NFL talking to Google -- could Sunday Ticket go to YouTube?

[LongTimeListener]

http://allthingsd.com/20130820/is-google-ready-to-buy-its-way-into-tv-with-an-nfl-deal/?mod=atd_homepage_carousel

DirecTV's deal runs out after 2014. Google has more than $50B in cash, so the $1B annual price tag is nothing. NFL and Google execs are meeting.

Who knows whether the NFL is just dancing with someone else to make DirecTV jealous, but moving the package to YouTube would be about the biggest thing ever in transitioning the TV world to the Internet.

 

[BrianGriffin]

This kind of thing is inevitable, in my opinion. Not that this particular deal is inevitable, but something like it. And when it happens, it will bring about a sea change.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

You would see a ****load of people buying new TVs, or Apple TV or using their video game consoles...

I hope it doesn't happen.

 

[Jake_Taylor]

I have a feeling we'll be seeing Google Fiber in a lot more markets in the somewhat near future.

https://fiber.google.com/about/

 

[Bob Cook]

If this happens, RIP DirectTV. The thing for Google is, it creates a content stream people will actually pay for. Plus, the NFL will make a ****load more because people won't have to buy a satellite system -- they can pay a subscription fee and just sit down and watch it on whatever device they want.

For that matter, why couldn't Amazon Prime do the same thing? Or Netflix?

 

[YankeeFan]

If this happens, RIP DirectTV. The thing for Google is, it creates a content stream people will actually pay for. Plus, the NFL will make a ****load more because people won't have to buy a satellite system -- they can pay a subscription fee and just sit down and watch it on whatever device they want.

For that matter, why couldn't Amazon Prime do the same thing? Or Netflix?

Wouldn't make more sense for Amazon Prime, or Netflix? You'd have to sign up for their service first, then purchase Sunday Ticket, as you do with DirecTV.

The additional subscribers would be a big deal.

But, don't we all already get YouTube?

Would they use this as part of building a premium, subscription service?

 

[Captain Obvious]

YouTube has paid subscription options. Willow Cricket uses it for its U.S. rights to series including The Ashes and Indian Premier League.

 

[YankeeFan]

YouTube has paid subscription options. Willow Cricket uses it for its U.S. rights to series including The Ashes and Indian Premier League.

But, do you already have to subscribe to a pay service to order them?

I have to assume a pretty large portion of the 2 million Sunday Ticket subscribers are DirecTV customers just so they can buy the Sunday Ticket.

While Google could presumably make money off of it, they wouldn't be leveraging another service the way DirecTV does, unless they come up with something new.

 

[bigpern23]

YouTube has paid subscription options. Willow Cricket uses it for its U.S. rights to series including The Ashes and Indian Premier League.

But, do you already have to subscribe to a pay service to order them?

I have to assume a pretty large portion of the 2 million Sunday Ticket subscribers are DirecTV customers just so they can buy the Sunday Ticket.

While Google could presumably make money off of it, they wouldn't be leveraging another service the way DirecTV does, unless they come up with something new.

I think as someone else noted, Google Fiber would be the service they'd be drawing NFL fans to. Sunday ticket and broadband that is 100x faster than current providers? People would flock to Fiber.

 

[BTExpress]

If this happens, RIP DirectTV.

How so? They are paying $1 billion a year for a package that earns them $500 million in subscriber fees (plus some additional money from mobile).

Only 10 percent of DirecTV subscribers have Sunday Ticket (and how many of those were given away as promotions or by the retention department?)

 

[Captain Obvious]

YouTube has paid subscription options. Willow Cricket uses it for its U.S. rights to series including The Ashes and Indian Premier League.

But, do you already have to subscribe to a pay service to order them?

I have to assume a pretty large portion of the 2 million Sunday Ticket subscribers are DirecTV customers just so they can buy the Sunday Ticket.

While Google could presumably make money off of it, they wouldn't be leveraging another service the way DirecTV does, unless they come up with something new.

I don't see Google winning the rights. There was plenty of media gossip Apple and Google were going to bid on Premier League rights and that didn't happen. Neither company has a great product o connect TVs to the Internet. Apple TV is OK, but the quality of the HD streams is still noticeably worse than cable or satellite.

 

[MileHigh]

I see a DirecTV/Cable split coming for Sunday Ticket, just like DirecTV allowed RedZone to go to cable.

People still want their NFL on their 60-inch TV screens.

 

[LongTimeListener]

That's what I wonder, Captain -- on the rare occasions I have used my receiver to call up something on ESPN3, it has been awful. I figure Google wouldn't make that kind of investment without the technology to back it, but I also wonder how far away it is from truly being ready.

 

[Bob Cook]

YouTube has paid subscription options. Willow Cricket uses it for its U.S. rights to series including The Ashes and Indian Premier League.

But, do you already have to subscribe to a pay service to order them?

I have to assume a pretty large portion of the 2 million Sunday Ticket subscribers are DirecTV customers just so they can buy the Sunday Ticket.

While Google could presumably make money off of it, they wouldn't be leveraging another service the way DirecTV does, unless they come up with something new.

I think as someone else noted, Google Fiber would be the service they'd be drawing NFL fans to. Sunday ticket and broadband that is 100x faster than current providers? People would flock to Fiber.

Exactly. Google Fiber barely exists right now -- I've seen estimates it would cost $140 billion to roll out. But that has the potential to be an enormous moneymaker for Google, and a huge hit to AT&T, Comcast and the like unless they upgrade their lines pronto. I presume if Google bid for the NFL, there would be a lower subscription price for Fiber members, plus the ease of knowing the system can handle the stream.

 

[Humungus]

how would this affect bars?

 

[Inky_Wretch]

how would this affect bars?

Freelance IT guys will be in high demand on Sundays.

 

[JackReacher]

http://www.forbes.com/sites/markrogowsky/2013/08/22/5-reasons-nfl-sunday-ticket-isnt-coming-to-youtube/?partner=yahootix

 

[Bob Cook]

http://www.forbes.com/sites/markrogowsky/2013/08/22/5-reasons-nfl-sunday-ticket-isnt-coming-to-youtube/?partner=yahootix

Nos. 1 and 2 -- DirecTV needs Sunday Ticket and What Google Wants Isn't What the NFL Wants -- can be overcome. No. 3 -- the NFL Partners Don't Want What Google Wants -- also could be overcome. Money talks, etc. Nos. 4 and 5 -- about bandwidth issues and receivers -- are the big issue. Right now Google Fiber barely exists, and cable companies don't have to find ways to muck up a YouTube HD streaming experience because it already will be troublesome.

 

[Jake_Taylor]

Something interesting about Google Fiber is that Kansas City and Austin are two of the three test markets. It's also one of the relatively few places to get both Longhorn and Jayhawk Network content. That leads me to believe attracting sports fans with games they can't see elsewhere is big part of the plan.

 

[LongTimeListener]

http://www.forbes.com/sites/markrogowsky/2013/08/22/5-reasons-nfl-sunday-ticket-isnt-coming-to-youtube/?partner=yahootix

Nos. 1 and 2 -- DirecTV needs Sunday Ticket and What Google Wants Isn't What the NFL Wants -- can be overcome. No. 3 -- the NFL Partners Don't Want What Google Wants -- also could be overcome. Money talks, etc. Nos. 4 and 5 -- about bandwidth issues and receivers -- are the big issue. Right now Google Fiber barely exists, and cable companies don't have to find ways to muck up a YouTube HD streaming experience because it already will be troublesome.

It's entirely possible too that Google would be thinking of the consumer in a different way than any of us are used to. We all see football as a big-screen experience, and it is. But what if it became a stand-alone experience that you could watch on any device? Truthfully, if my team isn't playing I am as likely to be sitting in front of the computer checking fantasy scores and posting here as I am to be watching the action. And that's if I'm even home, which is a 50-50 proposition because of various kid and family events (where I'd maybe be able to sneak a peek at the game on my phone if it were through YouTube).

I'd have my normal cable package for the regular stuff and I'd have the Sunday Ticket for the extras. In time, the bandwidth and technology would equal out.