Decades ago, I would sit down in front of the television set at 5:30 pm (Central time) and watch national news, followed by local news. It wasn’t really local; the local channel came out of Omaha – 80 miles away. But that was how I got my evening news. I read the Omaha World-Herald and the Des Moines Register in the morning or throughout the day. Subscription prices to the World-Herald and Register/Tribune were manageable.
Today, I read all of my news online from some of the same outlets and they are cheaper if you receive them online. Additionally, I subscribe to the New York Times at a little over $20.00 a month, follow journalists on X (Twitter), and receive unwanted blurbs from various other free sources. I subscribe to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the e-paper of Stephanie’s hometown, and The Observer, my hometown newspaper, both at reasonable costs.
Currently, I watch television for a Kansas City Royals baseball game, which costs me just short of $100 for six months. But I have been a Royals fan since the early 1970s. I watch the NFL games on NBC, CBS, and any other free channel if I can get it, especially if the Kansas City Chiefs are playing. I’ve been a Chiefs fan since I saw them play in the old KC Municipal Stadium back in the 1960s. That’s the extent of my tv watching.
I am outraged that the National Football League has decided to broadcast the upcoming January 13th game between the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Miami Dolphins “exclusively” on Peacocktv. It is bad enough that the last time these two teams met on November 5th, the game was broadcast on the NFL Network. Neither Peacock nor the NFL Network are available unless you subscribe respectfully to each. More costs and more damned passwords are not what I need nor want!
I missed the November 5th game, and I’m going to miss the January 13th game. I refuse to subscribe to a streaming source for one game. In 2022, Peacock Media had revenue of over $2.1 billion. It paid the NFL $110 million so that it could be the sole broadcaster of the January 13 game. I sincerely hope it loses money.
The greed of the NFL is beyond my ability to keep up. There comes a time when you have to say, “if I have to pay again to watch my favorite team, perhaps I have a problem.” I’m disgusted that the NFL wants to take advantage of me and other Chiefs and Dolphins fans who are not in the immediate Kansas City or Miami viewing area (Local television stations may broadcast the game – it’s one of the requirements for streaming). In addition to paying a monthly fee, there are no free trials during this game. “In addition to a subscription, viewers will also need a supported device, which includes Windows and Mac computers, select Roku models, Android and iOS devices and select FireTV devices.”
This is an experiment that should be labeled “SCRATCH!” on Sunday morning.
On the bright side, the Iowa Hawkeyes Women’s Basketball team is playing on free television Saturday night. [FOX].
* * *
Please help Fawkes-Lee & Ryan maintain this website by donating $10, $20, $30, $50, $100, or more.
Your support is appreciated.
Subscribe (It’s FREE): Email mrtyryn@gmail.com with “Subscribe” in the Subject Line.
Fawkes-Lee & Ryan
2516 Lynner Dr.
Des Moines, IA 50310
Marty,
Another terrific article. Pissed as a Peacock was a perfect headline. The arrogance and greed of the NFL is beyond words. Trying to watch a game with all the commercials is painful…I often give up at half time. Check in later during the 4th qtr.
Kudos to you on all the newspapers you read and support. We’re still getting the Washington Post delivered…and also have it digitally. Support a few others online as well. I love the Post’s motto: “Democracy dies in Darkness.”
Keep up the good work, Terry