National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) President Gordon Smith warned that the Federal Communications Commission's move to issue a broad notice of proposed rulemaking on retransmission consent could ultimately push the Super Bowl away from free TV, reports B&C.

According to the article, the NAB " 'strongly endorses educating consumers with the multiple options available to them in the exceedingly rare instance when a retransmission consent dispute arises, including the antenna TV option. In the final analysis, injecting Washington into private business negotiations that have a 99% success rate only serves to embolden pay-TV companies,' said Smith."


Furthermore the story says Smith warned that "If the pay-TV giants succeed there will be further migration of premiere sporting events like the Super Bowl away from free TV, and a reduction in financial resources that sustain quality foreign language programming, local news and entertainment to a growing audience of more than 30 million Americans who rely exclusively on over-the-air television."

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/460857-Smith_Government_Retrans_Moves_Could_Send_Super_Bowl_To_Pay_Platform.php

That would be a silly move. They couldn't possibly charge nearly as much for advertising on cable as they do on broadcast TV.

Super Bowl on Pay TV won't make ANY revenue!

As much as I love sports, especially football, I would never pay to watch a sporting event on TV (other than my regular cable bill). Under no circumstances would I pay extra to watch ANY sporting event.

The NFL would be taking a huge risk if they ever tried anything like making the Super Bowl a PPV event. I really don't see that happening any time soon. The pressure from the public would be overwhelming.

Remember when the Patriots were 15-0 and playing the Giants in Week 17? The NFL wasn't going to televise that week 17 game, but there was so much public pressure, that about THREE networks ended up showing the game.

It doesn't happen often, but sometimes when the fans speak, the NFL listens.

The NFL's not going to know what hit it if it even thinks about making this kind of a move.

One caveat... the NFL might eventually do this, but it would not be very expensive, at least not the first time. But I still don't think that they would risk alienating fans on the biggest advertising day of the year.

As much as I love sports, especially football, I would never pay to watch a sporting event on TV (other than my regular cable bill). Under no circumstances would I pay extra to watch ANY sporting event.

The NFL would be taking a huge risk if they ever tried anything like making the Super Bowl a PPV event. I really don't see that happening any time soon. The pressure from the public would be overwhelming.

Remember when the Patriots were 15-0 and playing the Giants in Week 17? The NFL wasn't going to televise that week 17 game, but there was so much public pressure, that about THREE networks ended up showing the game.

It doesn't happen often, but sometimes when the fans speak, the NFL listens.

The NFL's not going to know what hit it if it even thinks about making this kind of a move.

One caveat... the NFL might eventually do this, but it would not be very expensive, at least not the first time. But I still don't think that they would risk alienating fans on the biggest advertising day of the year.
I agree. I wouldn't pay for it either. I used to be a big boxing fan when I was a kid. I watched all the Ali fights on network tv. When it went to Pay TV I quit. I don't even know who the heaveyweight champ is anymore. lol

I agree. I wouldn't pay for it either. I used to be a big boxing fan when I was a kid. I watched all the Ali fights on network tv. When it went to Pay TV I quit. I don't even know who the heaveyweight champ is anymore. lol

Yup, I remember the Ali fights on TV... they'd be on ABC, and sometimes at odd hours depending on where the fight was taking place (Manila, Zaire etc).

As far as knowing who the heavyweight champ is, I have no idea either. Looking at the list of champs, the most recent name I recognize is Wladimir Klitschko, but we've had three title holders since he first won it.

Wouldn't surprise me, everything today is all about money

Wouldn't surprise me, everything today is all about money

Or, more accurately, GREED!!!

But it's not even a good fiscal decision. It's going to be a disaster if this happens.