate Madden, but even though he says some stupid things sometimes, at least he sounds INTERESTED in the game when covering it.

[Talos4]

I can usually put up with the on air "talent" but last night was completely out of hand.

Bryant Gumbel has got to go, his arrogance, ineptitude, lack of concentration, lack of emotion is just too much.

I get the feeling that Chris Collinsworth feels the same way, Sometimes it seemed he was speechless after some of Gumbel's rants and just plain stupid inane comments.

I'm just happy it's only one game we have to put up with him.

Give me John Madden over this mess.

[JDrama]

I've been dying for TWC to put the NFL Network in their lineup. But I hate to say I may be siding with them in their contract negotiations. The NFL better put a better product from a production standpoint if they want cable subscribers to pay more for that garbage. Bryant Gumbel has to be the worst play by play announcer I have ever heard in my life.  Not only did he stumble through the broadcast but he called the Cowboys the Packers like 4 times. Even the best announcers make a mistake or two in a broadcast but to make the same mistake repeatedly is inexcusable.

[SRW1000]

Bryant Gumbel has to be the worst play by play announcer I have ever heard in my life.  Not only did he stumble through the broadcast but he called the Cowboys the Packers like 4 times. Even the best announcers make a mistake or two in a broadcast but to make the same mistake repeatedly is inexcusable.

He did the same thing doing play by play during other games.  How can you (repeatedly) get the names of the teams wrong?  Why is this guy covering football, anyway?  He doesn't seem to know or care what's going on, and his comments are useless.  I have no idea why the NFL Network couldn't find someone better.

Scott

[Matt Heebner]

I don't know....Joe Theisman is available....

[JDrama]

Great one. Bryant Gumbel still trumps him and I really did not think that anyone could be any worse than Theisman. I could just see those two in the booth together. Gumbel would be screwing up all the names and Theismann would just be rambling on about how he's an authority on the game because he played it. There is a reason Theismann got fired because he was so full of himself and people got tired of listening to him. I just hope the NFL network realizes the error of their ways in hiring Gumbel because he is god awful. If they have any chance of selling their network to TWC or Comcast I'm sure they will have to promise a new play by play announcer for next year as part of the deal.

[chadl11]

I don't know if any of you read Bill Simmons, but he's "The Sports Guy" from ESPN.  He wrote an interesting take on the NFL Network/Cable companies/Satellite TV situation that I really enjoyed.

He wrote "..... the week after Thanksgiving 2007, when the 10-1 Cowboys were hosting the 10-1 Packers -- the first game between two 10-1 teams since 1990 -- and half of America couldn't watch the game from the comfort of home.

Did ...you complain about this particular slight? Actually, no. ...once you discovered that your hotel room didn't offer the NFL Network, you got off your ass, met up with some friends and watched the game in a crowded sports bar that was screaming on every big play. Ironically, it turned out to be a more entertaining night than just sitting at home (or in this case, a hotel room) and watching the NFL Network. Is it a bad thing to get off your ass every once in awhile? Probably not. Everyone's incessant whining about "missing" NFL Network games made you realize that too much time was spent complaining about stupid stuff and far too little time appreciating everything that's happened for sports fans over the past 25 years. If traveling 5-10 minutes to a sports bar or a neighbor's house to watch the Packers-Cowboys game is our biggest dilemma of the sports week, then we must be in pretty good shape in 2007, right? "

Not a bad take, huh?  If you want to read his whole take on sports in 2007 and how spoiled we really are, here's the link.

[RLJSlick]

I told my wife the same thing after that game. I sure don't want to pay more money for that. No surround sound, the HDTV didn't look that great most of the first half, then that Bryant Gumbel. OMG

I've been dying for TWC to put the NFL Network in their lineup. But I hate to say I may be siding with them in their contract negotiations. The NFL better put a better product from a production standpoint if they want cable subscribers to pay more for that garbage. Bryant Gumbel has to be the worst play by play announcer I have ever heard in my life.  Not only did he stumble through the broadcast but he called the Cowboys the Packers like 4 times. Even the best announcers make a mistake or two in a broadcast but to make the same mistake repeatedly is inexcusable.

[AndrewP]

I told my wife the same thing after that game. I sure don't want to pay more money for that. No surround sound, the HDTV didn't look that great most of the first half, then that Bryant Gumbel. OMG

PQ quality on Dish was outstanding. DirecTV users report the best PQ ever. Bryant Gumbel - I tried watching the game, do not pay attention to what he says.
BTW, decided to switch to D*, Dec 12 is the day:)

[Matt Heebner]

Ya know what's funny ??

I have Directv and the NFL Network and I still went with a bunch of friends to a crowded sports bar whose patrons were yelling for every good play and I had a fantastic time. We drank beer and cocktails, ordered food, got to shoot a little pool before the game started....it was great. Sometimes for big hyped games like this, it's more fun seeing the game with 300 packers fans.