2025-2026 NFL Season Thread

[Waboman]

[RageATL]

https://tvanswerman.com/2022/07/11/n...n-need-to-win/

TV Answer Man, I read stories saying that Apple and Amazon are the front runners to get the next NFL Sunday Ticket contract. But you seem to think that ESPN may win. Why do you think that? — Paul, St. Petersburg, Florida.

Paul, several reliable news organizations, including CNBC, Sports Business Journal and the New York Post, have reported that Amazon, Apple and the Disney-owned ESPN+ are battling for the next NFL Sunday Ticket contract. (DIRECTV’s current deal with the league expires after the 2022 season.) They also report that Apple and Amazon are the likely front runners to win.

I don’t dispute their reporting; it undoubtedly reflects the current thinking around the league. However, let me offer a few words on why ESPN+ could still emerge victorious.

The consensus now is that Disney will not want to pay the NFL more than $2 billion a year for the Sunday Ticket because it has already spent a reported $2.7 billion a year for Monday Night Football. CNBC reports that Disney (along with Apple and Amazon) has made a bid for the Ticket, but Sports Business Journal writes that the offer trails the two streamers.

However, I think that Disney could still sweeten its offer for two reasons:

1. To further build the ESPN+ subscriber base.

Although it’s a sports service, ESPN+ is competing with everyone from Netflix to HBO Max to Apple for the attention and revenue of the streaming audience. There are only so many dollars to go around and ESPN+ can use the Ticket as a flagpole to lure and maintain subscribers.

2. To stop Apple or Amazon from becoming a monster competitor in the sports category.

In recent years, Disney/ESPN has been the dominant player in obtaining sports broadcasting rights, acquiring a significant number of games in all major sports and several minor ones as well. When you think of sports, you think ESPN first.

However, if Apple gets the Sunday Ticket, it will be able to add that to its MLB and MLS lineups. Suddenly, Apple will be the go-first service for some sports fans.

This will encourage Apple to reach into those deep pockets and start spending even more on sports, competing aggressively in the future with ESPN on everything and probably winning more than its fair share.

But if ESPN could take the Ticket now, it might force Apple to take a few steps back because its MLS/MLB lineups are still thin compared to other sports rights holders, especially ESPN. Without the Ticket, Apple could temper its sports ambitions.

Raising its ante for the Ticket would be the smart strategic move for ESPN. For now, and for years to come.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says a league decision is coming by this fall, which is somewhat nebulous; fall doesn’t end until December. But it says here that the final months of negotiations could provide a few surprising twists.

[dcowboy7]

Again just dont see it.
NFL wants to spread everything around thats why apple is the fav.
Disney offer would have to be alot more $$ than its current bid & that seems very unlikely.

[RageATL]

Texans unveiled their new Battle Red helmet today that will be worn Nov. 3 vs. the Eagles:

[dcowboy7]

[ctujackbauer]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZLfasMPOU4

If an opposing team played this song while introducing Zach Wilson, I'd be content.

[tcripe]

N’keal Henry traded to the Bears. Will be interesting to see if he can turn his career around or not.

[dcowboy7]

3 wks from tomorrow night there is an nfl game on tv.

[tcripe]

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...lion-per-year/

Apple TV most likely to land Sunday Ticket at $3b a year.

[RageATL]

Originally Posted by tcripe

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...lion-per-year/

Apple TV most likely to land Sunday Ticket at $3b a year.

Florio citing Puck News here, I dunno about that. In fact, the TV Answer Man who I post content from and follow on Twitter made light of the fact that Puck News said for sure it was happening this way from a source but has since backed off that comment:

https://twitter.com/tvanswerman/stat...jp6sk0qR64MZOg

[Bigdog]

Originally Posted by tcripe

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...lion-per-year/

Apple TV most likely to land Sunday Ticket at $3b a year.

Those who get the ticket better be ready for a price jump imo if that is true.


If anything I hope it might actually finally lead to a positive, like all games being broadcast in a true 4k hdr format.

[RageATL]

Originally Posted by Bigdog

If anything I hope it might actually finally lead to a positive, like all games being broadcast in a true 4k hdr format.

Eventually, but not very soon as it's going to take some time and a lot of money to upgrade the entire broadcast ecosystem to 4K compliance. I mean, the games we've had over the past few years have been in a faux-K with HDR applied and looked pretty damn good to these eyes.

Funny enough, the two of us had a similar exchange back in March of 2021

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...stcount=119371

Anyway, here's that article again for those that might have missed it the first time:

Inside the first-ever NFL broadcast in 4K HDR:

https://www.theverge.com/2019/9/26/2...ball-streaming

[Moviefan1203]

The rare times we get a 4K game is such a tease.

[RageATL]

Originally Posted by Moviefan1203

The rare times we get a 4K game is such a tease.

I've only seen a handful of native 4K games and they've all been college. That being said, they looked phenomenal.

[dcowboy7]

Originally Posted by Bigdog

Those who get the ticket better be ready for a price jump imo if that is true.

If anything I hope it might actually finally lead to a positive, like all games being broadcast in a true 4k hdr format.

Yep anything more than FREE is a price jump.
Most people get sunday ticket for free if you just call them.
I always did when i had it.
Just read the comments on the dbstalk forums some are even getting it free already.

& i dont know how much this pushes 4K since cbs/fox do the games & theyve made no mention of upgrading anytime soon & apple is just basically simulcasting them.

[Bigdog]

Originally Posted by dcowboy7

Yep anything more than FREE is a price jump.
Most people get sunday ticket for free if you just call them.
I always did when i had it.
Just read the comments on the dbstalk forums some are even getting it free already.

& i dont know how much this pushes 4K since cbs/fox do the games & theyve made no mention of upgrading anytime soon & apple is just basically simulcasting them.

I don't know how satellite services survive then because i nearly do the same for my xm/sirus sub too haha . I have that down to like 3 bucks a month now or else i threaten to unsub..

[dcowboy7]

Jason Mccourtey "retired" or in other words nobody would sign him so the rumor is he may be going to GMFB to be the Burleson replacement.

[Bigdog]

Originally Posted by dcowboy7

Jason Mccourtey "retired" or in other words nobody would sign him so the rumor is he may be going to GMFB to be the Burleson replacement.

What is up with GMFB, did they nuke the entire cast?

[dcowboy7]

Originally Posted by Bigdog

What is up with GMFB, did they nuke the entire cast?

No brandt & schrager are still there.
Burleson quit to do cbs football sunday & that news or whatever show.
Kay quit cause she probably wanted more $$ & there was that rumor she was going to TNF but obv that didnt happen.
NFLN is kinda like a jumping off point sometimes to other things like laconfora went to cbs though hes gone from there now too - schefty & darlington both to espn - rodney harrison to nbc - sharpe to fox - darren sharper to jail.

GMFB is rough hrs they have a production meeting 5:30am every showday.

[Tony208]

The new name for steelers Heinz field