NFL, Peacock, and the Future of Watching the Big Game?
Even with the NFL Championship games taking place today, I'm still thinking about The Peacock Game two weeks ago.
Two weeks ago it came and it went. The Peacock Game aka the game NBC paid a shit-ton of money for to be the first time a streamer had exclusivity to show an NFL playoff game (unless you lived in Miami or KC). Yes, the game was forgettable and the frosty weather stole the show (along with Taylor Swift), but these questions still burn in my brain now:
Like other NFL streaming one offs and such, do you think NBC will ever announce how many of the 23 million that signed up cancelled the day after the game? Or by next month? Doubtful, but for those that do stick around I suspect that sadly it WON’T be for NBC’s sports exclusivity rights to broadcast professional cycling events (Editor’s Note: Scott is a very big fan of cycling and there might be future references to the sport in his columns. Feel free to ignore.)
As a former Peacock subscriber, if these new viewers stick around I will say that Poker Face is worth it, even if it means paying to watch the Patrick/Travis/Taylor show to subsidize production for Natasha Lyonne’s talents. It’s a small price to pay.
Which begs the question…
As streaming models evolve along with consumer watching habits, will we see more big dog streamers roll up Brinks trucks to the major sports leagues as means for quick customer acquisition? Or per my assumption, will live sports help subsidize streamer’s original content? It seems that a lot will depend on how much the streamers cut back new content development (considering the recent Hollywood strikes, rising streaming costs, and changing consumer viewing habits) and if this subsidy concept is even needed. This past week proved that it wasn’t for Netflix and yet they still cut a deal with WWE. Plus, few sports can bring in guaranteed numbers like the NFL, so even if Peacock or others experiment like this with big NBA and MLB games, I don’t think the ROI will be worth it to them in the long run.
And on a personal note:
Will Peacock offer any “Tour de Deals” when it gets closer to the summer? If so, will me and the five other cycling fans in America (shout out to Jason Gay!) be the only Americans that care? Talk about depressing ROI.
And to the five fans, I leave you with this: Remco v. Jonas v. Tadej v. Primoz for the Yellow Jersey this summer is already making my head explode with endorphins. Somehow this year’s Tour is going be EVEN MORE mind-blowing, than 2023 and I am here for it! 🚴🚴🚴