NFL to stream games online
Hey football fans, how about games streamed directly to your computer?
Yeah, well, don't get too excited yet, cause it'll cost you. The streaming is part of DirecTV's NFL Sunday Ticket Package, so unless you already have that, you're out of luck. And, if you do have the $269 Sunday Ticket package, upgrading to the SuperFan package that includes the online streaming will cost an additional $99. Also, it only works with Windows XP and Vista and Internet Explorer.
Now how do you feel?
I know how I feel: completely indifferent. But that's only because I don't watch football. Still, it does seem like a rather steep price to pay to catch all your favorite teams. As this article points out, the NFL has been especially stingy with its content when compared to the likes of the NBA, MLB and NHL.
This could be seen as an experiment on the part of the NFL, I suppose, but I personally don't understand why it's so difficult for the executives making these decisions to figure out that average people don't want a lot of hassle when it comes to online video, and that it's harder and harder to justify charging for content when so many of the major networks are offering full episodes online. I know the NFL has to pay for streaming cost somehow, but charging a hundred bucks and shutting out fans who don't use Windows doesn't seem like the best approach. There's a happy medium in there somewhere, but I don't think the NFL has found it just yet.
[via Digg]

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