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DirecTV to make Sunday Ticket available to non-subscribers
Cool. This is good news. It's about time (even though it won't take place for a couple years yet.)
DirecTV to make Sunday Ticket available to non-subscribers
DirecTV customers will continue to have access to the NFL's Sunday Ticket package for six more years after the league signed a extension with the satellite TV provider to carry its nationwide TV package through 2014. The deal is worth $1 billion per year, up from the $700 million annual value of the previous deal.
Sunday Ticket broadcasts all NFL games on Sunday afternoons, so viewers can see more than the games available in their local market.
For the first time, however, those without access to DirecTV will also be able to purchase Sunday Ticket packages.
DirecTV will sell its "Red Zone channel" to consumers via other cable, satellite and internet systems. The Red Zone channel cuts among all games in progress and highlights games in which teams are poised to score.
Also, those without access to DirecTV will be able to buy a version of Sunday Ticket for the first time via broadband.
NFL VP of media Steve Bornstein indicated the expansion to carriers other than DirecTV could be part of an effort to get wider distribution for the NFL Network. "This is a great opportunity for Big Cable to sit down and talk about a better relationship with the NFL," Bornstein said to the New York Times.
The new options won't come right away, however. The NFL said they will be in place by the 2012 season.
Lack of availability to DirecTV, which depends on a small satellite facing the southern sky, has long been a frustration to fans not connected to the home market of their favorite team.
DirecTV has owned the rights to the Sunday Ticket package since 1994.
DirecTV to make Sunday Ticket available to non-subscribers
DirecTV customers will continue to have access to the NFL's Sunday Ticket package for six more years after the league signed a extension with the satellite TV provider to carry its nationwide TV package through 2014. The deal is worth $1 billion per year, up from the $700 million annual value of the previous deal.
Sunday Ticket broadcasts all NFL games on Sunday afternoons, so viewers can see more than the games available in their local market.
For the first time, however, those without access to DirecTV will also be able to purchase Sunday Ticket packages.
DirecTV will sell its "Red Zone channel" to consumers via other cable, satellite and internet systems. The Red Zone channel cuts among all games in progress and highlights games in which teams are poised to score.
Also, those without access to DirecTV will be able to buy a version of Sunday Ticket for the first time via broadband.
NFL VP of media Steve Bornstein indicated the expansion to carriers other than DirecTV could be part of an effort to get wider distribution for the NFL Network. "This is a great opportunity for Big Cable to sit down and talk about a better relationship with the NFL," Bornstein said to the New York Times.
The new options won't come right away, however. The NFL said they will be in place by the 2012 season.
Lack of availability to DirecTV, which depends on a small satellite facing the southern sky, has long been a frustration to fans not connected to the home market of their favorite team.
DirecTV has owned the rights to the Sunday Ticket package since 1994.
"Expect rejection, but expect more to overcome it." 
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