Sports Over the Internet

If there is one critical piece of the puzzle that would completely alter the face of how households view entertainment it is the transition of live sporting events to the Internet.  Right now few of the major sports franchise leagues are pursuing the internet in a large way, but the NFL is giving the market an idea about how sports viewing could change for consumers in the near future.  And it's still going to cost you.

Smart Phones Are the Beachhead for Sports Access For Additional Viewing on Mobile Devices
So far, the NFL has been working extensively with cable, satellite and telecom companies to create packages that are sell-ins to avid sports fans. Last year, the NFL and Verizon signed a deal to make Verizon the exclusive provider of video on smartphones that includes live games on Thursday and Sunday and the NFL's Red Zone, a roundup of game highlights.

Tablet computers are still excluded from these sports packages deals, even though consumer can watch games on their computers.  Time Warner Cable actually created controversy in April with an iPad app that let their own customers watch TV, including spots, on the tablet in their own home.

Media Companies Make Customers Pay Up For Access to More Devices
The strange and interesting nuance in all of this is that consumers actually have to pay more per month to watch sports on devices beyond their home HDTVs.  This seems in direct conflict with sports teams wanting to increase exposure for their teams and all of the merchandising and profits that come from additional fans. However, from the view of the cable companies, they like to charge 'per box' for each connection and this is exactly how they are viewing the tablet and smartphones.  With DirecTV, for example, subscribers actually have to pay an additional $9.99 month to watch NFL games on their computers or mobile devices.

Sling Boxes Can Be The Answer For the Spots Fan

There is a work around that consumers can consider when trying to find new ways to watch sports without having to pay.  Sling Box devices let consumers watch sports or any other channel they receive from their cable or satellite provider on their computer.  This means that traveling business men and women who are avid sports fans can easily watch their local team on their computer with a sling box. 

We like the Slinglink Turbo 1Port Enet Connection Bridge, Model SL 150-100 in particular because it is a 1 port device and perfect for when you are on the road.

You can read a full story on the NFL and its negotiations through this Wall Street Journal articld: http://on.wsj.com/mUzSmF