For those of you not getting the Chiefs/Broncos game tonight

If my cable bill only increased 50 cents then I would blame NFL Network. Instead my cable bill increases by several dollars every year, and cable companies are making record profits thanks to local monopolies. As I've noted elsewhere, over 90% of South Koreans have high-speed internet that is not only many times faster than anything we have commercially in the United States but is also about half as expensive. Why? Because cable companies compete over there.

 

I know that 10 years ago my phone bill was enormous - now it's a fraction of that cost due to competition - including competition from the cable companies.

If I could choose another cable company, I can guarantee you the cost of cable would be less, and I guarantee the content would be better.

I know that when you couldn't google the part number of equipment I sell, I made about 100% margin drop shipping the widgets. Now I make about 15%. Such is life. My customers are happy.

That said - the cable companies made an investment in the infrastructure, and I don't know how allowing competitors to use the infrastructure can be done in an equitable manner. Is it a 'lease' agreement for the telcos? Anybody know?

 

This is good stuff. What I don't know is how to place a value on the NFL network - so it's difficult to 'pick a side'. I do know that I'm a TWC subscriber, I don't want a dish, and therefore I have no NFL network. If I could choose another cable company ( and pay more ) to get NFLN, I would. But I can't.

 

That was a part of the case against 'Ma Bell as well. The courts ruled that competitors had to pay to use the infrastructure but otherwise would have unfettered ability to compete.

 

then dont appreciate it. It's not my job to educate you. If you care that bad then www.google.com

If you want to see two people argue ad nauseum about useless points then watch a 24 hour news channel. I expressed my point of view. Gave my reasons. I am not responsible for someone who has proven to be an adversarial hack misinterpreting legality.

My thanksgiving is not going to be trying to woo you to be on the right side. I have no financial interest in this and frankly I dont care if you think ESPN charges $45/minute or if. I am right and if you do any research outside of wikipedia's basics you will see that.

 

But doesn't the government own and maintain the distribution system making that competion possible? That would mean that the funds for maintanance and expansion of the cable system comes from tax revenues. Don't South Koreans pay like 2-3 % in property taxes? I think that's quite a bit more than I pay

 

The crux falls on you though. You called him out, then turned chickenshit when it got hot.

I care enough to read about it when its posted, but in short, I was telling you to stop being a pussy.

Its too easy to say "Im right" and leave it at that. You said hack. You don't want to back up your claims, even though you came in and said he was full of shit. You are the one who says you don't need to back what you said up, and then bowed out with a sarcastic Happy Thanksgiving, as if someone has infringed on your right to enjoy a holiday, and then you type a few insults about someone you don't like because they throw out insults.

Ya see, Collin may be this and that, and yes, he has his methods that can sometimes be transparent as hell in his posts during arguments. He spins. He insults. But he's for the most part honest, and when he says something, he'll try to back it up, sometimes to the point of being ridiculous. But he's never been accused of dropping a bomb and running like a bitch. Which is what Im accusing you of. I dont say that to be an asshole, I say that because that's what you did, and it's irritating.

 

The real sticking point seems to be the "must carry" provision the NFL Net wants. NFL Net is using the ESPN model so they want to be on basic tier and charge a rate for all subs and the cable companies want to put it on a sports tier where they can charge for it on a per viewer basis instead.

From a cable industry viewpoint, the NFL Network is more akin to a Golf Channel than it is to a Weather Channel, CNN, FoxNews or Discovery Channel. They view it as a premium offering to a niche market.

 

Is NFLN part of a premium pack on the satellites,or is it basic like cnn?

While I don't know how to value a network, to compare NFLN to the Golf channel sounds more like a negotiating strategy than a reality. NFL is king by a mile.

 

instead of spending next thanksgiving on this board you should come spend it with my family Collin. You could debate and argue all night long without expecting to finish a single sentence with my rabid sibs and inlaws :brickwall: