The NFL Network did the "right thing" this past weekend. While it had the exclusive rights to the Patriots/Giant game on Saturday night, NFL Networks decided to make its game feed available to the two other NFL "broadcast" networks. As even the casual sports fan knows, the outcome of the Pats/Giants would determine whether the Patriots would be the first team in NFL history finish a 16-game season undefeated. As expected -- if you've seen their Saturday night line-ups -- both NBC and CBS simulcast the NFL Network feed. It was a very enjoyable game with the outcome undecided until late in the 4th quarter.
Now I'm going to suggest that the NFL do another "right thing" and put the NFL Network out of business.
Why do I say that?
The NFL doesn't have enough new content to sustain a "network." They only play games a few months out of the year, yet they expect a cable customer or cable franchise to carry their content for the whole year. I, for one, can only pay to watch the Bills lose a Super Bowl so many times. Further, I am not convinced that there is a business model for the NFL network. It was probably something which "looked good on paper" like AOL/Time-Warner (OK I did think AOL/Time-Warner was a good idea).
The NFL network had a few exclusive games this year which I believe only served to anger their loyal fan base most of whom don't have the NFL Network. This is the fan base which goes to the games, buys the merchandise, and otherwise serves as "customer evangelists." Is it a good "business model" to alienate your "customer evangelists?" I know several loyal Steelers season ticket owners who were very upset about their NFL Networks exclusive Thursday night game earlier in the season.
Unless the future of the NFL is completely "pay-per-view," I think the NFL has to
do the "right thing" and put the NFL Network out of business.
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