Congressman Praises DirecTV Deal
Rep. Joe Barton (R-Tex.) praised the NFL's extension of its deal with DirecTV for the league's "Sunday Ticket" package.
Under the terms of the deal, announced Monday, consumers in areas in which DirecTV service is not available will be able to purchase a new "Sunday Ticket" broadband package.
"Speaking as a hard core Cowboys fan, I'm excited that the NFL and DirecTV extended the Sunday Ticket through the 2014 season," Barton, the ranking Republican member of the House energy and commerce committee, said in a written statement released today. "As a broadband backer, I am enthused that they're using the internet to stream games to a global audience.
"Next they'll be watching the Cowboys whip the Redskins in Texas and in Washington, as usual, but maybe even in Timbuktu. Broadband is ready for prime time and the decision demonstrates the truth of what I've said for quite awhile: We've never had more video options or better technology, and when the government stays out of the way, good things happen for television viewers."
By
Mark Maske
|
March 24, 2009; 7:46 PM ET
| Category:
Television
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Posted by: ozpunk | March 25, 2009 3:18 PM
The NFL wants it both ways. The sign an exclusive deal w/ Direct TV for the Sunday ticket, exluding all the other carriers, then try to tell Time Warner where in thier digital tier to put the NFL Network. TW still doesnt carry it because it wont cave to the NFL's demands. Good for them...if you can say that about a cable company
Posted by: wagz20 | March 25, 2009 2:39 PM
Doesn't a congressman have more important things to do than comment on NFL pay-TV deals? How about opening the pay-TV industry up to competition? That's something that should better occupy his time.
Posted by: edwcorey | March 25, 2009 1:51 PM
Every provider has their gimmicks. HBO on demand is only available to comcast. I have a DVR with DirecTV so I have no complaints about not getting TiVo to work with it. I refuse to use Verizon's so called higher quality service because even though fiber optic is the bomb, you still have to deal with Verizon. I kicked those crooks out of my house years ago and got Vonage. I've been very pleased with DirecTV, excellent customer service, The NFL Package is to die for, and the HD is wonderful.
Posted by: clark202 | March 25, 2009 12:27 PM
DirecTV's ongoing deal with the NFL is a terrible thing for competitiveness between TV providers. You can't get the NFL package on Verizon's higher quality service or Comcast's service. Another problem is that if you have DirecTV you can't use TiVo. Consumers should be freer to pick programming and features a la carte. DirecTV limits choice and no congressman, let alone a Republican, should think this is a good deal. I end up having Comcast so I can use TiVo (Verizon is iffy with TiVo) and have local channels without a box. Then I get DirecTV strictly for NFL for half the year.
Posted by: webg | March 25, 2009 1:04 AM
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Well, now I can see why it is so expensive since DirecTV has to $1 billion per year to the NFL, but Sunday Ticket is so f'ing sweet.