NBC determined to broadcast Saturday’s wild card matchup that includes Kansas Metropolis and Miami exclusively on their streaming channel Peacock. This was the primary time an NFL playoff recreation was televised in such a manner and, if you happen to’re like most people, you weren’t too thrilled about it. It sucked for tens of millions, however you would possibly as effectively get used to it. Saturday evening’s recreation, which may solely be seen on Peacock, was just the beginning of networks gouging fans for entry to huge video games.
Now, thankfully for Saturday’s recreation, the primary quarter was additionally proven partially on NBC. However if you happen to hadn’t signed up for Peacock by 8:30pm ET, you had been S.O.L. In the event you consider that the saying about any publicity being good publicity is true, then these in cost at Peacock ought to be blissful, 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 fowl model — arduous. Don’t count on it to cease there. Whereas this was the one recreation scheduled to be unique to Peacock this postseason, don’t suppose it received’t occur once more. This felt like a check run to see how individuals 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 completely on Amazon Prime. Common season video games are one factor, however forcing individuals to pay additional to look at choose postseason video games is grasping — particularly once 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 supply a free trial of some days up to some weeks earlier than you really must pay something. Not this time. In the event you didn’t have already got Peacock or know any individual (amongst different methods that may stay unnamed) who did you had to enroll or miss out. Don’t be shocked if subsequent yr we see a number of video games solely broadcast on a community’s streaming service.
That is the world we reside in, and it’s solely going to worsen. Soccer typically, however particularly the NFL, is just too ingrained in our society for individuals to simply 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 unimaginable to cease this subsequent enlargement. As a result of that’s what that is all about. The league is increasing to the place we’re finally okay with paying for particular person video games every week. Most of you’ll chortle at this, but it surely’s coming, simply maintain watching.
